Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Photo Journal of the Last Novella
Welcome to San Diego
Marriott on the Harbor
The Most Comfortable Bed of All Time
Coronado Bridge from the Airplane
My New Friend Samson
View from our Balcony - USS Midway in the Harbor
Thursday, August 17, 2006
I wish they all could be California GIRRRRLS...
*** For some reason, pictures aren't posting, so I will put them up later when I can.***
I hate to start with something as mundane as the weather, but it was AMAZING last weekend in San Diego. Think of it as setting the scene. The perfect warmth that tingles on your skin with out the nuisance of sweating. I couldn't get enough of it as I was running and jumping in the waves, dodging surfers at La Jolla Beach. Andrew had to drag me out of the water at the end of the day, I just kept wanting to feel the spray on my face ONE last time. This adoration of the ocean, if anything, confirms the genetic link between my mother and myself.
Three days is not enough to fully experience most places in this world, so we focused on a few of the things that we enjoy doing most together: eating, beaching, drinking, and people watching. I arrived early Friday morning, a bit tired from the early morning chaos of the airport and flight, but anxious to get the day started and not waste one precious moment of my hard earned vacation time. Plus, surprise!, I was hungry. So we waited on pins and needles until the lunch places in the Gaslamp District opened and headed to La Fiesta on 5th Avenue. Andrew had been talking about their margaritas all week, so we toasted our [short-lived] freedom and proceeded to eat (and drink!) one of the best Mexican meals I've had in quite a while. Amazing guacamole from those famous California avocados. Then we proceeded to walk around looking in the shops downtown, some cute little local places, but a lot of mainstream and touristy shopping mostly. At this point I had hit the post-gorging margarita-induced siesta, so we walked back to the hotel (the Marriott) and took a short nap in the most comfortable cloud of a bed I have ever slept on. Props to the Marriott on attention to detail! It felt like the luxury of a Vegas suite without the flashy fluorescence of the casinos. For dinner, Andrew had arranged for us to eat outside at the Top of the Market, overlooking the Harbor and Coronado Bridge. Note to self: when going out at night in California, bring a light sweater, because the night breeze off the bay can be quite chilling. We walked back through the seaside village, checking out more local shops and stopped into an art store. One of the curators must have grossly mistaken us for people with actual funds to buy expensive sculptures, because he was quite persistent with us, asking us all kinds of personal questions about our tastes and relationship. Andrew tends to take these kinds of opportunities and run with them (he's more aggressive with "investments" than I am), and at some point, he was ACTUALLY thinking, maybe we CAN buy this painting for three grand? It would look PERFECT above the bed. I don't disagree, I just tend to be haunted by ghosts of expenses in the future, and some how I think the quality of the bed we sleep in is more important that the art hanging over it. Call me Philistine, but when it comes to that kind of decision, I am more realistic with age. Although I will admit, I do secretly admire the free-thinker who can be happy sleeping on a mat surrounded by eclectic memorabilia and art. That is the juxtaposition of my personality.
Saturday was beach day, so sunscreen was applied, and we drove out to Torrey Pines State Park and enjoyed a relaxing day in the sand and checking out the views. For dinner we decided to hit RA Sushi which has recently opened in Houston, but we haven't had the chance to eat there yet. Nothing hits the spot after a day in the ocean like raw fish and mojitos (strange combination, I know, let's call it Cuban-Asian fusion...). Later we went to Confidential on 4th Avenue and had the spiciest "margaritas" I've ever ordered. It was actually really more like a martini using serrano pepper infused reposado tequila and a salted rim. They serve it with a habanero pepper on the side. Being a sweet kind of girl, I think I would have preferred it had they had served it with a sugar rim instead, to get that sweet & spicy combination going, but it sure had a unique kick to it. Drinking pansies need not apply for this drink.
Andrew's one thing he asked to make time for in California was seeing Coronado, so we went over the big bridge and went to check out the island there. Beautiful beaches again, so we decided to take a walk, and apparently there was some sort of dog convention going on, because one part of the beach was awash in a sea of canines and their owners. This of course makes me super happy, and I spend the next half an hour trying to pet and play with all the different dogs. I met the largest Mastiff I have ever seen (weighing in at a feather-footed 225 lbs), Samson, and of course immediately fell in love, drooling almost as much as he was. Andrew how ever fell in love with a grey Mastiff/Great Dane mix puppy who was shy and sweet as they come. Before going to the airport to return home, we hit Miguel's for lunch, a cozy little cocina back behind the shops on Orange Avenue with a covered porch - GREAT pomegranate margarita, I would highly suggest it (this turned into a veritable Zagat guide to drinks in San Diego).
I can't wait to go back next year, when I plan to take up surfing and visiting more of the SoCal area.
And sleeping in that cushy bed again. Seriously guys, it was THAT good.
I hate to start with something as mundane as the weather, but it was AMAZING last weekend in San Diego. Think of it as setting the scene. The perfect warmth that tingles on your skin with out the nuisance of sweating. I couldn't get enough of it as I was running and jumping in the waves, dodging surfers at La Jolla Beach. Andrew had to drag me out of the water at the end of the day, I just kept wanting to feel the spray on my face ONE last time. This adoration of the ocean, if anything, confirms the genetic link between my mother and myself.
Three days is not enough to fully experience most places in this world, so we focused on a few of the things that we enjoy doing most together: eating, beaching, drinking, and people watching. I arrived early Friday morning, a bit tired from the early morning chaos of the airport and flight, but anxious to get the day started and not waste one precious moment of my hard earned vacation time. Plus, surprise!, I was hungry. So we waited on pins and needles until the lunch places in the Gaslamp District opened and headed to La Fiesta on 5th Avenue. Andrew had been talking about their margaritas all week, so we toasted our [short-lived] freedom and proceeded to eat (and drink!) one of the best Mexican meals I've had in quite a while. Amazing guacamole from those famous California avocados. Then we proceeded to walk around looking in the shops downtown, some cute little local places, but a lot of mainstream and touristy shopping mostly. At this point I had hit the post-gorging margarita-induced siesta, so we walked back to the hotel (the Marriott) and took a short nap in the most comfortable cloud of a bed I have ever slept on. Props to the Marriott on attention to detail! It felt like the luxury of a Vegas suite without the flashy fluorescence of the casinos. For dinner, Andrew had arranged for us to eat outside at the Top of the Market, overlooking the Harbor and Coronado Bridge. Note to self: when going out at night in California, bring a light sweater, because the night breeze off the bay can be quite chilling. We walked back through the seaside village, checking out more local shops and stopped into an art store. One of the curators must have grossly mistaken us for people with actual funds to buy expensive sculptures, because he was quite persistent with us, asking us all kinds of personal questions about our tastes and relationship. Andrew tends to take these kinds of opportunities and run with them (he's more aggressive with "investments" than I am), and at some point, he was ACTUALLY thinking, maybe we CAN buy this painting for three grand? It would look PERFECT above the bed. I don't disagree, I just tend to be haunted by ghosts of expenses in the future, and some how I think the quality of the bed we sleep in is more important that the art hanging over it. Call me Philistine, but when it comes to that kind of decision, I am more realistic with age. Although I will admit, I do secretly admire the free-thinker who can be happy sleeping on a mat surrounded by eclectic memorabilia and art. That is the juxtaposition of my personality.
Saturday was beach day, so sunscreen was applied, and we drove out to Torrey Pines State Park and enjoyed a relaxing day in the sand and checking out the views. For dinner we decided to hit RA Sushi which has recently opened in Houston, but we haven't had the chance to eat there yet. Nothing hits the spot after a day in the ocean like raw fish and mojitos (strange combination, I know, let's call it Cuban-Asian fusion...). Later we went to Confidential on 4th Avenue and had the spiciest "margaritas" I've ever ordered. It was actually really more like a martini using serrano pepper infused reposado tequila and a salted rim. They serve it with a habanero pepper on the side. Being a sweet kind of girl, I think I would have preferred it had they had served it with a sugar rim instead, to get that sweet & spicy combination going, but it sure had a unique kick to it. Drinking pansies need not apply for this drink.
Andrew's one thing he asked to make time for in California was seeing Coronado, so we went over the big bridge and went to check out the island there. Beautiful beaches again, so we decided to take a walk, and apparently there was some sort of dog convention going on, because one part of the beach was awash in a sea of canines and their owners. This of course makes me super happy, and I spend the next half an hour trying to pet and play with all the different dogs. I met the largest Mastiff I have ever seen (weighing in at a feather-footed 225 lbs), Samson, and of course immediately fell in love, drooling almost as much as he was. Andrew how ever fell in love with a grey Mastiff/Great Dane mix puppy who was shy and sweet as they come. Before going to the airport to return home, we hit Miguel's for lunch, a cozy little cocina back behind the shops on Orange Avenue with a covered porch - GREAT pomegranate margarita, I would highly suggest it (this turned into a veritable Zagat guide to drinks in San Diego).
I can't wait to go back next year, when I plan to take up surfing and visiting more of the SoCal area.
And sleeping in that cushy bed again. Seriously guys, it was THAT good.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Even though the Gods are crazy
I am ashamed to say this, but the new Paris Hilton single, Stars are Blind, is not all together revolting to me. I'm talking about the song, the island-type beat and sound. It's kind of reminiscent in sound of UB40 to me. I loved me some Red Red Wine back in junior high. I can only imagine how much work was done on her voice in production and editing to make it sound good on record.
But the video, that's a whole different story. It is reprehensible, and I mean it in a squirmy, unoriginal, vaguely similar to a certain scandalous video she starred in, kind of way. It is painful for me to watch. I feel for the guy in it with her - what do you think was going through his head as they were shooting the video?
This confession probably cancels out all the hard work I've done to improve my musical taste, doesn't it? Yeah, I thought so.
But the video, that's a whole different story. It is reprehensible, and I mean it in a squirmy, unoriginal, vaguely similar to a certain scandalous video she starred in, kind of way. It is painful for me to watch. I feel for the guy in it with her - what do you think was going through his head as they were shooting the video?
This confession probably cancels out all the hard work I've done to improve my musical taste, doesn't it? Yeah, I thought so.
Californication
I am going to San Diego this weekend, and I am mucho excited for many reasons:
1. I haven't been to Cali, the place of paradise-like weather since I graduated college 3.5 years ago.
2. I haven't been to San Diego since I was 18, and then there was much rowing involved at the Crew Classic. This trip shouldn't be quite as physically demanding.
3. I need a vacation, and I have been being brattier than normal about it lately. Those around me are starting to suffer.
4. It's [virtually] free! Seeing as Andrew is already there on business and I got my ticket from his Dad's miles. Yeah Andrew's Dad!
5. I will have not seen Andrew for a full week by the time I get there, and the middle of the bed is starting to lose it's allure. Yes, you can all proceed to throw up in your mouths a little bit.
6. I hear there are beaches in California. Suggestions on which one is the funnest are welcome. I've only been to Mission Beach.
I will post some pictures when I return next week! Cheers
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