That ear to ear, goofy,grin girl is my daughter Rhiannon. She recently attended a philanthropic event where she was able to meet and hang out with some of her all time favorite people.
The boy she is with…won a little award today…for the second time in his young life.
Congrats Tim…very well deserved.
Many weblog writers find one of the true benefits from this segment of our lives is the people we come across…and the friends we make. As we read, we glean little insights into strangers’ lives. Not only by their words, but sometimes by the photos they take, and sometimes by the jokes that they tell. Every once in a while we step through the monitor glass to let our online life and our offline life merge.
Linda, (supermom of Are We There Yet?), Sandee, (jokester of Comedy Plus,) and I met up for our second (annual?) consumption of Mexican food and hilarious conversation at the hotspot in all of Stockton, California…Cancun.
Sandee…and her silent photographer Zane, live in central California. Linda, who once lived in Stockton, now lives clear on the other side of the country in Connecticut. Almost exactly one year ago to the day, we met when Linda came out to visit old friends. This year Linda was attending a Dispatchers’ conference in Vegas….and couldn’t pass up making a quick side trip to visit us and others in the Golden State.
On Sunday Linda made the drive over the mountains. As luck would have it…Santa Cruz was kinda rainy and foggy. Still, we were able to see a few of the sights. Contrary to popular belief I am NOT made of brown sugar and don’t actually melt when splashed with water.
After watching the surfers out at Pleasure Point (on the EASTside,) we drove along the water through Capitola and Aptos. Linda was hoping for sunset photos (like at the very bottom of my weblog) so we went to a very special place, Seacliff State Beach. I have a lot of personal history tied up with that cement ship, The Palo Alto…It always makes me smile. I know Linda enjoyed seeing the ship…not so sure she enjoyed the way the end of the pier swayed with the waves. We could tell there would be no colorful sunset this evening…for the most part the sky looked like this:
We had dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Manuel’s…which is right above Seacliff. (I honestly gave her several choices…but Linda really wanted Mexican!)
As the fog rolled in, we drove back to the “westside” and Steamer’s Lane. The Lighthouse here houses the Surfing Museum. Linda wrote about her first day in Santa Cruz, and researched the history of the lighthouse…most of which was new to me. (I’m more of an Eastside sorta chick)
The next day we visited a bunch of places, including Holy Cross Church (Santa Cruz translates to
“Holy Cross”)
It is also the site of the Santa Cruz Mission.
The original structure was destroyed by a series of earthquakes, but portions have been rebuilt.
Linda and I headed to The Santa Cruz Boardwalk for a photo-op, thinking it would be closed.
The Teamster is enjoying his
Five-O Tour and could not be present to ride…
I am sure he will be bummed he missed it!
There were several other
“attractions” on the Boardwalk despite the weather.
We went out to the very tip of the wharf (see the aerial picture at the top of my weblog?) watching the sea lions, the sailors, and the tourists.
We made a few other quick stops (chocolate shop, microbrewery) before the obligatory trek at the harbor down to the end of the jetty
(the following two photos of the three amigos have been shamelessly stolen from Sandee’s weblog..and were taken by Zane.)
After a glass of wine at the bar, we headed over to enjoy our meal. We thought we would pay homage to the Queen…
But Zane caught us with our guards down…
(rather amazing…my eyes are actually open)
If you would like to see more of her hubby’s handiwork…please surf over to read Sandee’s post.
In addition to the first day post linked above…Linda wrote about our dinner too. She has captured many sights in words and pictures…and has promised more posts.
interesting to me
these heroes three
all with names of “J” and “B”
do we have any of these guys in real life ??
Jack Bauer
James Bond
(all three of these photos I swiped from online public domain websites…no infringement.)
this one came from over the pond..."ou" and all.
selecting a single word was a bit of a challenge.
1. Where is your mobile? close
2. Your significant other? away
3. Your hair? unruly
4. Your mother? healing
5. Your father? unfortunate
6. Your favourite? changes
7. Your dream last night? many
8. Your favourite drink? coffee
9. Dream/goal? contentment
10. Virtue? few
11. Hobby? lacking
12. Fear? unmentionable
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? settled
14. Where were you last night? unsettled
15. Something that you aren't? sweet
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. Wish list item? cure
18. Where you grew up? California
19. Last thing you did? caffeinated
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. TV? several
22. Pets? possibly
23. Friends? valued
24. Your life? thresholding
25. Your mood? sketchy
26. Missing someone? yep
27. Car? contemplating
28. Something you're not wearing? hat
29. Your favourite shop? vault
31. Glass half empty, or half full? glaaaaassssss
32. Shiver, quiver or slither? quiver
30. Your favourite colour? blue
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? sunday
35. Who will resend this? questionable
36. One place that you go over and over? prayer
37. One person who emails regularly? daughter
38. Your favourite place to eat? taqueria
go'head...try it...I dare ya...
it is not as easy as you'd guess...
I'm heading out to a "Lost" party tonight. I have never been to a television show soiree before... except to watch the Academy Awards.
I was requested by the hosts to go online and obtain my very own nickname from Sawyer.
"Sugarpop"...
Sawyer calls me Sugarpop...sigh....
(go ahead...click here and tell me what nickname Sawyer would call you !!)
I swiped this photo of Josh Holloway in "Lost" from ABC.com. Out of respect for Mel the student in me did not post one of him unclothed...or in a love scene. But the stripper in me certainly wanted to...
I've never watched "Lost" on television...cause I find the multiple timeline, multiple storyline and ensemble cast too disjointed when jam packed with commercial breaks.
I have however, seen every episode of all four seasons via the digital versatile disc...more than once. It really is rather well written...but I have no idea how the writers will explain it all. I hope they don't wimp out and have everyone wake up from a dream.
I haven't done any of those fun little test things lately...this one has only four questions...grab something to write on and with.
I came across this one at HomoEscapeons....where the writer and the weblog switch personalities on an alarmingly frequent basis...
I stole this tag from maremagnum...it originated with MegaMom...and I was looking for a good excuse to post my photographs of last night's sunset
Show me your sunsets! Or your sunrise, whichever the case may be. It has to be a photo you took. Include a brief description of where it was, and how it made you feel watching that sunset/sunrise. Anyone reading this tag may also join. I am hoping that most of you will have something to share. If not, take out that camera and take photos. At least you will be forced to enjoy the fleeting view, even if only for a few moments.
These were taken at my beach in my neighborhood. It was crisp, and clear, and cold. Everytime I sit at the ocean and see the sun set I consider it my own personal gift from God. While it may seem as if I am the only one...in reality there are a couple dozen people....and their dogs...on the sand or surfing.
I tag Turnbaby ~ Linda ~ DesertSongbird ~ Mel ~ David
Just wondering how many of you have body art...
old tattoo…new acquisition…secret branding?
I have ink. I actually posted about mine last January…LONG before anyone ever read this place.
I found this fun little test over at my Tat Sistah Odat’s…where she is braggin’ on having some Butterfly bodyart…but....hmmm…we haven’t seen the proof of it yet…have we?
C’mon Odat…let’s see your ink...laughing...
anyone else willing to show us what ya got?
| You Should Get An All Over Tattoo |
 Outrageous and funky Because you should never have to choose just one tattoo |
Please Dr Blogstein…look and see…
if there’s a bottle in your bag for me?
Apparently YES! Thanks to the good Doctor and his Cyberwave Commander…I have won my very own bottle of V2 Vodka. (could it be a collector’s item??) Imported from Holland and enriched with caffeine and taurine (the stuff they put in those crank-up-your-brain energy drinks.) V2 Vodka is recently being offered in selected markets in the United States…I am looking forward to tasting it for myself.
There is a relatively new dimension in the blogworld known as Blog Talk Radio. Several of my favorite webloggers have established their very own weekly radio talk shows…one being the volatile... Barbie-lovin’... Dr.Blogstein.
With live guests the likes of author Vince Flynn, emmy winning designer Christopher Lowell, and this upcoming week….political cartoonist Lloyd Dangle, Dr. Blogsten produces a rather intelligent, borderline manic, info packed hour you really ought to check out.
The alarmingly amusing personalities of Dangerous Lee, Justin the Weatherman, and Phil add to the never-ending banter. The incomparable Vinny Bonds of the Big Leather Couch lives his fantasy as the Supreme Commander of the Cyberwaves by keeping the characters in the live-listener chatroom connected to Dr Blogstein and the on air talent.
How did I win you may ask? By asking a whole bevy of beverage questions in the chatroom on Dr. Blogstein’s Radio Happy Hour. The Guest was Betsy Landis, SVP for V2 Vodka. Dr. Blogstein and Vinny take very good care of the listeners who call in…and the ones in the chatroom. (smile)
Listen live every Tuesday evening at 6pm Pacific Time (other time zones?…you do the math) All of his past shows can be enjoyed at your convenience via the archives.
A couple other Blog Talk Radio Shows I have been known to listen to and enjoy immensely… 
hanks to Sanni for reminding me about “The Count”...
sometimes I sit and count all day…
sometimes….I get carried away
I count slowly…slowly…
slowly getting faster
once I start in counting…
it is very hard to stop
faster..faster…it is so exciting…
I could count forever
count until I drop
(when I am alone...I count myself)
I know it's not a 911 emergency...but have you seen that little contest goin’ on at Linda’s “Are We There Yet?” ?
In true SuperMom fashion she is proudly promoting her ArtMunkey Amanda’s Artistic Intoxication. This online store features her original graphics on mugs, cards, shirts and more. Truly unique gifts or a little treat for yourself. I’m a big fan of little treats for myself.
I wasn’t going to enter the contest....until this afternoon.
Little Missy (who is starting her second year of college) came in dragging and bitching after her first day of torturous soccer practice. Several hours of drills and scrambles after months (and MONTHS) of not doing a whole lot of working out really slammed her. She started the day tired cause after being up late I woke her at dawn. Little Missy was featured in the local rag today and I felt the need to read the article out loud to her. (per Linda this shameless bragging on your kids is required per the parental contract under paragraph 52, subsection 12b) To make matters worse, she is working the evening shift at Orchard Supply.
My friend had arrived just as The Mo Show was ending and asked Little Missy how she was feeling. She came out of the kitchen eating a cracker and said, “like death”. I flashed on Amanda’s Mug with the caption, "I feel like death, eating a cracker". Irrefutable proof that blogging is taking over my mind.
~ Don't be "gypt" ~ I saw this over at Skittles Place...
I thought I would be the middle finger!
| You Are the Thumb |
 You're unique and flexible. And you defy any category. Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky |
