California Dreaming---or nightmares

The rest of the country often thinks of California as a bastion of progressive thought, but we seem to cover all extremes. On our way back from a visit to Redding in the North Central part of the state, my wife snapped these pictures:

This was on Interstate 5, and shows a truck trailer that I have passed there many times over the years. I don't mind people who have differing religious beliefs from mine, but the way this image revels in the gorinesss of its topic is---well, disturbing. I think of the many children exposed to this message, and can't help but feel it has spawned a few nightmares.

For those of you who think of California as hippies, medical cannabis, and liberals, here's the other, darker side.

Department of Obviousness

Headline in the New York Times:

F.A.A. to Order Airlines to Inspect 737s for Cracks

Uh, I'm sorry, but this isn't something that is regularly done?

Milestone

Bear with me here; I know the second shot is blurry, but I took it as the speedometer clicked over as I drove:

Anyone else get a little thrill from that?

Travels with myself

Doesn't my car look happy? Nothing like a check up and clean up to give your auto a better attitude . . . .

I'm on the road for the next few days. I got my car to the dealer for it's regular maintainence, and I ordered new glasses due to my vision actually getting better (according to my opthomologist). Now I'm in a hotel near the big city (San Francisco) so I can go to a private lesson at the voice over school where I take classes tomorrow. Then it's a long drive into the broiling interior of the state for a visit to my step daughter and grand daughter.

I don't get out of town all that much, and it's easy to forget the vibe of larger, busier areas like the one I am in. There's a sort of tension that is pervasive, and until you acknowledge it, it can start to dominate your emotions. I don't know how I managed to live in such a setting (though in another place) for most of my life without going crazy . . . but I guess I did sort of get a bit insane/addicted for a good chunk of that time, now that I think of it.

Anyway, I'll try to make some more posts during my journey.

Here's the door to my room. And just because you know my room number don't think you're going to find me! 

Ah, nothing like the bland dinginess of a cheap hotel room to make me feel right at home!

Takin' it on the road

We're getting ready to go see the kids (step daughter and grand daughter) in the HOT part of the state. It's always such a thrill to go see them, and it's amazing how quickly our grandaughter is growing. She's already 6 years old and in first grade!

Such a transition in six short years! From this:

to this:

Don't blink or you can miss something!

Out of town, not out to lunch . . . .

I've been visiting my grand daughter and step daughter for the last five days, with a couple more days to go yet. I don't get to see them often enough, so I am very focused on them during my time here. Plus my grand daughter, who is five, always wants to play on the computer with me if I have it out, so blog posting is at a low priority right now.

She and I made a visit to worship at the Church of Chuck E. Cheese here locally, and I got the pictures here posted. She is an utter joy to be with, and I am quite happy, though also very tired. It's good to be the grandpa!

Our Grand Daughter and Her Mommy Plant Some Strawberries

Granma gives expert advice.

Line 'em up . . . .

A helping hand.

Just so . . . .

One per hole.

Patting down the dirt.

Get them all wet.

"I'm making rainbows!"

A little hand washing.

Gardening is thirsty work!

On the Road like Jack Kerouac

On the road today to join my step daughter and grand daughter for the step daughter's birthday. I may post while there---we'll see. Anyway, I'm gone for the weekend!

Quote for the Day (Time Off Division)

No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one. - Elbert Hubbard

I'm still here!

That's the longest break in posting I've taken since starting this blog. I was on vacation, going back east to visit some friends in my old stomping grounds. Though I took my laptop, I really didn't feel moved to post anything. But I'm back now, so here are some pictures from my trip:

This is a house I lived in with a group of people, starting with about ten or so and eventually buying the place. The current owner was kind enough to show me around. Things had really changed in the last 18 years, and this Sears Craftsman house is surrounded by suburban tract homes. No more hippie communes here.

The University of Maryland, where I worked for close to 14 years. 

My old friend Trish, walking down Route 1 near the University. The Italian Gardens and Hungry Herman's are gone, and the funky old stores are slicker and sort of soulless. God, it can suck to get old and see that sort of thing.

While I was visiting another friend at her beach house in Delaware, it actually snowed. Here's her pond with some of the white stuff.

This is Radio Clash

While down in Emeryville, I ate at a place on of the Pixar folks suggested: Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe. The fact it was named after a Clash song sealed the deal for me, but they serve a damned good Reuben sandwich, too!

Hitting the road for the holiday:

Ah, the holidaze! We're going to hit the road tomorrow to go see our grand daughter and her Mommy, and spend a bout six days immersed in the spectacle that is Christmas. The child is very excited that Boppy (me) and grandma are coming. She told her Mom that "Santa is a fake", but she also is asking when he is coming, just to cover all her bases. Being 4 and 1/2 is a time of doubting, but also a time of faith. (This picture is of her from last summer during one of my visits. Hence the strawberries, which are TOTALLY out of season now.)

I am taking my new laptop with me, so I may be able to post from the road for the first time. We'll see. It can get hectic with the family thing in full bloom, so I'll do my best.

Now that my job is over and the world is an open book, just ready for me to write my story (that's the view I get when I'm optimistic, anyway), I should try to keep up with these posts a little better. Maybe . . . . .

Gotta gedaway, gedaway now now now . . . .

So we did it! The wife and I got out of town for an overnighter, our first not focused on seeing the grand daughter in quite some time. I have to say, it was quite refreshing. We stayed in a little hotel that I chose for the price, and it was great, with a wonderful pool, clean room, and friendly staff. Having worked in the "hospitality industry", I can't tell you how few places combine those things. The view from the room wasn't much (see picture), but once you close those thick hotel curtains, it really doesn't matter.

Anyway, I don't travel all that much, but I have noticed something through those thin hotel walls---people do like to "get busy" in hotel rooms. I don't know what it is, be it new surroundings or the anonymity of the hotel environment, but there are a lot of vocal love makers out there. Is it just me, or do other folks notice this too?

Lemmee outta here!

I don't know about you guys, but I need a break. The wife and I are going to take a little trip (just overnight) to the nearest city, both to get some work done on my car and to get out of town for a bit. Sometimes, you just have to stop and change your surroundings, if every so briefly, if only to shake the cobwebs out of your skull and see things in a little different light. Things at my job have been a bit challenging, and I am due some R&R. We'll be back in a couple of days, so don't throw any big parties while we're gone. Oh, and don't drive the Porshe!

I'm beginning to think it's time for another news fast, too. All the gloom and doom . . . yeeecch! We'll see how I feel when I get back. TTFN!