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Archives - February 2005
Back from California
Tuesday, February 8th, 2005
I am back! Here's the report:
Last Sunday, I braved the snowshowers and drove to my friend's house in PA.
I was excited.
We got up Monday morning at the crack of ridiculous, and took a plane from Philly to San Francisco, with a layover in Las Vegas.
The plane ride was very mellow.
It's funny to realize that most of the interior of America is a bunch flat nothingness. Sometimes you get some cragginess... but mostly it's "blah".
Landing was also a very smooth affair...
We took a monorail from the terminal to the rental car... VERY futuristic. It was nice to go from 20º Maryland/Pennsylvania to a 60º San Francisco... sigh.
We ate some Fuddruckers (yum) and then I kicked around at the office for the rest of Monday. I played with all manner of toys!
The hotel we stayed in was very posh. Swimming pools, and probably even movie stars, though I did not see any per se.
We each had our own suite, joined in the middle by a kitchen and living room. This hotel suite is probably bigger than the apartment Lisa and I will be getting.
Tuesday, we drove an hour north to Skywalker Ranch, where George Lucas works, etc. He owns a freakin mountain...
You drive for like a half hour before you even get to the "members only" areas... insane. Beautiful countryside.
You follow a windy road along some cliffs...
Passing vineyards, etc... yes. George Lucas also makes wine, lol!
Once inside, it looks the same - unspoiled countryside.
All the buildings have a very low profile, look very rustic and non-technological, and there are cows among the hills...
You aren't allowed to take pics inside the main building, which is filled with props, precious art, and amazing architecture. You can however, have your picture taken outside. I think everyone does it - so why not!
To top it off, Steve and I met up with Adam and Gary. Adam is 1/2 of the Mythbusters team on the Discovery Channel, and when he's not blowing things up for TV, he's doing it for movies as a special effects guy.
Gary heads the Playstation division for Sony, and has some hilarious stories.
Steve fell in love with Adam's laser pointer that was so powerful, you could feel the heat from the beam on your skin. For real.
I couldn't resist a pic with Adam, to tease Lisa with. Sorry!! (hehehe)
Wednesday I hung out at the office again, and it was fun to chat with Barry some more. He is the man behind Halcyon, so I have him to thank for all those awesome Alien model kits form the 1990s. Gary came by later in the day, and he Steve and I went to see what might be the worst film ever. Alone in the Dark. Mannn, what a stinker. It was fun to mock though...
The next morning I got up at the crack of ridiculous again, and took the BART back to the airport.
I was scruffy looking. Nerf herding takes a lot out of you.
"Good bye San Francisco! I love you!"
Flying closer to home, I started to see snow. Either that, or we took a detour to the moon.
Hello Philly! Night time! I then drove back to Annapolis and slept as if I were dead. Work the next day was rough...
I woke up to squirrels eating corn... huh.
And I decided not to shave one more day, so Lisa could see what I'd look like if I was "trying to grow" a beard.
And it was amazing - Simon was totally happy to see me, and not mad at all. He usually holds a grudge if I spend a few nights away from him, but when I came home, he was all purrs and cuddles. Of course, once I pull the camera out, he looks imperious...
Glad to be home and listening to Tegan and Sara, Jason
Memory Lane
Thursday, February 10th, 2005
Inspired by a thread on a message board I frequent, here's a few pics of my old "looks" from days of yore.
My supercool Star Wars jacket (uuungh).
The goat that attacked me at a petting zoo. Yes, for real.
After band practice, junior year of high school.
Probably from my senior year.
Community College era, when that girl I was dating convinced me to bleach my hair. Yikes.
On the metro, on our way to a Star Trek convention... community college era.
Circa 1997 or 1998.
That was fun! Yesterday, Tom got his Kroenen mask from Hellboy.
"Jaaaaaasoooon. Buyyyy onnnnnnnnne"
"Oh no! He's gonna do it!" Hi Jane!
I'll probably get one with some of my Palisades money. It's too amazing.
I Choo Choo Choose You!
Monday, February 14th, 2005
Happy Valentines Day everybody! Lisa and I spent Saturday celebrating today...
I took her to Mughal Garden in Baltimore for dinner... she had lamb.
I had the chicken Tikka, and it was a delight. Steam!!
We then went to City Cafe where we played Scrabble™ and drank coffee. She proceeded to obliterate me by using every tile in one move, which earned her an additional 50 points. The word was "returned".
My tiles were of no help. They kept apologizing profusely...
Here I am, recreating the look I had when she laid down the tiles.
And here, finally, is the battlefield. Final score was 274 to 220-something? I dunno, but she kicked my ass.
xoxoxox.
Long Weekend!
Friday, February 18th, 2005
First off - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ANTHONY, my younger bruddah. I believe he is 27 today. Seems like it was just yesterday that I was hitting him. Sigh.
Lisa and I just got the news this week that we were approved for a mortgage at a 5% rate, soooo it looks like we will be buying something very soon! Crazy, yes? It will most likely be a townhouse, because we don't want to be house poor. With the housing increases and the vast number of Baby Boomers retiring and wanting to downgrade, we'll easily make money when it comes time to sell and get a single family. We were going to rent, but the rental costs are literally the same as a mortgage payment. I believe the phrase "fuck that" was uttered. By then, we'll be in a better financial position, yadda yadda.
Tonight, we join the Wynn's at El Salto! Margaritas! Beef! Cheese! YAY!
And finally, here's Brad, who dressed in black yesterday to honor the passing of the 2005 Hockey season.
Flu season
Thursday, February 24th, 2005
Today I am wearing a tie, and I have the beginnings of the flu. I feel terrible and dizzy. I also really need a haircut!!
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