Scenario: subject, Stacey, defies previously established outline for posting, breaking free from observation and telling her own story in her own words....
Here is my weekend: I'll begin with Friday. I began my day looking forward to Happy Hour and the company of my greatest friends. I met my brother for lunch, ate a delicious sandwich and generally felt optimistic about life. After lunch I went to rehearsal for acting class, followed by a trip to my new favorite health food store, Aqua Vita. Not only was I eagerly anticipating buying vegetables for juicing and kombucha tea, but also seeing my latest crush, the boy who works the register... it's not like he's bagging groceries at Albertson's... he's working the register at a very cool health food store... Upon reaching the register and hearing my total I reach into my purse to get my credit card (god bless it) and what do I find? NOTHING! MY WALLET IS NOT IN MY PURSE! Quick! Call restaurant! NO WALLET! Think! Acting class! Maybe I left it in my prop purse! Why? Who knows? Call teacher! NO ANSWER! (beat) OH SHIT! MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD IS IN MY WALLET! Why? I had to make a copy of it for my new job... on MONDAY! fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck (that translates to panic). I call my brother (next best thing to dad without the repercussions) and he asks me the obvious questions about where I may have left it. I'VE ALREADY THOUGHT OF ALL THAT, I think, anger/frustration/fear mounting. SOMEONE IS GOING TO STEAL MY IDENTITY! I decide the only thing I can do is go home and get ready for HH and try not to think about it. I called BofA, put hold on my cards, and prayed that I would not be carded at Metro Grille; although, drinking while in a state of panic may not be the best solution..... I quickly get over this and proceed to HH. Immediately comforted by the sight of greatest friends. Further comforted by friend with IRS/SS connections who also has experience with cases involving SS cards- It's no problem, she tells me! Panic dissipating. Then, she hands me punch cards from Xoom Juice to replace my lost (and almost full!) card! Panic gone! Almost. THEN attractive waiter takes my order without asking to see ID! THEN, I proceed to other greatest friend's house to watch the magic that happens when Ben Covington and Felicity Porter make out in their too-chic-to-be-true apartment in NYC. God, it's amazing. Saturday- gradually releasing more and more anxiety about Friday's events, only to arrive at my parents' house to find my brother and his lazy friends passed out and the house full of beer bottles. Ugh. It's fine when I do it, but when I'm sober, and not hungover, NOT COOL. Mostly because I fully expect to have to clean it up. Moving on. Greatest friend- and fellow Felicity/Ben obsessor- helps me prepare for my performance Saturday night. Step one: the hair. imagine if you will red ringlets that seem to float above my head, held FIRMLY in place with an indescribable amount of hair spray. OH SHIT. I HAVE TO BUY GROCERIES. Since I was unable to buy groceries on Friday, I had to go Saturday (and since I borrowed cash from lazy brother, I am now able- I guess he's not completely good-for-nothing). Cute boy, nowhere in sight. Thank goodness. Hippy shoppers trying not to stare at out-of-control hair that is mine. Fast forward to 7pm, The Studio for Actors. Waiting patiently back stage, in 101 degree heat, I wait for my turn. I emerge onto the stage in the biggest hair, the baddest sunglasses, TEAL POLYESTER PANTSUIT, and gawdy plastic jewelry, with LOTS of rhinestones. And the rest is history. Pictures will be posted. It was awesome. Thanks for listening- er, reading. Oh yeah, I found my wallet ;-)

Experiment: Reintegration of substance, Stacey, into former habitat, Los Angeles. Duration- four days.
Hypothesis: stress resulting from onslaught of Los Angeles traffic and overwhelming emotions upon reuniting with ex-boyfriend of four years will cause panic, nausea and mental/physical/emotional trauma. Alcohol consumption: high. Sleep: little to none.
Observations:
Day 1: first impressions of interaction positive; evidence of joy and relief upon arriving in Los Angeles, even while driving on 110/101 freeways. Immediately drove to former yoga sanctuary, resulting in calm mental state and energized physical body. Former residence felt welcoming and even soothing. As meeting with former boyfriend approached, alcohol consumption increased. Due to Fourth of July festivities, combination of alcohol/barbeque resulted in mild nausea. Actual interaction between Stacey and former flame proved mild and painless.
Day 2: reunited with former roommate and longtime confidante in West L.A. long walk on the beach followed by dinner/drinks at Library Ale House. Charming waiter carried already buoyant mood to new level. Night made complete by beer/Coyote Ugly/sleepover.
Day 3: returned to yoga sanctuary for yet another calming/energizing yoga class with yoga goddess, Hala. Reunion of former employees resulted in free pass to sister studio and day spa for free use of steam/sauna/hot tubs. Followed by delicious organic vegan meal at favorite restaurant. Positively self-indulgent cycle rounded out with semi-awkward date with former-former boyfriend from freshman year. Free meal. Late to bed after visiting friend's rehearsal for slightly sadistic musical, Marat-Sade.
Day 4: difficulty waking after little- no sleep (as predicted) remedied with two cups strong coffee. Energized further by late brunch with favorite girls at favorite restaurant (excluding favorite vegan restaurant). Troubled by Los Angeles traffic enough to cause swearing and offensive mudras in car, but ultimately avoided trauma/panic response. Purchased various herbal supplements to aid in L.A. detox program following visit. Afternoon spent relaxing with good book in preparation for dancing at local hangout, the Short Stop. As expected, Short Stop proved entertaining and lively; excellent tunes provided by friends and DJ's, Ian and Tony. Night lasted longer than expected. Lessons learned: being single is the way to be (for now), dancing is the most fun thing to do, waiting around for other people to validate your existence is a) pointless b) painful c) silly.
Conclusion: L.A. still remains a "home" environment for Stacey. Brief respite from traffic, drama, and ex-boyfriends has resulted in new attitude toward city and life in general. Feelings of longing and confusion present.