Bizarre Halloween, con't

So during the random "Halloween hit on the OG while in Orange County Fest", I forgot to mention one gentleman who tried to pick me up at a sushi restaurant that my friend frequents. My co-worker/friend (Rachel) took me to her favorite hole in the wall sushi place, on Oct 30th... and while we were there a random guy (aka the Turkish guy - he was from Turkey not that original of a nickname I'm afraid) at the sushi bar a few seats away from me who kept on talking to us and asking about where i lived, etc.

Rachel is married and heads to her "hole in the wall" sushi place as often as I go to Itchi Raku with Cat and the gang. And Rachel told me a couple of weeks ago that she and her hubby went in and he (Turkish guy) was asking about me, if I was coming down to the OC again, etc. She said, no I didn't have plans, etc.

I just got a text from her saying that the Turkish guy was once again (2 months later) asking after me.

I have to know - what happens when I go out of town that men hit on me... and then ask about me months later?

I know I'm wonderful and fabulous - but is the fog getting in the way in SF? Or is it just the men in Orange County? I don't know, but I'm beginning to think perhaps I should move to Orange County... Should I pretend that I don't live in SF - but that I live somewhere else?

Who knows. But I have to say, though I don't know that this guy isn't a raving lunatic socio-path I'm still complimented by the fact that I left SUCH an impression.

a production in the pool

today my mum and i did what she calls the "route march" through the neighborhood. It's a great, flat walk. Unfortunately it is 80 degrees and humid and I'm not used to humid weather over 60 degrees and foggy. I know I shouldn't be complaining as I have friends freezing their backsides across the country and across the pond (aka Atlantic Ocean). I am trying to commit to memory what the warmth feels like as in just over a week I must abandon the comforts of the tree house (sigh) and come back to my real life.

Anyway, Mum and I rewarded ourselves for doing our walk with a wander to the club for lunch, a cocktail and a bit of sun by the seaside. We found a table poolside. As my Mum and I enjoyed our lunch and some sun I listened to a gaggle of pre-teen girls play in the pool.

I remember playing the 'let's create a movie' game. One of us (not me) was usually in charge and would attempt to share her vision for the play or movie we were making in the pool. Usually a damsel in distress or some fantastic splashy number. But it was always the same we were acting out another girl's ("the director") vision. So in this play/movie the director tells the others there needs to be a dolphin and shark and they vie for parts practicing their dance-like splashing. The routine is semi-set and the director realizes that someone needs to be the narrator. Well the shark and dolphin pipe up that they have their parts and someone else says i don't want to be the narrator, I'm the producer.

Now, as an adult who has seen her fair share of movies and did theatre in college, I'm still not exactly sure what a producer is or what they do other than be part of the folks who collect the Oscar statue when a movie wins. I'm amazed that there was one of the girls who knew she didn't want to be in the production she wanted to produce it. So the production at the pool (which I missed as I needed to head to some shade before I burst into flame) had a director, a producer, a shark, and a dolphin and was missing a narrator...

I keep reading that kids are growing up fast and are light years ahead of where some of us were at their age... but I'm mostly amazed and curious where this young girl heard someone talking enough about producing a production that she knew she was better off being the producer of the pool play than the narrator... amazing what kids hear these days.

Guess I don't need to worry about my language down at the pool anymore.

Merry Christmas!

So I've done my ritual walk along the beach on Christmas Day. It was lovely and peaceful. I did take my camera and took a few shots while I was walking along. I also collected a few shells which, knowing me, I'll forget here at the treehouse.

The beach was fairly pristine. I only saw a few bits of rubbish which was nice. And this year red tide hasn't shown up so no large numbers of deceased fish. Last year was pretty awful - it was as if I had a cold with burning nose, throat & eyes (not fun for xmas). (insert Al Gore speach on red tide from "Inconvenient Truth" here) There were some seed pods washed up on the beach and of course, the shells. I even saw a jelly fish (see right, for artsy photo).



I did see some others walking along the beach, but for the most part it was fairly quiet and it was as if I had the beach and ocean to myself. I suppose most were preparing dinner or playing with new christmas toys. Here's the view I enjoyed while walking along.
















I hope everyone has enjoyed this holiday even if you don't celebrate. As we approach a new year, I hope everyone find the opportunity to rest, relax and are able to reconnect or spend time with those who are important to you...

one more post!

i know i've been the mad (as in crazy) blogger today... but i've been wanting to post this one for a while and haven't.

i recently (in October) went to Seattle and flew Virgin America for the first time... it's like a nightclub with wings. i dig it.

if you've never flown Virgin America or you fly often enough to ignore the safety warning or you would like to be amuzed...

check out the Virgin America safety demonstration.

Virgin America Safety Demo video

i think it's pretty entertaining. And I'll certainly fly it again!

NORAD & Santa

Hi everyone... it is Christmas for my friends in China!

Here's the link to track the man in the red suit! BTW, Santa is prepared for low visibility due to rain (in SF) and snow (in Seattle), he has Rudolph working this year. (watch the video of Santa at the Great Wall).

Tracking Santa

And here's an article about how Santa & NORAD started their unusual partnership...

Santa + NORAD = holiday fun for kids


p.s. i FINALLY figured out how to insert links. i rule!

boiled peanuts and what kind of jerky??

as i referenced below my mom and i drove up to Orlando to pick up my sister and her hubby... the drive to Orlando from the tree house is about an hour and a half and through bits of FL that there are gators on the side of the road. oh yes, it's rural. quite a pleasant/beautiful drive when there's no traffic. (traffic ruins any road, in my humble opinion)

last year when we did this drive we stopped at a road side stand for boiled peanuts, a favorite southern snack. and a family favorite.

so this year we hoped we see another roadside stand with boiled peanuts as we 1. knew we'd sit in traffic on the way back to the tree house and 2. we needed a snack. And this year we weren't disappointed. We started to see the signs for boiled peanuts and then we saw this sign....



gator jerky!
now, I'm not sure what gator tastes like... but i'm guessing rather tough chicken. and then turning tough chicken into jerky?

interesting concept... gator jerky... a pleasant reminder that any meat can become jerk-ified.

any takers?

ps sorry for the small photo - had to use my camera phone while driving at 65mph...

4 out of 5, the 5th will be here tomorrow

today my sis and bro-in-law arrived from Richmond, VA. This was attempt to leave Richmond, part 2. Yesterday they attempted to leave but Air Tran held them back. They arrived at the airport (in 20 something degree weather with the promise of 70 in FL) only to find out that though they bought their tickets 2 months ago - they weren't confirmed and may not get to FL that day. So they grudgingly gave up the seats they didn't have to arrive today instead. In return for giving up their 'not' seats, they each recieved 2 travel vouchers to be used for future travel and an upgrade to business/first class for their trip down today.

so we are all at the treehouse now - and tomorrow the last of our happy band of christmas rebels arrives. :)

I can't believe tomorrow is christmas eve. christmas eve. it all of a sudden went from halloween, to thanksgiving, a few days in between and then *POW* christmas. i'm not one to complain though.

i'm ready for a new year. a new start. there's something about a new year that's just the impression of starting again. almost like a semi-reset button.

tomorrow we'll be a full-house of 5 fun and fabulous folks - looking to enjoy some family time.

i hope the wi-fi reaches my room. ;)

on the verge of another christmas

christmas is officially here. I think I'm actually ready to get into it all. I must confess I haven't really been in the christmas spirit this year (unless you count egg nog and alcohol). And being 75+ degrees hasn't helped. I've really wanted to relax and enjoy resting, reading, and relaxing.
But today after the last of the presents being purchased, after the lights are on the christmas tree and my mom has put up the around the tree house quite a few holiday decoration accents, I might actually be ready.

Just maybe.

And once again...

so once again i get hit on while I'm on the road/not at home. let me back up. while at the treehouse, alone, i go to the same spot for dinner. and tonight was my third night enjoying dinner for one at the bar. The ladies in the restaurant are very nice and Sandy, the bartender, ensures my beverage is refilled, regardless of what it is. (she makes a wicked Irish coffee which has helped me sleep with this evil cough)

So this evening, I was sitting reading and enjoying my desert with a kaluha coffee and a, shall we call them rambunctious, group of folks were leaving. One gentleman looks to Sandy and says to his friend, 'i've not met her.' the friend replies, 'well, she's been tending bar'. the original gentleman says, 'can i meet her'? and the friend says he can and he comes over to meet Sandy. Sandy says 'hello' and he introduces himself as Cookie (i'm guessing at spelling here). He then sees me sitting there, turns to me, takes my hand, and once again introduces himself. And I am pretty sure I then get the once over from Cookie. I should probably mention at this point that Cookie is approximately in his mid-60s. Cookie, then says my name again. Sandy mentions I'm visiting from California. He asks where and we launch into a brief chat about SF. His bro-in-law lives there, fab food, great bars, yadda yadda. He then takes my hand and says, I hope to see you again, down on the beach.

Now I thought nothing more of this exchange. I'm a young fabulous woman and probably among the youngest single women at the beach. And I suppose I have trophy woman written all over me... and I shrugged the experience off. But Sandy found this interaction interesting/entertaining/worthy of telling others. So when each of the waitresses came over - she had to tell the tale of me and Cookie. (I can't stop giggling at that name)

So once again - I leave home and men find me intiguing. I suppose they find me intriguing at home too - but I think the gent's name, "Cookie", and his ignoring of Sandy after his 'determination' to meet her is particularly amuzing.

So here's to you Cookie!

Cheers!

arrival at the treehouse..

*WARNING*
I am currently experiencing nice weather in FL - I say this not to brag - but to prepare the reader for sunny pictures and descriptions of a warm tropical climate.

*END WARNING*

(consider yourself warned)

I descended upon the treehouse around lunch time yesterday. In fact, I arrived with just enough time to run and grab a spot of lunch before logging in to work. This trip isn't all about margaritas and good times! This trip is about work too (no, margaritas & work don't mix).

Today was my first full-day here and I once again worked and got out for some lunch. Here's the view from my lunch spot (not the treehouse).

I am grateful that the weather here has been so good as I could be at home in SF - swamped with rain and frozen with chilly temps. Or working out of LA where it is snowing in places. or in Vegas.

But tonight, I was reminded why I enjoy the get away. I do miss spending time with friends while I'm here - but tonight, I looked up into the sky and saw the sky covered in stars. So peaceful. As I walked home - I could hear the splash of the waves, taste the salt in the air on my lips and see the sky above me reminding me about what is truly important in life.

I love the work I do - but doing it 24-7 isn't realistic. I wrote my dissertation about work life balance and the one thing that folks ask me when I say that is "how do I get balance". And my answer is usually the same. Three easy installments of $19.95 + S&H. And after they laugh (and they usually do)... I remind them, that balance isn't that simple. It's about creating priorities, what's truly important to you. And to me, if I have to work a little bit while I'm here to get to spend 3 weeks locked up at the beach, so be it. I'll log off next week - and part of the week after. But in the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the time off in between my conference calls.

And on that note, I leave you with this view...

the delay, the airport, the wheel of fortune

my journey to the treehouse annex has been momentarily delayed by construction on the Las Vegas airport runway. Or so their website says. i have quite fortunately found a Verizon recharge zone where I can charge my blackberry, iPod, and laptop. and surf the web. i have not logged into the work system - so sshh... don't tell anyone that i have access.

i have another 2 hours (on top of the 45 minutes I've already been here) to gamble away my daily wage at the wheel of fortune slot machine! WHEEL OF FORTUNE!! or is usually my experience, wheel of misfortune. probably safer to just stay here and surf the web.



but anyway I spend it... a 2 hour lay over for a ticket i paid $5 for... is just fine by me. fortunately the vegas airport has many exciting ways to spend your money and your time!



*come on wheel of fortune momma needs a new pair of fabulous boots!*

the tree house...

tomorrow morning I'm heading to the super squirrel secret OG annex. or rather the OG's mom's tree house annex. i am looking forward to enjoying 3 weeks of family time. of relaxation. 3 weeks of a different pace. hopefully, 3 weeks of 70 degree warm weather. of christmas in shorts (if i packed any).

i did this same journey last year and though 3 weeks is (and feels) long - it is important to mix it up and give yourself a much needed break.

work has been insanely busy. work is going to continue to be insanely busy. i need to recharge. and i can say this as this is the topic that i wrote about to become Dr. OG. Work-Life balance. and this is the life balance portion.

a much needed experience.

i hope everyone takes the time this holiday season to rest, rejuvenate and get some quality family and friend time.

on that warm and fuzzy feeling. happy holidays!!

i've gotta be me!

in the theme of lists and not really having anything to blog about lately... i've 'leveraged' this list of questions from kittieflyn...

My earliest memory is... i don't know. i can't tell if my memories are truly my memories or the stories i created in my head from hearing all the stories about how cute i was as a kid. (some things never change i suppose, still cute)

At school I... was a bit nerdy. And one of the smart kids. (again, some things never change, still nerdy)

My first relationship was... uh. what was his name again.

I don't like talking about... anything that will create conflict. so money and religion are the tops of the list.

I wish I had... an understanding of what's going on.

I wish I hadn't... procrastinated.

My most humiliating moment was... when i was in soviet russia and i slipped and fell in a fountain in Gorky Park. I had to walk around the rest of the hot humid day, in wet shorts. humiliating and uncomfortable.

My happiest moments were... so many. but completing my doctoral dissertation, knowing i could finish formal education for life and be a student of life.

My last meal would be... depending on my mood - but possibly mac & cheese with tiramisu for dessert.

I'm very bad at... letting go.

When I was a child I wanted to be... ruler of the world, i think. (once again, somethings never change)

The book that changed my life is... i don't know that there has been only one. Really good, enjoyable books leave a print on me. but if i had to say a book - i'd cheat slightly as say the 'hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy' series.

It's not fashionable, but I love... comfortable clothes. jeans, and my fluffy beige shoes.

The song I'd like played at my funeral is... something perky. Perhaps, "I'm walking on sunshine" by karina and the waves. the first 45' i bought. or Frank Sinatra's "my way"

Friends say I am... pretty fabulous.

My greatest fear is... growing old and being totally alone.

If only I could... say what i'm really feeling without fear.

The hardest thing I've ever done was... facing the idea that he wasn't the one. or the guy i thought he was. and questioning what that meant about our time together.

The last big belly laugh I had was... probably thursday night. or last saturday.

I'm always being asked... 'do you do comedy?'

Cat or dog... cat. max (my cat) is watching me.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be... just the same as i am now.

At the moment I'm reading... technically 3 books, so nothing at all.

My favourite work of art is... the painting in my bedroom that i bought on a visit to Scotland, over a decade ago.

My worst job was... in the grand scheme none of my jobs have been horrific. but the worst might be the winter i did food service at Busch Gardens. The stand was next to the elephants. i was covered in cotton candy and it wasn't that great smelling.

I often wonder... if life is more than just work and home again. which is usually when i get out of the house to enjoy the company of friends.

my iPod *hearts* LL Cool J

I listen to my iPod at work. I am convinced it helps me be more productive at work as I'm able to concentrate on the project in front of me. I usually listen to a few select playlists that I've created most of which are a single singer/album, so not exactly my most creative playlists. But occasionally I pop on my "new gym mix" and listen to the music I listen to while at the gym but it kills the excitment of the playlist while I'm on the treadmill.
So the other day, I decided that I'd try the 'shuffle' function on my iPod and see what I get. And it's a good mix. I have approximately 2550 songs on my iPod. I have a wide range of musical tastes... as you can see from the right hand side of this blog page. And the one artist that has come up more than any other by ratio of the number of songs on my iPod... LL Cool J. I'm not sure why. I have almost double the Frank Sinatra and Rolling Stones than LLCJ and only 1 Rolling Stones song has come up and perhaps 1 Frank song and it was from the Ocean's 13 soundtrack.

What is it about LL that my iPod loves so much? I don't know. But all I know is Momma said knock you out... oops... sorry - let's find some Norah Jones.

a little more calming...