Mine was gin and orange juice (pre-Snoop days, so I did not know this was a thing) out of a Snoopy thermos I'd sneaked onto the town green during a summer symphony performance. I didn't try gin again until I was a grown(ish)-up lady, and then understood everything about gin I needed to know. Which is that it is the…

Nearly 42 and raised by an atheist and an agnostic (who is now an atheist) in New England. This study pretty much nails my childhood — no corporal punishment, questioning of authority (including my parents and especially my teachers), gay-friendly, feminist, tolerant and above all, empathetic. My parents also suffered…

All hail Palms! I love it here, and sincerely hope that when the Mr and I shack up later this year, we stay in the neighborhood. When Eastside folk start ragging on the Westside, I tell them they do not understand the zen of Palms.

Keep in mind that we have a very low violent crime rate here in Palms compared to some other West LA areas. Most of what shows up is thefts from vehicles and grand theft auto on Mapping LA: http://maps.latimes.com/neighborhoods/…. Keeping your shit locked up tight in your car is always a good move.

I have no problems with licensed cabs in LA, but of course YMMV. I use the Curb app for the times when I've dropped my car at the shop and need to get home, or when Mr Crumpet and I are both gonna be drinking somewhere.

Oh sweet baby Jesus, I would never get in the front seat! Luckily I moved here from somewhere just as big and bad, so I am probably more risk-averse than many who come to start over in LA. Palms is safe in general when it comes to violent crime, but I don't walk around here alone at night.

It's that there is regulation and oversight of taxis in LA that I will only use proper taxis here. I have an app that gives me the name, phone number and medallion of the driver after I've booked a ride. I have a central number to call and the backing of the City of LA, which inspects the cars. It's not perfect, and I…

Shit, this was in my neighborhood. I only ever use yellow taxis because I have a philosophical issue or two with Uber, but now I count my blessings that I have never called them to pick me up in my 'hood. Yet another strike against them, and one that hits especially close to home.

Holly Johnson from Frankie Goes to Hollywood used to come in to the used bookshop in South Kensington I managed during the late 90s. He had the most adorable dog who came trotting in with him, and was the only dog that was really welcomed in the shop. Holly was unfailingly sweet and funny, and had the ability to perk…

I am, this moment, about to ship eight tubes of Dr Pepper Lip Smackers to a friend who is having problems hunting them down. I told the dude at the Target checkout last night that there appeared to be a nationwide shortage of Lip Smackers and he was very intrigued. Now it all makes sense!

Thank you for being so brave to talk about this, and many healing thoughts sent from the left coast. If you are eligible for disability, TAKE IT AND GIVE ZERO FUCKS. It is one of the big regrets in my life that I thought I could just power through a complete mental breakdown because that's what I thought society…

Tamp all those feels down. Having frustrations and emotions and opinions is not the done thing. Hugs! As long as your husband understands (as my ex did) that being a sentient human being capable of feeling and expression then you're ahead. :-)

Another favorite: "How brave of your brother's wife to wear that skirt with such... athletic calves."

My former MIL was the stuff that nightmares were made of — upper-middle class, desperately wishing she was gentry, and haughtily dismissive of the rather gauche American girl who somehow snared her son (typical comment — while once helping me fold my laundry, she picked up one of my skirts, looked at the size label…

Another vote for the Kate Moss reds. Just the perfect shades — vibrant without being garish. And they smell adorable as well. I feel like I'm the badass wearing red lipstick, not wondering if everyone's thinking, "ew, that is some cheapass red that's wearing her."

Turning 42 shortly and I have long, glamourpuss locks halfway to my waist that are in better shape than when I was 21 (better conditioner, less heat styling). My hair is the bomb, and random women frequently comment on how gorgeous it is. I intend to be cremated with as much hair as I can still grow from my head.…

Uh, no. You're thinking of Pepe's, and you can get a variety of fine pies there, including a white clam one.

Much the answer to the question, "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?", the world will never know.

Depressing to know there's a younger iteration of him out there. :-/