TIME TO WATCH ALL THE CRAZIES

After Los Angeles and Beverly Hills it was off to Venice Beach. It was
an odd time of day to go.... the bikinis had all gone home for the day
and the wild party people weren't out yet for the nightlife.

CAR SHOPPING IN BEVERLY HILLS

I almost left the Hills with a used Rolls Royce - unfortunately cops
were all over the place.

NOT A COWBOY IN SIGHT

I went all up and down Rodeo Drive and didn't see a single cowboy! I
was pretty bummed and felt really out of place in my boots.

ANOTHER PRETTY SUNSET

The beautiful SoCal sunsets are seemingly endless.

A FRIEND AS ODD AS MY WIFE

Turns out Donna isn't the only one who eats their pizza backwards,
starting with the crust and saving the 'best' bite for last. If
nothing else, it's a horrible way to lose any weight (if you're trying
to) because you always have that last-bite incentive to finish what
you're eating. Maybe I'm over analyzing this.

GOOD TIMES, GREAT FRIENDS

Ben and Cynthia came to visit for a few days and despite the fact that
it's been two years since we've seen them, we picked up right where we
left off. Donna had to work tonight so just the three of us went up to
Ventura for the evening. After a walk along the coast it was off to
California Pizza Kitchen for dinner.

STREETSIDE LUNCH

When you've got a 72 degree breezy day, why not sit outside and enjoy
a good meal. Of course my afternoon would have been even better if the
margarita on that tray in the background was headed for my table, but
I'd rather spend my hard earned $14 on other things. Donna enjoyed
blackened fish tacos while I feasted on two grilled shrimp tacos.

PELICANS RULE

My favorite animal, not just bird, is the pelican. If I could have one
as a pet I'd feed him raw fish every day (which I'd keep packed in ice
OUTSIDE the house somewhere.) For sake of the photo I asked him to
open wide, and he obliged. We had a great day in Santa Barbara today.
We're making the most of our Sundays since it's our only day off
together.

PEACE

This is what we decide we want to do with the Montero. There's nothing
like functional art. The only downside would be washing it.

FREAKY BUG!

Donna spotted this guy on a dead branch in our back yard. Upon closer inspection I realized it was some sort of critter that had a bee pinned down for the count - my kind of bug! I was surprised how close I was able to get without scaring it off. Ever see anything like it? I never have.

NATURE HIKE: PART III

Late day light is a photographers dream. It provides a much warmer
quality if light with long shadows that enhances textures. In this
case it helped to silhouette a plant while adding a rim light quality
to the lower part of the plant.

NATURE HIKE: PART II

Some of the local plant life amazes me. This one was particularly
unique, especially considering it was growing in the wild.

A SHORT NATURE HIKE

Getting used to this dayside schedule has been murder. I come home to
an empty house, knowing I still have a few hours of work to do from
home and not feeling terribly motivated to get out. Nevertheless, I
usually get in at least an hour of cycling or jogging. Tonight however
I grabbed the camera and headed over to the neighborhood 'green'space.
Not only was it nice and quiet but I also managed to make a few
pictures.

GO TIME

Donna is all psyched about a party we're having tomorrow. When she got
home from work I didn't even get a hello kiss cuz she was running for
the kitchen to get started on a shrimp pasta salad. We're throwing a
going-away party for Juliette, although she isn't really going
anywhere geographically, just leaving The Star. Right now the head
count is around 40 and donna is making shrimp pasta salad, ceasar
salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, two cakes, and leaving the
grilling (the REALLY hard part) to me.

SATURDAY, SOLO

This was my first Saturday off in ages. I'd be thrilled about finally
moving to a 'normal' work week if Donna was doing the same, but
considering she works Saturdays, I really didn't know what to do with
myself. I ended up in the office for a few hours after a small plane
crashed into a building in Oxnard. What fun that was. Then it was off
to the coast to unwind. A day off just isn't a day off without my
better half by my side.

B&W MONDAY: PARTING SHOT

Not much to say about this one. Nice scenery - plus, the ocean is
nearby.

B&W MONDAY: THE TIDE POOLS

This little guy would not sit still for a photo. Camera shy I guess. I
was a little worried about those pinchers getting a hold on one of my
toes.

B&W MONDAY: WHITE TRASH?

For all the more time I spend at the beach I've never thought two $50
beach chairs were worth the investment. Besides, two of the chairs
from the back patio fit into the Montero just fine - thought they're a
little awkward to carry and people look at you funny when you show up
with them at the beach. They ARE very comfy though. Maybe people were
just staring because I'm so good Lookin'.

B&W MONDAY: GOT CHACOS?

When I first heard of Chaco sandals I thought they were overpriced
canvas straps tied to a Vibram sole. Little did I know they're
actually very comfortable overpriced canvas straps tied to a vibram
sole. One motto that always seems to stand true is that 'you get what
you pay for' and after purchasing these things yesterday, I plan to
have them for a very very long time!

B&W MONDAY: PICNIC TIME

Lunch came compliments of Jersey Mike's subs - a well earned treat
after a few hours of riding in the morning.

B&W MONDAY: THE TREE

We found a great shade tree to sit under during our picnic. By the mid
day, even on the coast, temps had almost reached a sweltering 80
degrees. The ice in our drinks almost started to melt, if that gives
you any idea. After eating we got to meet a 6-year-old Great Dane,
Chloe. She was so sweet and well mannered.

B&W MONDAY: THE BEACH

What better way to relax than to picnic on the beach then sit and
listen to the waves. Parking costs $10 so we opted to park on the
street and walk the 40-yard stretch to the beach. Needless to say we
were exhausted after the 45 second hike.

SUNDAY: AN ENCORE PHOTO

Donna awoke a bit groggy after falling asleep under the yellow
umbrella. She insisted, over and over again, that she did NOT need
coffee to get her back on her feet.

SUNDAY: PART IX

Donna could care less about Macy's and Nordstrom but give her a two-
story Target and she's in her glory. The cart escalator was broken,
the highlight of the store, but we managed to find $50 worth of
merchandise that we apparently couldn't live without.

SUNDAY: PART VIII

It's hard to transport two beach chairs and a beach umbrella on a
bike, but for $5 and hour the Yellow Umbrella company supplies it for
you. When we first rode by I thought "who would pay $5 and hour for
that" but by the time we were riding back through it sounded like a
great idea. For $7.60 we got two cold drinks, two chairs, an umbrella,
a small table, and the sights, sounds and smell of the ocean. Not a
bad deal.

SUNDAY: PART VII

Donna is much more disciplined than I am. The drifting aroma of The
Habit, a local char-grilled burger joint, lured me in. I figured the
five mile, moderately paced bike ride would justify a double
cheeseburger and fries, or at least a bite of one. After the first
bite I couldn't stop. Meanwhile Donna had a grilled chicken salad with
dressing, which she barely touched, on the side.

SUNDAY: PART VI

Window shopping is one kind of shopping I can afford. I encourage
Donna to window shop as much as she wants - although on this occasion
she was actually looking for sandals for me.

SUNDAY: PART V

From the bike shop it was off to downtown Ventura. The area boasts
more restaurants (and lingerie shops) than you can shake a stick at.
We only checked out the restaurants today.

SUNDAY: PART IV

Bike shop bargains are few and far between in Ventura County... enter
the Ventura Bike Depot. It was our first trip to the garage turned
bike shop. Lots of normal parts for those of us who aren't interested
in carbon fiber seat rails and hollow chain rings adorn the walls and
hang from the ceilings. I'll definately be back when I need parts. Of
course to get in and out of the shop you have to dodge the soon-to-be-
sunburned tourists renting their beach cruisers.

SUNDAY: PART III

Why pay for the county fair when you can see it for free? We watched
the horse (more like mule) barrel races from the pathway. It was less
than entertaining, much like the rest if the fair I imagine.

SUNDAY: PART II

Our first priority was getting on the bikes for a bit. Ventura has a
nice, although short, pathway along the coast. This was the first time
I ever road a bike on the pier - it proved to be a bit of a bumpy ride.

SUNDAY: PART I

We had planned to go to Santa Barbara today, since this is our last
two-day weekend together. I'll be moving to a M-F schedule soon while
Donna stays on her T-S schedule. Overcast skies in the morning made me
think it wasn't worth the 40 minute drive up the coast, so we decided
to go to Ventura instead, a short 15 minutes away. So why this photo?
Donna drove so I could relax. Of course instead of relaxing I took
advantage of the time to shoot photos of myself in the vanity mirror
with my iPhone's camera!