Sociology...so hot right now...

There's nothing quite as romantic as spending a weekend away...together...alone...in one of the world's most sociologically-fascinating spots.

Don't read the bumper-stickers too closely, there are some bad bad words. But please do read what is painted on the window: "Fall In Love With Everything..." This was the most gorgeous camper-trailer I've ever seen.

Ever been to Venice Beach, CA? Venice Beach is located right next to Santa Monica. It's actually a little city called Venice, which is named because it was designed to be "California's little Venice", in the 1940's, I think, when a series of canals were built and classy neighborhoods to go with them. In the 70's those classy neighborhoods had turned to--what else but--hippy communes and artist's pads. Today the canal neighborhoods are returning to their roots--upscale snobbish types, as all the hippies and artists have moved to the beach.

The Cadillac Hotel, one of two hotels on VB. We're pretty sure, by the way, that a homeless guy slept in our (actually trevor's) car the first night. We had to give the keys to the security guy...who probably made a buck or two off of the comfortable flat-back of the Pathfinder.

The thing I love about VB is that while on one side of the street you have regular beach boardwalk stores, on the other side, the beach side, you have street vendor after street vendor, as well as some amazing street performers. Many of the vendors live right there on the beach. They roll out of their "beds" on the beach or the grass in the morning and set up shop. They are all really happy to talk to you, share their stories with you, give you their political views and religious beliefs, as well as those of some of the other vendors around.



There was this one guy who had a little booth set up, similar to the "tarot card and palm reading" booths, only he was the "handwriting guru". Now, I know that the science of handwriting analysis exists, and I was really interested in how legit this guy was, but was too cheap/scared of getting bamboozled to confront him. He yelled out to us, "I analyze pregnant women for free!" My lucky day! I copied the sentence he asked me to, and he began a 30 minute analysis of me, which was 99% hogwash. He told me things like, "You procrastinate." and, "you are hormonal." and a bunch of other stuff that you can say about 95% of the population (the hormonal thing, i mean the pregnant population). Regardless of how much crap he was telling us, we stood there fascinated by his stories and his life. Spencer and I soaked it in. My generous husband gave him a dollar, and we moved on to the "Venice Beach Freak Show", where we saw a two-headed turtle, a two-headed snake (both live), and a white-tailed deer's bottom turned upside down and decorated like a monkey face (it was titled, "Swamp Monkey"). Classy joint. A great way to spend $3.



Later we talked to a woman who told us all about this poem she had written which had a lot to do with strength of women and that the "fathers need to return to the seed". She wanted to tell me the very deep meaning to it because I was pregnant and she thought it might touch me. I actually really liked the poem. That was right before we got FREE HAIRCUTS from a Paul Mitchell trailor that was promoting the movie "You Don't Mess With the Zohan".

After that we met up with our good friends who live in Santa Monica, Chris and Kristen, who were also celebrating an anniversary (happy 6 months!). With Chris and Kristin across the way from our hotel entrance. Isn't the mosaic mural great?

We had dinner together and Chris asked in a slightly puzzled way why I would choose Venice Beach for a romantic getaway. A good question. Are you all wondering? It never occurred to me before he asked, that it wasn't the most romantic spot. All Spencer and I need is strawberries and chocolate for dipping (which I brought), an ocean to look at (he gets in, I don't), and lot's of good people-watching. Sunday morning we sat on the roof-top of our hotel and watched the VB scene unfold. We watched the homeless folks roll out of bed and walk the 20 steps to the boardwalk.

The morning scene just in front of our hotel.

Some got set up, others sang made-up songs quite loudly, some started yelling political protests against "corporate america" (the one who chiefly was doing this, it turns out, is rumored to have won a couple of court cases against the city and is doing very well for himself), another guy stood in one spot, rocking heel-to-toe rather cooly as he took pictures of passers-by with a cell phone. We observed for who knows how long. I'm sure many people would have people-watched with me, but not with the fascination and appreciation that Spencer did. That morning I was reminded how perfect he is for me.

Thanks for the wonderful weekend, Spencer. And thanks for being my best-sociology-friend. Oh yeah, and thanks for surprising me with the amazing jewelry that I don't deserve but gladly accept. That's a Carolyn Clive Classics original, with a 10.5 ct Amethyst and the setting is hand-designed by his Grandmother, who sells to Saks 5th Ave. Now I have to get new clothes to match it! :)



PS, and thanks Mom and Dad Clive for the hotel and for taking care of Cadence for us that weekend. You made it possible!