Oh, and the happy couple just got engaged!!!!!! Dan proposed to Rzasa in the exact same spot where he told her he loved her back in June 2009…just outside the Aroma Cafe (affectionately known to the couple and some friends as the ‘I Love You Cafe’). After receiving the nerve-wracking blessing from Don Rzasa last Friday night and having the ring made 2 days prior, Dan made his move this Sunday afternoon (yes, Opening Day 2010). DaRza went to the I Love You Cafe for a late afternoon snack and Dan faked a guitar pedal emergency claiming he needed to bring Dave his pedal asap. As he had already left the cafe to ‘check his trunk for the pedal’ he asked Rzasa to meet him at the car. She was on the phone with Mary Jane Rzasa (mom) and when Rzasa saw Dan just standing there, told mom she’d have to call her back as she was confused. As she approached the love of her life, she saw an ipod dock and heard the sweet voice of Ben E. King and his ‘Stand By Me’ (DaRza’s song). Dan got down on one knee, said some lovely things about his bride-to-be and then asked is she would like to spend the rest of her life with him…will she marry him? OF COURSE SHE WILL!!!! A passerby caught the couple’s happy moment and honk-honk-honked their horn only to later pass them again shouting ‘Congratulations!”

We’re VERY excited and can’t wait to celebrate with you all. We will keep you posted on wedding details, but for now, we’re just enjoying the moment.

UPDATE: Rzasa quit after about 2 months as it just wasn’t the right fit – she’s now the Graphic Design Assistant at Menchie’s, a frozen yogurt establishment – check us out menchies.com

It's official!

The New Ride!

Douchie2

Last weekend (Halloween) Dan was in New Orleans for VoodooFest whilst Rzasa enjoyed Halloween parties and trick-or-treating with friends. A last minute decision was made to dress up, something she is normally against.

Anna Nicole Smith

The week going into the spooky weekend was pretty eventful…an awesome day trip to Disneyland with good friends, Heidi and Stevo, Dan’s drummer. As well as a lovely jaunt to the Japanese Gardens (referral from recent visitors Wendy and Ezra – thanks for the suggestion guys!).

Space Mountain!!

The Japanese Garden: Van Nuys, CA

Waterfall at The Japanese Gardens

Rzasa’s friends, Fisher, Parker, Wendy, Ezra and Doug were in town for a wedding the weekend of 10/23 so Dan and Rzasa took a road trip to the beach. Fun-filled Beach Cruisers were the name of the game that Friday afternoon and ridiculous L.A. traffic was the tune they sang all 2 hours back to The Lake that evening.

Wendy, Rzasa and Fish at Manhattan Beach

we were briefly holding hands before this but this is actually Dan grabbing onto and shaking Rzasa's handlebars lovingly trying to make her fall - thanks for the evidence Ez!

In other exciting news, Dan and Rzasa continue their near daily trips to The Coffee Bean.

At the Coffee Bean

Today, in particular, is a really exciting day. We just found out that our back patio/’yard’ area is communal! Rzasa is excessively excited (a little jumping up and down upon hearing this news) and Dan is pumped to hit the grill (there’s one back there but we do not yet know to whom it belongs – we will certainly invest in one if we can’t use this guy). There’s an amazing lemon and orange tree and a random circular sandbox situation that seems prime for a garden of sorts. Neither of us will do anything about that, but we’re hoping someone else might.

Backyard heaven...

We also learned that we have approval to paint. As some of you already know, Rzasa has a severe and somewhat irrational hatred of white walls (what did they ever do to her?) so we’re both really looking forward to getting the bedroom and kitchen painted. The kitchen is black and white and the previous renter left his red valances on the window – we’re heading toward a 50′s retro diner theme and will be obtaining a red and chrome dinette in the very near future. We’re thinking red walls – go hard or go home, right?

La cocina...

Lastly, Rzasa had her first celebrity sighting that she actually recognized – Brian Austin Green! Dan had to point out that B.A.G. was with a very hot star as well – Megan Fox. Neither see what all the fuss is about. The two were at the local Coffee Bean – but apparently the line was too long…it was just Dan and Rzasa…oh celebs!

Other things to note that have happened over the last couple of weeks:
Game 1 of the ALDS

The beginning of the end for this season...

An early birthday present from Dan – a couples massage at Pho Siam (http://www.phosiam.com/) – AMAZING!

Pho Siam

A Grace&Manners show

G&M

A great birthday dinner with Dan and friends Michelle, Karlo, and Nate

at Malbec: Toluca Lake

An amazing hike with friends Stacey, Jason and Alex and dog Walter

View from the top

An ACTON Ford spotting at Best Buy

Ikea furniture assembly

Having a separate living room and bedroom

Thank you IKEA

Saying good-bye to Boston

Day 1: Ayer, MA to Charlottesville, VA

Day 2: Charlottesville, VA to Hurricane Mills, TN

Day 3: Hurricane Mills, TN to Shawnee, OK

Day 4: Shawnee, OK to Albuquerque, NM

Day 5: Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ

Day 6: Flagstaff, AZ to Los Angeles, CA

Some photos from the neighborhood and Game 1 of ALDS

Next, Grand Canyon. While studying the neat little town map upon our arrival, the world wonder looked oh-so-near to the hotel. 20 minutes we thought seemed reasonable. With 80 miles left in the Penske’s tank, no need to stop for gas – we’ll hit that up on the way back to the 40. About 15 minutes into the drive Rzasa pointed out a sign that seemed to indicate the historic landmark being around 64 miles away. Can’t be…but what else would that number be for? Trek on, no worries. When we finally resigned to the fact that the Canyon (the biggest hole in the ENTIRE world) was, in fact, NOT in the center of Flagstaff, we checked ole Douchie for the next closest gas station…none? None. So, it’s back toward Flagstaff to fill ‘er up then back toward the Canyon…all one hour drive!

Lesson learned today – a little thought and planning NEVER hurt anyone.

Luckily, the day turned around rather drastically at the very large hole in the earth. Wow. Pics below. You will see that Dan really tackled his fear of heights. Pretty unbelievable. We walked around (literally wheezing and coughing – due to the high elevation. Why did no one warn us of these ill effects?) for about 2 hours and then it was time to hit the road for our final 8 hour leg…the one that brought us home. Rzasa rocked the first 3.5 hours and then kindly passed out for the final 4.5 when Dan took the wheel. Rzasa did manage to perk up (overstatement of the year) about 10 minutes away from her new home to snap a few pics and ultimately check out her new digs.

All in all this was a really incredible experience for the both of us. It was filled with amazing scenery, truck stop trinket shopping, snack food, great conversation, awesome music, and laugh after laugh. We had the brightest moon imaginable guiding us at night, bright sunny days guiding us each day. An experience that will never be forgotten, and a perfect start to a long life together. Beginning, but not ending, here in Los Angeles.

Stay tuned for our next entry which will reveal the link to all of the photos from the trip!

What was your favorite part of the trip?
DC: Probably the Grand Canyon/the second we left
MR: Definitely the Grand Canyon. But I’d also say our complete comfort together for extremely extended periods of time in a REALLY confined space. Whether in silence or conversation, we were always at ease.

What was your least favorite part of the trip?
DC: Easy. Dead Battery.
MR: Dead Battery = no yoga in Flagstaff

Strangest moment?
DC: When Rzasa decided to murder a defenseless baby bird. “THUD”
MR: Interacting with the socially awkward waitress at The Big Texan…and the fat people there. Also, for the record, I the bird ran into the truck as I was driving up to the Canyon.

Pretty mountain-view from town...that Rzasa may or may not have thought was in front of the Grand Canyon

In front of the world's biggest hole

Note the shadows...artistry.

Amazing shot of our exit (Cabbie is the background)

Home!

Proof!

We awoke at the Comfort Inn this morning and realized we really didn’t want to be there. After two quick showers and one blog update, we peaced out and got ready to hit the open and INCREDIBLY windy road out of New Mexico and into Arizona. First, a quick stop at the local grocery store, Smith’s, to stock up on some lunch meat, cheese, bread and yummy cake cookies…and of course, coffee for Rzasa. We were a bit congested and out of it this morning, which Rzasa attributes to a. the altitude and b. the Comfort Inn.

Anywho, the drive…leaving Albuquerque at 1pm, we were due to arrive in Flagstaff at the lovely hour of 6pm (which actually turned out to be 5pm as we crossed into yet another time zone). This leg was our shortest by 5 hours and oddly the only ride split between us. Rzasa rode shotgun for the first two and a half hours. Awestruck by the beauty of the terrain she rode rather silently, mouth agape and forehead basically pressed up against the window. There are a bunch of pics that capture this wonderment, unfortunately, they are all on Rzasa’s camera (the one without the accessible adapter).

After a quick stop at the Love’s somewhere near the NM/AZ border, Rzasa jumped behind the wheel and braved the weather advisory level winds into Flagstaff. Don’t worry, we’re safe – the gusts were actually less stressful than driving through NYC traffic in a Penske.

We just dined at the local Beaver Street Brewery – which was quite delightful and now intend to veg in the room at the Holiday Inn Express, Flagstaff – perhaps take in a movie and then hit the hay. Tomorrow’s plan – Grand Canyon to Los Angeles!

Oh! And a special thanks today to Elise DeVita and Emily Vides for your lovely and thoughtful CD mixes.

our one pic for this leg...for now

Dan had been to this fine establishment a few times in his past travels, and explained to Rzasa how it’s a must for interstate travelers such as ourselves. Fortunately for Dan, Rzasa needs little to no coercing when it comes to steak. The only thing separating us from our dinner was 4 hours, and a cavalcade of Jesus Christ imagery and signage. (Pictures Below) You really get the feeling that Jesus grew up, or at least “summered” with his family in Texas or somewhere thereabouts. The entire southern United States is basically JC’s Graceland. Minus the great music, sideburn overload, and shag carpet, it’s pretty similar. I could write about this all day, but we gotta get to this steak situation. If you haven’t been to the Big Texan, you really should try. From the outside it looks like something at a carnival. But inside you will be treated to some great food, great service (strange at times) and enough overweight Americans to last a life-time. Rzasa went with the 6oz filet with mashed potatoes & fried okra. Dan went with the 12oz (way better) with mashed potatoes & macaroni & cheese. With that lovely sustenance, we headed out en route to Albuquerque.

It’s always nice when we type in our destination on “Douchie” and she tells us we will arrive at 12:30 am, only to go through a time change and all of a sudden we arrive at 11:30 pm. It’s like a free hour! Dan had been driving this entire day, but at our last fill up at Love’s, he was tired and had Rzasa take the last 2 1/2 hours. We have moved past the competition and have accepted each other’s help when it comes to driving. Safety first people! So we typed in Holiday Inn Express into the GPS once more and headed there, only to find when we arrived that they were sold out. As was the hotel next to it, and the one across the street, and the one… so on & so on. Turns out that we had stumbled upon the… wait for it… wait for it… “Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.” This is an event that takes place every October for 1-2 weeks. Basically it is planned to completely screw cross-country travelers on their quest to start a new life. So just when we think we’ll have a nice early night, we spend another hour calling hotels until we find the Comfort Inn Airport Hotel. Far off of the 40, we got here finally. After dealing with being sent to the WRONG ROOM and waking some poor woman, and after having them come fix our busted A/C unit, and after Dan had to plug in the cable TV wiring himself, we went to sleep. This is no Holiday Inn Express, but it’s better than… uh… better than something totally uncomfortable.

Before we depart this entry, Rzasa would like to introduce the final member of our cross-country crew – Cabbie. She is a stuffed animal (cat) that was gifted to Rzasa by her wonderful friends, Lizzie, Ross, Jocelyn and Evan – as they knew of her sadness from separating from the real deal, Cubbie (who is the very safe and capable hands of Mom Rzasa). Cabbie has enjoyed the ride thoroughly and has seen most of the sights from the dash. You can see her excitement for yourself in the pics below.

Today we head to Arizona. Flagstaff is the plan. And off we go!

Dan the Road Warrior

The DaRza Fist Pound: to Acknowledge Awesomeness (done often)

Cabbie in Texas

God is everywhere...

Even in the streets...

Yup, this is Love's Truck Stop in Texas

Cabbie taking in the sights

Big Chair, Little Rzasa (sorry that it's sideways)

Piggy-Back at The Big Texan