Old friends and visitors

The past week and a half has been nothing short of aces. Aces all around I tell you. Two of my friends decided to visit me one right after the other. Both of them being friends I made in college at BGSU and both currently living in the San Francisco area of California. 
Krista came first, arriving at 3AM on a late wednesday evening, it was a good thing I scheduled that Thursday and Friday away from the office to welcome her in. Most of our time was spent walking the awesome streets of venice, many morning coffee trips morphed into afternoons laying out letting the sun do its thing. One particular highlight was skating the venice skate park together, me on my skateboard and her on her roller skates. She's a formidable derby player so she was no stranger to shredding and being a bit of a bad ass. However, one particular tumble did have me a bit concerned!
I took Krista to Edward's for a float of which she had less intense experience than I had. I wasn't disappointed but I feel as though I've learned a lesson in not devulging too many of my personal experiences with new comers as it will be different for each participant. She explained to me that she already feels in a lot of ways in her day to day the feelings that the tank provides for its patrons. Understandbly, she most likely did not find the state of relaxation all that unfounded. I implored that she give it another shot another time. Perhpas she will have a different experience on another occasion.
Another highlight of Krista's visit was checking out the way way awesome venue Harvelle's in downtown Santa Monica for a burlesque show. We attended not knowing really what to expect but was absolutely floored by the performance of an act known at The Toledo Show. Couldn't be more fitting for two folks from that area from Ohio, eh? We danced the night away to the rocking band and raunchy lyrics. I can't wait for my return to that place.
Krista left on Monday morning leaving me a little more than twenty four hours until Kristy's arrival on Tuesday evening. Kristy arrived to Los Angeles by plane and caught a bus to a stop less than a mile from my apartment. I took a stroll and met her half way from the stop. My arms could not have been more open and prepared to embrace her familiar frame. We quickly began chatting each other up about our lives as we climbed the slight incline of Ocean Park Blvd to my home.
That same evening we took up an invitation to a birthday party of a friend of mine's in Beverly Hills. I brought my roommate, Andrew, along as well. We're growing to be quite the odd couple of friends/flat mates. There we were greeted by faces familiar to me. The attendees of the party were quick to warm up to myself and my plus one's. We made our graceful exit only after I had been successfully iced twice. Tsk! That fad is way over, don't they know?
The following day being July 4th, Kristy and I prepared a couple dishes to share with friends in Culver City for a BBQ. I should give myself way less credit and Kristy way more, but this is my blog and I'll do as I please. After exchanging pleasantries and devouring much of the food we headed to a high school football stadium to watch fireworks. What a piss poor display compared to Red White and Boom I thought to myself as the grand finale wrapped up. I'm not one to be disappointed in how my time is spent if it's with good company. This was such the case and not a care was given.
The next few days would have Kristy and I embarking on what we called Burger Tour. We went to as many burger places as we could get recommendations for via friends, yelp, internet, and my roommate. Six in total, we enjoyed meals at The Counter, PlanCheck, Umami, Shaka Shack, 26 Beach, and Father's Office. All of them had their own charm and taste. I will say that I am not enough of a food enthusiast to go into the details of each restuarant, but I will say they were all worth their weight in the american currency exchanged. The burger at 26 Beach was bigger than Kristy's hands. Truly a delight to see her criminally attack her dish.
I also rode my first tandem bike with Kristy on the afternoon prior to her return flight. Man what a ride! Way more smooth an operation than I originally thought it would be, Kristy and I were pros after a couple initial hiccups. "Right foot up.. right foot down.. " as we began each start from a complete stop. We traveled the venice canals for some breathtaking views of a lifestyle I was not expecting.
Dropping Kristy off at the airport felt like the comfortable closing of a chapter of a good book.  Not in the least bit sad, but rather excited that I had hosted and entertained two peers that I regard highly. Krista and Kristy are two women that I suspect I'll stay in touch with for a long time to come. They both left with smiles on their faces that told me that they're doing OK, they're glad they gave me a visit and will look forward to the next time they can visit me and the Santa Monica area of California.