EastGirlsWest

Angela and I are both watching Big Love and obsessing. Although she missed on Sunday, which nearly killed me because when we got on the elliptical machines yesterday for our Monday Workout I had to spend a torturous 40 minutes NOT talking about Big Love. It made the workout feel more like 120 minutes. Thank god she caught up last night.

Anyway, a few observations so far:

• it’s good. damn good.
• it’s completely made us reverse our stance on hating Jeanne Tripplehorn, which was a result of her vicious turn in Sliding Doors.
• it’s oddly relatable. HBO is so good at this, aren’t they? Taking an outrageous, surreal situation, then adding sympathetic and very real characters. Next thing you know, you’re hooked. Rooting for the polygamists, mobsters and drug dealers to just find their way in this crazy world.

So much more to cover here, but I thought I’d let you know we’re watching. Are you?

I keep trying to write the first post. Then I give up. It’s so daunting! I feel like I need to explain who we are, why we’re here, how we met, what our plans our, along with deep background on everything from relationship history to favorite ice cream.

But then I realized, if you’re actually reading this, you’re probably one of our mothers. Or someone who knows us really, really well. And if you just stumbled on this and don’t know us at all - then keep reading. All will be revealed in time. To tide you over, here’s the short version:

I’m Jessica Hanson, born and raised in Connecticut, here in San Diego by way of Boston, Rochester NY and Chicago. My partner in crime is Angela Carone, born and raised in Erie PA, here in San Diego after many years of living in Atlanta. If you haven’t caught on yet, we’re proud of our east-based origins. And yet, find ourselves here in Southern California. East Girls West.

So Angela and I met, and as my boyfriend likes to say, fell in love. We decided that our mutual admiration and endless amusement with each other was worthy of a self-involved, mediated forum in which we could present our very important thoughts and opinions.

We originally had the idea that we’d write about the books we’re reading. Of course, lately we’ve both been so busy with work that the books are stacking up on the bedside table. Frankly, it’s all I can do to keep up with the New Yorker. Thank god it arrives late every week (only in Southern California). And we’ve also talked about talking about our observations on life on the west coast. But frankly? We have little discipline and even less focus. Political rants, celebrity fashion, restaurant reviews, recipes, family secrets, pet photos… all are all fair game. But we will talk about books, I promise.

Angela takes fantastic photos, which will appear regularly. She also writes brilliant movie reviews. I have no skills, but will rave about hers.

So welcome to EastGirlsWest. Visit frequently, comment often, and spread the word. If you are not one of our mothers, and you are reading, please let us know.

More soon!