Canadian Buffoon's DISmeet vacation - 09/14 - Bowled Over

[franandaj]

What??? You took my evening
and cheated on me with another woman?

How could you!

No one said anything about exclusivity!

Oh? Why?

You know I really don't know. Perhaps it's all the getting the old house ready for the renovation. They started the Demo yesterday. But it just seems that I don't have any time in my chair in front of my computer. Usually by the time that I actually sit down in the evening, I'm eating dinner and once I finish that, I'm too brain dead to form sentences. Or I reply and then forget that I replied and reply a second time from my phone in the morning when I get up.

You're going to Portland?
Off to visit Liesa? (That's where she lives, right?)
When are you going?

Well it's not a done deal and it wouldn't be until 2020 anyways. Next week I'm off to KC, MO for the annual Band Conference. Because Fran, myself and the conductor of our band are the only three people from the LA band going to the conference, the band asked Fran and I to be the delegates for the "business" part of the conference. I got our "packet" in an email the other day. One of the things the Delegates do is vote on where the conference will be in two year. Next year, the conference will include a performance at Universal Orlando. I was kind of bummed to find that out. I knew that the three Florida bands had teamed up to host it in Orlando, but I had hoped it was at Disney. Our band bid for the 2019 conference but Florida won. Thank God! Fran and I put on a conference in 2005 and I don't want to do it again!
Anyhoo....while reading the packet, the bid(s) for the 2020 conference were included. There was only one. The Rose City band of Portland. Soooooo, unless something strange happens, it's pretty likely that the conference will be in Portland. We can drive there and stop at my folks for a night or two on the way up and back. Hopefully I could meet up with Liesa at some point in there.

I'd be totally okay with that.

I have this urge to not spoil
my TRs for you.

Even if I knew exactly what you did for every minute of your days, I would still enjoy hearing your spin on the thing!

And?

Still haven't had time....

Well... you can just tell her
to look out for it.

I did, she wasn't impressed.

So then it was just... the Valley, right?
Or is that somewhere else?

That's somewhere else. I guess at that point it was the place where everyone knew the way....You know, Do you know the way to San Jose...

Cool!
I'd have liked to have seen that.
Do you know if there are any apricot
orchards left?

Pretty much no. I remember when they bulldozed the place where I cut the apricots and built houses on it. I don't know the details, I had already moved away to college, but I remember my Mom telling me something about the houses selling in a lottery to keep them affordable. Real Estate there is crazy now. My parents listed their house for $1.8M 5 years ago and it sold for $2.4M. They paid $60K in 1969.

Holy cow!
Slave labour.

So did you think she was insane
because you didn't know the term?
Or because once you knew it,
you didn't believe her?

I didn't know the term, and thought she was just making it up. It wasn't until I got to school and met people who didn't live in upscale affluent areas that I realized what she was talking about.

Huh. My folks just said.
"We're going out. Leftovers in the fridge."

My parents gave us a $20 bill and said, "ride your bikes to Jack in the Box".

This is what my kitties eat.

I think that was my first
exposure possibly.
Not sure.
I do know my first lobster (tail)
was when I was in grade 4.
So... eight or nine years old.

I brought the shell to show and tell.

Please tell me you can actually
talk like that.

Well, sort of. My friends who really grew up there had it down much better than I did, but when I worked for Alfred and did trade shows in Canada all the Canadians bought it!

That was very rare back then!

Well probably the whole lesbian thing had something to do with it. Better to give the kids to the deadbeat dad than a woman of questionable integrity!

I'd love to talk to you about this some day.

There's not much to tell. Julie and I reconnected many years later. By then Fran and I had become active in the Palm Springs Community, we drove out there every other Thursday to play in their band. She was on the board of the pride committee and kept her married last name. So I asked Julie and she said, "yup that's my Mom."

That sounds good!
But... I'd probably just eat
the claws.

I'm pretty sure that's what I did. If even that.

"I'm smiling, but I really want
to use this mallet on you."

No just grossed out.

Ew.
I suppose.... it's a delicacy?
But... I'll pass, thanks.

No it's not a delicacy. It's just gross.

Well, since you don't think
that place is there anymore...
It's probably safe.

I'm still traumatized!

You make a compelling case.

Now this sounds like a quest
I can get behind!

OK so next time you visit, we're going to the Japanese garden at Cal State, playing duets while you shower us with money, and doing a fish taco tasting.

I see this as a plan!

 

[vamassey1]

And yet...
I like to go through them.
Not see them from on high.

But it didn't cost you anything.

Isn't that something?

Reminds me of New Orleans.

I did too.
I looked to see if they were mastodons
instead of mammoths, but...

Different species of mammoth??

I'm thinking something is missing from this exhibit.

I like clam chowder.

I've never had it.

I tried one, maybe two with the tartar.
But yes, I agree.

I'll use tarter if cocktail is not available, but it's not my first choice.

I made this one a bit tougher.

I'll give it another looksee.

 

[MeghanEmily]

Oh, sure.
Poor favour (for) manatees, all jaded less, "purty".

The manatees are less jaded, so it's poor favour for them but they are pretty in a cute way.

See? Simple!

Aaaahh, of course! Much better.

Must admit that I was extremely
underwhelmed by yours.
The Seaport Farmers?
Then again, it wasn't summer,

Oh. Yes. Oh dear.

Yes, the Seaport Market should only ever exclusively be experienced on a Saturday in the mid-to-late spring or summer. A lot of the vendors only come on weekends, and even then many of them only on Saturdays. And the produce folks only have interesting stuff once growing season starts. I went on a Sunday in the late fall once, and was incredibly depressed and left. And don't even get me started about weekdays. It's so sad any other time besides those magical spring/summer Saturdays.

 

[pkondz]

No one said anything about exclusivity!

I feel so .... used!

No, wait.... that should
probably be you!

You know I really don't know. Perhaps it's all the getting the old house ready for the renovation. They started the Demo yesterday. But it just seems that I don't have any time in my chair in front of my computer. Usually by the time that I actually sit down in the evening, I'm eating dinner and once I finish that, I'm too brain dead to form sentences.

You're working too hard, Alison.
I hope you'll take a few minutes
to recoup and rest.

Or I reply and then forget that I replied and reply a second time from my phone in the morning when I get up.

Nah. That'll never happen.

Well it's not a done deal and it wouldn't be until 2020 anyways. Next week I'm off to KC, MO for the annual Band Conference. Because Fran, myself and the conductor of our band are the only three people from the LA band going to the conference, the band asked Fran and I to be the delegates for the "business" part of the conference. I got our "packet" in an email the other day. One of the things the Delegates do is vote on where the conference will be in two year. Next year, the conference will include a performance at Universal Orlando. I was kind of bummed to find that out. I knew that the three Florida bands had teamed up to host it in Orlando, but I had hoped it was at Disney. Our band bid for the 2019 conference but Florida won. Thank God! Fran and I put on a conference in 2005 and I don't want to do it again!

Bummer about it being in Universal...
but that doesn't mean you can't pop over, does it?
And... I can see putting on a conference
would be a huge undertaking.
I doubt you need that right now!

Anyhoo....while reading the packet, the bid(s) for the 2020 conference were included. There was only one. The Rose City band of Portland. Soooooo, unless something strange happens, it's pretty likely that the conference will be in Portland. We can drive there and stop at my folks for a night or two on the way up and back. Hopefully I could meet up with Liesa at some point in there.

That'd be nice.

Even if I knew exactly what you did for every minute of your days, I would still enjoy hearing your spin on the thing!

Okay, maybe I'll ask
for tips next time.
(If/when)

I did, she wasn't impressed.

At the visual or the fact?

That's somewhere else. I guess at that point it was the place where everyone knew the way....You know, Do you know the way to San Jose...

Pretty much no. I remember when they bulldozed the place where I cut the apricots and built houses on it. I don't know the details, I had already moved away to college, but I remember my Mom telling me something about the houses selling in a lottery to keep them affordable. Real Estate there is crazy now. My parents listed their house for $1.8M 5 years ago and it sold for $2.4M. They paid $60K in 1969.

Not a bad rate of return!

I didn't know the term, and thought she was just making it up. It wasn't until I got to school and met people who didn't live in upscale affluent areas that I realized what she was talking about.

"Oh! So that's what that means!"

My parents gave us a $20 bill and said, "ride your bikes to Jack in the Box".

We were just talking about that!

This is what my kitties eat.

Not surprised at all.

Well, sort of. My friends who really grew up there had it down much better than I did, but when I worked for Alfred and did trade shows in Canada all the Canadians bought it!

I know I would!

Well probably the whole lesbian thing had something to do with it. Better to give the kids to the deadbeat dad than a woman of questionable integrity!

Huh.
You know... I didn't even think
about the lesbian part of it.
Wow.

There's not much to tell. Julie and I reconnected many years later. By then Fran and I had become active in the Palm Springs Community, we drove out there every other Thursday to play in their band. She was on the board of the pride committee and kept her married last name. So I asked Julie and she said, "yup that's my Mom."

Well, there ya go.

No just grossed out.

I can see that.

No it's not a delicacy. It's just gross.

Tell me how you really feel!

I'm still traumatized!

Awwww.... poor Alison.

OK so next time you visit, we're going to the Japanese garden at Cal State, playing duets while you shower us with money, and doing a fish taco tasting.

I like that plan!

I see this as a plan!

 

[pkondz]

Aaaahh, of course! Much better.

You're welcome.

Oh. Yes. Oh dear.

Yes, the Seaport Market should only ever exclusively be experienced on a Saturday in the mid-to-late spring or summer. A lot of the vendors only come on weekends, and even then many of them only on Saturdays. And the produce folks only have interesting stuff once growing season starts. I went on a Sunday in the late fall once, and was incredibly depressed and left. And don't even get me started about weekdays. It's so sad any other time besides those magical spring/summer Saturdays.

Okay, phew!
I was worried I'd insulted you!

I've been twice.
The second time...
I think there was someone
selling honey or something.

That was it.

 

[irene_dsc]

OK. You've seen both Liesa and I in person. Liesa is petite, skinny and tiny. Hence the grilled fish tacos.

Me? I didn't get this Rubinesque body eating grilled fish tacos. Bring on the battered and fried fish! When has battering and frying not made something better? Tempura? Fish and chips? Chicken Fried Steak? Funnel Cake? Deep Fried Snickers?

It's up to you. Try it however you want. But I'll tell you the best Fish Tacos I've had are at the place I mentioned above. Hole Mole. There are several locations in Long Beach and in So Cal. Their fish tacos are small but at $1.50 each they are quite the deal. And they have both grilled and fried fish so you could try them side by side.

I actually like both kinds of fish tacos, tho I don't get them all that often. We used to live by a restaurant that had shrimp burritos, with battered and fried (small) shrimp. Those were quite yummy, too. Now I want one, lol. And fish tacos.

It looks like you went to a bunch of places I've visited in LA! Dh went to school at USC, so he dragged me to a few places, including the Bradbury Building, La Brea Tar Pits, the market, the Disney concert hall (which of course wasn't there when he was a student, but he wanted to see it, too!).

 

[MeghanEmily]

Okay, phew!
I was worried I'd insulted you!

I've been twice.
The second time...
I think there was someone
selling honey or something.

That was it.

I can't even imagine how people make any money or sell anything those days. The whole place is just empty. But when it's good, it's really quite lovely.

 

[pkondz]

I actually like both kinds of fish tacos, tho I don't get them all that often. We used to live by a restaurant that had shrimp burritos, with battered and fried (small) shrimp. Those were quite yummy, too. Now I want one, lol. And fish tacos.

My TR made you hungry!

The burritos sound good, though.
Had shrimp tonight.
I added them in to the
chicken rice/noodle bowls I made.

It looks like you went to a bunch of places I've visited in LA! Dh went to school at USC, so he dragged me to a few places, including the Bradbury Building, La Brea Tar Pits, the market, the Disney concert hall (which of course wasn't there when he was a student, but he wanted to see it, too!).

Cool!
What else did you see?

 

[pkondz]

I can't even imagine how people make any money or sell anything those days. The whole place is just empty. But when it's good, it's really quite lovely.

It sure looked different
in the photos I've found online.

 

[franandaj]

Learn to buckle up!

That's not the problem, I keep getting left behind.

That's what it was!
I couldn't remember.

See, I can be helpful.

You realize you're just
giving me one more reason
to come visit, right?

Haven't you had enough of me already?

Not at all!

You really should, Alison!
It's not an all day affair,
for sure.
But it is worth taking a peek.

Maybe at some point. The kitchen at the old place is almost all demoed. They brought me samples for the cabinets and carpeting today. Now we just need to find the money to pay for it. But Fran is already talking about things we can do "once we have money again."

They weren't so concerned
with pampering back in the 60s
when they put it in.

Evidently not.

You'd love it there, I think.
I know I did.

I'm pretty sure that I would. Maybe I should have requested a trip there for my birthday. Next time I get to "choose" something I'm going to pick a weekday afternoon there!

3lb? So that you have enough
for another meal?

No I was just guessing that was how big each one of those chops were. Fran was not as thrilled when I mentioned it to her. We buy our choice Rib Eyes for $5.99 per pound so there's that.

Or do you give some to the cats?

The cats only get the above mentioned $5.99 per lb meat. Unless it goes too long and it's too old for us to eat it.

I wouldn't know!
It was my first!

Most of the ones that I have had contained either ground beef in a Mexican style sauce, or carnitas. I've also had a killer cheese Empanada accompanying a Tequila and Agave tasting.

I lost my empanada virginity
and now you're saying it was
to a freak empanada?????

Well....if the shoe fits....

I really enjoyed it.
I'd definitely go back.

OK, we can add that one to the plan as well. I haven't been there since we had lunch there on the start of my 50th birthday weekend.

I think I figured out why.
It's because you make the
same comments
on posts twice.

Pretty sure that's the reason.

Yeah, for some reason my phone had saved all the comments that I had posted last night. When I woke up this morning, I was like...."Oh I didn't finish this one. I only have a few more quotes and I'll have that one done...."

When I sat down at my computer I was like, "uh...did I answer that one last night?"

 

[pkondz]

That's not the problem, I keep getting left behind.

Alison?
You've used those words before.
I remember.


I will never leave you behind.
I hope you know that.

See, I can be helpful.

I'd say you've been a bit
more than simply "helpful".

Maybe at some point. The kitchen at the old place is almost all demoed. They brought me samples for the cabinets and carpeting today. Now we just need to find the money to pay for it. But Fran is already talking about things we can do "once we have money again."

Ah money.
The root of all....

well, almost everything.

I'm pretty sure that I would. Maybe I should have requested a trip there for my birthday. Next time I get to "choose" something I'm going to pick a weekday afternoon there!

You could do much worse.
I would go back in a heartbeat.
Heck, there's food there
that I want to try!

No I was just guessing that was how big each one of those chops were. Fran was not as thrilled when I mentioned it to her. We buy our choice Rib Eyes for $5.99 per pound so there's that.

Oh, okay.

Most of the ones that I have had contained either ground beef in a Mexican style sauce, or carnitas. I've also had a killer cheese Empanada accompanying a Tequila and Agave tasting.

I assumed empanadas
were ground beef as you described.
I was very surprised to see I
was "wrong".

Well....if the shoe fits....

... look for the other one.

OK, we can add that one to the plan as well. I haven't been there since we had lunch there on the start of my 50th birthday weekend.

I love how you're making
plans for me that I may
never be able to do.

Yeah, for some reason my phone had saved all the comments that I had posted last night. When I woke up this morning, I was like...."Oh I didn't finish this one. I only have a few more quotes and I'll have that one done...."

When I sat down at my computer I was like, "uh...did I answer that one last night?"

I've seen this before.
I'm on my phone and hit send and...
...it looks like it didn't go.

I try again and...
"You must wait 30 seconds before posting."

...and it's there.

 

[franandaj]

I feel so .... used!

No, wait.... that should
probably be you!

Especially since you are having virtual imaginary relationships with many of your female TR followers! Me? I don't discriminate!

You're working too hard, Alison.
I hope you'll take a few minutes
to recoup and rest.

Well we are going out this evening to take advantage of a coupon Fran got in an email for 3 courses for two for $25. Soup/salad, entree (includes Fish & Chips, Salisbury Steak, Chicken Fried Steak, among others, and then a slice of pie for dessert! At least I'm not cooking after all the stuff she had me moving out of the garage.

Nah. That'll never happen.

Bummer about it being in Universal...
but that doesn't mean you can't pop over, does it?

Oh, I'm debating whether or not to do the Disney stay before the conference or after, or both. You know we can write off the airfare for charitable contributions! As well as the hotel.

And... I can see putting on a conference
would be a huge undertaking.
I doubt you need that right now!

It's a huge undertaking that I don't need at this point in my life! Or even later in my life. I'm too old for this!

That'd be nice.

It would be fun to meet her on her turf. Plus we could show up somewhat early (conferences generally they start on Thursday, but this one has a funny schedule. It may get changed in debate at the conference next week.) Either way we could arrive the day before it starts and have some time to hang out before and maybe after.

Okay, maybe I'll ask
for tips next time.
(If/when)

Wasn't that a musical starring Idina Menzel?

At the visual or the fact?

Not sure.

Not a bad rate of return!

Too bad they had taken out so many lines of Equity and additional mortgages.

We were just talking about that!

We were? Where?

Not surprised at all.

Well they get one can of that and five cans of Friskies.

I know I would!

Huh.
You know... I didn't even think
about the lesbian part of it.
Wow.

Yeah back then, that was worse than most everything else.

Tell me how you really feel!

Awwww.... poor Alison.

Poor me!

 

[pkondz]

Especially since you are having virtual imaginary relationships with many of your female TR followers! Me? I don't discriminate!

Of course I am!
I'm surrounded by beautiful,
wonderful, amazing women!

Although... I gotta tell ya.

That @Captain_Oblivious is pretty cute, too.

Well we are going out this evening to take advantage of a coupon Fran got in an email for 3 courses for two for $25. Soup/salad, entree (includes Fish & Chips, Salisbury Steak, Chicken Fried Steak, among others, and then a slice of pie for dessert! At least I'm not cooking after all the stuff she had me moving out of the garage.

Yum!

Sorry... I zoned out after you said "pie".

Oh, I'm debating whether or not to do the Disney stay before the conference or after, or both. You know we can write off the airfare for charitable contributions! As well as the hotel.

I vote for both!

It's a huge undertaking that I don't need at this point in my life! Or even later in my life. I'm too old for this!

Nah. You're not old.
You're just smarter.

It would be fun to meet her on her turf. Plus we could show up somewhat early (conferences generally they start on Thursday, but this one has a funny schedule. It may get changed in debate at the conference next week.) Either way we could arrive the day before it starts and have some time to hang out before and maybe after.

That sounds like it'd be fun.

Wasn't that a musical starring Idina Menzel?

Too bad they had taken out so many lines of Equity and additional mortgages.

Ah. Well... poop.

We were? Where?

We were talking about how
I'd never been to Jack in the Box.
You said something like
"You're not missing much."

Yeah back then, that was worse than most everything else.

 

[franandaj]

Alison?
You've used those words before.
I remember.


I will never leave you behind

You are so sweet!

I'd say you've been a bit
more than simply "helpful".

I just like to be thorough!

Ah money.
The root of all....

well, almost everything.

Yeah and it's necessary for renovating. Contractors like to be paid!

You could do much worse.
I would go back in a heartbeat.
Heck, there's food there
that I want to try!

Yes I have seen so many programs on the Farmer's market and yet have never been!

I assumed empanadas
were ground beef as you described.
I was very surprised to see I
was "wrong".

I bet this place just wants to be different!

I love how you're making
plans for me that I may
never be able to do.

Well you gotta dream! Since I don't have money to do it, I'm going to do it for you!

I've seen this before.
I'm on my phone and hit send and...
...it looks like it didn't go.

I try again and...
"You must wait 30 seconds before posting."

...and it's there.

It's the problem of the saving on the phone while the computer posts then the phone doesn't know the computer posted.

Of course I am!
I'm surrounded by beautiful,
wonderful, amazing women!

Should I blush or be jealous?

Although... I gotta tell ya.

That @Captain_Oblivious is pretty cute, too.

He is cute, but it's a hard choice between the two of you!

Yum!

Sorry... I zoned out after you said "pie".

Yeah well I had the winner on pie choice. Simple apple pie.

I vote for both!

Me too. I just have to get Fran to agree .

Nah. You're not old.
You're just smarter.

Thanks.

That sounds like it'd be fun.

Yes it would be. I hope that it comes to fruition!

We were talking about how
I'd never been to Jack in the Box.
You said something like
"You're not missing much."

Yes that is true. Its OK, no In-N-out.

 

[pkondz]

I just like to be thorough!

That you are!

Yeah and it's necessary for renovating. Contractors like to be paid!

Ingrates.
They should do it out of the
kindness of their hearts.

No?

Well you gotta dream! Since I don't have money to do it, I'm going to do it for you!

Okay!

It's the problem of the saving on the phone while the computer posts then the phone doesn't know the computer posted.

Ah yes. That too.

Should I blush or be jealous?

Both!

He is cute, but it's a hard choice between the two of you!

Hah! I don't have to choose
between us.

Yeah well I had the winner on pie choice. Simple apple pie.

 

[irene_dsc]

Cool!
What else did you see?

I'm sure I'll leave some places out, but I'll try! Of course, he had to show me the USC campus, including the rose garden. We also went to a football game once (USC, of course). LACMA (the art museum). Santa Monica Pier (guess that could've been mentioned earlier, oops). In Pasadena, Huntington Gardens (which has a Japanese Garden section, btw), and the Gamble House (amazing Arts & Crafts house designed by Greene & Greene).

 

[mustinjourney]

I know I'm late to the party here -- but I'll go ahead and comment now.

But I did take this photo.
Notice anything odd about it?

I'm guessing you couldn't find the toilet paper under the sink? hahaha

But you know what's better
than a burger and fries?
Well, okay... nothing.
But you know what's
a close second?

So..... I basically spent $25
(plus the cost of the donut)
for two bites.

World's most expensive donut!

apparently that isn't even CLOSE to the most expensive doughnut. This thing has 24K gold!

Oh....

And did you see it?

Marvin is a famous actor at WB -- definitely deserves to be on the wall of fame.

 

[mustinjourney]

While I no longer remember what buildings
are which, I think some of you may
recognize this one:

full house house?

I wonder how many of you
will understand that reference?

I do feel lucky -- but I ain't no punk!

Oh....

And did you see it?

Marvin apparently is objecting to the marriage?

 

[mustinjourney]

I zipped back to the car and...
no ticket.
Phew!

Is it bad that I was hoping you did get a ticket? it would have made the story funnier.

I grabbed a cookie and a Coke
from the adjacent Subway
and thus fulfilled my obligation
of "loading".

You also unloaded yourself from the car.

I ordered a clam chowder.

I got a "Cuban".
(oven roasted pork, mustard, ham,
provolone cheese and pickles)
It was very tasty.

that sounds good. Those all looked really good -- I would have had a hard time choosing, and might have talked myself into buying 4 or 5 of them and taking them home.

Okay, it wasn't that bad.
I got back to the hotel without
wishing someone would die
in a fiery wreck...

trust me -- traffic is bad enough -- you do NOT want a wreck -- it will make it 100x worse.

There was fried chicken!
There was catfish!
There was jambalaya!
There was Bacon wrapped BBQ Meatloaf!

And I ordered a wedge salad!!!

Wedge salads are so damn good. Especially if they have some really thick smoked bacon and good bleu cheese dressing.

And did you see it?

not yet -- I'll have to take a third look.

*ETA -- third times a charm. Marvin got in the nuts business!

 

[pkondz]

I'm sure I'll leave some places out, but I'll try! Of course, he had to show me the USC campus, including the rose garden. We also went to a football game once (USC, of course). LACMA (the art museum). Santa Monica Pier (guess that could've been mentioned earlier, oops). In Pasadena, Huntington Gardens (which has a Japanese Garden section, btw), and the Gamble House (amazing Arts & Crafts house designed by Greene & Greene).

Nice little list.

I considered Huntington Gardens,
but there are only so many
hours in the day.
By the time I had enough
time to see them, it was too late.