84. Insider Information

Imagine if you will that you don't live in Southern California (SoCal).  You love ocean beaches and decide to take a trip to L.A.  Even though it is March, compared to your local weather, L.A.'s weather is a welcome respite.

Whoo hoo!  You buy your ticket.  Pack your bag.  Get a ride to the airport.  Land at LAX.  Snag a taxi to any one of the many fine lodging establishments in the South Bay area.  Check in to your room.  Put on your warm weather clothes and with joyful anticipation head for the beach.

Your feet are sporting your most comfortable flip-flops (which your SoCal gal feels should be voted in as California's official footwear).   As soon as you reach the sweet spot where the sand is wet and you may play chicken with the waves washing ashore, you remove your flip-flops and continue walking, walking, walking.  It feels so good even when you notice what must be "locals" in long pants and jackets (for them it is cold) giving you a look like you must be crazy in your shorts and t-shirt.

You are having so much fun enjoying yourself, it takes you a while to realize you need to walk back.  You stop, turn around and on your trip back take much more notice of all the amazing homes that line the beach front property.  Yes, if you had to admit it, you are a little jealous even if these homes appear to be at least a football field's length from the shore.

That's when you notice one of the homes with what looks to be a tent covering it.  You've never seen anything like this before.  What do you think is going on with that house?

Well, if you are your SoCal gal, you deduce "isn't that clever.  The people who own that home have found a great way to close up their home for the winter."

Only later to LMAO (laughing my a** off) because you are wrong...couldn't be wronger...not to mention not really thinking it through.  It that was how you closed up your home for winter, why not just simultaneously launch a publicity campaign for would-be thieves that you aren't home saying, "Welcome!  C'mon in.  Take what you like.  We aren't here."?

Later, if you walk the Strand (the walking/biking cement path that separates the beach front home from the sand), you would note the tent is because the home is being fumigated for termites.  Now you know.

What's the saying for those public service announcements?  "The more you know (TMYK)."  Well, consider yourself served.

P.S.  I dedicate this article to my mommy and Bob.  They were good sports about photographing the tented home in this blog when I forgot my camera.  Mahalo!  I love you.