Ahoy,
I went to Chicago again at the end of September because the flights were really cheap and my Boston family was visiting too. I hadn't seen them in a while, so I was looking forward to it. The weather was still pretty hot and summery when I first got there, but by the time I had left it had shifted to cooler days. And it was so, so perfect in the 60s and still sunny. And it was crisp and brisk and I came back to 90 degree weather in LA. And that sucked.
My cousins were still playing pokemon, so we were able to catch things at the Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Zoo. They took my grandma everywhere - to the museum, conservatory, zoo, brunch, etc. She was thoroughly pooped by the end of every day, but I think also happy to be going along. I think she really does like the Boston family the most, her eldest daughter, my aunt is there. But it's also awesome how big an effort they make to take her to do all the cool stuff. I think I should do that more often.
My dad is really good at being retired. My mom is not even retired, and I think she is doing a terrible job at having only one job. She laments of her boredom and lack of activity, and then seeks other weekend jobs. My dad is really happy with his garden and sewing room and old Chinese war movies and naps. And he maintains an exercise regimen of jogging around the neighborhood in the mornings and walks at night. My mom will often use the too late/dark excuse to abstain, though I really think it would be good for her to go with him, especially since she then complains of boredom. My dad came to me so pleased with himself for finding this big jug in the alley that he was planning to convert for rainwater collection for his plants. He's super crafty, which I'm sure is something I got from him, because my mom would be happier to throw money at the problem. It is so interesting the things I notice about my folks now. Also, no one has graffitied our garage since we put Batman on there. I think it really adds character to the neighborhood.
Gotham is watching,
jt
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
the capitol!
Ahoy,
We had booked a trip to DC months and months ago to visit one of A's best friends. He had the unfortunate circumstance of getting stationed in Paris, France for work after we had already planned the trip, which was not awesome. But he so graciously still let us stay at his place, which was awesome! It was mid-September so I was hopeful to be in some semi-fall weather. Disappointingly, the weather was probably deep summer - 90s and humid. I was so, so displeased, in addition, I had a cold. The one time every 3 years I get sick - and it had to be in 90 degree weather. But I brought my insulated water bottle, and the RRS thought it was a silly purchase until we had ice cold water in the middle of a hot, hot day.
We played so much pokemon! We went in the American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, Botanic Garden, White House Museum, probably some more. One of the days, we got a bikeshare day pass and rode bikes all around to the monuments and other neighborhoods. It was so fun and convenient! We got these amazing lobster and crab rolls in Georgetown. And pizza near the Capitol. And a milkshake and drinks on 14th St. It was a really great trip. Hopefully next time we go, his friend will also be at home and it won't be summer.
hackingly fried,
jt
We had booked a trip to DC months and months ago to visit one of A's best friends. He had the unfortunate circumstance of getting stationed in Paris, France for work after we had already planned the trip, which was not awesome. But he so graciously still let us stay at his place, which was awesome! It was mid-September so I was hopeful to be in some semi-fall weather. Disappointingly, the weather was probably deep summer - 90s and humid. I was so, so displeased, in addition, I had a cold. The one time every 3 years I get sick - and it had to be in 90 degree weather. But I brought my insulated water bottle, and the RRS thought it was a silly purchase until we had ice cold water in the middle of a hot, hot day.
We played so much pokemon! We went in the American History Museum, Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, Botanic Garden, White House Museum, probably some more. One of the days, we got a bikeshare day pass and rode bikes all around to the monuments and other neighborhoods. It was so fun and convenient! We got these amazing lobster and crab rolls in Georgetown. And pizza near the Capitol. And a milkshake and drinks on 14th St. It was a really great trip. Hopefully next time we go, his friend will also be at home and it won't be summer.
hackingly fried,
jt
Thursday, October 13, 2016
more happenings
Ahoy,
There was another weekend we spent in the bay in August to visit his family. We spend a lot of time eating and sitting around the eating places. This time we were also able to see his good friend from when they were kids, and we bugged him a lot probably. But we didn't make it to Berkeley Bowl, which is always disappointing for me.
Straight into September, O & H from Seattle came to visit. I think they may be our favorite guests. The first evening was spent at happy hour. Seattle had apparently just started to get rainy, so they were so happy to be outside in the sun. I'm glad the weather can contribute to a good vacation for them. The following day we went on a train adventure to Santa Monica, and I probably spent too long playing pokemon. We capped off the evening with dipping ramen and ice cream which always is so filling I can't ever finish my bowl.
For their last full day, we started at this awesome brunch place that is not all hype. And then we probably went back home to get groceries to barbecue later. A quick climbing session before getting the grill going with a beautiful evening on the patio. The weather was so perfect. Despite the weather being perfect all the time in LA, I'm really glad it was that way for O & H to enjoy before returning to a less desirable situation. But nonetheless, I would be so happy if it were rainy here for months.
frantically askew,
jt
There was another weekend we spent in the bay in August to visit his family. We spend a lot of time eating and sitting around the eating places. This time we were also able to see his good friend from when they were kids, and we bugged him a lot probably. But we didn't make it to Berkeley Bowl, which is always disappointing for me.
Straight into September, O & H from Seattle came to visit. I think they may be our favorite guests. The first evening was spent at happy hour. Seattle had apparently just started to get rainy, so they were so happy to be outside in the sun. I'm glad the weather can contribute to a good vacation for them. The following day we went on a train adventure to Santa Monica, and I probably spent too long playing pokemon. We capped off the evening with dipping ramen and ice cream which always is so filling I can't ever finish my bowl.
For their last full day, we started at this awesome brunch place that is not all hype. And then we probably went back home to get groceries to barbecue later. A quick climbing session before getting the grill going with a beautiful evening on the patio. The weather was so perfect. Despite the weather being perfect all the time in LA, I'm really glad it was that way for O & H to enjoy before returning to a less desirable situation. But nonetheless, I would be so happy if it were rainy here for months.
frantically askew,
jt
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
another wedding
Ahoy,
In August, we spent another weekend in Chicago for a wedding in the suburbs of one of my best childhood friends. It was a beautifully done and simple wedding in a far away place. Growing up in the city, I have gotten terribly accustomed to places being close and the suburbs being far. A revelation that the RRS has to contend with every time we drive anywhere. Good luck, mister. It didn't rain, and the weather was really quite perfect once the sun went down a little. It was apparently pouring in Chicago. And they had catered from this bbq place, so no complaints from my escort. Although he remembers it being a lot hotter than I did, but for someone that brought a full suit - I think he can take the blame on this one. If there is something he will stubbornly stand for - he will never sacrifice style for weather - a lesson he is slowly succumbing to as Chicago winters grip his psyche. Californians can't possibly understand seasons; they must think it is fictional concept.
We spent a day playing pokemon go despite the rain. We went out with umbrellas and continued into the evening along the lakefront and Navy Pier. It was quite the expedition.
deliberately soaked,
jt
In August, we spent another weekend in Chicago for a wedding in the suburbs of one of my best childhood friends. It was a beautifully done and simple wedding in a far away place. Growing up in the city, I have gotten terribly accustomed to places being close and the suburbs being far. A revelation that the RRS has to contend with every time we drive anywhere. Good luck, mister. It didn't rain, and the weather was really quite perfect once the sun went down a little. It was apparently pouring in Chicago. And they had catered from this bbq place, so no complaints from my escort. Although he remembers it being a lot hotter than I did, but for someone that brought a full suit - I think he can take the blame on this one. If there is something he will stubbornly stand for - he will never sacrifice style for weather - a lesson he is slowly succumbing to as Chicago winters grip his psyche. Californians can't possibly understand seasons; they must think it is fictional concept.
We spent a day playing pokemon go despite the rain. We went out with umbrellas and continued into the evening along the lakefront and Navy Pier. It was quite the expedition.
deliberately soaked,
jt
Thursday, October 6, 2016
let's recap
Ahoy,
The end of summer was a whirlwind of activities that very much had me feeling like we had overbooked.
We finally made use of our San Diego Zoo membership and visited our friends there. We spent the day catching pokemon and observing real animals. It was a lot of fun and we saw a lot of activity once the day cooled down. We saw pandas out and about, and bears play-fighting, koalas snoozing, elephants, tigers, etc. It was a good zoo day.
I participated in a bachelorette party that was probably the most girls I had ever been with for the longest amount of time ever. It was probably the coolest bachelorette party I'll ever get invited to. We went to Wii Spa, which I think I still am suffering from PTSD over. One of the rooms looks like an actual pizza oven. Much to the RRS's chagrin, I told him I would not be volunteering myself to go with him ever. We ate a lot of food, and went climbing - no surpise. The final surprise was an evening at Magic Castle, which I nearly spoiled. The bride to be had a great time and I was really happy we were able to cater a weekend filled with so much joy and happiness for her. We were all probably relieved to have foregone the male strippers.
We also went down to La Jolla for the actual wedding, which was at this venue that was uber appropriate for the couple. I like to think I gambled and won on our accommodations for the weekend on hotwire. For those of you that don't know how it works, you select a neighborhood and price, but you don't know what the hotel is until after you purchase. I got exactly the hotel we wanted because it is a stone's throw from the wedding venue, fully precipitating the benefits of an open bar.
We left the following morning under an overcast sky, which I was more than happy for. We made it back in time to watch the climbing competition and cheer on our friends.
blisteringly grappled,
jt
The end of summer was a whirlwind of activities that very much had me feeling like we had overbooked.
We finally made use of our San Diego Zoo membership and visited our friends there. We spent the day catching pokemon and observing real animals. It was a lot of fun and we saw a lot of activity once the day cooled down. We saw pandas out and about, and bears play-fighting, koalas snoozing, elephants, tigers, etc. It was a good zoo day.
I participated in a bachelorette party that was probably the most girls I had ever been with for the longest amount of time ever. It was probably the coolest bachelorette party I'll ever get invited to. We went to Wii Spa, which I think I still am suffering from PTSD over. One of the rooms looks like an actual pizza oven. Much to the RRS's chagrin, I told him I would not be volunteering myself to go with him ever. We ate a lot of food, and went climbing - no surpise. The final surprise was an evening at Magic Castle, which I nearly spoiled. The bride to be had a great time and I was really happy we were able to cater a weekend filled with so much joy and happiness for her. We were all probably relieved to have foregone the male strippers.
We also went down to La Jolla for the actual wedding, which was at this venue that was uber appropriate for the couple. I like to think I gambled and won on our accommodations for the weekend on hotwire. For those of you that don't know how it works, you select a neighborhood and price, but you don't know what the hotel is until after you purchase. I got exactly the hotel we wanted because it is a stone's throw from the wedding venue, fully precipitating the benefits of an open bar.
We left the following morning under an overcast sky, which I was more than happy for. We made it back in time to watch the climbing competition and cheer on our friends.
blisteringly grappled,
jt
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