Happy Valentine's Day

"Love is often nothing but a favorable exchange between two people who get the most of what they can expect, considering their value on the personality market." - Erich Fromm

Fun with PhotoShop

I've started an Interactive Media class through the San Diego Community College Continuing Education program. And first thing we're diving into PhotoShop in great detail. During class last week we took the top 4 images and manipulated them every which way but loose until we have something completely new. Our instructor really knows her stuff, which is good, although she's often challenging to keep up with. She likes to add many layers to create an image with lots of depth. But she's very encouraging and the other 60+ students are all amazing, bright, talented, super nice people to share 3 evenings a week with.

Wild Animal Park 01.13.08

Early Sunday morning Eddie swung by my house, then we picked up Skip. After an obligatory stop at Starbucks we headed to the Wild Animal Park just outside of Escondido; Eddie and I to take pictures, Skip to see it for the first time. I snapped pictures of everything in sight, filling up my 2GB memory card before lunch. Eddie was much wiser with his shot selection. Skip was very patient with both of us. For more, better, pictures check out Eddie's blog at: http://www.mrmagdaleno.com/WildAnimalPark.htm

Today was a sad day at work. Dave passed away Saturday morning at home surrounded by his family.

Safe journey my friend.

Vespa Vespa

Vespa, the maker of the motor scooters, held a contest to see who could create the best video about them. I just found out that the Grand Prize, and a brand new scooter, went to Rex, a friend who, with his boyfriend Dan, I frequently hang out with at Kicker's, the country western dance club. Rex wrote and performed the song and made the video. Vespa liked his song so much they've flown him all over the country to perform it at their entry in the motorcycle shows. Who knew this otherwise quiet little guy had all this talent?

I think Vespa should spend the money to run the video during the Superbowl.

Secrect Indulgence

A few days ago I was at the gym. As I got off the treadmill I saw my friend Wayne coming up the stairs. While I waited at the top to say "hello" I took off my headphones and reached down to pause my Zune.

When Wayne walked up to me he asked, "What is that you're listening to? Is that ABBA"?

I was so busted. Pressing "pause" had caused the oversized screen to light up and display my taste in oldies for all to see.

After he headed off to workout and I went the other way to stretch out I turned my music back on. A minute later I was suddenly grateful for getting off easy. After ABBA the next song to come on was by Doris Day.

Laugh Often...

... At yourself;

Rarely at others.

New Year's Day

New Year's Day we all woke at different times and got out of bed slowly. Randall had coffee and orange juice and a wonderful egg casserole for brunch. When everyone was ready we headed out for a walk on the beach. Their place is close to a beach where dogs are allowed and it's great fun watching dogs and people play in the surf and sand.

New Year's Eve with Randall and Andreas

I had to work New Year's Eve. But Keith called as I was leaving the building to see what was my ETA. We were both invited to Randall's and Andrea's house for a New Year's Eve Party and sleep over to New Year's Day. Keith waited while I got home, packed an overnight bag, and threw the Aero Bed in the car. Then we headed to Solano Beach.

There were 8-10 of us and enough food for an army. Keith reprised his Cranberry Bliss, modeled after a Starbuck's dessert of the same name; and I provided champagne. Randall made a Mexican soup; which I should remember the name of, but don't; and someone brought some fabulous meatballs. We watched a couple of DVDs and started falling asleep about 1:30.

Thanks to Randall and Andreas for putting the party together rather quickly. We all had a real nice time. It doesn't top the time I rang in the new year at a lesbian bar in Chicago, but that's a whole 'nother story.

Cruisin' Christmas Lights

The Saturday before Christmas Victoria (on the right) braved the cold ( 50 degrees) and joined me to go looking at Christmas lights with the top down. Since we can't enjoy the sight of 4 inches of snow over all the lights, we went cruisin' in the convertible taking in all the sights unincumbered by windows or roof. We set the heated seats on high and turned up the hot air, doing our best to warm the globe directly.

First we headed over the bridge to Coronado, admired the view of downtown from across the bay, then drove down the main boulevard where they had lit every evergreen down the middle. We drove past the Hotel Del, all decked out for the season, and cruised down the Silver Strand to Imperial Beach.

From there we headed towards Chula Vista in search of Lauryn's (on the left) house. Her street traditionally is always well decorated for the Holidays. And just a few blocks away we found a regular Candlestick Lane. We joined a line of cars driving slowly through a neighborhood where nearly every house was all lit up. Some of them had music going. Many of them had firepits in their driveways and where out enjoying the night. From there we headed to my neighborhood of Mission Hills before taking Victoria back to her home in Pacific Beach.

Thank you, Victoria, for braving the cold with me. Next year I promise we'll put up the top before going 80 mph on the freeway.

Best Wishes for Health and Happiness in 2008

Since I'm feeling out-of-shape and un-photogenic I'll post pictures of my handsome friends. Besides being incredibly good-looking, Dan and RC are also very smart and successful and have 5 beautiful children.

And they're truly nice guys.

I hate them.

I first met them 1 1/2 years ago playing volleyball on the beach Saturday mornings. They had recently started dating and were being all cute and cuddly with each other; it was obvious they were completely into each other. But one of the girls who hadn't seen them recently had to ask: "Are you two going out, because you're being way more affectionate with each other than you used to."

Word of the Day: pseudoBuffyism

pseudo - being apparently rather than actually as stated. Miriam-Webster.

Buffyism - An expression, way of speaking, or quote that has come into common usage or been popularized by the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Urban Dictionary.

pseudoBuffyism - An expression, way of speaking, or quote; being apparently rather than actually as stated; that has come into common usage or been popularized by the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Keith Ramsey.

When Buffy went off the air Keith, my roommate, stopped watching cable TV, bought the entire series on DVD, and has been watching it obsessively ever since. Words and phrases from the show pepper our conversation around the house. The Urban Dictionary doesn't actually capitalize the "B" but I think it's necessary. McCartheyism is capitalized. Besides, it's much cooler with the upper case "B" in the middle of the word.

Secrect Santa

At work we did a Secret Santa gift exchange in which we emailed the whole group our wish lists so that our Secret Santa could get it with out anyone knowing who they were. The exchange was so delightful I wanted to save it here:

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Ok everyone,

Please make a list of your likes/ hobbies, and send it to everyone who is participating, so that way whoever picked your name gets a better idea of what to get you.

Thanks,

Lauryn

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You are so clever Lauryn…

I would like a MAC (Makeup) Gift Card J

Elizabeth

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I’m sorry Miss Elizabeth you are going to have to add to your list, no “ONE” gift card suggestion allowed.

You are going to have to work a little harder than that for your gift this year.

Throw in a “Home Depot” or a “Jack in the Box” gift card or something.

It’s suppose to be a surprise, how is it a surprise if you only pick one card?

Is the surprise figuring out what mall they bought it at, that’s not the spirit of Secret Santa that’s Google Maps.

We’ll be waiting and thank you for participating.

Happy Holidays

"The Grinch"
Elsa

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oh Jeeze…

OK - so either a MAC gift card or Starbucks (No Home Depot or Jack in the Box please J).

Costume Jewelry, Hats, beanies or the high socks (the girls next door wear them) They are found at American Apparel…

Elizabeth

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Sorry Miss Elizabeth. Maybe my Holiday song will make you feel better for putting you on the spot.

By the way what is the deal with the gift card discrimination; I chose those specifically with you in mind. I thought you would love them, I guess it’s a good thing I’m not your Secret Santa or I would have a very disappointed Christmas munchkin on my hands at the Lunch ;)

So here it is for some holiday cheer in the second week of November.

~*~*~*~

Oh, Jingle Bells, the kitchen smells

The delivery got away

Oh, what fun it is to hide

From Chuck on Timecard day, hey!

Jingle Bells, Tim misspells

The mail was late today

Oh, my dear, Dale’s not here

I might just scream from fear.

~*~*~*~

This year for xmas I would like…

Two or Three small colorful (or not) cloth pouches nothing bigger than 3”x6” (I need it for my small electronics)

A 10 dollar gift certificate to Walgreen’s or Target, Miss Elsa needs new Mascara or you can get it for me it’s Cover Girl ”Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara” it’s in a Hot Pink Container.

Maybe some fun high socks that I can wear with my boots. None of those socks with individual toes, those hurt.

or always a classic Black and White Movie DVD’s (Anything with Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant) I’m actually quite easy to please, so I’m sure you’ll be able to pick something that I’ll love.

Only request NO bathroom smelly stuff, NO picture frames… I already have way too much of that… so… Merry Xmas everybody! I hope you liked my holiday song J

Elsa

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Linda needs new markers!

I love the Chartpaks (available at Blick).

Elsa, I know this is one stop shopping, but since the colors are a
surprise is this acceptable?

Linda

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I don't know Linda, it seems to me that there is not enough fear in
your heart that you'll get what you want. This feels pretty safe.

As I remember as a kid we were always hoping and wishing that we would
get what we really wanted. We were always afraid that maybe our
parents didn't get it right and instead of getting Black Converse High
Tops like we wanted we would get Pink L.A. Gear's.

So I think we need to throw in a couple more things into the mix for
good measure. You need to be anxious when you open your gift and being
surprised because you got the purple marker instead of the maroon one
doesn't really count.

Once again we'll be waiting and thank you for participating.

Happy Holidays

The Grinch

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Dear Grinch,

Since finding a maroon marker instead of a mauve one in my stocking
doesn't qualify as "living on the edge," here are some other thoughts:

1. I want to become better acquainted with Pulitzer - winning
authors.
2. I want to make myself a crocheted wall hanging (saw one on the
cover of Met Home) and I have no idea where to start with this.
3. I like to make my own salad dressing and love little cruets to
keep oil and vinegars in. I would also be most happy with a little
brush to scrub the insides of them.
4. ...and of course, the markers (the right shade of purple, after
all, can make or break so much)...

Linda

---------------------------------
santa,

i have been a so-so girl this year...

it’s true:

i tell my kids they can’t have dessert until they finish dinner, then eat their halloween candy for breakfast

i occasionally intentionally miss the bathroom waste basket to piss my husband off

and i do sometimes fake throw the ball to my dog then hide it as he confusedly searches the house (heeheehee)

but c’mon is that so bad???

so this is all i’m asking for ...

golf balls - nike power distance

or golf glove - left hand only women’s med

(and i promise not to use these on fridays)

or costume jewelry - like kenneth cole or lucky brand stuff at macys

or surfer t-shirt (M) or accessories - like roxy or hurley (once an OC girl, always and OC girl)

and lastly santa, and what i want most for xmas...is for the santa list approval nazi OK my list...so i don’t have to resend this!! :D

Joanne

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I’m crying I’m laughing so hard. I loved this.

Elsa

Holiday Greetings by Mail

The top card is a terrific picture of my dear friends Dan(seated) and Peter that arrived with their annual Holiday Letter. They're currently crusing the Caribbean with Sally and Cathy. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get together much this past year. Keith and I did crash their Thanksgiving in time for dessert. But otherwise they've been busy and I've been lazy.

The second image is the front of a card from one of the guys at work. I had to laugh when I received it because I'm the one that printed out the address label on the envelope. He'd asked for a list of employee addresses. I found one from last year already formatted for labels; updated it and printed them out and gave them to him about 2 weeks ago. The image is a painting by David Hockney. Inside the card says "Holiday Greetings". I think an image of the beach is appropriate from San Diego. Although it's been cool for hanging out at the beach, many people come here on holiday.

AVRP Holiday Lunch

We shut down the office early and headed a few blocks north to Little Italy to Fillipi's Restaurant for pizza, beer, Sangria, Dubious Distinction Awards, and dessert. I'm not sure if people became more photogenic after they had some beer or if this photographer got inspired by the Sangria, but a good time was had by all.

Cheering Dave On

At the request of one of my co-workers I've started a new blog at: http://cheeringdaveon.blogspot.com/. Dave is an architect at the firm I work at, along with his lovely wife Randi. Dave has been on an extended leave, since before I started over a year ago, in order to pursue cancer treatments and spend quality time with Randi and their son.

In the few times I've talked to him I've been impressed by his warmth, friendliness, charm, and intelligence. He's very much missed by those who worked with him. They very much want him healthy and back at work brightening our days. Eduardo asked me to start the blog so we can post well wishes that he can get from anywhere the pursuit of treatment takes him.

Our prayers go with you, Dave. Godspeed.

Architectural Humor

Double click to enlarge.

Smooth Jazz

When I lived in Illinois the radio stations I listened to most of the time were a light rock/pop station and WILL Public Radio, which is one of the best classical music stations in the country. Since moving to San Diego I've discovered a really nice light rock/pop station, but I can't find a classical music station that I like. The Public Radio station does play classical music at night and there is a commercial classical music station, but neither one compares to Champaign's WILL and they haven't held my attention for long.

But I have happily discovered an excellent Smooth Jazz station. Smooth Jazz is a less raucous, calmer side of jazz that is relaxing to listen to without being boring. It's mostly instrumental, which I appreciate after a day of dealing with people in person and on the phone.

The Smooth Jazz radio station is KIFM. It's at 98.1 here in San Diego. They have an online stream that you can play over your computer at http://www.kifm.com/. Listening to it online is nice because there are fewer commercials. Although they tend to have gaps in the stream, sometimes lasting a long time. But they put out this nice sampler album every year that features a good mix of the different smooth jazz artists, instruments, and styles. And all of the proceeds go to charity.

I've just recently discoved Michael Buble and I've become a little obsessive about his music. I was watching a YouTube video on another blog that had his song "Feelin' Good" as the sound track and I was so blown away I had to find out where that music came from. As it turns out a couple of his songs I've heard, and liked, but they just didn't grab me until this one did. To my dismay I found his CDs in the "Easy Listening" section at Border's. He should be in "Jazz" because his music is best described as big band jazz swing. Critics have called him the new Frank Sinatra and I think that's a fair comparison. He's got a big, rich voice and even though he's a young guy he's a fully mature musician putting lots of joy and love into his music. He appears on stage with a full orchestra which is almost unheard of. He's got about four albums out. I only have two so far, but I'll be getting the others soon. Until now, when I put on my mp3 player I'd set it to "shuffle", but since I've added his two albums, they're all I've wanted to listen to.

Jesse Cooke is a guitarist they played on the radio that so grabbed my attention I had to wait for them to announce his name. Again I went looking in the "Jazz" section of Border's, but after asking for assistance I found him in the "New Age" section. This album is a good buy because it's 2 CDs, both filled with great melodies and rhythms that'll get you moving without blasting out your ears. I keep one of them in the car and one in the CD player in the house. I'll either turn them on directly on quickly switch them on when the radio has too many commercials, or too much Christmas music.

Chris Botti made a big splash a year or so ago when someone brought him to Oprah's attention. She fell in love with his music and had him on her show. I think all of the attention is highly deserved. He's got the richest, smoothest, most velvety trumpet sound I've ever heard. He doesn't blast you away with high notes the way Maynard Ferguson used to do. But he sings to you in a soft, gentle way that just makes you want to close your eyes and drift. After a crazy, hectic morning at work I've put on his music at lunch and completely calmed down. It would also be my first choice to play during a romantic evening with the lights low.