Friday, November 12, 2004
Thursday, November 11, 2004
***Coming out of the video game***
Last night we watched an episode of the "animated reality series", Drawn Together. Since we missed last week's episode, we were eager to catch this very adult parody of reality shows and cartoons.
We were not disappointed. The two story arcs dealt with the "battle monster" Ling Ling and the video game character Xandir. While Ling Ling was being whipped into making sneakers, Xandir was finally pushed out of the closet. How? The Gay Game for children between the ages of 6-12 (no assembly required). To celebrate, his housemates gave him a Gay Bash.
Yes. You read that right. And some very familiar characters were there (aka a wabbitt-shootin' hunter and a snaggledy pussy cat/lion.)
Hilarious and downright offensive*, this parody mocked some major American cultural icons in a similar vein of South Park or, our personal favorite, Daria. It will be interesting to see how long the show will last before the current administration shuts it down or, worse, corporate America.
*Both obvious and subtle. I don't think most Americans would understand the significance of the Japanese (or Chinese?) children under the basketball players' feet.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
***Fallout***
Still trying to catch up with all the posts that went up since last Thursday. I immediately noted a universal reaction to the presidential election. While I have my views, the point's moot and I don't dwell on things I can't at least have some sort of impact. (And yes, I did vote.)
However, the fallout from the election did affect our happy home; specifically, The Spouse (TS). I think we're both reminded that, no matter what happens to the world around us, we have our relationship. The time away in San Diego felt more like another honeymoon than just a simple time away.
I noticed the change immediately. Holding of hands. Reading in the same room just to be in each other's company. (TS tends to like to read in bed while I liked the living room couches.) Bumping into each other deliberately when walking. Longer than usually kisses. Making hot chocolate when asked. Massages. LOTS of massages. And the big "S". (Of course.)
We deliberately didn't discuss the election results. I learned before we left Orange County that even a mention was like a hot needle to our balloon of bliss. So we avoided the topic and instead discussed what we were reading, how our meals tasted, and how much we loved each other and how amazed we were still together. (December will be our eleventh year.)
You know that old cliche about finding a silver lining? I finally understand its meaning and would give thanks if I believed--or, even more accurately--had faith in "higher powers". Instead I give thanks that, this time, I have the maturity to enjoy the good in my life.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
***Post-vacation adjustments***
The hardest part for us after every vacation is returning to our "normal" eathing habits (i.e., minimal.) I think I may have gained another two to three pounds over the four days.
Monday, November 08, 2004
***Vacation, is the spice of life***
Wow. Haven't had a gap between posts this large since the sabbatical.
Thursday night we drove down to one of our favorite vacation spots, San Diego. First, though, we dealt with the paperwork for our new refi/equity. That done (finally!) we dined at the Spectrum. Whew! Any longer and I was ready to eat the car. Stuffed silly on Americanized Thai food, we made the coastal city in plenty of time. (There's something to be said about vacationing on weekdays.)
Friday was bookstore day. Hit all our favorites: the kid's store, the cat lady's domicile, and the two story. Normally we make our major purchases from the kid's and the two story. This time, though, most came from the cat lady's stock which I purchased some very rare gems.
Lunched (finally!) at the PH. Hmmm. Fried rice never tasted so good. Walked it off over at the bookstores over at Hillcrest. Another sparse hunting. C'mon, folks! Drop off your rare books so we can purchase them and make a profit!
I made the mistake of not drinking any coffee all day. Thus, I spent much of the late afternoon napping while The Spouse read by my side. That evening we saw the play, Fit To Be Tied. Dined at La Vache that evening.
Saturday we broke fast at a cajun restaurant we discovered on our last trip to San Diego. Attended author Jacqueline Carey's signing of her latest book, Banewreaker, up at Mysterious Galaxy. Check out more bookstores afterwards before spending much of the late afternoon and evening just reading. What a wonderful experience! Dined at our favorite Afgan restaurant in Hillcrest before consuming more coffee over at Dave's.
We leisurely prepared for departure Sunday. After loading up the car, we walked the nearby Balboa park before finally breaking fast at PH (again.) We were just about to leave when I casually checked messages at home and discovered we received a call from the B&B we had just left. Seems we had left some stuff in our room. Laughing, we picked them up and drove home. The drive was traffic-less and we made it home in record time. Watched LOTS of anime, dined, and watched more.
Overall, another wonderful trip.
Thursday night we drove down to one of our favorite vacation spots, San Diego. First, though, we dealt with the paperwork for our new refi/equity. That done (finally!) we dined at the Spectrum. Whew! Any longer and I was ready to eat the car. Stuffed silly on Americanized Thai food, we made the coastal city in plenty of time. (There's something to be said about vacationing on weekdays.)
Friday was bookstore day. Hit all our favorites: the kid's store, the cat lady's domicile, and the two story. Normally we make our major purchases from the kid's and the two story. This time, though, most came from the cat lady's stock which I purchased some very rare gems.
Lunched (finally!) at the PH. Hmmm. Fried rice never tasted so good. Walked it off over at the bookstores over at Hillcrest. Another sparse hunting. C'mon, folks! Drop off your rare books so we can purchase them and make a profit!
I made the mistake of not drinking any coffee all day. Thus, I spent much of the late afternoon napping while The Spouse read by my side. That evening we saw the play, Fit To Be Tied. Dined at La Vache that evening.
Saturday we broke fast at a cajun restaurant we discovered on our last trip to San Diego. Attended author Jacqueline Carey's signing of her latest book, Banewreaker, up at Mysterious Galaxy. Check out more bookstores afterwards before spending much of the late afternoon and evening just reading. What a wonderful experience! Dined at our favorite Afgan restaurant in Hillcrest before consuming more coffee over at Dave's.
We leisurely prepared for departure Sunday. After loading up the car, we walked the nearby Balboa park before finally breaking fast at PH (again.) We were just about to leave when I casually checked messages at home and discovered we received a call from the B&B we had just left. Seems we had left some stuff in our room. Laughing, we picked them up and drove home. The drive was traffic-less and we made it home in record time. Watched LOTS of anime, dined, and watched more.
Overall, another wonderful trip.
Image found on the Internet and all rights belong to the owner.
