Updates

Things have been a bit hectic since the winds, I guess. With the winds came the fires, and the winds also kept us home for 2 days while the roads were closed. The winds caused a lot of damage to our area, thankfully none to our place except for dust and inch thick everywhere! That's all mostly cleaned up now, thankfully.

I haven't been able to sleep well, probably thinking about all my work piling up, but oh well. I must just sit down and get to it. I also need to update my resume... it's been a while since I did mine and it's seriously outdated now.

CJ's voice is slowly coming back, but it's still scratchy. Onie and Spinny got into a huge fight last Saturday (I'm not sure if it was just the both of them or if it involved other cats). I got a call after my yoga class from Anthony telling me to come home. Spinny was limping badly. But unfortunately, our vet was leaving for the day and asked us to keep an eye on Spinny, and if it got worse, to go to the emergency pet clinic. Thankfully, Spinny started doing much better later on in the day. So that made us feel good enough to go to Disneyland last Sunday.

Disneyland was a blast! I had never been there for the Halloween thingy, and I think I much prefer the Disney version to the Knott's Scary Farm one. The scary farm was... scary. For me. I got freaked out a bit. So I think I prefer cutesy to scary. We got our picture taken in front of the big Mickey pumpkin in front of the Disneyland park, and we got to visit Candy Corn Acres in Disney's California Adventure. It had been two years since we had been in DCA, and it was fun to go through the Bug's Land again. We did all the kiddie rides. I love the ride with the caterpillar. We also got a kick out of standing in front of the Harbor area watching the countdown for the California Screamin' coaster, seeing people scream as they got shot up the first incline to start the coaster ride. I didn't get to go on it, only because I don't want to go by myself, and Anthony and my friend Shirley both didn't want to go with me. Oh well :) We at least had fun just standing there watching people scream their heads off.

This week has been another busy week. I'll be gone all next week, so I hope I can get more sleep and not be a zombie.

Winds

Wow, I've never experienced wind like this. We kept the back door open for the kitties today, and before I knew it, there was dust everywhere. And then the power went out for about an hour, so we started getting ready for bed using flashlights. The cats were wondering what the heck we were doing walking around with flashlights. I looked outside our kitchen window and both my bird feeders are gone, and I keep hearing beer cans rattling outside. I wonder where those came from. I wonder what the damage will be like tomorrow when the winds die down.

Books on Tape (or CD)

I didn't realize how much books on CD help with long commutes. The past two weeks have been really pleasant with two audio books that I borrowed. I found myself being less bothered by other drivers, and I came home feeling less stressed. I was also driving better too! I need to get more books on CD, though the only detriment is the price. Anthony found a site where he can rent these audio CDs... maybe I can convince him to loan it to me after he's done before he has to return it.

CJ has lost his meow

I didn't know that cats could get laryngitis, but CJ is living proof. Poor CJ can't meow... well, he attempts to meow but no sound would come out. He managed a few terrified squeeks when we brought him in to the vet, but still no voice. I think it's been about a week. The vet thinks it's viral, but also gave him some antibiotics. I guess only time will tell if CJ will find his voice again. I hope he does. I miss his meows.

Oliver and the Spot on the Wall

Oliver likes attacking this particular spot on the wall... my first attempt at uploading a video on You Tube :)

Lobster Festival

This was the first time we had heard of the Redondo Beach lobster festival, so we attended this year's festivities. I have to say, it was an amazing experience. The cost of the ticket (pre-ordered) which included a t-shirt and the lobster, was probably cheaper than what you would pay at a restaurant. Add in the really relaxed atmosphere and perfectly cooked bugs, it was simply superb.

I couldn't look when they were putting in fresh lobsters into the giant cookers (yes, I'm a hypocrite), but I do enjoy the deliciously sweet meat these lobsters provided. I feel like Homer Simpson, when he decided to give Pinchy a bath. He enjoyed Pinchy, but he felt bad about it at the same time. We'll be back again next year!

In memory

*Sigh* This has been a rough day. My morning didn't start out so great, and I got the news that my parent's dog, Sam, had passed away also. I was bawling all the way in to work today. I was home for the summers while I was in school, but I grew really attached to both Sam and Vodka. My parents got Sam as a puppy, and he was the cutest little thing. They got him shortly after moving into their present home, which they're in the process of moving out of right now, since they have purchased a new home. In a way, a whole chapter is closing with their home. Sam was 10. He lived a really pampered life, and he was the stubbornest dog I've ever met! He was very strong willed too. And boy did Sam love his treats. He was my dad's first dog since Brownie when I was a baby, so Sam was his favorite. They rescued Vodka from the SPCA about a year after they got Sam, so Sam would have a companion. Vodka was the best dog you could ask for. She was wonderful, and was extremely protective of our family and our home. I miss them both very much.

I'm feeling a little melancholy today. The weather has been cooperating with my mood too, which is just as well. Since my parents will have to move out before the end of December, and I won't get home until December 28, I will never get to go "home" again. But, a new chapter is beginning. I have a new home to look forward to, which my parents are very excited about, and there is new life. My parents adopted Zar about two years ago, and Dash entered their lives earlier this year. I will see Sam and Vodka again someday, I am sure of it.

Face mask in an airport?

I don't think I've written about this yet. On our trip back from Monterey, we observed a lady in a full-on face bright yellow respirator in the San Jose airport. She was attracting a lot of attention, to say the least. I wanted to take a picture but I thought that would have been rude. We first saw her when she was talking to one of the Homeland Security peeps, and even they were looking at her funny. We started wondering if she had a communicable disease, which is why she was wearing a respirator, but Elaine says that that's not the type of respirator they would use (she would know, she's a nurse). It looked like one of those that the field guys would have to wear when they go out to sites with hazardous materials. I wonder if she was really afraid of bio-terrorism, or if she was just paranoid.

Kayaking

This was my first experience with kayaking, and I was a little nervous about it. I was worried about capsizing, but we were assured by our guides that the kayaks we were on rarely capsized. It was a little nerve-wrecking listening to them explain about how to get out of your kayak in case you do capsize, but I'm happy to report that we didn't have to use any of the techniques they taught us.

It was an awesome experience being out on the water, and observing all the wildlife in their natural habitat. A couple of minutes into the slough we were kayaking in, we heard a gunshot ring out. Turns out there is a shooting range right on the edge of the water. It was a very quiet and peaceful otherwise. The birds and otters and seals did not seem to be bothered by the gunshots, so I figure I shouldn't be. The guide said that if it had not been for the hunters wanting to hunt the animals in their natural habitat, we would not be kayaking in the slough today. We were also told that a huge parcel of land on the opposite side of the slough is owned by HP corporation, initially purchased by Hewlett Packard to keep it as a wildlife refuge. It was a wonderful trip through nature. The wind in our hair, the smell of the water... it was a fantastic morning.

We enjoyed lunch at a local seafood joint right in the same parking lot where we parked to go kayaking, and then we headed back to the hotel for quick showers. We then went on the 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. WOW. The homes out there were amazing. The scenery was breathtaking. It was the perfect ending to our weekend getaway.

It rained!

The thunder and lightning woke me up at around 4.45 this morning. I didn't think I would actually see it rain, but I heard the rain pattering on the rooftop and went to the window to look out. I hope it helps cool the weather down, or at least reduce the humidity.