It's About Time

It's been pointed out to me recently that it's been over two months since my last post on here. So, here I am, guilt posting at 9:30pm on a Thursday evening. Welcome back! I guess that so much has happened in the last two months that I could go on and on in an epic post verging on the precipice of short story status. Except my befuddled brain doesn't remember most of what happened in the last two months. Not off the top of my head, anyway. But that's why God invented photographs!

This one was taken at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park on March 30. I don't quite remember if that is the exact proper name of the park, and I'm too lazy to look it up right now, so I'm going to assume it's correct as stated.

Anyways, Connor had a field trip with his school here earlier this semester, so we took a day trip right before my birthday to go explore and have him show me around. I think, really, he just wanted to go gold panning again. And we did that, but we also walked around and saw different exhibits, the blacksmith shop (where he got to go behind the lines and work a bit one on one with the blacksmith), the historic church and Marshall's cabin, and had a nice sit down picnic lunch. And Connor got to sit in the exact same bench where he had lunch with his school mates. Fun times.

And then before that, of course, I took a spring break trip to Vegas. Did I really not blog about that? What a slacker. I guess I last wrote in anticipation of this trip. It was a good trip! A chance to get reacquainted with the party capitol I had been been so long in visiting. Not that I'm any sort of party person. I mean really, Vegas is almost wasted on me. Almost. But I had a good time, sampled drinks and food at varying establishments, visited a plethora of resort hotels and saw a couple of shows along the way, including a comedy club and a *gasp* topless cabaret show. And I even visited the infamous neon sign museum which is way, way off the strip beyond the Fremont Street Experience even. An explorer, I am. But it was fun, and I wouldn't mind going back again soon, just to get away and see some more shows. And eat and drink and eat and drink.

Oh and also...I think I lost about $40 in the slots. Such is life.

Did I do anything else these past two months? I admit I've now sunken to the level of being too lazy to check my pictures even. Well they're always there, ready for the picking at any time. Mostly I've been busy with work and soccer. April is the month for concerts at Sac State, and this year hasn't disappointed, with about 42 concerts and two festivals, including four tomorrow with the second festival happening this Saturday. I imagine it's about time to start seriously thinking about summer plans. Not doing a big cruise this summer, instead saving it for the winter (Christmas and New Year's in Hawaii!). But a camping trip, some day hikes, trips to the Aquatic Center when it gets too hot t tolerate, these are all things that are a good bet for this summer.

Oh and I'll be waving a stick at a bunch of thespians in the Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento's production of Ruddigore in August. More on that later. Already planning future posts!

And of course with Connor, he'll be busy doing soccer as well. That....never ends.

But with only a few weeks of school left, time should start to open up more so I can find more time to write here! Or binge watch Cougartown, which is what I'm secretly doing while typing this. I mean it doesn't have to be that show, it's just an example... 

Well hey, whatever comes up in the next few weeks or months, at least this post is finally here. 

 

Party Time?

So I heard the best quote on a show I've been watching this evening on Hulu: "We're at the age where the best part about going out is going home." Oh. My. God. That's so true! I mean I was never the going out type of person, it was never my vibe. No clubs. No parties. No loud stuffy spaces where it's hard to breathe and harder to talk. And yes, it is SO nice to get home after being out. Introverts live for the next opportunity to unwind and decompress.

And this picture wasn't me going out, it was an early morning walk on the way to work in a light smattering of rain. I'm at home now of course, relaxing on my bed. It's after 7pm after all. Another day done! I just threw this picture in here because it was the last picture I took of myself.

But in the spirit of the booming club scene that's bombarding me on the TV right now, I booked for myself a little pre-birthday present: a trip to Vegas! I haven't been to Vegas in...13 years? I think. It's been awhile anyway. I'm sure it will be unrecognizable since places like that seem to change so much. Actually the Super Bowl last weekend took place there...and I didn't recognize the prominent sites they were showing on TV. I get to play tourist and take lots of pictures with my phone!

I haven't even been on an airplane since 2017. Even that will be an adventure. Good thing it's just a short, rather ordinary flight. So yes, I'm going to Sin City so I can...probably go to be bed by 10pm and wake up early and enjoy a morning walk while taking in the architectural sites of the posh resorts. But I'll also probably take in a comedy show. And maybe...a Vegas-style cabaret show. Ooooh. That's about as much partying as I can take - a regulated, ticketed, 90-minute sit-in-your-seat-and-have-a-laugh-with-a-drink-or-two type of event.

And, sure, I might put $20 into a slot machine along the way. Who knows? Maybe I'll win big. Or at least enough to cover a meal or two.

But hey, it's Vegas. Anything can happen, right? Well, technically I suppose it's true...but I know myself. All too well. I'm predictable! But hey, it will be a nice getaway next month. And it's nice to treat yourself a little once in awhile. To mix things up. Enjoy a change of pace. This will be during Sac State's spring break, and honestly I've never been one to go out on spring breaks either. But I don't have Connor that well, which isn't always the case, and there's no really events happening at work that week, so...sometimes the stars just align. 

And airfare was on sale, $107 after fees round trip. Not bad, not bad. Yeah...I had to talk myself into it. But it's booked! It's happening! Two nights at the Circus Circus on the Strip. And I am looking forward to it. My own personal party!

The Super Bowl

Well, today was Super Bowl Sunday, the day where Americans across the planet go ape-shit watching abnormally oversized grow men chase a little brown oblong ball up and down a grass field while trying to knock the crap out of one another in the most sportsman-like way possible. This year there was the added bonus of an implied drinking game - which I'm sure millions engaged in - wherein you were required to take a drink every time Taylor Swift was shown on TV. Fortunately this only led to people getting drunk towards the end of the game, which was ultimately won in overtime by the Kansas City Swifties. I might have made up that drinking game part. But it wouldn't surprise me if it was a thing.

Fortunately I am immune to most of this societal ritual, save the over ingesting of food and beverages and the dutiful watching of the famous Super Bowl commercials, which this year featured an enormous amount of celebrity cameos. Good job, dunking donuts and Matt Damon. And also State Farm and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. And Daniel Levy and homes.com. And so many more. Those were the true Super Bowl highlights! 

This was only the second NFL game I watched this season, the first being the playoff game two weeks ago when the 49ers won to get them into the Super Bowl.

In any case, it was a good sporting event, and at least entertaining. I wish I could say the same for the halftime show, which as in other recent years was a hyped live mini-concert featuring some famous artist (Usher) whom I...don't listen to. It's OK, the shows aren't made for people like me. They don't grab me, they mostly bore me, and I neither recognize nor understand any of the songs. I mean honestly, I couldn't name one song that was performed, or tell you what any of them was about. I'm not even entirely sure how many songs were performed. There were some other folks performing too...whom I also don't know. I think Alicia Keys was one of them. I'll just go back to listening to my music on my iPhone and ignore Billboard. Anyways.

I'm too old and too removed from the popular culture of today's society to be able to appreciate any of this. But I suppose that's okay. There comes a time when us old folks have to waddle aside and make room for the younger generations. I think that time came some years ago...

And yes, I save a crap ton of money by not investing in the live attendance of these types of events. For any sport, really. I mean I saw that Ticketmaster had some resale tickets available for today's even in the $6000 range. Who would blow money like that? That's more than the cost of taking my son on a 16-day Hawaiian cruise, which we're doing at the end of this year. So, one person attending a four-hour game or two people going on a 16-day cruise which includes all the food you care to eat and is cheaper. It's no contest.

And tomorrow morning we have to get back to the reality of our daily lives, and all of this will be forgotten until next season, when everyone starts talking about what happened last season. And like most things in our lives, it just keeps repeating over and over again. Feeling fulfilled, anyone? Maybe you should forget professional sports and book a cruise. 

Another Pilgrimage

So I went out today on another pilgrimage to San Francisco, the first one this year. Actually the first in awhile; the last one was...the end of August. Months ago! I don't usually go that long without visiting my soul city, but in my defense, I had a lot of car issues towards the end of last year. Yeah, I'm going with that. Excuses excuses. In any case, this was my new car's first road trip, its first time out of the central valley. Had to stretch its legs...er...tires? Well, whatever. 

It was also my first trip anywhere in...quite some time. I guess I've been laying pretty low since last summer. 

And it was a nice trip; I actually walked through some of areas of the Prresidio which I'm sure I've never been to before. It's sometimes hard to find places I've never been in San Francisco, at least places that I'd find interesting to see. I didn't even make it to Ghirardelli Square, or anywhere near Fisherman's Wharf or the Embarcadero really. But that's okay, there will be another trip again. Hopefully when it's just a tad warmer. I mean it wasn't that cold, and certainly warmer than Sacramento, and fortunately there was no fog obscuring views. 

Although I didn't make it to my normal go-to places for refreshments and and libations, I did have a ginormous burrito and a bottle of beer (Modelo) at El Rancho Grande, after visiting Amoeba Records and I followed that up with a milkshake from the Ben & Jerry's at Haight & Ashbury. And bookending these stops were lovely walks through various city neighborhoods. I do appreciate the architecture there, the old victorians and ornate decor that you just don't find in newer built areas. Sometimes it's just nice to hit the pavement and take a look around.

But this isn't all I've done in the New Year (and it hasn't escaped mw that this is my first post since Christmas Eve) Yes, in a monstrous feat of advance planning, I've booked a cruise for the end of this year which will visit the Hawaiian Islands and go over both Christmas and New Year's. 16 days! It will be the longest trip I've yet taken, and the longest Connor has taken as well. Should be exciting, and a bit new, as we've never been out of town for the whole Christmas week before. The closest was when we took that New Year's cruise at the mid of of 2016, which departed on December 30. For this one, we'll actually be in Hawaii on Christmas Day and in Ensenada on New Year's Day. Fun times!

And in other news, and fast forwarding back to today, I received a retroactive bill from the County of Sacramento for sewer charges, dating back to November 2021. I had thought the HOA fees paid this, and since the county never billed me, it seemed a good assumption. But now they've caught up to their "inadvertent" omission of charging me money to flush my toilets. I did have some advance notice of this, as they sent a letter - which arrived the day after Christmas, Merry Christmas to me! - alerting me to the fact that I would be receiving a bill sometime after the new year. So I have to add that to my new car payments now. Sigh. Money comes and money goes.

At least tomorrow is Saturday, and with nothing on the calendar, I can rest up from today's 11 miles of walking, and...try not to spend any more money on anything....

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the flat,

not a creature was stirring except me and the cat.

The stockings were hung from the kitchen bar counter with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Connor was nestled all snug in his bed,

while visions of Geometry Dash danced in his head.

And me in my PJ pants ready to go,

had just hopped in bed to watch a new show.

And that's because I just finished my parental duties, on this Christmas Eve. The duties of the Santa! I wasn't actually expecting to have Connor here this evening, but as things go...well he's here still and fallen asleep now. But I was prepared, as it's always wise to be around the holidays. As I learned the hard way two years ago.

And I suppose, as things go, it's been a fine holiday thus far. Lights were hung, presents were bought and wrapped, and many have already been opened. I mean really, we had to improvise a bit as Covid seems to be lingering around the family and threatening our ability to gather. 

So tomorrow it may well be just the old folks and me sharing a pizza for our Christmas dinner, but hey, I haven't had pizza in awhile and that sounds pretty good about right now. Connor and I did visit them this morning so he could get his gifts from them and we could delight in danishes, cinnamon rolls, and imbibe our traditional holiday mimosas. 

Perhaps tomorrow night I'll go walk the Rockmont Circle lights one more time, just to hang onto that Christmas spirit a little longer. It seems like such a build up every year, and then in a blink of an eye it's all over. Whoosh! There it goes. Well such is life, I suppose. 

But tonight all least all is calm and serene, and a little bit of magic still stirs in the air. I'm not sure how long the little guy will continue to believe the old fat guy in the bright red suit. This could be the last year, who knows. Though he seems more inclined to believe in the tooth fairy. Perhaps because there's cold hard cash involved in that one. In any case, tomorrow morning should be a delight, as he awakes and discovers that we had a...visitor last night, And he ate our cookies and drank our milk and left a present or two to boot! Ok ok, it was a bike. He left a bike. And some candy canes and Robux in the stocking. 

 

The Spirit of the Season

So I took a walk around the infamous Rockmont Circle yesterday, famed for its holiday decor. I had actually driven around it, playing chauffeur to my parents, at the beginning of the week. And truth be told...I checked it out on Thanksgiving weekend as well. Though not everything was up then. Not by a long shot. 

So yes, this was a repeat visit. But honestly, you can go many times and still not catch the details of everything. And this time someone had a snow machine set up. Walking in a winter wonderland. All told, the residents there have really outdone themselves this year.  It certainly helps one get in the holiday spirit, and at least to feel nostalgic a bit, for days of our past. Not sure what it is about all those twinkling lights that does it, but it just somehow transports you somewhere back into an innocent and carefree past.

And yes, I'll freely admit now that I've been committing the sin of a middle aged woman and watching Hallmark Christmas movies on Hulu. Just a few anyway. And yes, they live up to their ridicule of being quickly produced and heavily formulaic sentimental romps. I mean, how many movies can you have where the story line involves a cute, young female from a bustling city who is lost in life and love and finds herself sent for whatever reason to a small town in the middle of nowhere that is drenched in holiday cheer and has one love lost male who gets conveniently thrust into her life. That's...pretty much the story line of most of them. With mild variations.

But anyway, it's nine days till Christmas, and all through the house, only the cat and I are stirring. Connor come back tomorrow, and next week is the last week of school for him before the holidays. Their last day is the 21st! Talk about cutting it close. And good thing I've actually finished all my holiday shopping, and completed all the wrapping. Ready for the big day! And ready to close out 2023.

My car saga has now concluded. I unceremoniously said goodbye to my old Niro, my faithful and efficient companion for the last five years before it suddenly had a mental breakdown. For all I know it's still in the shop. I traded it in towards. new 2023 Kia Sportage while it was still awaiting a new computer for its hybrid system. And it was somewhat sad to see it go, but even sadder to now be saddled with car payments again. But such is life. And I like the new car, I do, I just wish it didn't cost so much. Sign of the times I guess. Life works out though, it always does. This picture of the new car was taken in the back lot of the dealership, just after its arrival the evening before and before my second test drive. And so, it ultimately came home with me.

And so life marches on, the year draws to a close, and a new year is just waiting to be unwrapped and explored. Though at the moment I have made no plans for the new year, no trips are booked. I haven't even really seriously thought about it. It's basically an unwritten book at this point. I guess we'll see what comes of it. But for the next two weeks anyway, I'll sit back and relax and enjoy the holidays. And I guess, watch some more Hallmark movies.