"Hot, Hot, Hot"

Did I mention it is hot? Not sure where the phrase "dog days of summer" came from but they are here. In the mid 90's all week for temps, high humidity and no rain in sight. It makes one sweat when you just step out the door. Walking has been a chore this week but am making myself do it anyway.

The walking lets me clear my head at the end of the day. Just put on the headphones and go. Training isn't allowing me to walk at lunch so I have to do it when it is hotter in the evening. I think I prefer it during lunch - breaks up the day and gives me a bit of energy for the afternoon.

My only consolation in the heat .... thank God for AC. Nothing worse than heat and humidity and no AC. For this I am thankful.

"Back in the Real World"

No picture today...don't think one is available to show "person dropping back into life after vacation". Got home after 2:30 so did not get up until almost 10. The day was all about catching up: mail, unpacking, putting away, mowing the lawn.

Vacation is fun but the "landing" is always a let down. A person goes from friends and fun back to work and the everyday. Some people might have "extraordinary everyday's" but mine seem to just be "ordinary".

I know work will be the pitts tomorrow. I checked email on Thursday for a few minutes and saw so many things saying "________ will take care of it on Monday". That would be me so I know I have lots waiting for me.

"Life is good .... even when it's not it beats the alternative".

"Dirty Harriett"

Now Client Eastwood has nothing on me. I have offically shot a "Glock" and did OK. Especially for a person with limited vision sans glasses. My first round of 10 I hit the black section of the target 6 times and even got in the "bulls eye with a 10". The farther back the target went the lower my score.

It was very fun - more so than I had expected. It was loud, even with the headphones on. The bullet casings flying around through me off at first but then it was OK.

Don't think it is a hobby I will take up but at least I have done it now and know more than I did before. Probably a good thing that police or secret agent work was not part of my life goals.

Like the sign at the range said, "If guns kill people then pencils misspell words". There's alot of truth in that.

Sun and Shopping

Here I am in all my glory .... sitting on Newport Beach. Nothing better than a couple of hours by the water....ahhhh.

There were 100's of kids in Lifeguard Camp that had to run a mile down the beach and back. They just kept coming and coming. That is part of them in the background on the return. Some big and some little. Quite a workout for the smaller ones.

A seal came very close to the beach and was watching the kids run by. The lifeguards waved at him and he just bobbed his head - very cute.

My friend managed to get me in the water for a bit. Cold at first but then refreshing. Since getting creamed in Hawaii in 03 I have not been in the water - very scared of it. I did not go very far - up to my neck but it is a step in the right direction.

Funny thing about fear ... used to have none with the water and probably needed to as I am not a great swimmer. Now one incident later and I am very leary. I can see how tramatic events can shape a person.

After sunning we went shopping - just strolling through stores is OK but to have a goal and focus....now that is when the case begins. Hunting a striped comforter for a twin, boys bed .... hummm, after about 5 Marshalls we found it! I bet you had no doubts.

Today was doctor appt day, working and packing. Soon we are going to a shooting range. If I don't hurt myself or anyone else it will be a success. More on that tomorrow.

"Diddy Riese"

After watching the seals in the freezing cold breeze - temp about 60 - we began the long drive home. Stopped at Morro Bay and laid out for about an hour. The temp there was about 72 so it was much better. Ate in Cambria at a little place ..... A said their fish was amazing and very fresh.

We got off the 405 and went to Westwood to a place that A had found when they went to the play last week. It's on Broxton across from the Fox Theatre. It is listed on the 20 things to see in LA when you go .... and the list writer is correct. You get 2 homemade cookies with Dreyers Ice Cream in between - an ice cream sandwich to die for. The kicker is the cost .... only $1.25. Yeap, that includes a quarter price increase a couple of months ago.

What made it all the better .... they were having the premiere of the Simpsons Movie right across the street at the Fox. So the street was blocked off, limos, lights, security... and teens everywhere. We tried to see someone famous but it did not happen.

We arrived back home about 11 after a very full day. Thought of our friend often and how much she would have enjoyed it all. Plus, we would have enjoyed having her there.

Logs on the Beach

After leaving the Castle we drove up the coast about 8 miles to a beach that had lots of elephant seals....probably 50 or more. These things were huge and did look like big logs on the beach. They just lumbered up from the beach, covered themselves with sand and rested. Their nose did look like an elephants trunk .... and they made a noise that sounded like one too. Very interesting. Thought the kids would like to see this.

Livin Large in the Day

The 19 hour day began at 3:30 a.m. for me - got up, showered and got ready. Left the house at 4:15 to beat LA traffic. We succeeded - were by Oxnard in 1 1/2 hours. Ate breakfast in Santa Barbara and made our way up the 101. Not really much to see except for the glimpses of the ocean. Did see lots of grapes growing in the fields though. Arrived at San Simeon about 10:10.

We watched a 40 minute video about WR Hearst and the Castle etc and then took our tour. We did the beginner Experience tour. I would like to see the one with the whole grounds etc.

The outdoor pool area is fabulous...we could imagine spending lots of time there. The inside was a bit dark as they keep the lights low to protect the furniture, pictures etc. The stories the guide told were interesting. The rules WRH had for staying there, the activities. The theatre was pretty spectacular .... women got fur coats to lay over them if they were cold. The indoor pool is the one laid with gold all around - I can't believe that folks did not like it very much.

WRH really knew how to put a place together - even if it did take him 28 years to get it all done.

More on the drive back in another post.

Technology .... argh

Was not able to get onto the internet until today. Mike had to reset something on the network. Let me detail how I would have posted though.....

Sat - Journey to a Foreign Land
Got up early and headed north to lower LA county to Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet. The OC one was closed for the fair. Picture it.....2 pure bread, white homegirls walking through rows and rows of an old drive in....filled with pull open type garage fronts. Part of our journey was through "Little Thailand" and the other part "TJ". We saw what looked like guns sales, 2 beers for one at 9:30 a.m., snake vendors and virturally no one that looked like us. We walked fast, looked quick and then got out of dodge. I told A that "we're not in the OC anymore". Came back to the land of milk and plenty and ran errands and were happy we did not have any encounters. Did go to the pool - ahhhh

Sun - Church and Games
Went to church ... Doug Fields is so funny and he was the speaker. I enjoy him very much. Ran a couple of short errands as A wanted to get school supplies. I got P's Xmas gift .... USC large wipe off monthly calendar and USC memo cube - happy about that and think he will be able to use and enjoy.

Played Triominoes and Rummicube ...A won all the times. You know how much I loved that.

Mon - Raindrops keep Falling on My Head
Up early and walked. We / I have walked at least once each day. I did some arm things on Mike's machine yesterday. Today was to be a beach day but the weather is not cooperating so we go to Plan B - a movie. Seeing it soon and then coming back to work a bit. Hope to play tennis this afternoon maybe. Tomorrow is Hearst Castle. We are getting up at 4 and making the drive. Will eat after we get past LA. Going to Half Moon Bay beach after the tour. Will take pics and send.

More blogging later in the day. Now you are all caught up.

Just IMing

Instant Messanging is the greatest thing - except for at work. Mine goes off all the time making it hard to actually do work. But with friends .... it is great. Now if all of my friends would get it setup on their PCs it would be so good. It's like the old phone version of the "party line" without any sound. Actually you can have sound if you have a microphone setup on your PC.

Rain at last

We had a big storm on my way home from work - got about 1 1/2" of rain all total in about 2 hours. It has been so dry here we really needed the rain. When the yard feels like a Brillo pad it needs rain.

I love how it smells after a hard summer rain. It clears the air and things seem fresh again. It's kind of like God's way of giving the earth a scrubbing I think. Too bad it is not to easy to just wash thoughts and hurts from people. (Where did that come from?)

All packed and ready for vaca....woohoo.

Will try and keep you posted and include a pic of the day.

Going on Vacation

Spent the evening packing for vacation. Am heading out to the west coast in 2 days. Taking my yearly summer visit to So Cal. It helps me relax...lounging by the pool or the beach. Taking time to head up to Hearst Castle - never saw it before and am looking forward to the ride up the coast. Going all out with new things - visiting a shooting range. I have never even been next to someone shooting a gun. I got new glasses so I might even be able to see the target now. Vacation's help make "it all good".

My First Post

Using a blog is my friends idea. She thinks we will be able to have a 3 way type of sharing. The 3 of us have been friends for over 20 years....rare these days. My blogger friend and I enjoy writing - our buddy not as much but she might give it a try. Putting your thoughts down is a good way to clear the mind. We'll see how this goes.