At eight o’clock I had my brother drop me off at Ashley’s. We grabbed a huge red bucket and went to Ralph’s where we walked back and forth from one side to other getting juice boxes, fruit roll ups, sandwich stuffs, and other picnic supplies. We then kidnapped Kenny from the office then Chris at his house.We drove down to Foothill Park, walked up a hill, and set up the blanket on the ground.

We made ourselves turkey and swiss sandwiches and ate us some jello. There was a candle in the middle of the blanket but the crazy winds kept blowing it out, and making it dark (other than the fact that it was almost a full moon and it was the day prior to the brightest moon ever or something). To remedy it we cut a hole out of the bottom of a jello cup  and turned it upside down on the candle. Our makeshift anti-wind protector worked for the most part.

There was also a potato bug. It was a baby one - but still freakin huge. We threw it across the park because potato bugs are freaky things. Kenny has some bug bites, so maybe Mr. Potato retaliated, or sent his bug cousins to avenge him.

At some point a lady cop rolled by. We were at the desert portion of the picnic and having oreos and milk (served in plastic wine glasses). When she came up the hill to talk to us she was surprised we were sober and having a picnic at eleven at night with the crazy winds. She let us be since we weren’t causing any harm.

My first picnic ever was successful I think.

Last night one of my brother’s friend had the unfortunate event happen that we all dread. He was detained for a DUI. Apparently, the cop was being nice and said that since you’re legally parked I won’t tow your car, but took him in anyway? I don’t understand how they work, but whatever. Anyway, at 4:30am, the cop decided to release him. Just so you know, you do not get any phone calls once your released and he had to find change to make a collect call. I then went there to pick him up and sat there while they finished the release papers. All in all, a fun little unnecessary adventure.

Adventure Count +1 (one adventure for first trip to a Sherriff’s Office).
Adventure Total = 12

Yesterday I drove down to Santa Monica to hang out with the lovely Ms. Tay. We drove around trying to figure out where to eat and what to do and finally realized we were near 3rd Street and Promenade. I’ve only been there once and didn’t really do anything while there. So we found parking and walked to the mall (is that what it is? or is it a strip? I’m not sure).

Tay was jonesing for some Falafels so we went there, and I, never having one before, figured why not. I don’t like lettuce so mine is lacking the salad portion, but the little ball is basically a vegetable ball? Google says that its a fried ball of fava beans and chickpeas. I have no idea what those are either. So yay for trying new foods!

Falafel King Sandwich minus the Salad. Hummus and Pita Bread. Yum!

Adventure Count +2 (one adventure for trip to Santa Monica,
one adventure for first time eating a Falafel).
Adventure Total = 11

We went hiking on the Northeast end of Simi Valley because there is a spot where you can see the pretty lights. All of them. Well, to get there, we have to walk through this trail with really high straw bushes. The entire time I was thinking of Left 4 Dead’s Blood Harvest level. We walked through the high bushes and the boys of course had to make the crying sound of the witch. I started to freak out and wanted to head back, but that would ruin the adventure.

It would be really scary if Zombies starting running out of these at us.

This is one of the weapons we brought with us...just in case...Yes it bends

Lights off!

Adventure Count +1 (one adventure for makeshift Blood Harvest hiking).
Adventure Total = 9

So the night before we searched the Tapo Canyon area for Big Sky Ranch. If you don’t know what it is, Wikipedia is awesome. Well, yesterday in the process of driving, one of the fences was open. It led to a Dump Site so we turned around before getting caught. We then parked behind a tree and walked to another fence.

Kenny's Car Parked Behind Some Tall Bushes

Found it! We didn't listen to the sign.

We kept going for a bit, and then Chris chickened out saying there’s a pretty big fine if we got caught. So we went back to the car all Mission Impossible style since a truck was driving by. It was fun. Will have to go back there again and see if we can get further in and see if any sets are there or something.

Adventure Count +1 (one adventure for finding Big Sky Ranch).
Adventure Total = 8

Ghosts

Chris, Kenny, and I were really bored and after watching an old Christmas episode of House, we decided to scout for a later adventure. We drove all the way up Tapo Canyon in search of an entrance to the Big Sky Ranch (the place where they filmed Little House on the Prairie, and the new GI Joes movie). Unfortunately there are lots of fences that say private property and they’re all locked up. So, in order to get there, we will need to trek it by foot and we don’t have flashlights in our cars (a bad idea, I know). The above picture is of the trees as we were moving, only using the headlights for lighting. Its kind of creepy looking.

The Stick People

These are the stick people. They were in front of us and hindering the progress of our mission.

Dead Stick People

We ran them over.

Adventure Count +1 (one adventure for scouting mission).
Adventure Total = 7

At 10pm, I was desperate for an adventure. I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, some old friends called and said they needed another person to tag along and drive. I had no idea what was going on, but said ok. What happened next was we kidnapped two other friends, grabbed some steak and beer, and headed to Malibu.

While there, we had a bon fire and made some carne asada. They all had beers and we just hung out on the beach and watched the stars. It was lots of fun and I wish we did it when it was warmer.

Adventure Count +2 (one adventure to Malibu,
one adventure cooking Carne Asada for the first time ever).
Adventure Total = 6

January 2nd. I went to a courthouse in Ventura. I got to speak with Public Defenders and the D.A. and it was pretty cool. Reminded me about when I wanted to be a lawyer. Glad I didn’t go that route.

Afterwards, I took my brother to Mel’s for his first time. I love their milkshakes. A lot. Then drove up the hills to show him the Hollywood Sign. Lots of fun to have =)

Adventure Count +2 (one adventure to Ventura,
one adventure through Hollywood).
Adventure Total = 4

In my 21 years of life, I’ve never spent a New Year without my family, and all the Filipino traditions with it. This year, however, I went to a friend’s house party. It was a big difference. There was no supersticious enacted on, they watch the ball drop in MSG, and there are kisses all round at midnight. It felt weird. I didn’t have twelve grapes to eat. I didn’t have to try and catch coins. I didn’t have to try and mix and match clothing in regards to price. Watching the ball drop was boring. I didn’t see fireworks. Everything else was meh, my first glass of Champagne did not taste good at all but I enjoyed everything else.

Adventure Count = 2 (1 for American New Year’s Celebration,
1 for first taste of Champagne).
Adventure Total = 2