Passing the time

Whew – what a week.

Finished up in LA on Friday and enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon tidying up some work materials and then taking a short jaunt past the Beverly Center (too expensive for my tastes) to the Borders (much more my style) for some reading material to take on the plane with me on Saturday. 

Following a very nice dinner at Simon L.A. – and a few drinks, I retired early in order to be rested for a busy, busy Saturday.  Enroute to LAX I witnessed my first car fire – kind of scary, but thankfully the guy jumped out before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Some nice gentlemen in a work truck immediately pulled over and ran over to the car with fire extinguishers in hand to attempt to put out the flames – unfortunately, the fire was too large to be subdued by them.  I’m not certain of the conclusion of the event as my taxi exited at that point to go into LAX but at least no one was seriously injured – that I know of.

An uneventful plane ride later, Rachel picked me up from the airport and we adjourned to my apartment to get ready for the Buffett concert. Rachel went all out with a very cute outfit topped with a Mavs cowboy hat and decorative parrot pin – she looked very festive! I was much more subdued but still appropriate as I borrowed a Buffett concert t-shirt and adorned it with a few mardi-gras beads. Rachel and I then headed over to Pizza Hut Park and checked out the tailgate party which was in full swing and had been for some time. It was an interesting adventure into what can only be known as “Jimmy Buffett land”.

Rachel and I discovered that we had fantastic floor level seats and while enjoying a refreshing adult beverage (or two, or three) we sang and danced the night away along with the rest of the crowd who thoroughly enjoyed the concert. I had the enjoyable experience of meeting and engaging in some semi-witty banter with a cuter version of Kenney Chesney at the conclusion of the evening and Rachel also enjoyed some “quality time” with a sheep in wolf’s clothing at the Irish pub across the street. All in all a wonderful evening.

Sunday morning saw Rachel and I enjoying an early sushi lunch and then heading over to Nieman’s for a little quality shoe shopping time. And yes, Manolo’s make your feet look fantastic!   Rachel headed back to Brenham later Sunday afternoon and I proceeded to unpack the suitcases which I had dropped off at my apartment on Saturday.

Today has been a busy, hectic, emotionally charged day. It just started off on the wrong foot and never seemed to even out. I’m not sure what it is (actually I do know but its rather sad and pathetic), but nonetheless I’m having trouble shaking the “off-ness” of the day.  I’m hoping that tomorrow is better and to do my part to ensure that at least I will be able to sleep soundly this evening I’m going to go work out till I’m exhausted – its either that or go home, cry, mope and generally feel blue – so I’m gonna go work out, and then keep working out til I can’t stand. I might not be able to manage much in my life but I’m determined to at least control a piece of it and if it means that I work out for 2 hours a day to reach my goal – then I guess that is what I’m gonna have to do.

BTW – I detest cookie cutter people, careers, cars and homes. And I hate myself for letting them get to me and allowing them to make me feel inadequate about myself.  

So honestly, how stressful can it be to work in a spa? A spa is one of the most well known places for imparting peace, balance and a sense of overall well-being. But what is it like to be the one providing the massage rather than receiving the massage? I’m just curious.  I might have to do some research on spa careers (manager, therapist etc) as I’m starting to think I’m in need of a change.

A week has passed since I flew from DFW to SFO. A week of crazy hours, inane conversations and the realization, once again, that I savor my personal time away from others. Work has been busy, no more than normal, although as always when I go out on a trip the hours tend to run more along the lines of 7am – 10pm rather than the standard 9am – 5pm which the rest of the populace enjoys.

The weekend saw an exciting car trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles with over night stays in Monterey, CA and Carpintera, CA at the local M6 locations. The trip was enjoyable (albeit chilly) in an every so fashionable PT Cruiser convertible which we drove with the top down for most of the way, although, the temperature hovered right around 47-49 degrees for both Friday afternoon and Saturday.  The visit to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, a few moments spent observing the Sea Lions and a real street car ride in San Francisco started the weekend off on a great foot. In addition, a wonderful really late lunch/early dinner at Scoma’s seafood restaurant ensured that a piece of my heart will remain in San Francisco. The rest of my heart is spread out over WI, MN, CO, WA, OR, TX and a little piece will always remain in MO. 

Following a quick tour of San Francisco it was onto Hwy 1 for a scenic tour south. I must admit that my best memories of CA are tied to Hwy 1 – the coast, the cliffs, the waves crashing against the rocks (rocky and wild but beautiful for those who know how to appreciate it), and of course from my initial trip the wonderful wineries along Paso Robles (I missed you this trip – not by my choice, but next time I’m in CA I promise to visit you again!). After a full day of touring the trip ended in picturesque Monterrey. A great big shout out of “Thank You” goes to the Monterey, CA location for a wonderfully clean room and a thoughtful check-in amenity of a yogurt breakfast bar and water.  Saturday we continued to enjoy Hwy 1 and Hwy 101 with a great stop along the way to enjoy some of the best calamari, clam chowder and fish tacos at a restaurant called “The Galley on the Bay” in Morro Bay, CA. and then a late night arrival at Carpintera, CA which is just south of Santa Barbara, CA.

Sunday saw us leaving Caripintera, CA at 7am and taking the Pacific Coast Hwy (Hwy 1) down to Los Angeles where after driving through Malibu (“hello, Paris and Brittany!”) and  Venice Beach we arrived at a wonderful Italian seafood restaurant called ”C&O” in time for an early Sunday Bruch. There is nothing else I can say about brunch aside form the fact that it was fantastic!! After being seated outside in the warmth of the sun, I took the opportunity for a little people watching while waiting for my French Toast, coffee and orange juice. Needless to say it was an entertaining mix of walkers, joggers, runners, dog walkers, bikers, people out for a stroll, tourist and couples out enjoying the Sunday mid-morning sunshine – very entertaining. Following brunch a walk along the boardwalk revealed some additional great people watching especially when I reached the Venice Beach area. “Interesting”, is perhaps the best way to summarize the excursion. Each time I visit L.A. I always find it amusing to see the characters that flock to the Venice Beach / Boardwalk area. But is was great to walk off the fantastic brunch and to watch the surfers from the Pier.

After returning the rental car and catching a taxi, I checked into the hotel which is luxurious as always. My room on at the end of the hall – while not the most spacious of rooms does have a great view of the hills, and if I step out onto my minuscule balcony I can just make out the “Hollywood” sign to my right (although part of the clarity issue might be my glasses not necessarily the distance!). All in all a very enjoyable place to spend the next 6 nights.

So that is the last week and a half in a nut shell. As I’m going to be working those crazy hours this week once again – I’ll do my best to blog on any adventures or interesting sightings when I return to Dallas next weekend.

Till then, take care!