It seems that Spring is springing in Los Angeles.

Since I moved to Los Angeles more than four years ago (god help me, the time does fly), the years have melded together in a way I'd never imagined possible back on the East Coast where turning leaves and occasional snowfalls remind a person that the time's indeed passing. But here in sunny Southern California, each morning's a new opportunity to put on your flip flops and ride with the top down. It's like it's been one long day since I arrived to Los Angeles--one long, sunny day.

That said, the one thing that's reminded me each year that winter--if you can call it that--is over and that Spring's begun is the smell of jasmine on the streets. I didn't know what the white flowers I smelled in even the dingiest neighborhoods was called at first. I just knew that the scent of jasmine was intoxicating.

Last week, I smelled the first jasmine of 2010 from a bush off a cracked sidewalk near my apartment in Koreatown. And I knew that the seasons were changing. And for the rest of this season I would linger a little longer on the jasmine-filled blocks. Even if lingering anywhere too long in my neighborhood is ill advised according to tourist advisory boards and police reports.

Buck up. It's Saturday, party people.

I have slept 7.5 hours. Over the last two nights combined. I am in a general tizzy and have been dreaming about event malfunctions. Or nothing at all.

I woke up this morning and said 'I am going to be a giant c**t today.' Because I know myself. And this is the most accurate way to describe me when I haven't slept. And it's best to admit these things at the start.

But Pandora Radio is playing music that makes me happy.

The flowers I bought for myself at the Farmers Market are blooming on my coffee table.

I'm getting my hair did at 11 am with my favorite stylist at Hairroin Salon even though it means I'll eat rice cakes til my next paycheck.

Maybe I'll enjoy a $5 iced tea latte at Coffee Bean later on.

And the sun is shining and the palms are waving. Cause it's Los Angeles after all. And maybe I should turn this day around.

LAPD pretties up its new home in Downtown.

The LAPD has been building its new home in Downtown for months already. And it seems the fences are now down and the project finally near completion. I've watched the project unfold from the Times building across the street and have been eagerly anticipating the perks that will come with the LAPD's relocation--the safety of having LA's finest so close by and, of course, the hoardes of cute, uniformed dudes that will now join us corporate suits at the Downtown Farmers Market on Thursdays.

But what a nice surprise today to find that the foliage on the grounds of the courtyard is as fine as we hope the cops will be.

Dos Equis: beermaster and spiritual advisor.

He has his very own academy.

At last count, he has 44,522 fans on Facebook.

He is The most Interesting Man in the World (the italics are intentional and effective), according to Dos Equis' ad men, and he's got one of the best ad campaigns I've seen in a while.

Driving through Los Angeles this week, I spotted a recent Dos Equis billboard. 'You only live once. Make sure it's enough,' The most Interesting Man forewarns us. And because this elusive figure in recent commercial fiction has been built up as a worldly and wise man, I take heed.

Since passing the billboard, the larger-than-life ad at the corner of Santa Monica and Virgil, I have indeed begun to question the extent to which I'm living my life. The office has begun to feel slightly like a prison--the sound of tapping on keyboards an increasingly dismal symbol of my worklife. The confines of my studio apartment seem to be growing smaller--the musical loop from the ice cream truck outside, louder every day.

I consider the options. I think of donning a smoking jacket, surrounding myself with beautiful women, and taking up cigars and beers. But I really dislike beer and quickly abandon that idea. I contemplate new careers--floral design?--but the Los Angeles community colleges are slashing budgets and I can't seem to find any interesting summer courses. I debate a trip. The Grand Canyon sounds nice, but my budget won't get me much farther than Palm Springs at present.

And so, with only the vague instruction of a completely fictitious character [and absolutely no ideas of my own], I begin a misguided journey toward a life of fulfillment...