THE STORY OF THE RICHARD JENI MOBILE

Here you see a picture of my favorite car of all time, my Dodge K car.I made the decision to buy it and get rid of a late model Honda Accord (and the payments that went with it) in order to help lower my expenses. It had low miles and made it possible for me to get in a better financial position. The ownership of it turned into somewhat of a social experiment for me. It is not just a stereotype that Californians place a lot of value on the type of car one drives. My daughter would request I drop her on the corner, rather than in front of her school and I grew to love the challenge of visiting a friend in a posh "OC' neighborhood and getting out of this beauty!

One really fun evening was at the Improv in Irvine. My friend LR and I went to see the comedian Richard Jeni, right after I bought the car. He is a regular customer at my airline and my friend has volunteered as a hostess when he does comedy benefits in LA. After his show, he asked if we would give him a ride to where he was staying. Excusing myself to visit the ladie's room, I took the picture you see here (above), which was an 8x10 off the Improv wall and ran to my car and taped it on the rear window of the K car. I ran back into the Improv and said I would drive him and then drop LR back to her car. We are walking and he asks "What kind of a car are we looking for?" I said it was a specialty celebrity limo. LR had not yet seen my "new" car, either. We arrive and I announce "Here it is!" LR yells "It's a "June Cleaver" car and Richard, your face is already in it!" It was known ever after as "The RICHARDJENIMOBILE!" It is no coincidence that one of my favorite songs is the BareNaked Ladies "If I had a Million Dollars". The lyrics say "If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a Dodge K Car!" At the time I didn't really realize how fortunate I was that I already had one, even if I didn't have a million dollars.

WARREN BUFFET HAS HIS OMAHA, DEMI HAS HER HOBBS

Both Warren & Demi used to own properties in Laguna Beach, CA. They weren't exactly neighbors but Demi heard Mr. Buffet decided to sell his property. She was having a little remorse for having done the same but took some comfort in this tycoon's proclamation that the timing was right to do so. When asked why this man who could afford to live anywhere chose Omaha as his base of operations, he replied that there in other areas, there was "Over stimulation". He said in New York City, for example, he would get 15 great ideas proposed to him by noon. "All you need is one great idea in a year" and that's why Omaha suits him. I knew exactly what he meant and feel it is easier to focus on what is meaningful when there is less hustle-bustle.

DEMI & DOG ARE PACKING UP AND MOVING TO HOBBS!

The decision has been made. After a fun-filled road trip, Demi has decided to leave Vegas behind and explore the opportunities to be found in the Land of Enchantment! After visiting the Lea County museum, she bought a copy of a book "The Grandma Hobbs Affair , Remembering the Love Affair Between A Little Old Lady and Her City." It put her over the top since she is also in love with the place and eventually may be a little old lady there. The book speaks of how Grandma Hobbs loved the "boomtown" of Hobbs and could see the future and believed it would yield much opportunity. Demi feels the same way and wants to be a part of the upcoming action.

DEMI GETS BOTH A LIBRARY CARD & A PLAYER'S CARD!

Pictured here is Joyce of the Zia Park Casino & Racetrack in Hobbs, New Mexico with a beaming Demi after she presented her with a player's card. Referring to the previous post of Dec 5, Demi risks being called a hypocrite after blogging about the evils of gambling!

Earlier in the day, Demi was nearly denied a library card from the Hobbs Public library. The application process for the library included a utility bill and ID which was not sufficient. A local reference was also a requirement! Demi was tempted to try & use her celebrity status but it was not a sure thing. She managed to find a local's #. Demi was overheard commenting that Hobbs has the greatest respect for books of all her libraries she holds cards from; Las Vegas, Newport Beach, Co. of Orange and Mason Co.

SARAN WRAP PRANK SPREADS TO NEW MEXICO!

As predicted, New Mexico appears to be the next state to have vehicles wrapped with plastic wrap. This truck parked at the Zia Park Casino & Racetrack was a victim of the disturbing trend. On a day when the temperture was only 20 degrees faranheit, this question is raised; "Who in their right mind would brave such wintery conditions for a practical joke?

SARAN WRAP A JAGUAR!

As predicted, the trend mentioned in the last post has migrated east. First stop is near Las Vegas where you are the first to view this phenomonen or evidence, depending on your world view. Where will it emerge next?

SARAN WRAP A MERCEDES & MISS THE OC MARATHON!

Southern California has always been a leader when it comes to trends. The latest was spotted by daughter Jillz at Newport Beach's Fashion Island. She reports seeing a vehicle completely wrapped in plastic wrap. Consider the beauty of this prank! No damage to the car but one is unable to even open the door. Since I was in town for the OC marathon, I visited a valet at the mall and he agreed to allow me to wrap a car for a photo op. His good judgment prevailed by the time I returned with the roll and he changed his mind. Didn't want to be in the OC Jail and risk missing the marathon so I repressed the urge.

It is expected that this trend will be spreading across the country, probably first to Las Vegas followed by New Mexico. To quote a pilot friend, "What's the fastest way to spread any news? TELEGRAPH! TELEPHONE! TELL A FLIGHT ATTENDANT!" Because of the "jumpseat wireless", you may see it in your own community before I get around to accomplishing the task and posting the picture.

Pictured here are a trio of Orange County marathon (5K) participants. Woman on the far left (J.P.) set a personal record, "bad ass" in the middle was surprised by her time and D.K. on the right remarked that this 5K (which is the last 3.1 of the 26.2 event) felt as difficult this year as last year when she did the entire distance.