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Stay Classy, San Diego
If anyone reading this works at a university, you know what time of year it is: the end of the fiscal year. Blech. So, I feel your pain. Just saying.
Perhaps reminiscing will put me in a better mood. I've told you about the fabulousness of the marathon...now, can I tell you about how fabulous California was? I. heart. California. Our first stop was the OC (sing with me now ....'Califor-NYAH, here I coooommmmme...') to see dear friends Taylor and Valerie. Taylor was one of my first college friends and I've known Valerie since college as well. They are good times. But really -- I was there to see their dog, Odile.
Schmoo Number One.
This is Odile with German Mickey. Odile knows how to party.
So, we spent one night in Orange with Taylor and Val and then went to the train station to catch a train to San Diego. AMTRAK! Whee! The Santa Ana train station is actually really beautiful, and I started snapping pictures until a guard apprehended me and told me to stop. Here's the evidence before I was accosted. So. pretty.
I was picturing a lovely, quiet train ride, sitting by the window with my knitting and my Jacob, watching the coast. Ahh. Well, not so much. There was definitely knitting, and Jacob, and the coast, but this particular train was pretty full and noisy. We also had an admirer who approached us in the train station for conversation (where he proceeded to tell us that we should "watch out for people like me - they'll rob you blind..") Sketch-y. So I was a little nervous on the train, because I thought Drunk Amtrak Guy was going to steal our stuff. Which of course didn't happen.
Here's what did happen: I finished my Morehouse Merino shawl.
Train Time.
This was right after I took it off the needles -- it's SO soft. It's been blocked now and the thing is HUGE, but I'll show you that later.
So. Yay. I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of the rest of the entire weekend, the highlights are in the extended entry. My impressions of San Diego (mostly Ocean Beach): LAID BACK. I think that might be more of an Ocean Beach thing. And I loved it. I know that Southern California isn't all nice people and tequila parties and sunshine and ocean breezes, but my trip was! And you can get 30 cans of beer for $9.99 at Rite-Aid. HELLO?!?! Click for more:
Schmoo Number Two.
Cousins!
This is Jacob with his cousin Will. Will is totally the nicest guy you've ever met. Seriously. Not only did he welcome us into his house, he and his friends took us around Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and even took us to a tequila party with his friends.
Patron, or Don Julio?
This is me and super nice Christine at said tequila party. That was shot number 4. I was going to try and tell you that we went to Tijuana, but I knew you wouldn't believe me. (Also, did you know that it's not Tijuana? It's TJ. And Ocean Beach is OB. I'm just going to take the 5 to the 8, dude, and now I live in California. Hee.)
Cactus.
This is a cactus in the backyard of the tequila party house. Jacob was so excited about all the crazy plants that we saw everywhere. His bonsai trees would be so happy in a climate like San Diego.
Silly.
Here we are at Cathy's victory dinner - Jacob is making a ridiculous face. Note how sunburned we are...I'm still peeling.
Yum.
This is Cathy eating the biggest dessert I've ever seen at the hotel. Doesn't she deserve to eat the whole thing? I think so.
Well, clearly there are more pictures, but you get the idea. I met lots of cool people and schmoos and ate good food. I'm setting up a photo gallery with the rest of the pics soon and I will link to it.
Happy Monday. Blech.
Posted by carrie at June 13, 2005 03:01 PM
Comments
What in the hell kinda dessert is that? It doesn't really even look good with all that fruit and shit. Is the chocolate hiding underneath?
I'll have your readers know that your sunburn has cooled down to a pinkish glow...not so much like diaper rash but more than windburn.
Anyway, glad you had a wonderful time and got to meet some nice people...and I'm glad you came home too...I know you really liked it there and were tempted to just send for your stuff :)
Posted by: Anne Marie at June 13, 2005 03:21 PM
looks/sounds like you had an awesome time!! :)
Posted by: carolyn at June 13, 2005 03:30 PM
thanks especially for the great schmoos in that post.
Posted by: karen at June 13, 2005 03:39 PM
Is that much fun legal? Love the Schmoo #2 photograph. Classic. Used the Canon for that one did you?
Posted by: Cara at June 13, 2005 04:57 PM
I love the juxtaposition of Carrie looking pensive on the train with Carrie doing tequila shots in a sombrero. The many faces of Carrie... Looks like you had a great time!
Posted by: Stephanie at June 13, 2005 05:26 PM
A few things:
1. You're making me miss The OC :(
2. The Santa Ana train station *is* pretty. Why wouldn't they let you take pictures there?
3. Randy has the same sweater as Will in that picture.
4. "did you know that it's not Tijuana? It's TJ. And Ocean Beach is OB. I'm just going to take the 5 to the 8, dude". Totally. Is speaking like this *not* normal? Seems about right to me ;)
Posted by: stacey at June 13, 2005 06:09 PM
The train is wonderful, no?
You're welcome to come back and visit any time!!!!
Posted by: Valerie at June 13, 2005 06:09 PM
Aw, looks like fun! Wish you coulda come an hour or so up the coast... maybe next time!
Posted by: Mary-Heather at June 13, 2005 06:13 PM
I TOTALLY hear your university pain - can I get through the next fifteen days without buying paperclips, staples or papertowels??
Looks like you had tons of fun!
Posted by: meg at June 13, 2005 06:36 PM
Awww, I wish I could have met you! The next time you are out here (if ever) please let me know. I am so looking forward to meeting a fellow blogger in person.
Sounds like you had a great time and although I have mentioned this before, Cathy ROCKS!
Posted by: Skylar at June 13, 2005 06:43 PM
A thirty pack for $10... great deal! I know what you mean about fiscal year - well okay I don't REALLY know because all it means for me is cramming all my vacation time before I use it.
I've got to agree with Anne Marie on the dessert... it looks like lettuce is growing from it.
Posted by: Kate at June 13, 2005 06:48 PM
The marathon pictures are excusable b/c I was running a marathon. But that eating the dessert picture is just weird.
That little doggy is SO cute! I think it's funny that Carlo is his name.
Posted by: Cathy at June 13, 2005 06:52 PM
A dog that cute needs to bite just to even out his insane level of cuteness. I was down in SoCal this past weekend too... I dont think you got the real experience if you took the train. You have to sit on the 405 for an hour or two to really soak it in.
Posted by: Emily at June 13, 2005 07:32 PM
Ahhhh...You look so peaceful sitting on the train in your beautiful new shawl.
I have lived in Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach & Mission Beach. Loved them all...but OB is the most laid back. My favorite was Mission Beach. We lived only 1 block from the ocean. Loved it!!!!
Help me...what an adorable dog. Does he belong to the Frito Bandito?
Posted by: Eilene at June 13, 2005 08:18 PM
Love the play by play and feel you on the fiscal year garbage. All things must come to an end, good and bad, and this junk will be over soon. Hope the rest of the week is better!
Posted by: sarah b. at June 13, 2005 10:54 PM
Schmoo Two is just about the cutest dog I have ever seen! Just to clarify, as a native Northern Californian, what you are speaking is the Southern California dialect of English. While intrinsically linked to the Northern dialect, they are very distinct from one another. ; )
And why couldn't you take photos of the train station? It's so pretty!
Posted by: Nicole at June 14, 2005 01:30 AM
Um, could you please kidnap Carlo and send him to me? Thanks.
Posted by: cari at June 14, 2005 08:28 AM
I second Stacey's statement about missing the O.C. Ah, I am SO DARN HOMESICK....I cannot wait until October. And, yeah, is it odd to say things like OB, OC, take the 15 to the 91, etc? Perhaps this is why I get odd looks here in Tallahassee.....I have not lost the California-speak. I LOVE Ocean Beach...I briefly lived in San Clemente and would drive down to OB to see friends on the weekend...so mellow. Isn't San Diego great? Glad to see you had such an awesome time.
Posted by: Sarah at June 14, 2005 08:56 AM
Hey! OMG, Carlo is the cutest thing ever! Dan and I are thinking about moving to San Diego (I think I told you that). The beach is calling me... Looks like you had an awesome time! I am still so impressed with Cathy and the marathon... makes me want to get outside and sweat.
Posted by: Camille at June 14, 2005 09:19 AM
You didn't happen to bump into Ron Burgundy and get in a news anchor fight while you were there, did you?
I don't think anyone can resist the charms of good old SoCal. I was born in the Diego myself and have since moved away, and some days I am so homesick for the beach and all that goes with it.
Glad you had so much fun!!
Posted by: Sarah at June 14, 2005 09:38 AM
I love that Morehouse Merino shawl! I have the same one. Morehouse yarn is a dream to knit with, isn't it? I just started my own blog - stop by if you get a chance!
Posted by: megan at June 14, 2005 09:48 AM
You find schmoos wherever you go! Looks like you had a great time. Was the cheap beer any good? Seems like 30 for $10 would make for some nasty cheap beer, but not being much a beer drinker I guess I wouldn't know.
Posted by: Vicki at June 14, 2005 10:58 AM
I love your blog. Sounds like you had a great trip - I heart the 1st schmoo - more like my two loveable labbie girls. I went to kindergarten in Los Alamitos, close to SD, and I remember having cactus in my backyard. Living north of Memphis now - similar weather to yours. Your knitting is always great!
Posted by: Robin at June 14, 2005 11:20 AM
OMG - I forgot to add - I work at UT in Memphis - we're doing bookstore inventory - closed this Friday and Monday - but working nontheless - not too many students around right now. Can't wait to git thes stinkin' sheet over with!@!#%
Robin, Molly and Sadie (it's a darn good thing we got a doggy door this week!)
Posted by: Robin at June 14, 2005 11:22 AM
yay, san diego; boo, end of fiscal! (i work at UCSB; i feel your pain.) i walked around that fountain in santa ana for 10 minutes last week, waiting to be picked up by a friend on our way to san diego! i don't know why i didn't think to take a picture. your shawl is gorgeous; can't wait to see after-blocking pictures!
Posted by: jayme at June 14, 2005 10:41 PM
You were in OB!! Shoot, I missed you. I've lived here for five years and love it:) It's a good thing I didn't see you or I'd have been running down Newport yelling "it's Carrieoke!!"
Glad you had a great time here!
Posted by: Jan at June 14, 2005 11:14 PM
End of year but next year is so bright.
D
Posted by: Danielle at June 15, 2005 12:26 AM
CARLO is sooo CUTE! And yes, Cathy TOTALLY deserves to eat THE. ENTIRE. THING!
Posted by: Lara at June 15, 2005 12:56 AM