"Which of my all important nothings should I tell you first?" ~ Jane Austen, in a letter to her sister

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Sometimes I'm a lucky girl

My company HQ is in San Francisco. Coincidentally, I love San Francisco. Always have. Sometimes I have to go visit my HQ to do work type stuff. When that happens I take full advantage of the opportunity to visit my California family.

So last Thursday night I packed a small bag for the weekend and got my booty into bed by midnight. I set the alarm for 5:30 AM. Then I lay there. And I tossed. Then I turned. Then I tossed again. Then I moved to the sofa. Sometimes I can sleep on the sofa when I can't get comfy in my bed. 2 am, 3 am, and finally, blessfully, I fell asleep around 4 am. I had moved the alarm to 6 am. Yeah, you do the math.

On the way to the airport I saw this:


When I got to SFO I took the BART, because I'm thrifty like that, to my HQ's BART stop near Market:

And schlepped the few blocks, partially UP HILL, to my office in SOMA. It was an absolutely, unbelievably gorgeous day:


I worked for a while. I had a successful, productive meeting. I found out that our HQ has a "Zen room" (more like a Zen closet) which I said was very Zen-like and my co-worker corrected me and said, no, it's more IKEA-like. But, you know, that works for me.

After a few hours there, I took the BART back to SFO and picked up a rental car. In fact, I got a BRAND SPANKING NEW rental. It only had 70 miles on it. Sunroof, leather seats, satellite radio. I dug it. And I hit the road. And parked. In San Jose traffic. It took me 2 1/2 hours to travel 42 miles. Frick 'n' frack was I annoyed. And tired. Did I mention that I was operating on only 2 hours sleep?

Finally, around Morgan Hill, CA, I hit open road and I kept going until I hit Fresno County. At which point it was about 8 pm and I had to pee. And felt a powerful need to eat a little something too. But, thank goodness I didn't need gas because that's where I saw this:

Holy preposterousness, Batman. For reals.

And then I got a text from one of my best friends from high school, Alicia. I call her Leash. Her brother's band was playing at a dive bar that night in my hometown and could I come? Pretty please? And bring my mom since her mom was going to be there too? Um, yeah, SURE! Because I may have only had 2 hours sleep and flew across 3 states at dawn, and been in meetings all day and on the road for 5 hours but OF COURSE I'm up for hitting a dive bar with friends to listen to a rockabilly band. Duh.

So this happened:
It was sorta dark in there and my mom couldn't figure out how to work the camera on my phone. At this point we were all laughing at her. That's Leash on the right. And on the left, Kristen. We all reminisced about getting into a fender bender in Kristen's car on the first day of my Freshman year. Probably the first time my mom let a friend drive me anywhere. Yep. Kristen & Alicia look exactly the same since HS and I hate them. Except that I love them. Moving on.

I spent the weekend with my Mamacita. This is her in her backyard. It's my own personal Zen place. Her house backs up to a field so it's super quiet and there's very little light pollution so I can lay out there in the patio loungers and listen to the fountain and look at millions of stars. Om.


One of the biggest reasons I came to my hometown this weekend was to see my Grammy. You see, she's the best Grammy EVER. Without exception. Even my hubby says that she's the best - and he had a pretty amazing Gram himself.

Here's me and my Gram:


I was laughing in this pic because she was clutching her blouse up around her neck in order to hide her "turkey neck." She is so silly. The best parts of me, my cousins, my mom & my aunts all came from her. She's ornery, nurturing, loving, understanding, and the epitome of gracefulness. Except when she burps out loud. Man, can she burp. And snore. My goodness. Oh, how I love her.

I also spent a good part of the weekend with this dude:


Okay, so his hair is a little crazy in this pic, but he's still cute right? And he has kind eyes. He's my cousin. He's my brother/cousin. And he's single. Swoon, ladies, swoon. Also, he's 30 and he likes older women. If you live in the valley and want to meet him just email me. (He's also a journeyman/electrician looking for steady work so, you know, email me for that too).

Saturday night something momentous happened:


That's JONI! Yeah, THE Joni. My blogging inspiration and altogether-awesome-person Joni. And that bitty baby is Ella. I tried to hold Ella. She took one look at me and screamed her adorable little head off. C'est la vie. But I did get to try one of Joni's chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. Delicioso. (That baby WILL like me someday. I'm determined).

Sunday afternoon I packed up my fancy rental car and headed for the bay. I pit-stopped at Harris Ranch in Coalinga. I sang my way along I-5 and 152 over Pacheco Pass. I smelled the garlic in Gilroy. The drive went quickly and before I knew it I was standing at the window in the airport looking out at the bay and thinking how much I love California. Politics, finances, even pollution aside - I love California. I love the way I feel when I visit. I love the roads that I know by heart. I love the colors. I love the ocean, the country and the mountains and that in one afternoon's drive I can experience all three. Until we meet again, California: 


Sometimes I'm a lucky, lucky girl. 

6 comments:

  1. THIS exactly: "I love California. I love the way I feel when I visit. I love the roads that I know by heart. I love the colors. I love the ocean, the country and the mountains and that in one afternoon's drive I can experience all three."

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  2. I share your love of California. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip (and also, you look GREAT in all the pics). Doesn't sound like there was too much work in there though - thank God. :0

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  3. Oh, and also....your blog looks great. Have you been doing work on it or have I just been unobservant until now? And WTF- you have a button? Jealous.

    And one more... did you ever get my comments back on Disqus? I am still unsure when someone comments on my blog and then I reply, if they get an email or something that I replied. Shed some light Steph.

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  4. Elsa - I worked at the office from 10-3:45 and then I blew that Popsicle joint!! (However, travel time IS included in a work day so that means I started work at about 7 am). Anyway, that office gives me the heebie jeebies.

    Thanks for the kudos - personal and blog. I haven't really been working on the blog lately. Do you usually read the blog through a reader?

    Yeah, Joni made the button for me otherwise I SO wouldn't have one. Well, actually, I think I could have figured it out. Given enough time, you know. She's hosting it for me on her Flickr account, I think.

    I haven't received any reply notification on my comments to your blog. Either before Disqus or after.

    Anymore Centipede bites? I'll have to go check out your newest blogs. I haven't been very good about keeping up lately.

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  5. OK You're coming here was like the best thing that happened to me all week. ALSO Ella will not cry at you next time. Swear. To. Maude. Because she was UBER tired that night and like super grouch monger which she almost never is.

    California misses you..

    And Elsa. I will make you a button too :)

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  6. I heart you, and Ella! Even if she cries (which is perfectly ok). I miss California too. I want to move to the beach. For reals.

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