Sunday in L.A. with Angela

It’s Jane Austen’s fault that I forgot to turn my clock ahead.

Yes, even after many thoughtful reminders from my parents who’ve made it their life’s work to keep me apprised of time re-setting, rental availability in apartments near theirs, and “Dancing with the Stars” updates,  I fell asleep without advancing the hands of my friendly, faithful, Target-purchased Home Furnishings alarm clock. In my defense, I had just watched “Pride and Prejudice” and was completely drunk on romantic escapism and thoughts of Mr. Darcy in his thigh-skimming riding breeches.

As a result of the Spring Ahead, Fall Back (Into Bed)- ritual, I missed aerobics, wasting the motivational mojo I was saving up from Friday when I saw the Olivia Newton-John “Let’s Get Physical” video at Hamburger Mary’s.  There I was, at a tall table on the patio, eating my veggie burger, enjoying the view of Santa Monica Blvd., thinking, I really don’t want to get physical.

The idea of a sit-up is not nearly as appealing to me as a good long sit-down.  I prefer a “Let’s Get Cerebral” approach to life.  I like to read, write, watch TV, go to the movies, stare at art, all of which can be done without ever disturbing the comfortable lifestyle of my sweat glands which retired after the final game of 8th-grade Kickball.  Now I have days when the most exercise I get is brushing my teeth or taking off my bra without first removing my shirt.

OK, I changed the clocks on the microwave, the stove, and the nightstand.  I’m a fan of more day and less night. No matter how many years come between me and my childhood, hot weather and primetime sunlight remind me of being out of school for the summer; the carefree days when bike-riding screeched to a happy halt the moment we heard the chimes of the ice-cream truck as it lumbered through neighborhood streets.  I think of  family trips to Asbury Park, where we’d eat at Howard Johnson, glide high above the boardwalk on the Sky Ride, and surrender to the joys of Skeeball and sand-castle building. And, there was shore-related snackage like Cotton Candy, Salt-Water Taffy,  frozen custard on a cone, and whatever else we could talk my parents into spending too much money on.

It’s a beautiful day here and I do have to move my body to go to the supermarket. And, I’m sure I’ll treat myself to lunch at the outdoor food court where I’ll mentally plot out my week. Of course, I will end up exercising,  if only because I’m meeting up with old friends when I visit New Jersey next month.  One of them is my high school crush whom I haven’t seen since graduation and I’d like to be able to sit down without worrying about my midsection spilling out over my favorite jeans. (Although that mess can be hidden with a strategically-placed dinner napkin. Just remember not to take it with you when you leave.  Covert attempts to cover a bountiful belly are not worth a restaurant supply-theft rap sheet.)

I’m off to the store.  Enjoy your Sun-is-out-longer-day!