Vera Jimenez's TimeSaver Tips

Oh dear!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:06:11 GMT

I can't believe I'm actually admitting this, but I am.

I went to Costco yesterday, no not to sample the delicacies, but buy an adaptor.

It was mid afternoon, Rana was with me, and I was focused on the potatoes.

Should I make classic mashed, baked and loaded with cheese, roast them with Rosemary, maybe just a light seasoning.

That is where my mind was as I parked my car and cranked the windows down for the mutt.

I ran in, got the adaptor and left. I was in there literally 15 minutes maximum.

As I walked out, I perused the circular the friendly doorman gave me.

I got to the end of the car aisle, where I was sure I had parked my car and left my dog.

Panic struck when I couldn't locate my car with the girl in it.

They're going to dump her on the freeway. My heart sank. I rounded the lot where I was sure I had left it, but to no avail.

I was hesitant to tell anyone because if I found it, I'd want the ground to swallow me whole.

The thought of Rana being dumped, made me tell. I told the attendant and he called Rob, the assistant.

Rob and I walked the parking lot again. Nothing.

"Where did you enter the lot?" he asked logically.

"They're going to dump her," I said with tears streaming down my cheeks.

He called the police. We gave them a full report.

He must of thought I was out of my mind. Brian who inadvertently heard the conversation, said I sound like I was nuts. I thought I had dropped the line, but had not and ended up at his voicemail.

The explanation of the potatoes, the dog, the dirty car, the adaptor, cooking dinner, the grassy stretch close to where I parked, the cart guy with the black glove with the red piping, Brian coming to get me, it was all a quivering mess pouring out of my mouth.

It jumbled out as I tried to explain it to Rob. But he was very understanding, kind, and sweet when I pointed at the dirty car with the little blond dog in the back seat.

This is when I was supposed to be swallowed whole.

"I'm so sorry!" I repeated as flung my arms around him, hugging him as tight as I could. He checked on Rana. He too was happy. I think he was just relieved to not have had to write a theft report for his store.

Thank you Rob.

Staying healthy ...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:57:40 GMT

I grew up taking home made remedies.

My mom didn’t have medical insurance until I was 16 years old, so before that, we didn’t go to the doctor.

Lucky for her, all six of us were pretty healthy and none of us ever broke a bone.

When we came down with the usual ailments, it was over the counter meds, or stuff she’s make by boiling or roasting herbs, weeds, fruit peels, vegetables or whatever else was needed.

Last week when I “caught” a cold, I turned to one of her magic potions.

As most do, this one tastes particularly pungent, spicy, tart, sweet, and just plain ol' awful.

It’s a combo of red onion, garlic, lemon and honey.

You toss it all into the blender and let it sit in the fridge for four days. The you take it like you would ‘tussin.

Needless to say I have a couple of batches at the ready in the fridge.

I never seem to get the ratios right, so when I make it, every table spoon I takes makes me nauseas. Mostly I know because the garlic is so strong.

When mom makes it, it's very mellow and palatable.

The reason this concoction is supposed to work, is because of the thermal qualities of garlic and onion.

When eaten raw, both are spicy, like hot peppers. When you eat hot peppers it creates heat in your body, and sometimes even makes you sweat. That heat is supposed to help boost your immune system and help fight off whatever is attacking you.

The lemon, well it's vitamin C, no need for explanation and the honey, I'm sure is supposed to make it more palatable.

Whether it works or not, I don't know. It makes sense to me. And I really feel like it did. I left work early on Thursday, stayed home Friday and felt much better by Saturday.

All I took was mom's 'tussin, and a little 'Quil on Saturday night.

By Sunday, I felt much better, now I only feel a little tickle in my throat at night. So even though I'd rather not, I'm still taking it nightly and will continue to through flu season.

Unexpected gratitude ...

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:56:39 GMT

I went to the DMV to get a duplicate of my driver's license that I unfortunately lost.

Since I work in Studio City, it made sense to go to the Glendale office.

When I arrived, I was dismayed at the line that snaked around the building.

I must have had a horrified look on my face, because a guy in line looked at me said, "you're already here, you might as well, and just get in line and suck it up."

My shoulders drooped, as I did what I was told.

Once in line, I checked the time, 11:07.

I was a bit surprised at how quick the line moved, or at least it appeared that way because of all the great people watching.

As I watched the newcomers arrived, I recognized the look of disbelief when they rounded the building to see the end of the line.

Many assumed it was a mistake, as they walked into the building to see where they were actually supposed to be.

When they returned, the confused look on their faces, gave way to defeat and sadness, as they shuffled to the end of the line.

Alone or in pairs, on the phone, with uncoifed hair and coffee cups or envelopes in their hands, they kept coming.

The minutes ticked away, 11:18, 11:34, 11:43 by 11:56 I had made it into the building. Now I was actually in line to talk to the attendant and take a number.

While standing in line, I read the electronic message sign.

Along with a variety of messages, it said that there was a two hour wait at the Glendale office. I hoped that that didn't mean two hours from the moment you took your ticket.

I almost went into a panic , but instead waited quietly to explain that I needed a duplicate license.

The pleasant attendant with a pretty face gave me an application and a number. G106

When I turned to look at the number screen, it said G022. I felt a lump in stomach, or maybe hunger pangs.

I wanted to leave, but didn't.

I found a chair, sat down, and was thankful to have an iPhone. I went to YouTube and watched Howell Hauser, returned email, nothing however was as interesting as the people around me.

Both sexes, all nationalities, shapes, sizes, religions or lack of, educated or not, I didn't matter, everyone there stood in line, took a number and waited just the same.

I'm thankful to live in America.

And by the way, I walked out at 1:03, almost two hours exactly. What more could I you ask for.

Pac-Man ...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:02:19 GMT

Was that amazing?

Did you see it?

That's probably been the best fight I've seen in a long time.

Manny the machine. I am I wrong?

He's gone up six or seven weight classes above his natural stature, and he's still winning.

I wasn't sure he was going to beat Cotto, especially since we now know why Cotto lost against Margarito.

I never thought it would be an easy win for Cotto, but I thought there was a really good chance Cotto would beat Pac-Man.

I kept waiting for Cotto to deliver one good solid punch, but it never happened.

The bounce didn't leave his feet, but his arms kept slipping further down signaling the fatigue settling in.

Now we'll just have to wait and see if Mayweather will be next.

LOSING ANYTHING ...

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:27:33 GMT

But when it's your drivers license, it's even worse.

Forget about not being able to buy adult beverages. That I can deal with.

However, sitting at the DMV, I don't know. I just can't stomach it. I've been putting it off, but I need a new one.

I'm not sure where I lost my license. The weekend was full of activities and cab rides, and somewhere along the way a lost driver's license. I called one of the places where I could have lost it, but with not luck.

I don't remember the names of the cab companies, so I couldn't call them.

Now I have to go to the DMV.

I went on line to make an appointment but the soonest one available, in any of the three locations near me, was on the 25th of November.

So I've decided that today is the day. I'm going to bear down, suck it up and go.

I'm hoping it doesn't mean I'm going to end up spending all morning there, but who knows.

Just in case, I think I'll pack a lunch!

To be continued.

Traffic Tip...

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:32:22 GMT

Northeast San Fernando Valley Your TimeSaver Tip : When taking the 5 South from the Newhall Pass/Sylmar area into Glendale, Los Angeles and points south. Time Saver Blogger and commuter Bikerider says try taking the 210 to the 2 south to either the 134 or 5 freeway.

He says the mileage difference is about 3-5 miles, but it rarely slows below 70 MPH and will take much less time than the 5 South.

While I have to say that I've never taken it during the rush hour, I have used it instead of the 5 on many occassions. I do agree that it doesn't slow down much.

The only slows down are usually due to accidents. In the afternoon, I have sat through delays near Montrose on the transition from the 210 to the 2, but they're very minimal.

Enjoy Bikerider's tip and please send me yours!

Will the 710 extend?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:45:44 GMT

Caltrans and Metro have announced the release of the State Route 710 Tunnel Technical Study DRAFT Geotechnical Summary Report. The report contains data on the geological conditions within the five geographic zones.

Data collection and field exploration work, as part of the Study’s Exploration Program, has been reviewed and evaluated. Descriptions of geology, faulting, seismicity, material properties, hazardous materials, groundwater conditions, and tunneling considerations are provided in depth in the SR-710 Tunnel Study DRAFT Geotechnical Summary Report. This report is now available in DVD format at public libraries within the Study area and can be downloaded from the Study website at www.710tunnelstudy.info.

They will be hosting Steering and Technical Advisory Committee meetings in November 2009, and a series of community meetings in early 2010. Please check their website for meeting updates and locations as they become available.

Please can contact their information office at (323) 222-1710 if you have any questions.

Attention Commuters ...

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:09 GMT

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension from Union Station downtown to East Los Angeles will open to the public on Sunday, Nov. 15.

The six-mile Eastside Extension light rail segment will have eight new stations, two of them underground at Soto and Mariachi Plaza, and 1.7 miles of underground track. It will link the existing Metro Gold Line to Pasadena with Little Tokyo and the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, before traveling east along 1st Street through Boyle Heights to East Los Angeles.

When it opens it will bring the Metro Rail system to a total of 79 miles of rail -- all built during the past 20 years.

Ridership on the extension is expected to grow steadily. Estimates say it'll reach an average of 13,000 passengers daily during the work week by the end of the first year of operation.

The Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension will be supported by a confluence of buses to extend its reach into the neighborhoods. More than 20 bus lines including those serving L.A.'s downtown Union Station -- will connect the Eastside Extension with greater Los Angeles County.

Free rides on the entire Metro Gold Line from Pasadena to East Los Angeles will be offered on opening day Sunday, Nov. 15.

Are they ready yet?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:34:49 GMT

The carpool lanes on the 405 look like they're done. Beautiful and brand spanking new!

So what's the hold up?

I drive by expecting them to open any day, but they don't.

The asphalt is perfect and bright black compared to the worn lanes next to them. The white and yellow lines jump off the road and scream to be crossed.

But I don't; the orange attenuators prohibit it.

I sent Judy Gish who's Public Information Officer with Cal DOT an email asking her and she said they're not ready yet.

Several punch list items need to be completed before the lanes can be open. However, they do expect the southbound lanes to open this month and the northbound

lanes next month.

Thank you Judy!

November? Really?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:50:24 GMT

It was amazingly beautiful along the coast, perfect for playing a few games of Backgammon on the beach.

There were several families and lots of people on the beach. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the last of the sunshine before the time change and the impending cold.

I just learned how to play Backgammon and really enjoy. My opponent is much more experienced than I am, so I end up missing a lot, although he does help me along.

What I don't get is how some days, or I should say most days the dice just seem to work purposely against me.

Yesterday, I was truly speechless when I rolled a 3 and a 1 three times in a row. How does that happen?

In the mean time, my challenger rolled double 6, double 4, and think a double one. Wait, how, why, I don't get it.

I was floored. He didn't say a word, poor thing. I think he really wanted to say something, but didn't.

It was so ridiculous to me that I had nothing to say, all I could do is laugh. I could see his relief as we sat in sand cracking up at my foul luck!

Some days that's just the way it is.