It's All Aces With Shannon and Adam Carolla

Do you really want another post about why my life is so great in Southern California? Probably not. But guess what? That is exactly what you are going to get. I had my first visitor this past weekend. Non other than the lovely Shannon Crowley. Since our departure at the Norfolk Airport last month we have done a lot of talking on the phone, a bit of emailing, some texting, and even video chatting a couple of times, we had not seen each other. So I was very excited last Friday to pick Shannon up at the airport.

Out first stop was In-N-Out for a burger and then off to Malibu so Shannon could see my school. Pepperdine was honoring the victims of 9/11 as they do every year with a flag for every person who was killed.

 I introduced her to my roommates Jordan and Yi, and we toured her around the School of Public Policy. Shannon was very impressed with the campus as most people are. The setting is unreal. That night we went back to Whittier to spend some time with my family. Saturday Morning I took Haydan and Gavin with me down to Ladera Ranch where Jennifer and her family have recently moved. Poor Bronte had soccer pictures and didn't get to come. She was very unhappy with me about this. We saw Jenn's new place and went to Savannah's soccer game.

Savannah is on the Queen Bees and they won the game 5-2. As proud of my niece as I was, that was not the highlight of the game. No, that would be my brother in law Marc officiating.

What was amazing about this was the fact that he had to tell a dad to cool it. Yes, dad's were getting feisty about seven year old girls soccer. Marc did an excellent job and we were all very impressed by his knowledge of the game. I was given instructions by my sister Chrissi to get Gavin and I haircuts. Jenn told me about a cool place to get my haircut called Stew's. They have Star Wars and sports memorabilia everywhere, so I knew it would be right in my wheel house. Gavin and I both liked our haircuts.

After a quick stop at Albertson's for some wings, we headed back to the Stanworth's to watch the BYU game. It was a tale of two halves. The first went great for the Cougars, the second did not. It was a big disappointment.  The kids didn't care and just had a fun time playing with each other and getting to know Shannon.

Blondes having more fun

On Sunday Shannon and I went to the Santa Gertrudes Ward, and listened to a missionary homecoming. The Estrada's, Lisa and Thomas invited us over to watch a little football. I got to meet their little girl Ella for the first time. I also met Holly Keitel for the first time. The rest of Sunday we laid low, watched the 49ers beat the Sea Hawks. Thank you Ted Ginn.

We braved the traffic Monday morning and headed back to Malibu. After two and half hours I ran into my Stats class just in time. Shannon and I had a really nice lunch at Malibu Seafood, went grocery shopping and even made a quick stop at the beach.

It was wonderful having her here. She commented that I seemed a lot happier, and I was glad she noticed. I was in desperate need of a change in scenery. That night we drove to LAX and she was on her way back to the commonwealth.



I've mentioned a number of things I like about living in CA again. I have watched practically every Angel game since I've been back. One of my favorite performers Adam Carolla does a traveling podcast that never seemed to make it to DC or Arlington. I convinced my roommate Jordan to head to Universal City Walk and the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club to see Adam live. I've loved Adam since the days that JJ and I were driving home from seminary and listened to Mr. Birchum on Kevin and Bean. I was a faithful listener to his radio show and listen to his podcast everyday. I even own his book. The show last night wasn't well advertised so there weren't a lot of people there. We got to sit near the front and Adam answered one of my questions. Listen around the 24 minute mark. He also killed me when I answered a question a little too fast about the Bachelor around the 56 minute mark. You'll also hear me respond. It's pretty funny. WARNING ADAM ISN'T FOR ALL EARS. LISTEN AT YOUR DISCRETION.

After the show Jordan and I waited around to meet Adam. I had a quick conversation with news girl Alison Rosen, who is from the OC.

 I told Adam that I had been a fan since high school, and that I had been buying my textbooks for school through his Amazon link. That mad him happy. It was a very fun evening.