Another new Crystal Gayle

Behold:  the Crystal Gaysian

In the words of Elsie Clever:

The best part is the guy on the edge of the frame checking her out. Like he's going to follow her into the ladies room to stroke her lovely tresses... Oi. 

New species of Crystal Gayle

Behold:  the Crystal Mayle!

Dean and his BFFs

Dean and Elsie came over yesterday.  Dean walked straight up to the kittehs to give them bear hugs, drools and snuggles.  Seriously the cutest thing I'd seen in a very long time.

When he came in for kitteh hugs he had an enormous smile on his face and was literally (lit'rally) shaking with excitement.  I could hardly contain myself.

Forgive me for recycling an old photo.  In all of the excitement yesterday I neglected to take pictures.  So - just imagine the cuteness.  

That's mighty big, sir...

Gentle readers - I can't believe it's taken me a week to tell you about the trip to Big Sur last weekend.  Shame!

Well, come closer and I'll tell you all about it.  Closer....closer.  Yes.  That's good.  Now listen up.

On Friday morning The Tami, Loraine and I pile into the petite wagon.  The first glimpse of how fun the weekend would be was when we washed down our lunch (at some cute place in Carmel Valley) with chipotle bloody marys.  Oh, yes.  YES!

After lunch it was just a hop, skip and a jump (my mom says that all the time - drives me crazy!) to Big Sur.  We checked into our motel (I love that word - so many connotations).  Then we explored Big Sur for a minute (no, I'm not exaggerating - it's that wee).  When it was time for another adult beverage we stopped at a place called The Roadhouse (another of my favorite words).  Sadly they weren't open yet and suggested we go to the River Inn instead.

Pulling into a parking spot at the River Inn who should walk right in front of us (literally)?  Tim (a friend of mine from my younger days at Pomona College)!  I knew we'd meet up during the weekend but hadn't yet called to say we'd arrived (bad IAH).  He joined us for some beverages (sleazy wahines [pineapple infused vodka and other fruity goodness] for all my [female] friends!).

After spending some quality time bellied up to the bar at the River Inn I felt like we'd met half the town (because we had - Tim knows everybody).  Then it was off to The Roadhouse for dinner.  Hella good Mexican food.

After dinner we returned to the homestead.  The Tami and Loraine were tuckered but I soldiered on.  Hung out with Tim at the motel bar (there was a DJ - so cosmopolitan!).

The next morning we had breakfast at Nepenthe's Cafe Kevah.  Eggs, coffee and an amazing view - what more can you ask for?  Then we headed north to Carmel.  We wandered the streets a bit - doing some shopping (mainly mocking the touristy wares).  Then we met up with Tim and his pals at the Cheese Shop for a wine and cheese extravaganza.  I don't remember how much we drank (it got a bit fuzzy after the magnum of champagne) but do remember that it was a crazy fun time.  We headed back to Big Sur for dinner.  We had the most amazing and delicious dinner at Nepenthe - for reals.  I'll be forever grateful to Tim for that :)

After dinner it was back to the homestead to see the bands playing at the motel bar.  Then off to bed to sleep off the afternoon/ evening drunkfest.  

The next day we had breakfast at Ripplewood and then left Big Sur.  We left rested and a bit hungover.  Isn't that how you should feel after every vacation?

Men and chess

I'm sitting in my neighborhood coffee shop.  The seats with tables were all taken so I'm sitting in a cushy (and probably germy) lounge chair with my computer on my lap.  I can look out the window onto the sidewalk.  

At one of the sidewalk tables are two men playing chess surrounded by three other men.  The men are of various ages, ethnicities and degrees of baldness.  Three are wearing hats.  One gestures grandly while he speaks.  One appears to be meticulous about his dress and appearance.  One is wearing a pink button-down shirt and a gold bracelet (curious combination?).  

I'm watching them playing (or intently watching) this chess game and think to myself:  men and chess - two things I know nothing about.

One of my favorites

I think I'm in love

The face and voice of an angel singing my AC/DC favorites - does it get any better than this?  

I guess it could if she had Crystal Gayle hair (making her a Crystal Gaysian?) or I were sipping sangria while listening to her dulcet tunes or snuggling with a Pomeraian puppy but I'm willing to overlook all of that.

So have yourself a listen.  Don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two - I know I did.

The future IAH

This is totally me in 15 years.

Oh, who am I kidding - it'll be me in 15 days...

Yes, please!

For DKR

This still kills me - I swear!

Heaven in a glass!

If I were to get a tattoo it would be the length of my forearm (because I believe in going all the way).  It would be an enormous red heart.  Inside this red heart would read "IAH + sangria = TLA"*.  Because it's true.

What's not to love about red wine and booze-laden fruit?  I've had my share of sangria - in many glasses, in many towns.  Some were tasty.  Some were fruity.  Some were extra boozy.  Some were bitter.  But a select few have been the sangria of my dreams.  Nectar of the gods.  Dare I say...heaven in a glass.  Well, it happened to me on Thursday night at a wee restaurant called Limon.

The place was crowded.  We made our way to the bar.  Michael says "Pitcher of sangria?".  I say "Yes, please!".  The sangria was a total dream.  Oh - and the food was hella good.  Scratch that.  The food was beyond hella good.  All in all - a great night.  

*TLA = true love always (for those who don't know)

Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike

Oh, New Edition - how I heart you. For the record, New Edition is my favorite boy band of all time (and I'm including Donny and Marie in that group).

Even now (about twenty years later) I don't miss the opportunity to say "Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike". Sometimes I even invent the opportunity...

Makes me want to have four boy children (paging Jon and Kate Plus 8's fertility doctor!). I'd name them Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky and Mike. I'd spend my days declaring "Ronnie, Bobby, Rocky and Mike:
- if I love pancakes who cares who you like?
- if I love pepaws who cares who you like?
- if I love Dog the Bounty Hunter who cares who you like?

Hmmm...maybe I shouldn't have kids after all. Is it possible to call CPS on someone who's not even pregnant?

One of my all-time favorite songs...

...and I have no idea what it means.