Merry Christmas

However you celebrate today I hope that you had a fun and wonderful time filled with much love and the makings of wonderful memories that last always.  Merry Christmas.

Well That is Good News

My goodness.  I am so glad that the world did not end as I am so looking forward to this Christmas, for obvious reasons :)

Delayed Christmas

Tonight I got to the airport and it was all sorts of craziness because they are redoing the place.  After they finally loaded us up on the plane, they had us sit on the tarmac for an hour.  Then they get on board and say that they loaded the plane with too much fuel and needed 5 volunteers to give up their seat because the plane was too heavy.  Since it was the eve of the Mayan Apocalypse my hand shot right up.  I paid $520 for my round trip ticket and they gave me a credit of $600 to use toward a future flight and booked me on the non-stop flight that leaves at 2:20pm on Friday afternoon.

Although I am so excited for Christmas and hate losing a day of an already short time, this credit is an awesome present.  In August there is always a huge family party because in that month is my birthday along with the birthdays of 3 of my nieces   This coming August is even more special as it will be my parent's 50th wedding anniversary so I have to be there.  Now I know that without a doubt I will be able to get a ticket to come back for it all!

And honestly, in this day and age, the plane being "too heavy" just kinda wigged me out.  It was not too hard to give up my seat.  It just did not sound too right to me.  So I will sleep safe and sound at my house tonight, still have great Christmas fun soon with the family and can book my way to the big shindig in August.

Goodbye Esco

I leave on 12.20's red-eye to head back east for Christmas.  I am scheduled to land at 6:15am on 12.21.2012, the last day of the Mayan calendar.  I certainly hope when it comes time to descend that there is in fact an Earth to descend to!  If not well then goodbye Escondido - I appreciated you so much.  Here is a mural that popped up down on Grand Ave.  You cannot tell by the picture but the mural is about 10 or 12 feet high!  I loved it.  I wanted to use it to make into this year's Christmas cards but I did not send cards this year.  Here however it is for us all to enjoy and even if 12.21.2012 is the last day of the world well then it will live on in cyberspace!  Merry Christmas & cross your fingers.

Joy

I am so into simple right now.  Just listen to the beauty of this simple song.  Bittersweet, lovely and amazing.  Simple is the way to go.  "Because of the dark, we see the beauty in the spark."  Simply well put.

They Are Silly

Here are my parents with Santa.  They are just ordinary folks and they just kill me - posing with Santa.  They are insanity personified and I love it.  I guess I do not know any better but nor wish to know any better.  They have done their best and I could have certainly done worse to have other parents.  I know that soon I will be sitting at their house watching the craziness firsthand and thinking right in the middle of it all with all aspects of sincerity, "How lucky am I?".  Not sure even Freud could figure that one out.  Again they are just ordinary folk and I so respect them for that.  I am very happy to go visit for Christmas this year.  It is the best present.

A Simple Christmas

Debbie said she went last Sunday to the North Shore Theatre to see A Christmas Carol.  I was excited for her but jealous at the same time.  I remember seeing it there before and they did a wonderful job with it, as they do with most everything.  Tonight I happened to watch on AMC the 1984 movie version of A Christmas Carol and I got sucked right in.  I delighted in every minute of it.  I know it is a very simple story but I adore simple.  I am a simple man and strive for a simple life.  Simple however is deceptive and often misunderstood.  Sure Charles Dickens was just one man that wrote one simple story and yet it touched billions.  That is the power of simple.  Just a gathering of words to remind us to count our blessings.  How simple is it to count our blessings and yet how often do we forget to do just that.  Christmas is here and I am happily counting my blessings.  I cannot wait to see my family soon.  Merry Christmas indeed.

Christmas Crafts

No Christmas cards sending this year.  I could not work it into the budget but I do still spend a lot of time thinking of what I would do if I made cards.  Last Saturday was my boss' Christmas party.  It is nice of him to have and I am glad that Loren went with me.  The above picture is a picture the boss' Christmas tree.  I just loved how the lights come out like little dots of sugar.  I added the words and although the font is perfect, I just could not find the right color.  I am getting so excited for Christmas.  I can't wait!

Crisis Averted

I was opening my front door the other day and the key snapped and broke just like in the picture above so the skinny part was stuck inside the lock and I was holding the big round part.  Luckily the door opened first so I was not locked outside but I was still in a panic.  I get so nervous over everything.  I guess I could have call the landlord but instead I took the lock apart from the door and then tried to get the broken key out of the lock.  I worked on it for a while and honestly I was impressed I was able to get the lock out of the door but I knew there was no way I could get the broken part out.  My mind raced as it tends to do.  I was worried about how much if could cost, if I could get it fixed or would have to replace it and what would I do in the meantime.  When things like this happen it just wigs me out.  Like I said I get really nervous and worried and it just kinda shuts me down.  I figured that no one is ever up here - I would just leave the door lock-less until I figured something out - perhaps not the best decision but I went with it.  Finally I looked up locksmiths today and of course there was one within walking distance from my work - really why ever leave Escondido.  I went over today and although it was chilly out I was sweating because I made myself so nervous over what was or was not going to happen.  It was an old fashioned locksmith shop and super cool.  The guy was incredibly nice.  He told me to give him a minute and then he went over to a machine - fiddled around a bit and retured in literally 7 minutes with my lock fixed and a new key and said, "All set - that will be $2.10".  I almost fell over.  I realize the lock is not too intricate but still was not expecting such a cheap and easy solution to something that made me so worried and nervous.  I know there is a great story in there which is why I am writing this post.  Now the big trick to pull out of my hat is that next time I get myself all worked up and worried over something I just have to remember this broken lock and key story.

'tis the Season

This is the extent of my decorating but that is ok as it is fun.  Plus if I did decorate that I wish I could do it like this.  Ah such effortless style.  Merry Christmas!

Found Photos

I posted ages ago how I purchased a used camera off of eBay so that I could replace my digital camera with  the exact same model as I had.  It was two years ago as a matter of fact.  This past weekend I was going through my photo cards (again) and I noticed that one looked different than the others - a brand I did not recognize.  I popped in the card and it was full of pictures that were not mine!  It then dawned on me that it came with my used digital.  The pictures were college pictures and a lot of travel pictures.  In one of the pictures the guy that is in the majority of pictures had a name tag on.  It then dawned on me to check my paypal account and I found the details of my camera purchase and the names matched, plus it had his email address (he is a doctor!).  I emailed him about the card and that I was not a weirdo and he actually replied with his mailing address so I am going to mail back his card to him.  In meantime though  here are some of the pictures and what I have learned!  PS I think the card owner is the blond guy as he appears in most the pictures.  PSS I feel so naughty posting these but they are not naughty at all.

Things I have learned:

1.  He loves Garfield just like me and he also is into the Christmas spirit.  I hope he made this into his Christmas card!

2.  His pictures of Sydney Australia were amazing.  I want to go!

3. He is dashing working his porn mustache but his friend with the freaky facial hair is HOTNESS!

4.  He likes to pose next to very large things.

5.  I say he is straight but even driving this John Deere tractor does not have too much of a butch vibe.

6.  His friends are monkeys - literally.

7.  He went to some amazing places and took more than amazing photos!

  

Providence

Judy lives in RI and while in Providence this weekend she sent me some photos of found art and beautiful sites.  I always liked Providence.  I especially like the name as it means, "God's perception as a caring force guiding mankind".  Now I love Providence.  Thank you for sharing and sending these!

Christmas Cowboys

In Mexico cowboys are called vaqueros and are a big thing in Mexican culture.  Although the Christmas parade was in Escondido, we really are just TJ north so there was a excellent group of vaqueros in the parade.  Their horses were so nice and what a display they put on.  I really enjoyed it a lot so figured they needed a post of their own and not just to be mixed into my general parade post.  I love the picture I snapped at the end of the little girl sitting with her papi she was soooooo cute.

Christmas Parade

Today Escondido held its Christmas Parade so I went on down to check it out.  I love that fact that it is still called the Christmas Parade also and not a holiday parade.  It was such a townie thing to do so I loved every  moment of it!  I met up with Carla as she was working it.  She drives a bus and had to drive a bunch of kids over from the college that were walking in the parade.  I was clapping and cheering and saying Merry Christmas to everyone and Carla, an Escondido hometown girl, was just looking at me like I was a weirdo.  Where is your hometown pride girl?  After her kids went past she had to leave but the parade was only half done so I stayed and quickly made friends with Betty Ann.  Betty Ann is 71 and was born and raised in Escondido and has lived there all her life.  What a find!  We became fast friends because of course, you know that old ladies love me and I will admit I kinda like them too.  We chatted all about Cruising Grand, the 4th of July Celebration, the Grape Day Park parade, the old high school and hospital - on and on just like a couple of townies.  She was so cute.  I took her picture.  It was a fun parade.  They should have one every Saturday.

'Til the World Remembers Your Name

Since I made my video on Sunday, I cannot stop playing my Echobelly cd.  The song in that video is called, "Hot in a Cold Country".  Echobelly are British of course  (be quiet Michelle).  They rode the Brit Pop wave in the 90's.  The song has a shoe gazer tinge to it but they are very pop and the singer's voice is awesome - even if she is not blonde (again be quiet Michelle).  And  my handy dandy ticket stub tells that I saw them live on 04.12.1996 at the Paradise in Boston.  See Matt it is good I save shit.  I remember it was a great show, really enjoyed it.  I think that I saw them with Lisa (aka Beautiful) - that is so ringing a faint bell.  My favorite part of the song is when she pleads, "Feed the Fire, Fan the Flame, 'til the World Remembers your Name...".  I guess I am a vain person.  Actually considering how many times the neighbors have had to hear this cd in the 48 hours I am sure they have much more colorful adjectives that they currently use to describe me.  

It is All About Me!

Oh here is where the truth really is at.  I just love my initials - why because it is me, they are mine!  I have said that before but maybe it is because at times I am self absorbed too.  It is all about me - right?  This whole blog really is all about me by design and I feel egocentric when I think about it but hell that is why I have a blog!  It is a place that I can be egocentric and get things out of my head so I can be normal in the really world and have concern, caring and compassion for humans in the world - which I truly do.  Also I write all this shit, so I can write what I want.  Me, me, me, me --- LOL.  Oh ya - me!

Much like when you go to Disney and you find the hidden Mickey's my love of initials has become a game - of course all about me.  There are GSPs all about!  Check out below - Jane sent me a GSP that she noticed at a recent swim meet of her daughters - thanks for thinking me Jane - love ya.  Then on the bulletin board at the grocery store I found a hidden GSP!  Of course I did not want to take the GSP since then others could not enjoy finding it so I just took a picture of it - because that is so me.  Me - me - me.  Oh did I also tell you I am sarcastic :)  Me, me, me - gotta love me.  If you find any hidden GSPs make sure to send them along and I will love you too!

 

It is All About Him

I wrote how recently when I went to the Irish bar with Loren and made a new friend.  I was so excited to meet a local, age appropriate gay male (who kinda looks like Jason Statham).  I knew I was not his type since he hit on Loren but the joke is that he is not Loren's type either as Loren is straight (yes I love how the world works).  But with that out of the way I thought it would still be awesome to have a local friend.  At his request we swapped numbers.  We ended up getting together last night.  I suggested dinner so we could talk and get to know each other and he was excited.  We went for sushi and after two hours we did end up at Irish bar again.  I am not exaggerating at all - not one bit - when I say he did not ask one thing about me.  For the start of a even just a friendship that is dismal.  I do know a lot about him though!  I heard all about growing up gay in the deep south, 5 tours of duty in the army (one resulting in a near fatal explosion of a road side bomb), the inability to have kids, a fake testicle, 3 divorces, working for start ups, riding his bike to work, his matching thistle tattoos with his sister, the house he owns in AL and his mortgage is $400, father lives in GA, mother lives in FL, sister in AL, last ex-wife is an alcoholic with 3 DUIs, he had a DUI also, his dog is part Corgie and Chihuahua, oh god I could go on an on -  like he did.  So needless to say I got home bummed.  If I bump into him while out then great but not really a friend in which I wish to invest much energy.  I am not upset in the slightest.  I am glad I went and it was a positive experience for me.  It did not work out how I wanted but I would find friend sitting in my house.  Ok so let's focus on the brightside and end on a good note.  Here are the good points:  he did not flake and was not late (that is a HUGE plus in CA), we went to my favorite sushi restaurant and he paid (yay! I did try to pay though), at the Irish bar I tried pear cider for the first time and it was YUMMY, they were playing Kirsty MacColl, and I gave it a whirl with an open mind.  It is all good.

December 2, 2012

Today I had so much to do and I did clean the bathroom and do some laundry but somehow I got side tracked and made this video.  It mostly has found images but I know you will easily see that they fit my eye.  So although I could have accomplished more, I am happy with this accomplishment.

OH NO YOU DIDN'T

Last night I was surfing around the web and I was listening to Kirsty MacColl's version of Belle of Belfast City.  I love Kirsty and Michelle always raves about this song and so I finally got to check it out.  It is a raucous blast of a song and of course I love Kirsty even more (RIP).  Well today while thinking about this Irish perfectness of a crazy song I was thinking how nuts Michelle must go when she hears it so I sent her a text. What I wrote was, "was listenting to Belle of Belfast City on youtube last night - you are a nut".  That is not a very clear text and I will admit it.  I knew how unclear I was when I got her response of, "Oh please because it is not a blonde from the 60's or 70's it is not good.  I grew up with that song much like you grew up with 70's light fm... x".  To which I promptly replied, "I wasn't clear - I like the song A LOT & ur a nut cuz I can so picture u being a maniac as it is played!!! LOL - it is a good thing :)"  Then for the rest of the night I could not stop laughing because I accidentally poked the bee's hive.  It is like when you unknowingly scare somebody and after they jump a mile then you die laughing.  I even ended up calling her and just could not stop laughing.  She told me that after a tense black Friday and some continued craziness in her office my message sent her over the edge plus that "those are fighting words" and I "got her Boston up".  I was very happy to see that after all these years, and with all her challenges of late, she still has plenty of fight in her - oh that redheaded spitfire.  You know I am not the speediest car in the race but I do certainly know two things:   I much prefer Michelle on my side and never, never, never jab at the bear with a big mop of red hair and a pink flamingo tattoo.   I totally did not do this story justice - maybe you just had to be there but I am still laughing and still love you lots!

Luck of the Irish

Here is the story I told you that I would tell you about.  On Wednesday night Loren asked me to go out with him for a drink on him so I said ok.  We ended up at this Irish bar her in Esco and it was a rowdy night because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  They had a band playing that was very good but it was kinda loud so we went out back to patio so we could talk since I have not seen him for a while.  As soon as we got out there people started talking to me - sure they were drunk but they were friendly and in a good mood plus you know me, I will speak with just about anyone that speaks to me.  It was a silly night but the kicker was that this ex-marine named Ian from Alabama originally and kinda looked like Jason Statham turned out to be gay and hit on Loren, who is straight.  I died!  So funny.  Loren is a good guy and declined Ian in a polite and respectful manner BUT Loren is a sucky wingman as he totally did not steer Ian my way.  A friendly, handsome, age appropriate, gay man that lives in Esco????  THANKS Loren - ugh.  Although Ian did give me his number later and said we should get together.  I was pleased to take his number as I am looking for similar local friends   He actually contacted me on Saturday to go out but funds are low so I asked about the next Saturday.  He sounded excited so I hope so.

Actually this weekend was the weekend of age appropriate men.  I met up with a guy from online this morning.  It was just a hookup but it went well.  It is good to enjoy at times - I am human and a man after all.    He left with a large smile and he said I will be hearing from him a again.  That would please me but it was just nice to enjoy and be wanted for a little bit.  I don't do that thing often but again I am human.  He did text me later in the day and so that made me smile, again.  

At the end of the day and without having too many plans going in to the Thanksgiving day weekend - I  enjoyed myself.  Dinner at my friend Michael's house was great.  I enjoyed the meal and company very much .  It just turned out to be a lot of surprises each day and I am happy.  Now it is time to get back to work.  I have a lot to do, a lot to fix and a lot to solve but I certainly feel recharged to do so.

Unrelated - isn't the pub kinda cute?  I have been there a couple times and it is ok.  But what I mean though is the picture - I think it came out so awesome.  As you know I recently found my London pictures and so looking at them and now looking at this, it really looks authentic   I am gonna post more London pictures so I will make sure at least one is a pub to see what you think.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday turned into a day full unexpected surprises.  One I posted below and one I will posted here and one I will post in the future.  I did not have plans for Thanksgiving and I was ok with that.  I have cleaning and exercise to do plus a day off is always welcome.  It seemed most people are headed out of town.  My friend Michael that I worked with in Temecula and I still am in touch with often - texted me on Wednesday night.  He asked what I was up to and invited me up for dinner.  I have not seen him in a while or meet his new baby so I accepted.  I used to work with his wife also and have met his family before so it I am pleased.  I am also super thankful for all my blessings and at the top of that list are friends.  Friends are the people in the world who wish to be in your life for no other reason than they enjoy you.  There are a lot of joys and important things is this world but friends have always been one of my most cherished treasures.  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and enjoys time also with what they cherish the most.

She Got My Back

I put that last post up about my challenges and when I did, I thought about it a lot.  I am not super depressed by any means.  I was just looking through my current challenges at the good things, which I still have many of.  I feel positive and I know that I am just in down cycle, which I am working on.  Judy sent me a gift - very thoughtful, touching and generous   I really appreciate it - I truly do. She has a lot going on right now and a whole plate full of her own worries.  I was just expressing my feelings.  Judy already has given me so much - I would not have this blog if it was not for her.  This blog means so much to me and says that I was here - good, bad and indifferent - which is important to me.  Every human wants to have it be known they were here and it was important that they were.  She can be silly and make me laugh and she laughs with me but most enjoyable, she laughs at me.  I just was expressing myself and her unexpected and kind gesture made me feel bad for a short moment as that was not my intent but  for a larger moment - which remains with me - it reminded me of my blessings like having good friends that have your back.  I do not want any more gestures, although completely appreciated -- this will pass, it is just a lay over on a wondrous flight.  I am thankful.

Not Really

I used the last of my cash today to stock up on SpaghettiO's to make sure I have food to last to 11.30.  I do not say that for pity - it is what it is.  I had some crappy things happen.  I made some bad decisions.  I am figuring it all out.  The point though is that while at the store I thought at least I can still afford SpagettiO's and I am not at the Ramen Noodle level yet.  It sucks but I am working on resolutions and in the meantime I am figuring it all out.  I will admit it does depress me a bit but there is not an alternative - there is no other choice but to make it through this and make things better again for myself.  I have my health back, I have a comfortable home, I have a job I enjoy and I am working on a plan to make things better for the long run.  Sure I feel a bit stupid for getting into this situation but I know that I always do best under pressure.  In addition - I am living in austerity - how nice does that sound, if you do not think of the meaning of austerity.  And I am building character and adding the story of my life.  Onward to the future!

This is Me

I took this picture also while in London.  It is not really me but it is my future.  An old man all dressed in black and feeding the park life.  It is not a sad future it is a happy one.  It was a super nice day out and I know he is content and enjoying himself.  I want my life to be this peaceful and quiet.  I am sure I can have it be that way, I just need to stop making stupid decisions.  Sometimes I do things and it feels other worldly to me.  I know what I am doing but I don't control myself or more to the point, stop myself.  You only live once so I do my best but right now I am feeling that I am failing.  I wasted this past weekend on bad decisions.  I have the Thanksgiving break coming up so will try to re-group, focus and make something worthwhile out of it - even if it is just cleaning.

WooHoo!!!

Seems I always take two steps forward and one step back.  I got this kidney stone resolved and was lucky to do so but got a very large and unexpected bill from way back.  I could have sworn it was all set - again it was from a while back.  I went searching through my files and believe I found what I need to show this bill is all set.  I will know tomorrow when I call.  However the real point of this post is that I found my pictures from London!  I am sooooooo excited over that!!!  I went to London in October 2006 and cannot believe it was that long ago!  After I got back I lost my camera along with my photo card which contained my pictures from London.  I knew that I had the pictures on a disc somewhere but could not find the disc anywhere and I did look for it recently.  While looking tonight for the paperwork I needed, I found my disc with ALL my pictures from London.  That was such an amazing trip and I will never forget it.  I quickly put all the pictures also on a memory stick as they are easier to store and it gives me back ups of the photos.  Maybe I will go and create one of those hardcover photo albums which as so cool.  In the meantime here are some pictures.  I will post more in later posts.  You can see my style does not change much when it comes to photography.  I hope to get this crazy bill issue resolved tomorrow but if not I am still so excited I found my London pictures.

Stone and Stent - free Living

No more kidney stones and not more stents - yay!!!  I have a follow up appointment but everything on this topic is going aces.  As if I was not happy enough I then got the above card from Eileen and trust me those are the only stones that I want from here on out.  Eileen is insanely sweet but she is also insanely talented.  Normally she sends her own fantastic images and she always inspires me to keep following my passion.  This card however is from another artist.  He has a website and his stuff is amazing.  I have a more realistic eye and somehow found a muse in Escondido but I am impressed by his work.  I know that this card was perfect and it made me so happy.  If you are interested you can click this link to check out his website:

www.patrickzephyrphoto.com

Summary of Events

So here is the lowdown.  Last Tuesday they put me under and zapped my kidney stones.  The good news is that there were no complications and I am getting better so this will all turn out great.  That is not to say this little episode was not without incident.  I don't know why I cannot just get the common cold like every other normal person.  When I woke up from anesthesia I told the nurse that I had to go to the bathroom.  She was very nice and I know how exceedingly hard her job is but she told me that I did not have to that it was just the stent and from the procedure   I told her no that I really had to.  She said no.  I begged and pleaded until finally she at let me stand and try.  Well I did go and along with going I screamed because of the pain.  It was like I was pissing lava.  She apologized as she could see she was wrong and that I did have to go.  

Later that day I go home and everything was fine unless I had to pee.  I had very little control over this function and am so super glad I do not have rugs.  Each time I went pee the pain was excruciating and completely red with blood.  I got to the point where I would shove a towel in my mouth to muffle the yelling.  The next day there was still pain but it was different.  It was no longer in my penis it was in my kidney.  Each time I went pee it felt like I was being pummeled with kidney punches - hence the yelling continued.

Thursday was much better so I was happy that I could see continual improvement.  The pain was definitely less and not simply because of the meds.  There as also a lot less "clean up on aisle 3".  Come Friday I decided to go to work.  I did not piss myself on Friday at work so I put the day into the "good day" column and was pleased with myself.  Most agreed that not pissing oneself at work is deserved of a good day rating.  I do have a stent though which has a string on it so basically think of a rip cord dangling from my winky.  While at work I did accidentally zip up the string of the stent into my fly and as I turned for the door I quickly realized my error - ouch!  Still a good day.

Monday I go for them to remove the stent.  In this modern day and age I can still explain this "medical" procedure very simply as this:  they are going to hold the string and yank it.  I am already dreading the pain and have picked out a stick to bring with me so that I can bite on it as they yank.  

In case you are wondering what connection the above picture has with this post - well none really.  I just figured I earned something nice in my life after this week.

More Esco Graffiti

I know graffiti is vandalism and illegal but I can hardly say all graffiti is bad since some of it is so artistic.  I am not talking about the crappy tags of street names scribbled on a wall but check this out.  You cannot tell the dimensions of it from the picture alone but it is at least 5 or 6 feet from top to bottom.  It just showed up this week and is an obvious tribute by some friends for some friends that passed away.  Remember that this week was Dia de Los Muertos and that is a day to celebrate those who are no longer with us.  This graffiti is total art - it took premeditated design and execution and delivers a message - even if you do not know who the tribute is for.  I spotted it downtown this weekend and so stopped right away to snap a pic.  I do not know how long it will last before someone paints over it but I hope they do not for a while.  I am not sure which is odder that I get so excited coming across new found art that others think is a eyesore to the city or that I always stop what I am doing to capture it in a picture -- or even better I always have my camera to do so!  Anyway I like sharing my weirdo view of my city and can only image skewered view that those of you have of it based solely on my pictures.

Schedule of Events

On this Tuesday I go into the hospital to have my kidney stone issue resolved.  It is only a day procedure but they need to put me under in order to take care of it.  I am a little worried as no one likes to be put under.  I am sure it will be all fine and I know that I will be so much better off in the long run.  I still worry though - just the normal amount - it is my nature.  I have said it before that I don't like being sick and I get very needy but the doctor said should only take about 3 days and then I will be on my feet again.  I am upset that it will use up the rest of my vacation days as I was trying to save them but I know that is a silly thing to be upset about.  I am much happier that I have the vacation days at all and above all else that I have health insurance - not to mention a job that I like a lot - even with the little pay.  I cannot even truly complain about that because it pays better than no job.  Anyway so I will be kidney stone free and not have any more pain attacks requiring morphine and that thought alone greatly calms my nerves.  I would take pictures cuz I think it would make a great post - My Adventure at the Hospital - but they said not to bring valuables.  And we all know that my camera is my most valuable possession.  Wish me luck :)

Day of the Dead

I will not be participating in any Day of the Dead rituals but it is a very important day in Mexico.  It is day to remember those who have past with respect, gifts, payer and good thoughts.  It is a very positive time and one to enjoy even if bittersweet.  Here is a picture Judy dressed up for Halloween in a Day of the Dead costume.  How crazy creative is she?  She looks awesome and authentic.  Amazing job.

Not Sure This Works

The winter will be here soon enough and my baldy head gets chilly at night.  I have a knit hat that makes me look like a cross between a serial killer and a bank robber - not a good mix but I am aiming for warmth not style.  Well I came across this hat and just love it.  It is so soft and warm.  As for how it looks I am not sure if it is stylish or one more step closer toward crazy old man.  But whatever, I am gonna wear and be happy to be warm.