Monday, July 14, 2008

Full Moon over the PCH

People repetively ask me while they look at me like I've completely lost my mind, "Why did YOU leave California? How could YOU leave California and move here?"

Hmmm....

"It's different when your from there." Is my usual response.

"Don't you miss it?" I'm badgered.

"Sometimes." I say.

Here's a taste of what some crazy-ass (no pun) people did over the weekend in my native land, California.
"The annual Moon Over Amtrak party today in Laguna Niguel drew an estimated 8,000 bottom-baring participants, along with complaints of nudity and public drinking, a sheriff's spokesman said."

This headline had me singing Rufus Wainwright's version of Cali:

California, California, you're such a wonder that I think I'll stay in bed.
Big time rollers, part time models, so much to plunder that I think I'll sleep instead.

You see, Mr. Wainwright's distaste; his tainted view of California has a lot to do with the fact that he's not a native of Cali. It's different when you're born in California versus moving there from someplace else. As snobby as that sounds, it's true. Every normal, mellow, and rather conservative Californian is nodding their head in agreement with me right now. I can betcha money that I don't have, no one I know was full mooning the Amtrak trains over the weekend. A native Californian would take one look at that, shake their heads and enjoy the glorious sunrise and sunset over the Pacific instead. But then again, I'm the crazy girl from California that opted to leave the golden state. What do I know.

"The 29th annual Mooning of Amtrak began about 7:30 a.m., when individuals bared their behinds to passing Amtrak trains in what legend says began as a dare in the nearby Mugs Away Saloon at 27324 Camino Capistrano (I've been to this bar).

As the crowd grew, so did complaints of nudity and public drinking, said Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino (Wow. There's a real shocker). Around 3:30 p.m., more than 50 law officers, including sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, began dispersing the crowd, he said. "There were complaints about the mooning, women lifting their tops and a couple cases of complete nudity," Amormino said (Gasp!).

There was also reports of public alcohol consumption at the event, which has been prohibited in the past (No. That wouldn't; it couldn't happen.) He added that traffic had become congested in the area, and with all the complaints, we decided it was best we shut it down. No arrests were made, he said (Party poopers).

So when people ask me, "Don't you miss California?" I feel justified saying, "No, not so much."

Comments?


Ciao
NB

p.s. PCH=Pacific Coast Highway

4 comments:

Craig Sorensen said...

Ah, California.

I lived there three years in the Early '90's. San Diego, to be specific.

I was not a native, but I will heartily agree: That rarest of breed, the California native, is very different from your typical and more prolific transplant.

I got so I could pick out the natives. I met many more California natives when I moved back to Idaho in '92.

But that's another story.

Good post.

Neve Black said...

Hi Craig,
Thanks. I'm originally from San Diego; PB. Just south of the famed La Jolla(that isn't really a city) and north of Mission Beach.

Where did you live in SD? ?Donde' viviste'?

Craig Sorensen said...

Ola Neve,

Vivi en El Cajon.

I worked downtown on "F" Street not too far from the Gaslamp. It was kind of a rough neighborhood when we first moved there in 1990, but was better by the time I left in '92.

Neve Black said...

I'm familiar with El Cajon. I went to college at SDSU in La Mesa (the table)and they were stretching the trolley system out east. I'm pretty sure that's in existence now. Mass transportation, huh? What a concept. :-)

I left in 92' for Seattle for 6+ years, so I missed you when you lived in my fair city.

Thanks for the comments. I keep checking into your blog too.