Have you seen Disneyland’s new(ish) monorail? I mean really, just look at how retro space-age it looks–I love it. We rode on it yesterday.

Two things of note about Disneyland yesterday: My four-year-old went on a “scary” ride for the first time–Pirates of the Caribbean–and he counted 21 skeletons while on it. Which is truly “of note,” because he can only count up to 11.

Today I’m listening to Nina Simone’s “The Look of Love.” You can go to my BLIP.fm to listen to all my daily songs

In honor of Veteran’s Day: This picture of our flag in San Clemente. Thank you if you have served our Country in the armed forces.

My husband is a veteran. He served as a Green Beret in the Special Forces for eight years. I’m immensely proud of him.

Sometimes the best way to honor someone is to write a list about them. Especially if that person has a great sense of humor and is terribly fond of lists. At least I read this somewhere–probably in McSweeney’s.

So I wrote this list for my husband: Five ways to anger, annoy, or promt eye-rolling from a Green Beret.

Today at the Patchwork: indie arts and crafts fair.

Urban garden. I love this part of town.

I want! I didn’t get. But I want!

Isn’t this a sweet picture of a couple and their baby walking from one part of the fair to another?

It reminds me of that song, “Man and woman had a little baby…”

Today I’m listening to that very song, Schoolhouse Rock’s “Three is a magic number.” You can go to my BLIP.fm to listen to all my daily songs.

The Bowers Kidsuem is a fun place to explore with your kids.

I never post pictures of my kids online, but they looked especially adorable and tame today.

Looking at this picture it’s clear to me I should have listened to my mom and worn my retainer.

Today I’m listening to Madness’ “Baggy Trousers.” You can go to my BLIP.fm channel to listen to all my songs.

I’m obsessed with roller skates right now–pretty obvious, right? These are the skates of an OC Roller Girl taken at practice.

DON’T FORGET! Tomorrow night is the OC Roller Girls’ Suburban Assault bout. There are tickets still available at the door, so don’t spend another Saturday night at Edward’s Theatre watching an action flick, see some live action Roller Derby…AND support womens’ sports… AND Kristi’s Place…AND…(See what I did? Made you feel guilty for simply going to the movies.)

Instead of my daily song choice, today I made an entire iMix called “Roller Derby Queens Mix.” You can view it below and go to iTunes to download one or all of the songs. This is the mix I’ve been listening to when I roller skate.

http://ax.itunes.apple.com/flash/feedreader.swf

I love Laguna Beach when it’s cold and bright like this–so beautiful.

This is my submission this week for SkyWatch Friday. If you find yourself often saying, “I wonder what the sky looks like in Norway today?” Then you will love it over at SkyWatch–you can see the sky from all over the world.

Today I am listening to the amazing Ella Fitzgerald. You can go to my BLIP.fm channel to listen to my favorite songs.

This is the picture I went down to Huntington Beach today to get–I love these Lifeguard Stations.

After I knew I had a good shot, I wandered around downtown. As I cruised the streets of my hometown I started to get an overwhelming feeling of sadness. The big orange buildings, dirty sidewalks, and trashy stores made me wish they never tried to “revitalize” the area.

Perfect example:

Yes, funny. But, very disheartening for someone from Huntington Beach. (See poster of our pier behind freaky, faded, t-shirt kids?)

I remember when they tore down the Golden Bear and shut down Safari Sam’s because the city wanted to “clean up” downtown. As I walked around today I kept thinking: “For this?” I was bluer than blue. Feeling disconnected from my past.

Then I spotted this on my way back to the car:

I was happy again. These are the tracks left by some random surfer. He walked straight down the middle of the parking lot and was long gone by the time I got there. I could picture him. Dripping wet. Bare chested, with his wetsuit pulled down to his waist. Shaking his hair dry as his sandy feet made their way.

I was reconnected!

Today I am listening to Eva Cassidy’s version of “American Tune.” Just press play to listen.

Today my very first full-length feature came out in The Orange County Register. The OC Roller Girls’ story was spralled across the front page of The Life Section. So, I did what any normal first time writer would do–went from Starbucks to Starbucks and watched people reading my piece.

I even asked a few people reading me if I could take their picture–starting the conversation like this, “Hi, my name is Suzanne Broughton. See, Suzanne Broughton right there? I wrote that!” I did it in a friendly way and I’m pretty certain I wasn’t annoying or anything. I was careful not to knock over their pumpkin lattes while reaching across the table. I think most thought I was charming, because they smiled at me, patted me on the head, and told me I was a “good girl.”

This nice man–who happended to be a writer himself–let me take his picture and even said he liked my “lead.’ That’s what we writer-types call the first paragraph, just in case you’ve been in a cave for the last 100 years or haven’t ever seen a Superman movie.

Today I am listening to: Colin Hay’s “Waiting For My Real Life To Begin.” You can go to my BLIP.fm channel to listen to more of my favorites.

Admittedly, this is a stupid thing to collect–pictures of rabbits around Orange County. But, sadly, this is actually my second edition. To see the first click here: Rabbits around Orange County, Part 1. I can’t help myself. I really love rabbits.

One of these rabbits is mine. I know, let’s hope it isn’t the evil, smoker cat dressed like a rabbit.

Listening to today: Nick Cave’s “Ship Song.”

You can go to my BLIP.fm to listen to what’s on my playlist.