Adventures of the Week

This week is turned out to be a late one for me both Tues and Wed nights. Tuesday, I went to the Feist Concert at Humphrey's with Ed and it was a great concert. L. Feist was engaging with the audience and added a rebellious streak to a notoriously conservative San Diego. The security did show their weakness of power, since they could not contain the drunk concert goer female dancing to the wonderfully harmonious tunes that drifted it's sound in the cool yet warm bay air. Funny as it seems, I was rooting for the concert goer for a moment, then started rooting for the security guard as the rusher's backs were in my face from the lack of 'cow herding' so to speak. A bit of anger went in the air when an otherwise peaceful looking fellow told Ed "why don't you shut up, after he told the peace fellow's girlfriend to sit down because her back was in our face and we could no longer see the stage from our "good seats". Not something to say to Ed. It was a weird brief moment of my life, where I let myself go and shouted "just sit the FU*K down and all will be good". No fighting is ever good, but in Ed's defense, be a bit sympathetic to those who couldn't get the good seats yet never take the motto the early bird gets the worm for granted.

COMIC CON PREVIEW NIGHT
I am not one to go to this, in fact, I felt a bit out of place with the geekiness in the air. My mission get to booth 2729 and purchase a place to get to be a foot away from Tori Amos on Saturday. I guess the first 20 people in line, turned in to the first30, and hour in that line, I was ok with that, what I wasn't was my lack of blood sugar from waiting and knowing that this event was a test on how patient I really am. I guess if you want something really bad, you can do it. I get the people with passion and maybe too much time on their hands to wait days for something. I wasn't quite that desperate but I did hold my patience and was granted the right to a coveted Tori Amos meeting, just for my brief under a minute signing, maybe sneak a photo or two. This beats the binoculared viewed concerts that I have faithfully attended for over the past twelve years here in San Diego. So after brief nice words from few of the comic artist collaboraters that worked on this project, one of which had beautiful etchings of his talents on hand for my admiration, I walked away with #2 of 500 of the limited print of the cover exclusive to the convention. I will still need to purchase my book for her to sign, but at least I am in. Now to get into the con. on Sat. with out bursting my patience bubble.
Here are some of my purchases:

It's Okay

All is well on the homefront, everyone went home. Friday nt., Saw Mamma Mia at the theatres, was a fun movie, singing not so great, but fun nevertheless, I love all the songs from ABBA. I relaxed around everybody on Saturday. It was fun and I enjoyed myself. I actually went to the gay pride parade for the first time in SD. Really a curiousity, on my part, and I didn't really sit and watch it was more like frantically walking and watching. Everyone there is so happy, it really was contagious. That made my weekend what it was.... On Sun., I watched Louie at my house and relaxed, which made for a good Sun. This week to come will be crazy for me. On top of work, I am going to see Feist with Ed on Tues. and comic con, not all 4 days but probably Wed. nt. Sat and Sun. Note to self: Pool plans are resurrected, not with the lame person.. more to come.

Awake and dreaming

Dreaming of being somewhere else, awake to be yearning of sleep. Putting thoughts to screen, wanting more but leaving to fate. I await and follow my journey to get to that place. I begin today, hopefully, I will get there someday. I will meet myself half way tonight with compromise.


Weekend to come
Another week gone by, need to focus on a few things personal and professionally. This weekend will be loud at my house but hopefully quiet inside my realm. I am glad that there are people having fun around me. I hope to do this in my own fruition. Peace out.

Santa Barbara/Santa Paula Weekend

Left Sat. Morn for Santa Barbara, total miles driven on Sat. 280 ish miles... Went to the 20th ann. French Festival. I am guessing I didn't win the trip to France, I didn't get a phone call to let me know I won. I did take Elise with me, with this I was privileged the car pool lane through LA and OC Counties. She actual wasn't bad, she slept in the car both ways. The French Festival was a typical festival except with French entertainment and food. Where else can you buy escargots at a street fair booth in America? There was Vietnamese food and corn on the cob as well. It was very cute. We got a drumstick ice cream, crepe with nutella and bananas (yum). and corn on the cob. Elise played on the inflatable slides. bounce house there and playground. I listened some french singers and watched traditional dances. Anyways, we stayed there for about 3 hours then drove to Heather(my cousin's) family's house in Camarillo where I crashed a family member's engagement party, from there Elise proceeded to make her self at home in their huge back yard, swimming, playing on their swing set, making "brown" lemonade, playing with the boys her age. Stayed at my cousin's house in Santa Paula overnight and ate brunch on Sunday and took a leisurely drive home. Sunday total mileage 210 miles, a little over 3 hrs. I get totally zoned when I drive long distances, so got to go to the destination, traffic wasn't too bad, just a few patches in LA but that was it. I definately can do weekends to the OC area, but it was long doing this drive to Santa Barbara. Got home a little after 4 pm. Did usual Sunday chores, took a nap and went to bed with another massive headache. I hate those headaches. Till my next weekend adventure at home. Au revoir...J

This upcoming weekend and general thoughts

Leaving in the morning to go to the French Festival in Santa Barbara. Then, I am going to my cousin's house to stay the night, then back to San Diego on Sunday afternoon. I am going without the family, the dog., just me and my inner thoughts.

All is well at home, our pool will be delayed till next winter (for the decision), since we already passed the "swim season", this will help us decide the "new pool" co. to deal with. We are not diving in blindly on this decision.

Kids are doing well, they are going to day camp and progressing into their own beings. They only depend on me these days for money and food, other than that they are self sufficient.

Summer is going by too fast. I can't believe it is the middle of July already. Weeks are flying by. I have a busy schedule in the next few weeks. More fun than work... which is nice for a change.

TV

Haven't been watching too much tv lately. I watched last Tuesday's abc gameshow's wipeout and the japanese game show show. Last nt., I watched the last bachelorette, show, even though I didn't watch any of them with the girl in in it. I just like to see who picks who at the end. It really is a double edged sword, that show. You find someone you like but have to parade your relationships on national tv. I feel bad for the other guy, but I have faith there is someone for him too. There is always someone for everyone, you just have to find it- what a painful process love can be. I still need to subscribe to Showtime and catch up on weeds and the diary of the call girl show.
TV is painless.

Weekends almost over

This long 3 day weekend is almost over, all my weekends seem to go by so fast. Today all I did was go to yoga, pick up my prescription and get my nails done. Yesterday, my friends came over in the evening and during the day I got a facial and took my nap. On the 4th, I sat around the house and then we went to see the fireworks not too far away at night. Other than that nothing else so exciting. Maybe taking a solo road trip next weekend, we shall see.

Things currently happening in my life


To pool or not to pool

Our pool guy we thought we were going to choose sucks, he won't return our calls and he is not all the promises that we thought we were going to get. I am glad we didn't sign with him, because if he doesn't call us back, that is not a good sign of good service for the future. So we are going to give our other bidder a try. We will see if Ed makes his head spin and scare him away or not (perhaps this is what happened to the guy I am not happy with right now). Regardless, we really aren't scary people to work with, we have simple tastes but require people to call us back when asked. Stupid first pool guy.

Retirement questions
Already? I am in my early 30s still, I just got out of my 20s (almost 3 yrs ago), yet Ed and I are talking retirement. I say live life and go with the flow. I can't count on SS and all the crap they give you when your 67 or 76 or 80. Hmmm.... sitting at home counting our budgeted stipends and getting bored out of our minds on tv and gardening, time will determine how old I will be and if we decide to actually retire.... That said, I would love to retire someday, I think Paris would be nice. Think of the possiblities. Live in Paris from April to July. July to March in SD. So many things to think about. Presently, I walk pass my daughter's day camp where it doubles as a rec center for seniors as well. I am not sure I wanna be that lady taking stretching classes in a smelly ol' gym. I wanna be the old lady strolling the Champs Elysees and eating at the cafe' with my little ol' lady ex-pat amies. Perusing the Seine and glazing at the Eiffel Tower from afar from our (Ed and I) little apt. in Montmarte or Marais or Rue Cler. How cool would that be?

Happy Anniversary to me
8 yrs. and counting. 8 is a big number it is more than 7 . I could of went to college/highschool twice. So 8 yrs. ago today, I got married in Paris ( the hotel in Vegas). Seems like yesterday, yet lots of times and things have gone by. I think I have went through 4 jobs, had another kid, gone through 2 cars, moved once, had about 7 big fights with ed (one a yr, I suppose it's healthy), went through a handful of pets (2 cats, 1 I still have, 2 pugs which I have sense relinquished, one maltese that died a week later due to complications of a spay) but currently have a lovely dog Stewie which is like my littlest child, numerous vacation destinations and a happy 8 yrs. so far of marriage. yay me.

Near Future

July= 4th of July=No plans, just to see Fireworks at Lake, Thinking about going to the French Festival in Santa Barbara next weekend. Going to Feist Concert in SD, Comic Con for the last day.
August= Do a trip at the end of that month to see folks and grandma's birthday.
Sept= My birthday which will be a non event
Oct- nothing much again but for my kids to dress up for their candy fix
Nov- Madonna concert and on the same day will know who our next president will be (Obama)
Dec- Christmas time, time again to be consumers of the retail nonsense they call Christmas. I would like it if they called it exchange your life with time with your family instead of exchange your money for presents for people you rarely see.

Starbucks is my friend
Ode to Starbucks...your white chocolate mochas are delicious, no one can make them like you. I wish people would lay off their hatred comments you. Granted you opened a store one on top of another at one time, it is ok to downsize a little when it comes to the economic weakness of our country. I get that there are competitors that hate you or try to undermine your costs of happiness. That is ok, your happy facade and cross promotion of books and cds are just a good mix of bliss in the morning. I am grateful you are my coffee store of choice. Your prices aren't high, except in Paris and London where I paid top dollar for the sweet, frothy taste of the coffee perfectly mixed with milk and white chocolate syrup. Yum

My weekend 

Last weekend was a productive one. Saturday, I went to Costco to buy things for the house, and to get ready for the get-together Ed is having for his video game buddies on the weekend of the 13th. Then I took my weekend nap, after that E and I went to Ross and Grossmont Center.  At Ross, I purchased some shoes, a green short-sleeved zip up top (ugly but she picked it out), and a Hannah Montana t-shirt.  At Grossmont Center, we made a b-line for Claires (E's favorite store) and she made out with spending my budget of $10 and the remainder of her allowance fund;total spendage: $40. After that, we got takeout at pickupstix (for Ed and I) and mcdonalds (for E).  

Sunday, I went to my yoga class, trip to trader joes for fresh food and then came home to the garage being gutted or organized or whatever you want to call it.  I proceeded to grab my favorite treasures that were buried under the junk rubble and moved the casualties to the Amvets place in our courtyard (UPDATE: which my cleaning lady proceeded to take on Tues nt.).  With my box of dvds, books, misc other goodies, I proceeded to make their new homes back inside my house.  After that ordeal, I made lunch for E and I and we went to feed the ducks at the lake, gave her and Stewie a quick bath and then took my afternoon weekend nap. After waking, I proceeded to do many loads of laundry and washing dishes.  Made the steak, corn I purchased earlier in the day, then called it a night. 

INTO THE WILD

Just finished the movie, Into the Wild.  I like movies that leave you thinking afterwards.  This was not a happy ending movie, yet I felt a life changing molecule struck a chord from before I watched. I am not going to pick up my life and go off to Alaska, but it has provoked my thought process.  I am happy living a simplish life with my blythe, gnomes, itunes, art supplies, macbook, dvd collection, french study books, and my little house in San Diego. I don't need any Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel or any of the thousand dollar name brands to give me happiness.  I can jet off to France at a moments notice if I really wanted to, I just feel responsibility to keep myself grounded in the moment of life. Life of being happy with my family, friends and my dog Stewie.  I love those thought provoking movies.

Le Weekend Prochain

Nothing going on, just chillin out at home.  Maybe get my office in order.  Thinking about redoing it to more of a den style.  Maybe read some, go to the park, watch a movie or two.  Went shopping at Ross last nt.  purchases for me.  I bought a cute sleep set, a journal/notebook, and an Andy Warhol totebag, A happy bug day.  Good for toting my books and things, not that I have a gazillion totebags already.  Purchases for R- a whole new wardrobe for his trip about $125 worth.  Summer is so random this yr., it is going by so fast.  Next week is my eighth wedding anniversary and the 4th of July.  Hmmm.. still no plans.  I am just staying home and chillin out.  I do want to get to Catalina Island sometime..I am thinking maybe nearer to my birthday or just a lovely offseason day, when the rooms are less expensive. Ryan is off to Portland and Seattle with grandma this week, he will return on July 5.  This is pretty much his first adventure /vacation alone without us.  Still taking my hour of french a week.  It is coming along.  I am discovering more and more online resources and just really need to just sit down and do them exercises. I am just so scattered lately. I do one thing for a few min. and then it is off to the next.  Still waiting on the pool stuff to come in.  It seems to be sitting on the back burner.  Hopefully, by the end of July, we can make a actual decision.  

Went to dinner.....

Last nt. we went to Flemings Steakhouse and I ate way too much.... I had the caesar salad, prime rib, Fleming potatoes and chocolate lava cake.  I brought my own bottle of bubbly for the table. We just had to pay the corkage fee.  Sadly, I didn't bring my camera.  My guests for the night, my lovely husband Ed who never leaves the house (but this once a yr.), Suzanne and Mike (her flame and PDA buddy) and my other friend Vanessa.  Usually, when I have bubbly, I wake up at an odd hr. today it is 430 am.  I do plan to get a few more zzzs.  Then wake up for the day.  Anyways, we played tourists, because Flemings is located in the Gaslamp in SD, where all the tourists reside and dine. Overall, it was fun I just love going out for fancy dinners.

my wonderful package

I got a cool package in the mail from my friend Gigi. We met through the swap-bot site.  I think that this is the best swap package I got so far.  I will go back and post a pic, but since it is so late, I am too tired to get out the camera. Anyways, it was a spatula set, a cool spa stamp, a cool cherry makeup case, a very chic journal book, a tin of japanese gum and little suckers, bath gel (appletini), and last but not least the coolest pic cushion set ever.  Pic from her etsy store..... you can order these goodies and more.  I wanna collect them all!   

Sunday, I went to dinner at Laurel, this is a fabulous restaurant in the Banker's Hill Area of San Diego- Since it is restaurant week we can eat a 3 course meal for $40.  This doesn't include tax, tip or any other drinks so by the time I got out of there it was more like $70.  But these bi-annual dinners are always fun.  Went with friends Suzanne and her B-F Mike, friend Vanessa, friend Regan, my cousin Heather also joined and Suzanne's protege Whitney and her cousin also joined in on the fun.  Of course I will post pics later as I slowly get them.  :)

3:30 blog

It is Friday, another week has gone by. My kids have survived another yr. at school. 1st and 5th Graders now. This really ages me now. Today will be another day at work and then afterwork, will probably relax at home. We have the movie National Treasure 2, so I will most likely watch this tonight with the family. Sat. I will probably clean around the house and try to get rid of things. Still need to print out my Europe pictures and scrapbook all the things I collected. May also hit the beach on Sat. or Sun. depending on my mood. I think all these simple pleasures are good for me right now. There is too much going on in the world to focus on other stuff. It really saddens me that all these natural disasters are happening all over and the American economy has gone to crap. To fill up my car has doubled in one yr., I notice food costs going up and since I am in the recruitment ad business I see the need to recruit jobs going down. I am always hopeful, but as the wrong decisions are made, we will be in this predicament for the rest of the yr. When Jan 2009 rolls around, that is when the change will begin. J

Thursday 3 am

Last night, I fell asleep to the french movie The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I will watch it again to see what happens, this happened to me several times when I was watching the Darjeeing Limited. I am wondering if it is certain movies that do this to me, but since I went to bed so early I am up at 3 am. I probably will go back to sleep but it is weird to have such a weird sleep pattern. This week, I went to my first private french lesson. It was helpful, since my pronunciation in french isn't that great. I have american tendencies to pronounce the silent letters and it is good having a live person tell me what I am doing wrong. I was hesitant at first because I am spending money for a tutor when I can buy all the french cds, books etc.. but it really is another tool to accelerate my learning instead of becoming stagnant. In other parts of my world, our 2nd (oldest) big screen tv is doing some psychedelic things and so it is time for a new tv or a big empty in our wall. I wouldn't care either way but Ed insists that we get the latest and greatest technology to fill the void. I am so good with my macbook pro and my itunes account. But tv is america and we need the biggest there is. GO showtime! Love my new show Diaries of a call girl and weeds is back on! Love it, Love it. Now to subscribe... I totally got sucked in to these shows. List time...
Loves at the moment:

French
Paris
French Music and Movies
Happy Hippos (Candy made by Kinder)
Still the cute stuff
Crocs- LOVE LOVE them
my bed
sleep (should be sleeping now)

This week ahead....
Weekend, nothing really.. maybe clean up junk in garage and my office (craigslist a few things)
Sunday dinner with friends at Laurel (restaurant week, 3 courses $40 equiv to 25 Euro)

Tuesday another dinner at Flemings Steakhouse (another restaurant week goodie)
Other than that, working and taking my kids to summer camp. Fun.. Fun in the SUN.

Saturday

Typical Saturday

Lazy, yet I still managed to go shopping.  I had not been to IKEA in a awhile, my lights went out in my office.  They are dependent on IKEA's bulbs, I went to IKEA and spent a few dollars more.  I guess that is how it goes.  Target, IKEA, it doesn't matter, I will find something else I want and must have.  I went to also get a massage, got to get all those toxins out of my body.  Massages are relaxing, then I seem to feel like crap for a little while.  I think it is the toxins being released. Anyways, can't go to Europe, what is the next best thing?  IKEA.  I managed to buy a outdoor light set and some cookies and gummy candies.  Also, some designer ziplock bags (couldn't resist the design).  Here are a few pics I took today.

Just Life

I adore life, lately, I have been privilaged in taking a breather from my everyday life and seeing what else is out there in the world. People all around the globe are breathing, eating, and sleeping as we do here in America.   I am more inclined to retired part-time in another city, than pick up my things and leave San Diego all together, when I am 55 or so.  I feel it is important to have a home base.  I see the economics in just being a free bird and living in a city that makes more thrifty sense  but I know I will miss the weather and the things that make San Diego the city it is, for better and for worse.  It is important for me to work, have a sense of self and create more to improve upon myself. I so want to win the lottery and not have a care in the world, but that just wouldn't be who I am today (maybe in 10 yrs. :)).  In a little way, no matter how little it is, I am still contributing to the economy by giving my country my hard earned tax dollars.  The sweat from my brain that gives the government, those dollars better create a future for my kids.  Hopefully, the powers that control my tax dollars are wise enough to see that America is falling into the toilet. They better not mess up my retirement fund for my travels abroad when I get of age. 

Working to Retire

So someday I am going to retire.  This is a goal for many Americans like myself.  I just went back to work after 2 weeks of vacation, the most vacation I have had for one time since I was unemployed.  This was a grand treat.  No worrying about kids, dog or money for 2 weeks. Granted, I will be seeing my credit card bills in a few weeks, at that time there were no worries.  I went back to work and it was satisfying to an extent.  The buildup of work made things stressful, but I guess that is what time management is all about  This leads to my thought on my working to retire.  I work in order to live, buy necessities and perhaps save for a rainy day.  I also, plan to retire someday so a chunk of the check also goes to a black hole in a financial institution where my money fluctuates up and down, lately, mostly down, to someday rise to the occasion of my retirement when that day comes, knock on wood, the til will be huge enough for me to stop working.  I don't think I will ever stop activities, but working I really do hope someday.  These days, us Americans cannot afford to not stop working. We buy more that we earn and are incapable of making adaquete payments.  This starts from the top down.  This leads to the question, am I going to get to retire?  The answer is going to be yes. I will not buy a bigger house than I need, I will splurge a little like put in a swimming pool which will add to the yrs. I will need to vacation at home instead of going on a weekend excursion somewhere.  In return, when I am out of the country for a month or two at a time, I can sublet our home to vacation renters who want a quiet place to be and still have the city life closeby.  By that time hopefully, my house will have character and a homeliness for all to enjoy.