Oct 2008

Happy Halloween from yet another random weirdo dog dresser-upper!

...oh the misfortune of being my dog

It’s a new tradition – when we go somewhere doable, Wendy comes out to visit! Well, okay, two times might not constitute a tradition, but hey… I like it. This time Daniela was able to come too. We went all over Orange County, and San Diego and Los Angeles as well. Very fun packed five days. Long enough to get out and do the highlights, short enough that we didn’t get bored. I think… at least I didn’t, but this is my life as of a year and a half ago, so I’m used to it. Always somewhere unknown and unfamiliar, yet somewhat familiar required driven by day-to-day living such as food, entertainment and necessities. Chaos and normalcy at the same time. That’s an odd combination but it’s actually quite comfy when you get in the groove.

Charlie is a member of the California State Beaches, and got a (spendy) pass just so she could run, romp and annoy random strangers on the closest beach that allows her to do so. Dog discrimination runs rampant here, so the few beaches that allow her, she takes full advantage of. Anyway, I digress… due to said pass, we spent some time at the San Onofre State Beach where we could all hang out together as a happy family does.

Our lovely bivouac comes with hundreds of fellow RVers, great views of Camp Pendleton, beautiful sunsets, and mountain lions. Luckily, despite hearing from all the people that have seen (the cute little guys) them, we haven’t. And Charlie is still here, unscathed from her (chair lounging) tie out. Do they not understand the concept of a mountain lion, or am I just a paranoid Idahoan?

When we went down to San Diego, one of our must dos (besides my pit stop of Marukai and Daiso) was Ocean Beach where we had a great chill afternoon wandering around the stores, the beach, and of course Hodads. You know how much I adore Guy Fieri, and he stopped here too. Atmosphere rocked and food was decent. Until I got a mouthful of sand in my burger – my fault I admit.

We also went to the border but didn’t cross (sans passports) and hit the Gaslamp area downtown.

Lucky us, Cujo got a day off to hang with us so we boogied up north and did Hollywood aka typical LA. This is what (I believe) Wendy pictured in her head when you say the term L.A. but when we drove down Hollywood Blvd, she said, “This is it?!”. I can empathize – it does look quite so much more glamorous on television. That, folks, is the magic of tv/marketing. It really is an art.

We made it to three, count em, three of Cujo’s former hostels – how funny is that – San Diego, Santa Monica, and Hollywood. This was before the movie “Hostel”. Dear God, have you seen that movie? If not, don’t. Anyway, something that always makes us happy is great teppanyaki – and we got it in Santa Monica. I could eat teppanyaki every day, seriously. And if I did, I would promise to eat only once a day, it would be worth the sacrifice. It sounds and looks so easy - take a grill and throw food on it, but it really just doesn’t turn out like theirs when you attempt it at home. Maybe I should try to get a job there. Hey wait, have you ever seen a female chef there?! I haven’t. Maybe if we get to break barriers next Tuesday, I’ll work on breaking that barrier at Benihana.

Venice Beach has to be the most individual place ever. With a hefty scoop of liberalism, that is. And capitalism. No wonder people have issues with clowns, this is just plain strange. Was Kubrick here?

Speaking of horror movies (Hostel) we had a movie night – a slumber party of sorts, which we pulled out the bed for. Literally. Pretty groovy when your entire front room/dining room/kitchen can be a bed. Reignites the fort days of your first decade of life. However, if you do so… may you choose a different flick. Daniela had seen and liked this movie, and Wendy swore the setting looked just like our current living situation so we got it. It’s called the Hills Have Eyes, and it’s a remake. Not sure about the original, but the remake was funny. And it wasn’t supposed to be. For anyone who has seen it, gobble gobble. You’ll get it. Charlie looks like she got possessed. But… the real scary part of this movie is that there is a woman here who I happen to run into in the laundry room (every damn time) who belongs in this movie. She’s like a character from the X Files – that inbred episode to be exact. She scares me so much more than that movie. I do look up in the hills now, and I do see glimmering lights that could be binoculars… but it IS Camp Pendleton, so come on – isn’t that their job? Not to torture, maim, murder and eat us, but to train in the element, I mean.

Did I mention how much I love the hookah hookah? Yeah, we are goofy, but don’t blame the hookah.

The San Clemente pier is really a beautiful place. Especially during the sunset. There is a guy that supposedly looks like a guy on the box of fishsticks – now I don’t buy fishsticks, so does he look like him? Captain Gordman or something like that? And look at this poor seagull – ONE foot. Wtf, how did that happen?

The Rainbow love has spread – not only Cujo now… oh yeah baby… the whole family has ‘em.

After a week sans wheels... we got the truck back, all fixed up and ready to go. We went through one quote, then a change, then a new quote; but after all was said and done, we got out of there $4000 cheaper than expected which was a great way to start the weekend! Big sigh of relief, and we didn't have to show up to Alayne's wedding all decked in leather and helmet hair.

On our way up north, we passed the Goodyear Blimp - it looks much bigger up close on the ground versus hundreds of yards up in the sky.

The wedding was so beautiful! Everyone was so happy and so pretty. The ceremony was elegant, traditional, and poignant. The reception was a ton of fun, we met some really interesting people and had wonderful food. We sat with some other friends that really had some great stories - one of which was the man who got to think up and produce the challenge segments of the first Survivor, among current involvement in many other tv shows. Another guy had his own technical writing business, and his brother was the voice of Southwest Airlines, that 'feel free to move about the country' voice you hear on commercials. I guess we *are* in the entertainment capitol, but it's still odd to think it's just normal people you meet that do these jobs.

We were very fortunate to be able to attend, just serendipitous that we were even in California during the nuptials. Thanks to Alayne and Glen for including us in such a special day. Wishing them good luck in the future, even though they don't need it.

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)

After a day or two home, we headed off again… this time with the trailer headed south.
Driving through a little nugget of Arizona is just beautiful.

We stayed in Primm and watched the game and rode the rollercoaster. This is one of my all time favorite coasters – it’s mainly outside and high up, with little curves and bumps that go inside and make you duck. Much better than the New York New York one, but costs about the same. I didn’t remember it being so bumpy the last time I rode it, but I had a 10 years younger body then and didn’t have to hold my head and neck. The game on the other hand sucked and we should’ve gone to see the Beach Boys there who just happened to be playing that night. I coulda rekindled my Mike Love love and maybe got on the stage again, but no, we watched Nebraska get pummeled. By Missouri of all teams. They are the worst whiny dicks. The Vlasaks all went to Missouri for a Nebraska game a few years ago, which happened to end up the first time that Missouri had beat Nebraska in decades. Yup, we got to be present for that. Their fans and students were pretty big assholes and one had such a big damn mouth that he ended up getting choked. I so adore my Papa Joe. J Anyway, Whiskey Petes in Primm had the funniest sign on their marquee outside – Pet Friendly – with a scary looking dog showing his teeth.

Our first night welcomed us with a beautiful sunset along the San Clemente pier. We were on the bike, which was a beautiful ride. A lady at the post office managed to ruin that for me by telling us she saw a bike go down on PCH which made her sad and we should be careful out there. What the hell was she telling us that shit for? Just to make me paranoid and worry, as if I don’t do that too much already for god’s sake? Cujo said it was just out of concern and everyone needs a reminder to be aware and careful now and then. He’s probably right and it’s me that has issues and reads more than exists into most everything.

There are but a few places we can take Charlie that actually allow a dog on a beach here, but we did find one in San Diego while we were there taking care of business.

A love affair has been renewed… Cujo has had these Rainbow flip flops for years, and put them through hell. They’ve been every color of the spectrum and in any substance imaginable. They finally waved the white flag this summer, and he’s gone through a couple more pairs of cheapo sandals in the meantime. So of course hitting the Rainbow store was a priority when he got back to San Clemente.

We’ve traded in commercial airplanes above us at all times for military helicopters – Camp Pendleton is right next to us, and so there is constant air traffic and loud bombs a few times a day. Being between a military camp and a nuclear plant is either the safest place to be or the most unsettling, I’m not sure yet. There is quite a large fire burning as I write that is a tad disconcerting and worrisome for closer residents and home owners.

Another place we found that we could take Charlie is just down the street from where we are plugged in, luckily. The downside however, is that it a state park - therefore it costs. And cost it does! I suppose I can admire the fact that they are actually trying to pass down the shortfalls to their citizens, therefore perhaps teaching folks that some things (such as state parks and programs) aren't just righted to us. Still, it does irk me to pay over a hundred dollars for a year pass to a state beach I could nearly throw a rock to. From the coastline, we can easily see San Onofre where Cujo will be sweating out the next month.