Admission: $10 Before 10pm

the people who put the mirrors in my condo are idiots. instead of mastic, they used either liquid nails or silicone. the only way to get them off the wall is to hammer and chisel them off. after that, we'll have to replaster the whole wall. ouch.

this is why there should be a minimum IQ for homeowners. silicone? seriously?

in the meantime, we're experimenting with molding and custom bookcases as ways to integrate the mirrors. they do add huge amounts of light, and the illusion of space is incredible. it also allows for delicious views of joggers both coming and going. on the other hand, the refrigerator door opens up right in front of it... i'm not sure if that's good or bad.

if nothing else, we'll turn into the underground lesbian social-- complete with strobe light, cling chart, and awkward moments shared with the ghosts of girlfriends past.

Ugly, Ugly, They All Fall Down!

even though the floor to ceiling mirrors in the living room add a lot of light and create the illusion of size... they create the reality of ugly. our window guy suggested we rent the space out as a dance studio. the chickapea suggested we hang a disco ball. i think we should just remove it. for this project, we're contracting with broadway glass. they are a long beach fixture that's been around for about 55 years. it's a little scary to think about what the wall will look like when the mirrors come off.

I'm Floored

our floors are done!

mp wouldn't let me walk on them yet, something about permanent paw prints not being part of the plan... but the whole place looks incredibly different. we went with a natural finish and water-based polyurethane coat, so it looks like fresh, beautiful wood.

Cosmetically Challenged

it's definitely cosmetically challenged, but i'm a puppy with vision... and access to my person's bank account.

we get fantastic light in the living room and kitchen, though this picture was taken late in the afternoon, and the bedroom is cool and quiet. when it was 90 degree outside last week, the bedroom was a refreshing 70. all good for puppy naps after an afternoon of sun-tan-turn-over-time. we're less than a block from the beach; we have a great view of the people (and pups) strolling by; all of our neighbors are mp's age. this is where a spry puppy and her playful person belong.

next up: the bedroom and bathroom-- complete with original 50's tile. mmm... salmon.

The Great Love Affair

i love long beach.

long beach was the first place i called home. it's the place i bonded with mp. i took my first car ride to long beach. i took my first walk on a leash in long beach. i played in my first dog park in long beach. i opened my first door, tossed my first toy, peed on my first rug, drank my first beer, chased my first mail person, flirted with my first hot girl, and spent the first night under the covers, safe with my person, in long beach.

i love walking on the bluff, letting my whiskers flutter in the breeze.

i love walking around the neighborhood, giving attitude to other pups that don't know how to keep their people in line.

even when we moved away, long beach was where i felt at home. when things got crazy, i would go there and watch the waves and feel the weird calm that seemed to physically pull weight from my back. i stroll 2nd street and window shop as i eat a puppy canoli from whiskers. sometimes, mp and i grab a coffee and watch the girls roll by us.

like all relationships, not everything is perfect between me and long beach. the city, well, she has some bad habits and rough spots. but we're working on it because i believe in her.

long beach rocks.

welcome to our love affair.