....well, maybe hate is too harsh...but, I do dislike going there. Recently, I had to visit a specialty shop on Santa Monica Blvd. - picking up a piece of gear from REI. Not only did it take forever to actually make it there (traffic bottlenecks every time going into the city), but most of the parking was blocked because of construction. Dozens of spots had tow-away signs posted, even though there was NO construction going on!

I had had enough circling around trying to find a spot when I just gave in and pulled into a parking lot. Guy runs up and asks, "How long will you be?". I say, "Just a few minutes." He says to leave him the keys, and oh, by the way, that'll be $20.00 - You can pay when you pick up your car. "$20.00????, really???" - Well, I don't happen to have 20 on me - but I notice the visa/mastercard/amex sign on the light pole in the lot, so I'm covered.

I make it to the REI and find my gear. Ten minutes later, I head back to the lot...the guy explains that I have to retrieve my car from the underground lot across the street and behind a large brick building. Huh? That didn't even make sense. Whatever...so, I walk across the street and down to the podium at the exit. I notice a sign that says CASH ONLY. I thought, maybe they're just encouraging the use of cash for whatever reason.....uh, no - The guy says, "CASH ONLY" - I reply, "Well, your sign across the street on the lot clearly shows you accept credit cards" - he says, "CASH ONLY" - Again, I explain that the signs indicate the parking company accepts credit cards. He replies, "CASH ONLY, ATM upstairs and down the street" - F&%$# me!

So, I head upstairs, get the cash (with convenient 3.50 fee), return to pay the guy, get my car and head out. But, wait....everyone in the Western US decided to leave Santa Monica and the same time. That was pure pleasure...

What should've took me only 40 minutes to return to Burbank took me 1:45.

Now that I think about it....maybe I don't hate Santa Monica....maybe I hate leaving home.