GREAT MOMENTS IN WRITING HISTORY...

Okay, so maybe you won't hear about it in 300 years and my Ashley Stockingdale is no Scarlett O'Hara, but for me, the great writing moments are measured in wonderful times spent outside this box of an office with great friends. We discuss writing. We travel to great places (here we are in Carmel, CA) and we live large at restaurants.

Above on the left is Diann Hunt with the long hair. And that's no wig, doesn't she look cute? I totally think you should go for the Jennifer Aniston look now Di. I mean it's a perfect excuse to be a redhead or relive our Farrah Fawcett/Christie Brinkley days, when we were totally the WRONG coloring, you know what I'm saying.

Then, there's Carol Cox, Kristin Billerbeck and Judith Miller.

I remember these great moments like they were yesterday. Right after this, we went to pick up our future editor, Ami McConnell at the San Jose Airport. I have some prettier ones of me pregnant, poorly dressed and carrying a passport holder rather than a Handbag. WHAT?? And Denise is carrying a briefcase. ROFLOL Colleen looks the same. Got any great moments you'd like to forget in pictures? LOL And don't you love how Facebook lets people post them publicly?

Labels: California, Carmel, Diann Hunt, Judith Miller

Well, it's a New Year and you know what that means...lots of stupid laws to take effect in California, land of the plastic, home of the well-meaning. The truth is, I only know of one law taking effect January 1st, and that's no texting while driving.

Maybe I'm slow. I was educated in the California public school system, "Like" is a regular part of my vocabulary, and I identify with Bridget Jones and Becky Sharp as heroines. However, it's already a law in CA that you must be "hands-free" while driving, ie., you can't have your phone in your hand. Now, I don't know about you, but a NEW law adding that you can't text seems...I don't know...unnecessary?

So, let's see, we can still afford eggs because the chicken hokey pokey (they have to be able to turn themselves about) law doesn't take effect yet. You know, I buy organic eggs, so this is no skin off my nose, but do all the poor people know that these free-wheeling chickens don't come cheap? Just asking.

It's now illegal to forge a "clean air act" bumper sticker for your Prius -- hence making the old Prius, with the sticker that lets you drive in the commuter lane, more valuable. I think it's sort of funny the idea that a do-gooder, driving a Prius, would cheat on the sticker. But also that a bumper sticker might prove more valuable than the actual vehicle. I can pass you in my SUV with all my offspring in because I'm so eligible! ACK!

Smart car drivers can now use the commuter lane. Which is good because then they can pass everyone and give us all a good laugh -- sort of like a parade! (They're like motorcycles with a roof, only way less cool.)

Finally, if you're selling your car on the street (like they do by Stanford University on the El Camino Real) the police can impound your vehicle because you are NOT a licensed dealer. Bad, bad private seller!

Go ahead. Laugh at our stupidity, but be warned. Californians can't afford California anymore, and we're bringing our idiocy to a state near you!

And seriously? The Smart Car should come with a warning. It is seriously emasculating. I'm not a Harley girl, but if given a choice between a guy on a bike and one of these...well, you be the judge.

Labels: 2009 Laws, California