Simple Complexity

Sitting here in my reading chair I've glanced over to watch Cooper and Emma. It's nap time. Then again when isn't it nap time for gatos?  Emma is hard at work cleaning her back white paws though. One hind leg stretched out at full length garnering all of her attention. Bath time for Cooper as well, he's focusing on front paws and nails. Cats are amazing creatures. Could watch them for hours, even when they are asleep. I especially enjoy watching them trying to fight off falling asleep, eventually succumbing to it.  A valiant effort until they gracefully ease into REM. Bath time is complete. Nap time has commenced.

Nebraska

Best movie of the year.  

Sigh

We lost. 23-17. If I was living back in the Bay Area the sense of the 49ers loss would permeate the atmosphere.  Heart breaker.  Ahead 3 quarters, driving for a winining TD, in the last few seconds, long pass into the end zone and a tipped ball which missed Crabb's outstretched hands by inches, only to fall into the defender's arms. Interception.  BRUTAL and then that loud mouthed, selfish Stanfuck, Richard Sherman, who had tipped the ball, does his "look at me, I'm special, you're shit, post game interview."  Most ungracious, disrespectful punk in the game and as Hall Famer Cris Carter and Coach Dikta said later, "what goes around, comes around."  Here's hoping Peyton Manning makes a fool out of him. 

Another Saturday Morning

Didn't work this week, well not much. Did a day and was supposed to work yesterday as well but Mother Nature intervened.  Fire. Raging fire near the area I was going to scout. Yikes. This year is going to be horrific fire wise as CA is experiencing it's worse drought yet. Scary and given global warming I suspect this is only the beginning of tough water rationing.

The NFL Championship games occur tomorrow. Peyton vs Brady in the AFC game and Niners vs SeaHawks in the NFC game. I'm nervous yet look forward to watching both games and screaming my head off.  Rapture.

Have seen a number of the Oscar nominated films via DVD. Fabulous. No a fan of American Hustle although Amy Adams and Christian Bale were outstanding.

Cate Blanchett was marvelous in Blue Jasmine and I think my choice for the AA.
Also loved the fact that my all time favorite SF haunt, The Ramp, was used as a location in the film.  Been going to The Ramp for over 25 years and it made me grin ear to ear to see it in the film. I also love Dame Dench in Philomena and Meryl in Osage County. Then again both of these women amaze each time they are on the screen. Simply brilliant actors!

Watched 12 Years a Slave last night and at this point it is my favorite film. Thought the storyline interesting, acting superb, and it was well crafted. 

Of the nominees I've seen, must say Jared Leto is amazing in Dallas Buyer's Club. My favorite performance so far. Followed by Barkhad Abdi is Captain Phillips. Excellent acting debut. Excellent. 

Anxious to see Nebraska with Bruce Dern.  

Sun still has peaked over the horizon but darkness has given way to pre dawn light. Time to pay bills and start my laundry. Yep, another Saturday morning.

TGIF

Worked this week. More health and welfare hours. Yea! However, not working today so catching up on things. Bills, laundry, reading, dvd watching.  Have "The Butler" to watch. Viewed "American Hustle."  Don't get the buzz. Too much  dialogue. Characters not really developed enough for my taste. So I didn't have an opinion about them. Bale brilliant per usual. Amy Adams outstanding. Lawrence something to behold. Bradley Cooper? Meh.  Nothing else to share really.  GO NINERS!!!  Bring it on home again this Sunday!

Earl Grey

My favorite tea. Enjoying some as I type. Jack hammers are clamoring. Thought the building across the street was done. Apparently not. Or maybe the noise is coming from Bronson which they FINALLY paved. Over a decade of complaints regarding the kidney jarring potholes.  Who knows where the work is taking place?  Lord knows I'm not leaving my abode to find out!! I'll merely lower the window and turn on the boob tube. Resolution. 

Football weekend. 49ers play Green Bay tomorrow afternoon. Sub zero temps.  Both coaches are conservative with their play calling so I suspect the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. I respect the Packers and adore Aaron Rodgers.  A little concerned about him getting sacked given the recent collarbone break. Won't like it if he's injured. Opposing quarterback or not, not what one wishes to see. Still my loyalty is to Kap and the boys. GO NINERS!

Boiling some eggs at the moment. Out of nowhere the craving for a deviled  egg sandwich has cracked my psyche. A craving for chocolate I can fathom but deviled eggs? Odd. 

The town kicks back into gear on Monday. I'll be looking for work. Fingers crossed something good comes my way.

And so it begins.....

2014

Pre dawn trudged up the Charlie Turner Trail to assure myself a good spot to people watch and photograph.  It's January 1 and hundreds of Angelenos make the trek to watch the sunrise and give prayer for health and prosperity in the New Year.

Here's what I spied;

Pre dawn noodles

Flags

Prayers

More people More Food

Festivities about to begin

Oh My Aching Head!

And we wait

And There It Is

Day Has Begun. Time to go.

Hazy Dawn

Happy New Year!!!

The Shadow Knows!

My only concern and it is still bothering me, is I didn't see Marina.  In fact haven't seen her since Christmas Day.  

Not like her not to be there especially since she'd the one who encouraged me to go early.  Did see Mona and asked if she'd seen Marina. She couldn't recall.

At this point I have no last name, only a general idea of where she lives and no phone number. I do know she had friends who had invited her over for Christmas dinner. All I can do is keep good thoughts and hope those people watch out for her. Call her, and check on her.  

BTW you can call me pockets.

Apples, Almonds, Aleve and Ansel

All four will be a bigger part of my life in 2014.  An apple a day reality. Fistfuls of almonds. Arthritic pain, inflammation addressed via Aleve. Most importantly, I will continue to concentrate on my photography. Pun intended, it will be my focus.

Besides the above, I plan to experience more moments like this in 2014.

Fun times with good friends!

Happy New Year!!

Bring on the mirth and merriment!

Disappointment

Was going to call my post Affirmation. Talking about how we humans can be thoughtful and kind. Yesterday while hiking the Charlie Turner Trail I noticed at the trail junction that is halfway point that there were lights going on and off. Figured it was hikers playing with flashlights. However as I turned the corner and that area came into view, I realized it was Christmas lights on the tiny pine tree that had mysteriously shown up a year ago. Such an immediate-smile-on- the-face moment!!! The spirit of Christmas. Upon closure inspection noticed there was also a large toy dog complete with Santa hat next to the tree. My iPhone picture of it was worthless so this morning I took the point and shoot and was going to get a good snap of this joyful spot. So intent was I in doing so, I hiked the steeper short cut, nearly falling twice. When I got to the top I discovered someone had stolen the toy dog. Sadness and anger invaded my psyche immediately. I snapped a photo. Hopefully it conveys how charming it was to come upon this yesterday morning and why it's so disheartening to discover that some selfish prig had tarnished it all.

 I swear that tomorrow I am leaving a note for thief. Bah Humbug and Scrooge You are terms I expect to use. Affirmation became Disappointment.

Then again as I was perusing the MSNBC website when I got back to the apartment, I read the story of a drunken woman who had gotten into the elephant enclosure at the Denver Zoo.

The tweet from the Denver Police was this:

Denver Police Dept @DenverPolice

Follow

ZOO UPDATE (1/2): No electrocution. Extremely intoxicated female entered elephant pen at zoo & sat down next to electrical wires.

In the comments section was this:

Just_One_AmVet

Looks like they've located my ex-wife.

• 24 votes

#1.1 - Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:44 AM EST

  

Spit out my coffee laughing. 

48 hours in Morro Bay

3.5 hour jaunt up 101 to Morro Bay this years site of the yearly Xmas gathering of SJSU friends.  Traffic at 9am in LA was dismal. Took nearly an hour to get through the valley. From there an uneventful drive North.  Stopped in Los Osos at Slo Roasted coffee to pick up my order. Years ago I discovered their coffee while having lunch at Celia's Garden Cafe http://celiasgardencafe.com/Celias_Garden_Cafe/Welcome.html  and have been ordering my coffee online from Slo Roasted since then.  http://www.sloroasted.com Since I was getting low thought it brilliant to call in the order and pick it up on the way. For the two days we were there we had wonderful pots of coffee as I'd also brought my Mr. Coffee along. When this foursome gathers we want for nothing comfort food wise!!! Brought the spirit of Xmas as well. Candle, Murray and Colin and a tree. Ho Ho Ho!

Stayed at the Inn at Morro Bay had the entire lower beach level to ourselves Friday night. Nice! Comfortable, cozy twin rooms (508 and 509) right next to the Heron Preserve with a view of the Morro Bay estuary. Peaceful and fun. We'd stayed here before so we knew what we wanted and Mother Nature showed kindness. Gorgeous weather, sunrises and sunsets. I arrived about a half an hour before they did, checked in, unpacked and took an art shot of the Rock.  

A horn honked and the girls pilled out of the car, "we haven't checked in, we wanted to watch the sunset!!"  And so we did. I was alternating between my point and shoot and the iPhone. Gorgeous lingering sunset.

There was this adorable little boat and some kayakers.

iPhone

point and shoot

Nearly down

Once it sets you get this pinkish hue.  This guy was fishing on a paddle board.

Then boats lit up with their Xmas lights.

Did I mention the Heron Sanctuary next door. Really fabulous. 

Did I mention the seals?

They were plentiful. Peggy so wanted to see whales she was certain they'd come into the cove at night. Alas, only groups of harbor seals.

We played Sequence Friday night. Fun game. A rematch is scheduled for Spring. 

Saturday's sunrise brought in a flock of seagulls who lurked.

Breakfast was at Carla's Country Kitchen which had been given the Yelp and TripAdvisor nods of approval as best breakfast spot in Morro Bay. 

Thumb's up from us as well. Excellent food, service and according to Peggy an interesting ladies room.

Shopping needed to be done. Adrienne was looking for large bags for Xmas gifts so we slid into Peggy's Ford and off we went.

Before leaving LA decided it was time to shave my legs and did so. Was going to wear shorts on the trip so it was a must do.

Who knows how or why but in the shower as I was shaving I tweaked a muscle in my back. After the drive up and while getting out of the 4 runner I tweaked it again. Felt like someone had stabbed me in my kidney. Thankfully, I had a valium in my bag, (one not used on the flights to and from the UK) so when I say slid, the others did so graciously. I lowered my lard butt cautiously into the front seat trying not to whine. As we were going to the beach and Adrienne had forgotten appropriate foot wear we Googled a Payless shoe store and found one 15 miles away in San Luis Obispo. We also found a World Market. For Peggy, Gloria and Adrienne shopping is a preferred past time. I tag along but I did enjoy wandering the adjacent Farmer's Market where Adr. bought some of the scary lemon fingers. Honestly, I told Gloria to sleep with one eye open as it was going to suck her brains out during the night.

An agriculture learning experience for some, (I'll never tell) finding out brussels sprouts grow like this.

With a melon?

Did I not say scary?

Oh and the largest onions EVER!

Once we completed shopping we were off to Montana Del Oro State Park.

I was happy, happy, happy but bothered by my back. Still nothing was going to stop me from a strolling the beach.

Insane woman frolicking in the cold sea.

Man on horseback. Too cool.

The very same insane woman talking to our bare back rider.

I need lipstick AND a shave. Notice the dour face. I was now realizing I had to trudge back through the sand and up the hill and knew it was going to be painful. Sucked it up, shoved my hand into my kidney area and off to join my friends. Ow!

Their day was just beginning as they headed down the path to conquer the surf. Back to the room for R and R, another stellar sunset. 

Play Misty for me.

 Solved the most important riddle of the day, where are we going for dinner?

Mexican food was decided upon and we Yelped. We agreed to cruise by three spots and decide which looked best. Lolo's won hands down and except for SLOW service the meal was very, very good. I had the pasta (i know when do you get pasta in a Mexican restaurant?) with out the chorizo, just the shrimp and a Bohemia beer. Perfection!!!

Back to the Inn to discover we missed the Xmas light boat parade but we got to  

see the boats dock in the estuary anyway. I had a star gazing map and the first  night Peggy and I were trying to figure out what planet we were seeing. We think it was Venus. We also identified Andromena and Pegasus.

Peggy is right. Next time upon arrival we get the local paper to see what's happening and go to it!!!

Next morning was as lovely as the day before. We saw some turkey vultures sitting in the trees in the Heron Preserve, a pod of seals, packed, checked out, enjoyed breakfast at the Inn and parted ways. A fabulous 48.