Southern California

This area is just spectacular scenery, especially along the Pacific Coast Highway. I like to think this is our delayed birthday presents - just the view alone - Pacific Ocean, sandy beaches, beautiful people. Not to mention, when you're on a motorcycle, your senses just can't help but be enhanced. There is no buffer, no protection from element, you are just in it. Also... it does help when you know that back home three inches of snow fell. Therefore, we weren't as devastated as we could've been when the truck shit the bed. After all, we do have an alternate means of transportation, albeit one which I cannot drive myself. So, after attempts at diagnosis, visits to shops and car parts stores, we decided to go dealer route. Never know about a good mechanic or shop when you are visiting somewhere, but at least a dealer you know what you'll probably get. Other than screwed... but anyway, hopefully you will be fixed in the process. And I suppose you have more options to complain if not. So wish us luck, as the truck is STILL THERE. And cross the fingers and toes that the price quoted will actually be close to the final price. I just count us lucky that this is the biggest of our problems.

We met up with Cody in Huntington Beach over at Max to watch the Nebraska game. This wasn't as horrible as last week, and there was actually hope in the air for a good part of the game. Cody is a great kid who is living an enviable life along the beach, enjoying life. Funny thing, while we were there, he actually ran into a guy he went to high school with. The amazing thing about this is that they both went to high school in OMAHA. Seriously - how serendipitous is that? Scope outwards, and it's really quite unbelievable.

We finally got to meet Jack up in Long Beach! He's just a few months away from being 2, and we just got to meet him, which was worth the wait. He is simply more adorable than his photos. Very sweet and content demeanor, I took from our short stay. Such a cute kid. Time is really amazing, it seems like Katrina was just getting married, but she and Walter have a beautiful house and a wonderful son. It's remarkably interesting to me all the paths one can take in a life, and how quickly or slowly change happens. Auntie Lynne and Uncle Don look the same - how does that work? It's so good to see family that you don't see very often, especially when you see them at good times.

Cujo's friend Tom came down to San Diego from Idaho for the Chargers/New England game. He and his brother (who lives in Riverside) have season tickets, so when he can get down here, he does. This was incredible. The extent to which people go to in simply shocking. I've never been to an NFL game or even tailgated, but I thought it was comparable to college games. Hell, even the Rose Bowl. Silly me, no. Sacrifice for a cause - the effort, the prep, the clothing, the adornment of vehicles, the list just goes on and on - flags, magnets, TVs with satellite, grills and cooking surfaces that I envy from my RV, coolers you could fit a body in. Then the food - it's not only hot dogs and chips folks - carne asada, lasagna, crepes, full bars, and beers that could rival the shelves of Trader Joes. Wow - what a racket - and oh how fun. (Minus the cops who hand out parking tickets for unintended infractions - which is now my new headache and pet project to attempt to reverse via paperwork)