Thanksgiving on the road is always fun.  The bonus of not being around family for holidays is that you can do what you really want when you want.  We were super lazy as you would anywhere.  We woke up after a fun night with Lisa and Peter to the sounds of thousands of people outside the window from the hotel.  I was super bummed that I decided not to run.  We went down for breakfast and then went to check out the post run celebration.  I was moping around a bit because I love the energy around runs.  But we went around and then we hung out to watch the little kid races otherwise known as the race of the helicopter parents.

It was cute to watch the little ones take off in sprint in a fenced in area.  Then the masses of parents running after their children.  It ruined the fun for the me.  I mean,  I know you have to flutter over your child, but most of parents are in pairs.  You can split up… seriously.

We decided to go see The Fantastic Mr. Fox.  It was an experience for sure.  First, it was only $5.00–super cheap.  Secondly, we were the only ones in the theater.  That is only the second time that has ever happened to me.  The movie was good for sure… I would recommend it for sure.

After the movie, we went to the Piggly Wiggly for snacks and a t-shirt.  I know, I would never buy a shirt from a store.  EXCEPT for the Piggly Wiggly… I’m big for the Pig… what can I say?

When got back to the hotel, I thought we were going to have a relaxing afternoon until we decided to eat dinner.  We thought we eat around 4:30 or so.  But when I called to make reservations at 2:20p, the only thing they had available was at 2:45.  So got ready really quickly and sprinted to Magnolias.  The food was good and atmosphere was great.  After dinner, we strolled back to the hotel and then enjoyed a night of being lazy like all Americans are supposed to do on Thanksgiving.

Well we didn’t avoid the rain totally here.  And of course it rained the day we decided to do the walking tour of Charleston.  Jen downloaded this tour we could do on our own.  So after a great breakfast at Embassy, we headed out on our tour.  What I didn’t realize is that it had 100 different places.  That’s a lot for an ADD person.  Yet, it was really cool to see tiny houses that was built in the 1700s to the $6.3 million dollar mansions that are for sale.  The houses were really gorgeous and so much history attached to them.  Thankfully we didn’t get rained on too much on our tour.  But it’s funny to think that 1910s are old at home and if that was here it would be modern.

We headed back to the hotel for a little R&R.  We finished up the left over BBQ from the night before and I took a nice nap.  I did a little workout and then we headed down for manager’s reception.  It doesn’t matter what we do around here, we are always back for the free booze at 5:30.  At the reception tonight, we met two other couples that were in the area for the 5k run that was happening.  I really wanted to run, but I wasn’t down spending $35 for something I was going to do for free.

For dinner, we met my HJ friend Lisa for dinner.  She took us to 39 rue Jean for dinner.  It was great catching up over  a great meal.  It’s funny when HJ people get together because we all isolated at work.  So when we are together, it’s like we just want to talk about work.

After dinner, Peter and Lisa took us to a few places to have a few drinks.  The first bar we went to, the owner came over at least twice to thank us for coming out.  It was like he was stalking us.  Sadly, he was giving me free drinks, so I didn’t really care.  But it was a nice touch.  We went to another bar where I was introduced to my new favorite drink… Sweet Tea Vodka.  It’s a beautiful thing that I will have to leave clothes here to have room in my luggage.  I’m serious.  Clothes can be replaced.

So today, we have nothing really planned today.  Just hanging out and being lazy.  That’s Thanksgiving no matter where you are.  Happy Turkey Day!

So I couldn’t unload on the lady at the front desk.  Before I walked up, I overheard her conversation with the previous guest.  She was telling him that her grandchildren always wanted to go to the new theater, but a movie was a movie to her.  Fuck.  I wouldn’t want anyone yelling at my g-ma and I was certainly not going yell at someone else’s.  I was sweet, but to the point.  So hopefully our stay will be better on Sunday.

We headed out to another part of the island to rent bikes today.  Jen found a great place named Billy’s Bicycles.  He gave us the back code so we could ride to Harbourtown and check out that area.  I used to have a beach cruiser, but this bike was the Cadillac of beach cruisers.  It rode like butter.  We rode through this community called Sea Pines that was a master planned community from the 1960s.  It was cool because the houses all blended in with the natural habitat.  I like that.

We got to the actual Harbourtown and walked around to check it out.  We went into the toy store on the harbor and it overheard another conversation–I was nosy today.  The guy was trying to shake down the clerk over the price of the toy.  Dude, you are in a tourist area.  You are going to pay a high price for a toy because it’s 20 steps from the ocean.  Give the chick a break.  I, on the other hand, happily paid my $12 for Set to replace my old version I ruined in Europe a few years ago.   If you have never played the game, try it out online at http://www.setgame.com/set/puzzle_frame.htm.  It’s totally a mental game.

We checked out the ocean for a bit and noticed you could go to the top of the lighthouse.  We made our way over to the lighthouse and it was $3 for each of us to go to the top.  Sure, no problem… but don’t give me a wrist bracelet if you’re not going to serve me some booze.  At each of the landings to the top was a little bit of history of island.  It was pretty neat to learn how the island has become what it is today.  The view of the top was nice as you could see pretty much around the island.

We started to head back and I got us lost on the bike trails.  It was fine.  We just took a different route back.  On the way back to the bike rental place, we stopped by the ocean again to get a full glimpse of it.  Being that it’s winter, it was more like Fort Bragg–but pretty nonetheless.  While we were at the beach, I looked at the time and realized that if we were going to make happy hour at the hotel, we had to book.  Silly, but free booze is worth getting a move on.  Plus it would be getting dark soon too.

After a fight with my Palm Pre on directions, we took a slightly back road to get to Charleston, we arrived.  Our hotel is the Embassy Suites in the middle of the downtown area.  It’s a freaking castle.  Literally.  It was the old Citadel and it’s soooo cool.  We had a few cocktails and then took a walk down King St to finally achieve my goal of the trip… sweet, delicious bbq food.  Dinner was great, but thanks to the meatballs at happy hour, I couldn’t finish it.  In addition, I felt like I was going to explode.

After dinner, we window shopped a bit on King Street before heading back to the hotel.  I also found out that there is a Turkey Run taking place on Thursday right in front of our hotel.  I might have to do that.  They have a tent city set up right out in front of hotel.   I would feel guilty if  I didn’t.

When we got back, we wanted to go into the hot tub last night to just chill out.  Jen went all in to the hot tub before realizing that it wasn’t so hot after all.  Smartly, I just put my foot in and realized that it wasn’t for me.  After being harassed for not wanting to hug my wet girlfriend while I was warm and dry, we just hung out in the room.  I taught Jen SET and day 2 was done.

Today, we are off on a walking tour of Charleston and dinner with my Herffy friend Lisa Dean.  I’m excited about both.  Also there’s a rumor that there is a cupcake place on King Street.  Oh happy days.  I just hope we stay dry.

I have spent the weekend down in San Diego.  Originally, this was a three-part trip.  First, it was a chance to meet up with my cousin.  He’s an Eagles fan and they are playing the Chargers today. Second, I could see Maximus since he goes to SDSU.  Finally, I was going to see my old buddy Steve from Key Club.  Well the only that came through at the end is Maximus.  So I’ve spent the weekend chilling with him.  Unfortunately, the poor guy has mono and kidney stones.  We’ve been having a pretty low key weekend.  It is a good chance for him to get some rest away from the dorms cause the guy is just exhausted.

But I also learned this weekend that I’m definitely not in my teens anymore.  The guy eats SO much and I can’t keep up with it. I had to run an extra 10 minutes today plus an extra trip on the elliptical machine to pay for the food penance from yesterday.

We also just been hanging around doing cool stuff.  Last night, we went to Dave and Busters to play.  I forgot how much fun that place is… sober.  I got some glee beating him in the basketball shooting game.  It’s really strange because I’ve never played basketball in my life, but I can play that game really well.  I mean I really suck at basketball.  I can barely dribble and run.  When I get roped in playing, I just hang out at the basket and do layups and get rebounds.  One gift for being tall I guess.

Right now, Maximus is still asleep so I’m sitting in the corner writing this as I cool off from my run.  When he wakes up, I think we’re going to head downtown to watch the afternoon games.  On Friday when I got my car, I elected to just pay for them to refill my car.  The rate was great, so I figured it wasn’t a bad deal.  What I forgot is that I got an economy car that gets like a million miles a gallon.  In order to feel like I got my money’s worth, I have been driving around San Diego for no real reason just so I can return the car on empty.  It’s not cheap… it’s being economical with my purchases.

I have a week until I leave for South Carolina with Jen.  I’m excited because it’s going to be a different experience than just hanging around.  She’s done a great job planning out a bunch of stuff for us to do.  We have worked out in our relationship that I’m transportation chair and she is social.  My job is to get us there and make sure we have somewhere to sleep.  Jen figures out what we’re going to do when we get there.  It’s great because I love figuring out travel and I hate figuring out what to do when I get there.

But for today, it’s me getting ready to root on my beloved Patriots against those nasty Colts.  God, I love football season.

It’s a beautiful day here in November.  The sun is shining and the Patriots are winning… again.  Jen and I just got back from a nice weekend in Napa.  We decided to leave early so we could make the most of the weekend.

On the way down, I did something very unusual for my road travels, I stopped to use the bathroom.  Because of my rule of five–I don’t drive more than five hours… I just fly.  So for me to stop for the bathroom, it’s rare.  We stopped in Dunnigan to use the bathroom.  Dunnigan is a little highway town that doesn’t have much.  We pulled into the local Jack In the Crack (aka Box) that smelt like the place had an indoor pool somewhere hidden in the place.

We arrived at Tracy and Greg’s house to meet Baby Lia who is as cute as a button.  We met Tracy’s parents and had a nice lunch before heading out to the wineries.  I was smart and found the item with the most bread in it on the menu for lunch–a calzone.  Greg who works for a local winery knows all the  ins and outs of the wineries.  He took us to some great places to see taste some great wines.  Then he took us on a special tour and showed us he does.

I think I learned SO much about wine just listening to Greg explain what he does.  I learned about different wines and blends, what happens to wines that doesn’t make what it should, and just the process a bottle goes through before getting to market.  It felt like I was in Oz and the wizard took me behind the curtain to see how the magic really works.  It was just so much fun to just chill out and sip on some very good wines and learn the difference between a REALLY (I mean REALLY REALLY good wine) and wines that weren’t going to be much.

After napping off the wine, Jen and I headed downtown to check it out and grab something to eat.  A burger sounded fantastic.  When we ordered, we spent $33 on burgers and fries.  Let me tell you, it wasn’t so special–Nobby’s is WAYYY better.  But we walked around the downtown and checked it out.  It was cool, but not spectacular.

What I learned is that I am not quite ready to be a wineo.  Don’t get me wrong, I love wine.  I am just not ready to be the middle aged people hanging our at wine bars.  We walked around and realized that if we went into any of the places, we would be the youngest by at least ten years.  I love hanging out with friends that are different ages, but not strangers.  Of course, strangers are just friends you haven’t met.

We decided we would just be happier hanging at the hotel and watch a movie.  On the way back, we stopped by Raley’s to get some ice cream.  Now in Chico, Raley’s is where the more affluent people shop in town.  In Napa, it’s where the poor people shop… what a change in culture.

We got back to the hotel and Jen pointed out that the hotel doesn’t have any movies.  Bummer.  Luckily, I brought my swim suit and had an extra pair of board shorts in the car.  I’m so prepared.  We just hung out in the hot tub and came back to find Manchurian Candidate on TV.  It is a great movie, but I hate watching movies on TV because the commercials cut the flow of the movie.

This morning we got up rather early and had some breakfast before heading back to Chico.  We were supposed to hang with a friend on the way home, but he didn’t get up in time.  We wanted to get back home to go for a bike ride (Jen got a bike for her birthday) and for me to watch the last half of the Patriots game.

On the way home, I looked at the gas tank and figured I had JUST enough to get home.  Boy was I right.  When  we got to the gas station, I had about .35 of a gallon left. My laziness almost caused me to push my car home.  But now, I’m home.  The tank is full.  I have a lazy Sunday ahead.

This post has been brewing in my head for a while.  Now given that I have time to think this month, I thought it would be a good fun one to write.  John Mayer, if you love him or hate him, is a damn good song writer for guys.  It took me a trip to Europe to fully understand what his songs are saying.  Since then, they just click for me.  So I thought I’d share my world according to John Mayer.

When I’ve gone out on an emotional limb for someone and got burned:  My Stupid Mouth

This song was soothing for me when I decided to go out of someone and got rejected (I know it’s a surprise that anyone would reject me).  But it wasn’t the rejection that killed me that most, it was the back and forth that drove me nuts.  So for that the line “Just one more thing… why is it my fault” always sticks in my mind.

Living in the Moment:  Say

This is one of my favorite songs from him just because the message is so simple.  Just say what you need to say.  It’s such a simple idea that is sometimes the hardest thing to do in the world. 

Realizing that I screwed up:  Dreaming with a broken heart

I haven’t experienced this too much, but when I have screwed up and realized that it can’t be fixed this song comes to mind. 

When I feel like I’m growing up a little more:  In Repair

This is the one song that plays in my head the most since I’ve heard it.  Everytime I scab my knees, I realized that I’m still in repair.  I keep growing from the situation and I have more to learn.  I’m never going to be where I want to be, but I’m still working towards getting better.  “I’m not together, but I’m getting there”

When I’m missing someone I love: Comfortable

I know this song is about moving on to a new lover, but to me it’s about maybe the good times you had with the same person that you lost that connection.

Understanding where you in the world:  The Heart of Life

The Heart of Life really does explain that you are part of a bigger thing in the world.  How you treat others who love you does have a reflection on your character.  Also, being there for your love ones is more important than what material things you can give.

Living up to your dream:  Bigger Than My Body

Nothing is more inspiring to know that your dreams are bigger than you body can contain… so go out there and do something big. (:

I love clean floors.  There’s something about the squeakiness of the floor makes against your feet.  I know that sounds weird.  Most of my friends and I are reaching the point where we have disposable income in our lives.  Most of my friends have a housekeeper.  First, they are dudes and don’t like cleaning.  I say not so much about that.  I do have a landscaper because I suck at it.  But inside, I want to make sure the house is clean.  It’s also a way for me to survey the damage around the house.  Plus I love the smell of clean.

I spent most of the day catching up on all the backlog work that has been piling up on my desk.  I also got my teeth cleaned.  Afterwards, my dentist (a new one) scolded me for not flossing enough… big surprise.  Why dentist get such glee from giving me a lecture about flossing.  Well dentist lady I floss once a day…  just not enough for her.  I mean she was scraping the crap out of my teeth and then she wondered why they were bleeding?  Hmmm… maybe that sharp hook you’ve been prodding it with might have something to do with it.  What’s that white thing she ask?  Maybe it’s my tooth that once had a home in my mouth.

I have the suits coming to visit again tomorrow.  This time it’s the credit department… he is going to count my three rings and tassels just to make sure I’m not lying.  Woo hoo.  I’m going to milk him for the most expensive lunch I can think of in Chico… teach you to bug me when I’m working….

I’m going to use this movie as a launch point for this blog.  On Friday, Jen and I went to go see Where the Wild Things Are.  People are mixed about the movie, but it got me thinking about so many things.  First, it’s tough to be a child.  There are so many emotions that fly through their lives every day.  Life is in the moment and I think sometimes we forget that.  The movie itself got me going because some of those emotions are still unresolved in my life.  Some that I have been working on and some that I don’t want to deal with at the moment.   Just like Max, I try to make sense of the world that I was dealt.  At times I just want to make it all better and everyone happy, but what I wind up doing it just making it worse.  I keep trying to center myself that the person I am responsible for in the world is me and everyone is responsible for their own actions.

Where the Wild Things Are are really in our hearts.  The passion and imagination we store away time and time again to take of the “real world” keep getting pushed back further and further until we don’t even know where the are anymore.  However, they are still always there and waiting for you to unleash them.  Each Wild Thing whether it be fear, anticipation, joy, or imagination need to be let out now and then to be reminded that they are part of you.

I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone, but there’s one scene that sticks out the most from the movie.  At the end, Max is sailing back home and Carol was running to say goodbye to him after stubbornly running away.  But it’s too late.  Max is already out in the world on new adventures.    I related this to a father/son relationship.  After Carol put his own selfish pride aside that he was hurt by Max it was too late to do what he really wanted to say before he was gone.   I feel this way with my parents.  I think they realized that their own selfish behavior was affecting their relationships with their children too late.  I can’t speak for the rest of the clan, but for me, I was already sailing out in the world well before the realized that I was even gone.  There were others to help push me out to sea–to see me out into the world.   All you can do is howl and hope that they other howl back.  But sometimes, the howl isn’t enough to turn the boat around… there’s so much more in the world that I want to see.

I haven’t been writing for a while.  However, as most people think, it’s not Jen’s fault.  I have actually been working a ton.  Last week corporate (i.e. the suits) were in town helping me out with Grad Fairs.  I actually really like all of them quite a bit.  These people in particular are some of my favorite in the company… however, they are still the suits.  My style in life is that of semi professional.  I could never make in life wearing a suit to work everyday.  One, I would hate it (although I’m not saying I wouldn’t look good).  Secondly, the minute I opened my mouth people would realize that I am not one to be in a suit ever.  I’m way too casual and friendly to be talking down at you from a tailored suit.  I would rather mock you in my dockers.

I really don’t like old people… in the gym.  Thanks to my adventures with Jake on Sunday, I had to workout twice on Tuesday to keep up with my schedule.  It really sucks since I don’t normally work out on Tuesdays at all.  I drove over to the gym (another annoying thing to do, but it was pouring) and started my workout.  I know I have ranted about this numerous times, so what’s one more time,  but they really fuck up my world.  First off, going to the gym is a social event for them before the Price is Right.  For me, it’s my downtime or a way to get me focused for the day.  When I was done with my weights, I went to find a treadmill.  Now keeping in mind that it is raining outside, there weren’t any available up front.  So, I got banished to the back of the gym with the REALLY old people.    I’m talking about people with bottles of oxygen strapped to them.  Here I am moving at under seven minutes a mile and they are taking seventy to get a mile.  God I hope I don’t get to that point.

I think I’m also banned from hanging out with my friend Jake I believe.  For the last two Sundays I have been going to Jake’s for football.  Last weekend, I had a blast.  I was drunk by noon and proceeded to tell Jen.  She also came over to hang because she has know Jake and his family longer than me and hadn’t seen Jake’s dad in a while.  I was also so drunk that I sang Karaoke which I never do.  But all in all, not a bad drunk, more of a happy drunk.  I rode my bike home and was functional the rest of the day.  This weekend, not so much.  Jen even sent me with a list of rules for Jake in a humorous way.  Of course we followed none of them.  The sad result is that I got way too drunk, passed out at 5p,and was a wasteland until Monday afternoon.  I swore off drinking again after drinking half a jar of pickle juice at 1:30 in the morning.  Which as gross as it sounds, really does work.

People that ruin books by turning them into movies should be shot.  Jake and I went to see “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” on Monday as well.  I’ve been anxiously awaiting this movie’s arrival into Chico.  The book is a great guy book.  The guy is a complete asshole with no moral compass what so ever.  His stories are outlandish and crude and part of me wishes I could be like him without the jerkiness.  Well anyway, my expectations were pretty high considering he produced and help write the movie.  It was a tragedy among no other. The book about what a prick he is and how he uses and discards women became a chick flick.  Now, I’m not against chick flicks in any way… see 500 days of Summer… but when you are ready to have some male bonding time laughing at a jerk, it’s definitely a let down.    I was verbally assaulting the movie before it was over. Thank goodness there were only 15 people in the theater… not many people had to suffer from it.  Tucker Max, you should be ashamed.

I hate WinCo.  It has nothing to do with their business practices.  Actually, they are pretty good to their employees and our community.  It has to do with the people who shop there and the store’s culture.  The place just sends me in a panic.  I get all freaked out when I’m around large groups of people.  I get really freaked out when I’m around large groups of stupid people.  WinCo does it to me.

Case in point:

Jen and I are in the meat section and I see this guy sitting on the meat display.  Get your gross ass off that counter!   Grocery shopping isn’t that exhausting.  If you feel the need to rest after walking for 10 minutes, then get one of those motorized carts and then I will ridicule you for being fat like it should be.  But here’s the kicker, he didn’t do it once, he did it twice!  Jen was dying with laughter watching me freak out over this guy.  She could see my skin just crawl when he came near.  When we were checking out, the checker just came on and said (direct quote I kid you not) ” I hate checking”  my response “I hate shopping here.”  At least we are on common ground.

Another example from this weekend:

After meeting Jen’s sister and a couple of other family friends, I needed a milkshake… because I couldn’t have a drink yet.  We stopped at this place in Oroville.  It was a nice night and we both drove separately because I had to do some work in Yuba City.  So I suggested we just enjoyed our shake outside on the benches.  Oh no… this guy was not going to allow us to do that.  He sits down with us and was drunk out of his mind.  He begins to tell us that he has a problem.  No duh… your buzz is wearing off.   I say that my milkshake is the wrong flavor and bail… sadly, Jen didn’t get the clue I was bailing and she finally gets it when I’m darting for my car.

It’s not that I don’t like the homeless. I just don’t want to interact with them.  I bet they are all nice people with stories of why they are where they are.  I also don’t mind helping them, as long as I don’t have them in my face.  I will happily donate clothes, my time, or my money… but don’t bother me in my regular life.  I don’t bother yours–equal respect would be appreciated.  We have many charities in place to help the less fortunate.  I don’t think there’s a problem in our world that doesn’t have a charity supporting it.  If people need help, find the group that is trying to solve your problem.

Does this make me snobby or elitist?  Well I guess it does.  I have worked hard in my life and I don’t want to be bothered by people with screaming children they can’t control or get ran over with a grocery cart by some idiot in a tanktop and jean cut offs.    I don’t care.  I just want to be a hunter and gatherer in piece and quiet.  After this trip to WinCo I decided to screw it… it’s worth the extra $30 a month to shop at Safeway in peace and quiet.  I don’t walk around with a Starbucks latte and my earpiece in my ear (well not always).  I don’t need to pick my food out of cardboard boxes to save a nickel.  I have a bachelors and master degree… I have earned the right to be a bit selective about my shopping.. .that’s what education gets you.  That and a huge college loan debt that will make you stand next to the bums on the street to collect for your education.. .so in reality, we’re all the same just wearing different clothes.