Business in Guad

Short business trip to Guad. Visited with family on Sunday. This morning walked around the hotel neighborhood and had breakfast at La Chata Restaurant. Good trad mex food.

Hotel Morales is a good one. Very comfy and the staff are helpful and cordial.
Check it out here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150798-d582442-r5806690-Hotel_Morales-Guadalajara_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

On to the meeting now.

La memoria es como el mal amigo; cuando más falta te hace, te falla

Today is a day for wandering thoughts:

Lovely song -- "Mala Memoria" por Jose Zamacona

When I saw the quote above, it immediately resonated with me!! Cure for failing memory: Complete 3 crosswords per day.

I bet following a knitting pattern is an aid to memory, too. Stimulates the brain cells.

Going east

Preparing for a trip to DC next week. Hit Nordstrom Rack. Being on vacation is a wonderful, scary feeling. Because I'm spending a few days vacationing at home. Not travelling. That's scary, something I'm not used to. But, there are so many things to do, including waking up & getting dressed whenever I want.

I made my nail appointment at 11am, so I wouldn't have to rush to get up. But, since I was up at 7am, after all, I happened to hit the Nordstrom Rack @ 8am for their early morning sale. Ah...when was the last time I got some quality shopping in? Very nice, to be there first thing...with only a few other shoppers!! Who knows...maybe Macy's will get a visit tomorrow!! And, maybe I'll be able to check out fall styles in DC and New York next week!

how to cope with distressing?

I AM DISTRESSED . . . worried about a work issue, dismayed at a home issue . . . I've got this nifty cd staring at me -- so, what to do? Exercise is a sure cure. Even if it's short-term, it's better than this icky feeling!

15 minute workouts "cardio" by, who else: McDonalds!!!!!! Will march away those worries. Or maybe color my hair and then go for a bike ride when the sun tips below the horizon.

Must finish this weekends reading also:

Floaters by Joseph Wambaugh. Good, clean murder mystery! (See "Current Reading" below, on the right, for links.

Have you read this one yet? Noted on the New York Times Book Magazine "Notable Books"

Outside Passage - A Memoir of an Alaskan Childhood by Julia Scully

Sacramento Jazz Jubilee 2006

Workin' the Jubilee this weekend with Anastacia. Last nite's zydeco sets were rockin'! Tonite? The Blues ... all over Old Sacramento. Want to see this New Orleans group, new to Sacto Jazz Jubilee, group: Bonerama from New Orleans.

tijuana...on business

Tijuana -- I've been to Tijuana twice on business -- in about 2 months time. Aaaaahhhh....that's a nice thing. Seafood...good people...it's good to get to the border again. Even a day trip is a good feeling. I got caught up with the new Restaurants in the Zona Rio Tijuana. We went to Saverio's or something like that.

Since my next vacation will be in September 06, I need a little R&R, even if it's a dinner -- after a day of meetings! For the first time in approx. 25 years, I walked across the border back to the U.S. The woman driving has one of those commuter passes -- only the person holding the pass may cross in the car. And, knowing how loooooong "la linea" is, we jumped out and walked across while she got in the "short" commuter line. A very pleasant trip. *sigh* Hope to be back real soon!

one beautiful sunny day...today

The sun finally shone through today...ah, it's a beautiful day!!
In spite of the beauty, your elected officials are embarking on an ugly
course of action. It's HR4557 or some such...the immigration bill.
Just say NO to idiocy!! Don't get me started.

I'm going to find a book and read it.

LONG WEEKEND

What a nice long weekend. Got a kick in the pants from Anastacia, to get working on my projects! Continued working on the Flying Geese crocheted afghan. Going to start on the one-skein scarf with beaded tassels. Thank you, mi hijita.

where in the world is....

Here's my schedule:
Friday 2/10: Bakersfield, CA
Tuesday, 2/14: 8pm or so -- Sta. Barbara overnite
Wednesday, 2/15: Training
Wednesday, 2/15: 8pm or so -- Del Mar, CA overnite
Thursday, 2/16: San Diego
Thursday, 2/16: 5pm approx -- Tijuana
Fri & Sat, 2/17 & 2/18: Tijuana
Sat 2/18: approx. 6pm - San Diego - Sacto
Sun & Mon 2/19 & 2/20: Sacto
Tues. 2/21: Oakland
Wed. 2/22: Oakland to Riverside, CA
Th. 2/23: San Diego
Fri. 2/24: San Diego
Fri. 2/24: approx. 6pm -- San Diego to Sacto.
Sat & Sun 2/25 & 2/26: Sacto.
Whew!

time for a change

Well, I'll be moving next week -- about 10 miles away. As I planned the packing job, my smart roomie Catherine said that magic word...plastics. it's the future! (remember The Graduate?) Well, plastic see-thru bins are this week's amazing tool!!

So my stash is clean and easily seen in a nice clear plastic box! Yay! It makes packing a happy thing. I'm not so happy about lugging all this stuff down my stairs ... and then up the stairs to my new place! Heeeellllllppppp!!!!!

Now, more than ever, I must think ... LESS is MORE, LESS is MORE!!

Let me interject - this month's amazing word is -- "flummoxed." To be complemented by "bolloxed." I've used the two words quite a bit this month -- and they appear to be virus-like. Once you utter them, people around you begin to use them, too!! Try it. I dare you!

I don't have my recent pics with me, so I'll close with this pic of Anastacia and me in Tijuana, BCN, Mexico -- where I'll be next month!! In the photo, we're in front of Caesar's Hotel & Restaurant -- yes, the place the caesar salad was first made and served! yum

happy hannukwanzumas!

Okay, Mark had the ultimate multi-holiday name idea! We had been happy chrismakwanzakuh'ing everyone, but he will have his way!

Today was sandhill crane day -- took the hour's drive to Woodbridge Ecological Preserve -- to see the wintering 5-foot high cranes. and they did not disappoint!! In spite of the rain...like a bird cares about the rain...they flew in waves and waves by the dozens, hundreds maybe, into their evening roosting areas. Impressive!



See this website: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/51/_/Sandhill_Crane.aspx

Another gorgeous sighting -- northern shoveler ducks! See: http://identify.whatbird.com/obj/97/_/Northern_Shoveler_Male.aspx. What a treat to see dozens of such lovely birds!

Justin and Tina went along, were not too sure at first if this was a "wild goose" chase, but soon became believers! Thanks, guys, it was great showing you the beautiful sights of greater Sacramento area!

second-hand rose (earnheart)

he humbles us -- Earnheart just wants a little bit of understanding. He doesn't mind using a flimsy, cheap plastic bag as his bed. No! No fancy "Kitty Pi" for him.

livin' the good vida loca

Exercise is big in Baja -- this gym, advertising Pilates & Spinning was busy at 8am on the Thursday we drove through Guerrero Negro, Baja California, at Parallel 28. Viva Mexico!

back to a different kind of civilization

Here I am, see me below...bouncing along Hwy. 1 in Baja California Sur. I'm right there...in the truck.

Made it back to Sacramento in 3 days. Each day is exhilarating and very difficult . . .

Day one, Sta. Rosalia to El Rosario. Eight hours of driving, including stops for military checkposts, gas in Guerrero Negro (pick up a couple chicken tamales for dinner) and lunch at Mauricio's Restaurant (I think it's at kilometer 72 or something like that.) Although we've never stopped at El Rosario, except to gas up, we have stopped to eat there. The Baja's Best Restaurant and B&B turned out to be a restful surprise. See this picture down there? That's the sitting room in the suite.




Then, an early start on Friday morning, San Diego-bound. But...wait...there are the tolls to be paid, another couple military checkpoints, and...best of all...the "line." If you've been there, no explanation is necessary. Spending an hour at the Mexico-US border is an experience you don't soon forget. Jockeying for position, watching the temperature gauge on the dashboard, buying a few last candies to get rid of your last few pesos. It's all part of the scene at "the line."
I didn't take any pictures, but next time I will, for sure.

Then, Saturday, 6:30am to 2pm. Finally arrive in Sacramento. It was a big day for the CHP along I-5. They were attentive enough to stop us and issue a speeding ticket. Get this...65mph, when we should have been going no more than 55mph, because we were pulling the boat! You've been on I-5 before, right? If you're not doing 80, please pull over so the San Francisco-bound folks can get by, ok? Gracias.

The bottom line... I'm well-rested, got some mystery/ suspense reading done and worked on my "Wyvern" sock. All in all, another great trip to Baja.




The plant is a "pitahaya agria," which is great for use as a tea. Helps with everything -- high blood pressure, diabetes symptoms, you name it. Just boil a chunk of it for a while...and drink 8 ounces or so every day. It tastes bitter and nauseating, but it's "natural" medicine! Many folks will tell you so...and their doctors say, "whatever you're doing, it's working, so keep it up!"

desert vistas

Baja California Sur ... desert all the way. Cactus, dirt, sand, elephant trees, cirios ... and a full moon. The beautiful breezy wintertime vistas.

Enjoy, as do I.

Tomorrow´s the last day. The wind has calmed . . .

allá en el mar

Day 7 in Baja California Sur. Dry, dusty -- yet warm and breezy. All is well in Sta. Rosalía. Cruise ship coming in on Saturday. Big excitement. I´ll have something new to gaze upon from my balcony over the sea.

Doing some great reading with murder mysteries. Sleeping in late. Good times.

early morning musing

It's 1:50am if you haven't noticed and, the loud screechy sound is in full force. I have the "smooth jazz" radio station on, but it doesn't cover the screech! The cats don't know what's up ... they're wandering about, wondering why the light's on, and where the hell is their mom?

I need to do some knitting and finish up the book I'm reading, Cane River by Lalita Tademy (Oprah's book club) -- that will help me get tired. So..will go do some of that.

ridin' the rails

Amtrak between Sacra-Pimento and Oakland...wow! I was full of energy after (& in spite of) my door-to-door 3.5 hour trip from oakland to Sac-town. That's from the office, to the train, to the bus, to home. But, like I say, rarin' to go. Not that totally drained feeling, like when I drive a car that same journey.

Plus, big benefit -- the Suisun marsh is beginning to fill up with birds making their way through the Pacific Flyway. We are so lucky to be right on the birdie freeway of the California West Coast. I spied a group of approximately 20 floppy-winged creatures, which can only be SANDHILL CRANES, between Suisun and Dixon.

I saw some of them a week ago at the Grey Lodge preserve, near the town of Gridley. Yay, it's sandhill crane season.

Let the beautiful autumn season in . . . the temperature's changing.

Marie's Donuts - Freeport Blvd

Why bake when Marie's Donuts is only a couple miles away? I really want some apple donuts from Apple Hill, but that's an hour's RT drive and I've got other pressing things to do today. So...Marie's Donuts is the closest spot -- apple fritters. The line was hecka long...all those soccer families gearing up with healthy snacks for our youth.
Marie's doesn't have a website, but Apple Hill Growers do... applehill.com.

I like Boa vista Orchards, 2952 Carson Rd. Placerville, CA 530/622-5522 Season: Open all year Hours: Daily 8am - 5:00pm Wine Tasting Daily 11 am - 5 pm -- they've got the best and most amazing apple donuts!! Yummmmm.

Maybe it's just the fresh foothill air that makes 'em taste so good.

Must...get...to....Apple...Hill.....

livin' inside a jet engine

That's what it's like today . . . I could hear the high-pitched screaming whine from half a block away, as I approached the building! It sounds just like the airplane as it's revvin' up to it's 200mph takeoff! Only, the sound doesn't go away...this monster doesn't take off and soar into the distance! It's in my head...again.

Well, to combat the bad, we did something good...yes, latkes yet again!! Rosh Hashonah is upon us, and Yom Kippur and Chanukah can't be far behind!! I am content. No new picture of latkes tonite, just look at that previous "Latkes" post...new week, same story. Yumm. This time, my apprentice, Catherine, wanted to learn. She did a bang-up job. The secret? Cast iron dutch oven. Wow....it's amazing at keeping even heat! Success looks like latkes!