Nerd Alert!

I am not even a little bit embarrassed to admit that this is my new prized possession:


Yes...don't adjust your screens...it's a book. Books have always made me happy, and this one makes me particularly happy. And giddy. And want to jump up and down. It feels like I'm one legitimate step closer! Somehow, having a book on any topic always makes me feel like more of an expert, and as if I know what I'm talking about. I don't even necessarily have to have read it...just holding it proudly in my hands ups my worth.

I have, however, started reading this one already (maybe "devouring" is a more appropriate word). Here are some of the more interesting things I've hit so far:

1. In the latest survey of FBI crime statistics, which ranked violent crime levels of the 300 largest metropolitan areas in the US, Los Angeles didn't even make the top 70. (GOOD)
2. The Los Angeles metropolitan are reliably ranks at or near the top of ozone pollution lists. (BAD)
3. LA has an average of 291 sunny days a year. (Out of 365?! VERY GOOD)
4. The city flower is the Bird of Paradise. (No idea what that is, but sounds GOOD)
5. There's a whole section on how to be prepared in the event of an earthquake (not that uncommon), which includes such nuggets as "Strap your water heater to the wall." (BAD)
6. There are more than 100 public golf courses in the greater Los Angeles area. (For this girl, who has just recently decided to take golf back up....GOOD)

Aaaahhhh...so much knowledge to be had. I think it's perfectly fitting that I'm overjoyed about a new book, seeing as how one of the criteria for my new apartment (wherever that will be) is close proximity to a library. No, I'm not joking. I'm just an LA-bound nerd...and proud of it.