Alex:  I am in such a different place today than I was a year ago it is absolutely insane. I had such a fun college life, all I did was play. Now it’s hard to enjoy playing, I always feel like there’s something else I could and should be doing. It’s weird. The weirdest part is that I don’t even WANT to go out. I would rather stay in so I can be productive the next day, I can’t work when I’m hungover or tired. Okay before I make myself sound like too much of a grandma I still go out. At least one night a week, but I used to go out 3 to 4 sometimes 5 nights a week! I’m just starting to go through withdrawals and feel like a loser. There’s always that group of friends that go out all the time and you start to feel left out because you’re not going out as much. Am I being too lazy? I need to go out more. How often did you go out when you were 24?
Nik:  I went out all the time last year.  Um, not sure really, but I can tell you that the key is balance.  Your intuition will guide you.  If you have work to do, you know what it takes to get that work done and going out probably isn’t the best idea.  But you’ll also get the sense that you’re missing out or being a ‘grandma’ when you’re spending too much time locked up in your little makeshift office in the corner of your bedroom.  I think you need to prioritize and set reasonable goals and if you’ve reached your goals then nurture your relationships and go out and have some fun. Just make sure by the end of the week, you’re happy about what you’ve accomplished.  My guess is that if you’re feeling guilty about going out, it’s because you know you owe more to yourself and your career than what you’ve been giving.  Your emotions will guide you.  Stay connected to that inner voice and honor what it’s telling you.  That is all.
Alex: You’re so right it’s annoying. I’m going to have a drink. Cheers!

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Alex:  Nik, I’m so lucky and thankful that our worlds have crossed paths. You inspire me in more ways than one. You make me laugh and you’re there for me when I cry. You are one of the strongest women I have ever met and the rock for so many people. I don’t know how you do it. Happy Birthday! I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays together!
Nik:  Aww, you’re the sweetest.  Thanks for being my DD yesterday.  Had so much fun at Malibu Wines.  Great friends, great food, great wine and a Pack win=perfect birthday.

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Alex:  As much as I love the view of fall in Wisconsin, driving in California is like having a computer screen background around you at all times. My roommate Janae, she’s on the ski team Minocqua Bats in Wisconsin, has a convertible. I feel spoiled. We drive around with the top down, music blaring, sunnies on, hair blowing in the wind and as often as possible we throw our hands in the air and wave em around like we just don’t carrrrre! Are you too old to get the Backstreet Boys reference?
Nik:  No. Rude.
Alex:  Just kidding… sorta.  Anywho, my favorite drive is one we like to call Pacific Cruise. We burn a new cd and take the Pacific Coast Highway and drive to a gas station in Malibu to buy a couple snacks. We sing our hearts out the entire way. The best time to go is right after sunset when the sky looks like cotton candy. Pink, blue, and fluffy.
Nik:  Baby you a song you make me wanna roll my windows down and cruuuuuisssse…  Is Cruise on your playlist? Wait. You still burn CD’s?
Alex:  Sure do.  Then I don’t have to worry about having good service for the station to come in on my ipod. Here is the playlist of the last CD I burned for the Pacific Cruise:

New Lows – Doe Paoro
From Time – Drake Feat. Jhene Aiko
Been On – G Eazy
High For This – Ellie Goulding (The Weeknd Cover)
You, My Everything – Ellie Goulding/Aaliyah (AA ‘One In A Million’ Edit)
Gold – Bondax (Snakehips Bootleg)
On & On – Snakehips
ASTR – Operate
Down On Life – Elliphant
Disclosure – Latch feat. Sam Smith
Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
No Diggity – Alice Jemima – Bondax – (AA ‘All Inside’ Edit) Contact High – Allen Stone
Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar
Do Me Now – K. Roosevelt Feat. Hit-Boy
Gorillas- Bruno Mars feat Pharrell and R. Kelly

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Alex:  No one brings a big purse to the clubs. Whenever I go out dancing, I stuff my ID, credit card, phone, and house key into the smallest purse I have. BAD IDEA. Every time I would take my phone out of my purse something would fall out. I lost my ID a month ago and had to order a new one. It was like Christmas every morning running to the mailbox to see if my new license came. It took 3 ½ weeks to arrive, which was torture. I never want to go through the fear of getting pulled over, not being able to go out with my friends, or buy a bottle of wine EVER AGAIN! That’s why I decided to get this guy: the Stowaway Case. It’s my new best friend. It allows me to put my ID, money, credit card on my phone. I have never lost my phone so this is a great place to keep other things I don’t want to lose. So convenient.
Nik:  I love that you feared not being able to buy a bottle of wine. This is the case I use. It’s a great option too.
Alex:  Mine is cooler.
Nik:  Mine is.

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Alex:  Why does it have to be so difficult to meet up in this city!? I live on the west side, closer to the ocean, and the majority of people I have met or knew before I moved here live on the east side, closer to Hollywood or Studio City. At first the traffic didn’t bother me, but now it’s what is killing my friendships with people! That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to meet up with someone, but didn’t because of traffic. Forget crossing the 405 anytime between 2pm to 8pm. That leaves a small window of time to hang. It sucks! Don’t even bother trying to make dinner plans anymore. The only people I can see regularly are those I live with or those who live west of the 405. Sad face. Maybe I need to drive with you the next time you run errands, to start learning the back roads so I can get around this city faster. An app I sometimes use that takes me on alternative routes is called, Waze. A couple friends swear by it. It alerts you of anything…cars pulled over on the side of the road, an accident, construction, a waiting po-po, traffic, etc.
Nik:  Yeah. It happens. I usually meet my friends in the middle. We make plans way in advance because last minute things are impossible with LA traffic. Make friends that live by you and take turns with friends on the other side of LA–make them come to you one time and then go to them the next. It’s a pain in the ass, but you’ll get used to it. Also, don’t be a flake. It takes so much effort to hangout with people here that I usually end up drifting apart from flaky friends. The plus is that you get to explore different hoods. That’s never a bad thing.
Alex:  Excellent use of the word hoods. I’m proud of you.

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Alex:  Parking enforcement does not mess around out here. In Wisconsin you could get away with a lot more! Today I went to Runyon to hike. It has such a different vibe than Temescal. Can’t complain though, I’m happy hiking anywhere. Whenever I’m this cheesy, I actually crave cheese. Is that weird? Anyway, I loved how many dogs were at Runyon. I felt like I was walking up a mountain, surrounded by puppies and a sunset over the city background screen saver. I hiked it this morning with 4 other friends. We stopped periodically throughout the hike just to appreciate the beauty around us. Some found it in the sky, some found it in the puppies, and others found it in the hotties with their shirts off. Moments like that keep me sane. I’m reminded of what’s important. I’m feeling refreshed on the walk back to our car. Just as we’re approaching we spot parking enforcement. A Reno 911 lookalike. You see them and instantly your insides hurt. I run up to my car and see that I got a parking ticket. I looked up at the sign and realized that the only day you can’t park on this street is Saturday. It’s Saturday. SHIT! I opened the ticket… $68! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? That’s ridic. I was bummed. All the other cars around me had tickets on them too, this area must be a hot spot. I tried not to let it ruin the fun adventure I had just gone on, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I was a little grouchy on the drive home. Lesson learned, read the street signs CLOSELY!
Nik:  Um, yesterday, I parked in a spot that said 1 Hour Parking. What I didn’t bother to look at was the yellow curb which said No Parking. I’m confused. And annoyed. And it was $58. I’m contesting this one. I took pictures. A**H****!
Alex: You should. If I was a parking enforcer I’d just leave notes on the cars saying “Can’t park here biotch! Read the sign. Enjoy the warning! Go Packers.” PS- Can we get Aaron back already? I don’t think my heart can take another week without him. And yes, we’re on a first name basis.

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Nik:  Sharing some love from one our readers, but also decided that this is a creative and genius way to send a thank you note.  I usually send a thank you via text or email because I don’t have time to snail mail it, but then I feel guilty because it lacks personal touch. This is going to be my new way to say thanks. You get the speed of technology, but also the personal touch it lacks.  Thanks to this reader for being our muse!
Alex: This is sweet. On more than one level. I need to step up my thank you card game. Or just card game. Or just my game in general. What am I talking about right now?
Nik:  I have no idea, but it’s funny.

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Nik:  Check out this App. I love it. No need to stuff my face with chili cheese flavored Fritos on road trips anymore. Wait…actually…it’s the only time I can justify gas station food. Hmm. Okay, I still love this. It helps you find great alternatives (juice bars, farmers markets, microbreweries) to fast food wherever you are.
Alex: Yum, now I want some chili cheese fries. Or just cheese. This looks like a great App. I’ll definitely be using this on my next road trip to Vegas.

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Alex:  I never know what to drink when I go out. I always ask everyone what they’re getting before I order hoping it will help me make a decision. If I knew my drink, I wouldn’t have to contemplate for three hours whether I want vodka, whiskey, or a beer. I’ve always been jealous of my dad. He has been drinking bacardi and coke for as long as I can remember. He knows what he likes. I want to know what I like. The other night at Moms, my favorite bar in Santa Monica, it has a ping pong table, a nice gentleman asked “Can I buy you a drink?” I annoyingly responded “Hmm…what are you having? I usually go with a vodka tonic or a Jameson and lemonade, but it depends on the night.” He smiled, but I could tell he was really thinking… what the eff do you want? After that encounter, I decided I want to have a drink I like enough to order every time. That way I can actually talk to the cute guy at the bar instead of spending fifteen minutes picking a drink. Do you have a go-to?
Nik:  I don’t have one. But I need one because I do the same thing. I spend forever eyeballing every bottle on the shelf trying to make a decision. Then I’ll ask the bartender what I should get and he’ll ask what kind of alcohol I like and I don’t even know that. I guess I like a dirty martini, but only when I’m craving salt. I don’t like sugary drinks. I like wine, but only at restaurants. Beer makes me burp, which is never ideal, nothing like burping in a guys face right after he asks for your number…yeah. I don’t have my drink yet. I’d like go-to’s. A beer. A drink. A wine.
Alex:  What do you mean burping in a guys face is never ideal?
Nik:   I don’t even know how to respond.
Nik:  I just looked at the link you sent me.  I’m cracking up.  Does your dad wear cargo shorts?

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Alex:  It’s official. I’m almost a grandma. My hair is falling out, I get tired by 10pm and when I get home, the first thing I do, is take my clothes off and change into sweats. The worst part is when I have a couple of drinks I’m hungover for like two days! WHAT IS GOING ON!? Not to mention the bills on bills on bills. They never stop. Cell phone, car insurance, gas, electricity, internet. I’m tired and the responsibilities just keep on coming! It’s my first year out of college and I miss it. I miss being able to skip class if I don’t feel like going. If I skipped work, I’d get fired. I miss gamedays wearing badger gear, drinking, and chanting “LET’S GO RED!” I miss the cheapness of Wisconsin. LA is expensive man. I just filled up my gas tank at $4.79 a gallon. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? Being an adult is hard. I want to go back to college. Does this feeling ever go away? UGHHH Nik hold me!
Nik:  Well, if you’re a grandma, I’m an ashy corpse in a coffin. The good news is that some of these things will change and get better. The bad news is that some of them won’t. You’ll adjust to the newfound responsibility. That’ll get easier. I think the most important thing I learned in college was how to manage my time and stay organized with lists. Sounds silly, but those lists keep my very busy life in check. As far as the hangovers? They only get worse sister. All I can say is drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you have, eat enough food and get this GENIUS product: Source Naturals Hangover Formula.  I take it even if I only have a drop of alcohol. It totally works. Hair falling out? How’s your diet? Could be stress, could be lack of iron or vitamin B? Make sure you’re taking a good multi-vitamin and eating a well balanced diet. Taco Bell and ramen don’t qualify after you graduate college. Sorry. As far as the financial sitch? Well, you live in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., so you should create a budget for yourself and live accordingly. Suze Orman has great books full of financial advice for every age group. Lastly, you’re totally allowed to wear Badger gear and yell for our team. OH! I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING! When I first moved out here, I joined Hollywood Badgers! You should join. It’s cheap and they offer industry panels and also plan gameday events!

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