The Unemployed-a sandwich story

I always thought it was funny that my friend from college didn't like to eat sandwiches. When I asked her why, her answer was that she could never open her mouth wide enough. (I'll come back to sandwiches later on this blog). Anyway, I don't have that problem. As a feminist and a therapist, I have a voice, opinions, a big mouth...and lately I've been questioning, where do we get our power from? Our voice? And when did we learn not to use it?
My power comes from the food I eat, the way I take care of my body and the way I can think critically about ideas. My power comes from family and friends and passions I have.
I recently played in a high school alumni day soccer game. I haven't played soccer since high school, but I have spent the last year working out three to four a week. I ran up and down the field and the idea of my own power kept coming through...where do I get the strength to run up and down this field? How do I keep pushing on even when I'm tired, or outrun by another player, or want to give up? That is the same parallel I face now. In a job market that is non-existent, and a saturated amount of psychologists in a small space, how do I continue to have personal power? To persevere? To push through? How do I stand out, or create, or continue on when the phone is not ringing and I question my career choice? I know I am not the only one who feels this. My colleagues are in the same boat. Seasoned professionals with many more years of experience and expertise are struggling beside me. How do we individually and collectively succeed? I have encountered a large amount of people in Los Angeles who are unemployed, self-employed, or on unemployment...no matter what field, it doesn't feel good. Our power comes from the work we do, the paycheck we make, our title. On some level, that is true...but when you are stripped down to the basics again-when you are living as simply as you can-you realize your power. It comes in the small things, sending out a resume, asking for help, watering the garden, making lunch at home-and mostly, connecting again with who you are and who you love.
I feel sandwiched...stuck between two slices of bread...one slice is success, the other is unemployment. I am stuck in between, having a private practice is the meat, my goal, my power. I am in between, in the space between the slices, seeking to grow a business, to define my specializations, to creatively seek clients. I feel grateful for the time and space to seek, to create, to craft. I am hungry.

Ok, so on to the real story here...the sandwich debate in LA starts and stops at Bay Cities in Santa Monica. If you are new to LA or have tourist friends in town, spend the day in Santa Monica, go to Bay Cities-wait in the long line, buy some good products, some cheese, olives, chips, sodas, and get the Godmother or the meet and cheese of your choice and hit the beach. This is my favorite summer activity by far. I love to Rollerblade, so I'll do that first in the morning, park in Venice where they have free street parking (if you go early enough). Blade for an hour and drive over to Bay Cities. I like the Turkey and Provolone with the Works-the reason this sandwich does it for most Angelinos is because it's got the perfect combo of crunchy fresh bread, good meats, cheese, and veggies and amazing dressing. You can eat it right there, outside in the sunshine, or take it to go...walk to the beach, people watch, get your tan on.

There are a ton of sandwich spots in LA trying to be Bay Cities...a good example is All About The Bread on Melrose and La Brea. I like that it is just a sandwich place, but as good as the bread is when you are eating it, the way it rips up the top of your mouth and leaves you handicap for the rest of the week makes it not worth it. It's a shame because I really liked the sandwich I had there, just not the burn afterwards...maybe they need to consult on how to make the bread a little softer.

Wherever you choose to eat your next sandwich, and there are many choices, think about your power, your meat, how you compose your life as a sandwich...mine is a classic-roasted turkey breast, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mustard, Italian dressing, mild peppers, crunchy baguette. What's yours?

Bay Cities
Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln Blvd.,
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-395-8279
http://www.baycitiesitaliandeli.com/

HOURS:
Tues-Sat 9-7 Sunday 9-6 CLOSED MONDAYS

All About the Bread
7111 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Neighborhood: West Hollywood

http://allaboutthebread.com/