In my maiden entry, I referred to myself as a "suburban mom." If you'd known me two scant years ago, you would've found the thought of me being a suburban anything to be laughable (do your best impersonation of "The Jesus" when saying that last word). But then, the family had to move to Tan County for work purposes.
The long and short of it is that I am a black D.C. native (with pitstops in NY, TX, SF and, most recently, LA) who now lives in an OC "city" with a black population last documented as 53.
Ah, how to explain what it's like to go from being one of five interracial families on line at the Silver Lake Trader Joe's (not including all the others browsing the aisles and pulling into the parking lot) to being gawked at just for walking to the curb for the mail? I'll forego being verbose and get right to the best word that describes the sensation...lousy.
Hey now! Before this entry goes off the deep end of downer-dom...here are the things that have made it more tolerable to live in Agrestic.
Sapphire Pantry — LA Mill coffee (I'm not a froofy coffee drinker, but...butterscotch + espresso = yes!); mini-pastries; a cheesemonger and free parking!
Laguna Beach Books — This family operation shares a parking lot with Sapphire. It's bright and beach-y with a good selection of kids' books, regular literary events, plus the owner is very sweet. It took a good minute to find decent non-chain coffee and books down here, but I managed. (Also worthy of note are Downtown Laguna's Zinc and its tiny little neighbor, Latitude 33...but their parking situation is the pits and the meter cops are straight vultures!)
Rancho Niguel 8 — For the longest, I just referred to this place as Loehmann's Theater because my movie buddy, Audra, and I often find it hard not to duck into the designer discount store that faces this (um, I guess we're calling it "arthouse") theater. A bagger at the neighboring Ralphs, where I get my contraband movie snacks, recently said to me, "They play weird stuff over there." "Naw, dude. It's indie!" said the cashier, giving me a knowing nod. "Oh," said the bagger, "I seen an indie movie once." Ah, Orange County.
Irvine Spectrum Center — Yes, this is just a huge mall. And, yes, you can't get more suburban than a huge mall. But this huge mall makes me so very happy. Fancy Target, Anthropologie, Veggie Grill and plenty of stuff to keep my kid happy (ferris wheel, carousel, pop fountain, train ride, seasonal ice rink). We were just there today, dammit! We rooted for little kids competing in a hula hoop contest. And I was, indeed, so very happy.
Home Goods — I knew of these mega-TJ Maxx stores, but until OC happened to me, I'd never set foot in one. It's like the most awesome/ridiculous gussied-up garage sale that you never needed to find. In the time it takes your kid to eat a cereal bar (our bribe of choice), you can sift through the crap and unearth a set of Aaron Meshon melamine bowls, a pair of Matiko flats, Le Creuset cookware, Cal-King bedding and a heavily discounted Tinkerbell doll.
San Juan Capistrano Library — Michael Graves designed this little branch, tucked behind the city's famed mission. They host great little storytimes, multi-culti music and dance performances and movie screenings for kids, as well as, cinema buffs. Aside from all the little extras, they have fabulous holdings. On a good day, they're 'new arrivals' cart looks mirrors that of any bookstore.
These distractions help keep me moderately sane until the husband's off the clock and we can head to L.A., or San Diego. What should I add to my list?
