Traveling Tea Party

Today's commute turned into a big ol' tea party.

On the way to work I saw Stan listening to his iPod busily raking the church lawn. Boy did I surprise him when I came barreling across the grass on my bike! I stopped and chatted with him for a bit before heading into the canyon and off to work.

On the return trip, just as I was heading up the hill at Torrey Pines, I spotted Liz sitting on a bench watching the surf. I stopped and turned around (any excuse to avoid the grueling hill) and joined her on the bench - catching up and watching the surf.

I love it when my commute to work turns into a traveling tea party!

A Quick Dip!

Tonight a gang from the office headed over to Torrey Pines Beach to boogie board after work. One of our Chicago colleagues is in town. There is no better way to extend a California welcome than a quick lesson in riding the waves. We had a blast crashing around in the surf together. It enjoyed watching our pasty friend tentatively dip his toes in the water and shiver. The 'locals' plunged in with glee, thrilled to bits with the beautiful warm water (low 70's!!!).

Tonight is school night for me - so I could only play for a half an hour or so. But that half hour wiped away all the stress and craziness of the work week! I scrambled to class wearing my flip flops, hair dripping wet and a huge smile on my face!

On a sadder note when we arrived at the park this evening there was a line up of media trucks and news crews milling about. TV crews are ominous. They rarely show up to do a feature about a beautiful day at the beach. We learned that just a few hours before we arrived, a man vacationing with his family was killed by a bluff collapse (local news story here).



I have always been in awe of the distinctive beauty of the sand bluffs along the San Diego coastline.

Beach Near Bluff Collapse Is Deserted

The Little Yellow House

When I ride my bike to work I pass this quaint little yellow house. It is a little welcome 'yellow' in the midst of an otherwise grey industrial area. Each day as I ride by I think ... one day I should escape the office at lunch and check this place out!

Well today was the day!

Turns out the "little yellow house" is actually called The Corner House Cafe. Not only does it have the mellow groove I imagined - but the food is wonderful!

caminar o pasear

CAMINAR
To walk.

PASEAR
To walk. But NOT a walk TO anywhere, just a walk. A stroll.

Two ways of saying "to walk". BIG difference in meaning.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent upon arriving."
- Lao-tzu

Goals in life are good,
they give us a reason
to walk the path towards them
...if we need a reason.
But sometimes
.. darn..
you really don't need a reason.
You just feel like taking a stroll!!
-Me

Ancient and always
The wheel's ever whirling
Today I'm riding
Tomorrow I walk
Step through forever
into this very moment

Lyrics selected from My Beat
By Bruce Cockburn

Midnight Madness

Last night was the annual Midnight Madness bike ride. Last year was my first time out - and I was a bit timid with all the craziness. This year I am a veteran and loved every minute of it.

I convinced my friend Pete to come along for the ride. Fortunately, he is use to, and patient, with my stop and take pictures, joy in the journey approach to bike riding.

P- and Tippie at the Starting Line


One of the things that I love about this ride is the eclectic mix of participants. There are folks with expensive racing/Tri bikes in fancy outfits, folks on beach cruisers in their PJs, lots of bikes with boom boxes blasting hip hop tunes, crazy costumes and families on tandem bikes.

Lady in Pink TuTu


Wacky Mix of Folks at the Starting Line


While waiting at the starting line we met a very excited and talkative young boy wearing Dinosaur PJs. His father and sister were riding a tandem bike and he was riding an extension out back. The little guy was over the moon with excitement about a post ride trip to Denny's. Chocolate cake ...3 am..... Denny's - life doesn't get much better than that!



Pete and I were a little too thorough staying hydrated - so about the five miles mark the ride turned into a scavenger hunt - first one to find a restroom wins! Pete was Mr. Eagle Eye at spotting port-a-potties, but, much to our dismay, we discovered they were all padlocked.

Washrooms located - Our moment of triumph


We could not have had a nicer night for the ride. The weather was beautiful and we had a clear skies. The city lights breathtaking.

Taking in the City Lights


Inspired by our little friend in the dinosaur PJs. We decided to head to Denny's for breakfast. 3 am and the place was packed and full of energy! No chocolate cake - just breakfast for us old folks. Part way through my French Toast slam my little friend arrived with his family. He waved to me on his way to order his cake!

Denny's Downtown San Diego - 3 am Sunday Morning

Denny's At 3 AM

To quote Pete ... this is what insane people do at 3 in the morning!

After our 21 mile bike ride through downtown - we stopped at Denny's for breakfast - at 3 AM!

Pete chugs coffee in an effort to stay awake. I on the other hand am amped up from the ride and inhale my French Toast Slam!

Focus on the Positive

Toronto in Pictures

I recently found this fun photo blog site by Sam Javanrouh. Sam's blog features a photo a day taken around T.O. (that's Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the non-Canucks out there). You can also check out Sam's photos on his flickr site!

I love this picture taken from a bike in Downtown ( click here for picture). Makes me sad to see so little of the land mark left. This is the way I remember Sam's. I have fond memories of wandering the maze at Sam The Record Man, looking for that elusive LP.

The Gang

This week friends are in town from Salt Lake. I love their visits - our group of friends get together and we have a chance to catch up and share stories from our journey. We have a fun tradition of taking a group picture at the end of the evening. Here is the Summer 2008 picture of 'the gang'.

Smile!

Tonight on the corner of LaJolla Village Drive and Villa LaJolla there was a homeless vet with a sign that said "Smile". He stood there with a big grin and looked at the somber grumpy folks stewing in frustration on the evening commute. While we were stopped a the red light he walked down the row of cars and smiled his goofy grin. If the driver didn't return his smile he would start a crazy clown routine until he was rewarded with a smile and a laugh.

What a perfect end to a busy work day!

The Big Sleep

Four days down for the count in bed ... but I think I am finally winning the battle against the freaky mumps like infection that has plagued me for over a week...

Another Tippie Sighting

A note from another friend with a Tippie spotting. This one is in Northern California (Truckee). Check out this home furnishing and accessory store -- some pretty neat stuff!

Downpour in Denver

A 45 minute downpour in Denver tonight created a flash flood.


Street in Front of My Sister's Home
Capitol Hill Area, Denver, CO


Kayaking through the streets of Denver



Thanks to Heather Tudhope and Roby Sherman for the pics!

Tippy Canoe Bar and Grill

A friend sent me this link and note.

Just got back from 10 days in Oregon Wilderness. Found a little store above Columbia Gorge called Tippie Canoe but my camera batter died. I am sick about it...

Anyone out there from the Oregon area that can send me a photo of my namesake?

Which Way To The Ocean?

The last week has been a bit of a rollercoaster. It has been the final push to bring live a client project I have been working hard on for seven months. A few last minute curve balls were thrown our way - one of which led to a stressful weekend as we flirted with failure. The last week or so a few health complications have been thrown in to the mix.

There is nothing like an evening stroll to clear your mind. I set out about 9 pm to walk through the park and enjoy the cool evening air. Just as I approached the park a car stopped and an older gentlemen stuck his head out through the window and asked me if I knew how they might get to the ocean.

Ten years ago I too stopped by the same park and asked for directions. I helped the couple and then continued happily on my way. The rest of my walk was filled with fond memories of the evening I arrived in San Diego for the first time, full of awe and anticipation!

Lyric for the Day

Bruce Cockburn
My Beat

Ancient and always
The wheel's ever whirling
Today I'm riding
Tomorrow I walk
Step through forever
into this very moment

...and it's all present tense

It's my beat
In my new town

Now is the time

Man From Plains

Jimmy Carter: Man From Plains

This documentary provides an intimate view of former President Jimmy Carter by shadowing him on his national book tour. The film shows the controversy and criticism surrounding the book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" . The candid responses and depth of conviction shown through out the film paint a colourful picture of Jimmy Carter as a man with a passion for peace.

The Lost Day

Today was lost to the 'go live' that almost didn't.

Recycle