John and I decided to check out the Great Handcar Regatta on Sunday.  Although it was over 103, we biked over.  Yes it was hot, but the valet bike parking and car parking mess made it totally worthwhile.  The local diners got into the mood and were also dressed accordingly.   Plus we got to see Oompa-Loompa, how cool is that!

The Handcar Regatta represents a FREE public celebration of Mechanical, Visual, Culinary, and Costumed Performing Arts combined with an inclusive concept of Community Participation andHuman Ingenuity embracing sustainability, alternative transportation, and good old fashioned fun.

People were in very good spirits and a good time was had by all. We watched a few races, marveled at the creativity and got a little scared at the duct taped “Tattoo” signs. Great costumes, food and entertainment!

This Saturday marked another return to luxury, also known as Pamperfest.  Once  a year a dashing Ramon takes three lovely ladies to a day of drinks, massages a fabulous dinner with a chaser of more drinks.   Suffice to say Pamperfest is wonderful.  

We start with water, them comes the cascade of drinks.  

One of my last drinks was a cosmo/midori combo.  It was green.  It was yummy.  Thats all I remember.

 The massage takes place at Calistoga Massage Center.  It has changed hands a few times, but its an easy walk form the Hydro where we get liqu.. I mean have appetizers.  I had just come out form my massage and really liked the reflection of the palm tree on the glass.

Pamperfest!

Campus closes the last week of the year.  I have been on a lovely vacation!  During this time we visited the many festive family gatherings, perfected the science of naps and got a chance to see a lot of friends.  It was a good week!

•  John and I helped G&M clean up and organize their house, (FUN!).
• Friends came over for an xmas dinner.
• Went to a casino and listened to a pretty good Rolling Stones cover band.  Afterwards we went to a friends house and watched Contour.  Most of the actors were kick ass martial artists, and it was filmed low budget style in SF.  Good stuff.
• We still suck mightily on DDR but now we have 2 dance mats and attempt it together.  
• Tried some new recipies

One of John’s early xmas presents was the Wii Fit.  I had been looking for it for a few months and one day some online retailer had a few available.  I snapped it up and since then we have been using is well if not every day  .. a lot!  It has some great games you do on a balance board and it keeps track of your center of balance while you dodge soccer balls, do 1700 hula hoop circles or box with a giant pillar with arms.  It also has  yoga  with a trainer that walks you though all the poses. As you earn “fit credits” more yoga and other games are unlocked, encouraging you to do more.  

So Fate had a hand in this.

John and I offered to sell the FIL’s  truck.  He had bought it and then a few month later grew ill.  MIL just didn’t have the energy to deal with people that would naturally want to test drive., check out etc.   We knew it would get a better price here than in Stockton.  The fact it was a 2007 loaded with all these manly truck options with only 5k miles on it also seemed to make some people suspicious.  They would ask “Hey does it have (insert some truck lingo). Why does it only have 5 k on it?  Are you scamming me?” and I would respond as best I could.  Only got one scam phone call from a “broker” who couldn’t even name the type of vehicle.  

Anyway:

• We have this truck.
• I see this buffet on cl.
• Paul decides to look at truck.
• We all take truck on “test drive” to buffet location.
  • Paul brings unusual items such as a “tarp” and “rope” to secure buffet.
  • Buffet owner gives crazy crazy directions to home.
  • Really bad directions.
• John and Paul carry buffet to truck and home.
  • Down many wood and earthen stairs
  • In rain
• I now have bootiful buffet.
• Paul likes truck
  • Paul  had been talking about getting a truck the day before I mentioned truck to him.
• Paul buys truck.
• I discover later buffet has a key, how cool is that?

Sadly, there was a death in the family, so John and I spent a few days in Stockton. Between the various family events and comfort, we got a chance to drive around Stockton and Lodi, again reminding us all that Stockton has to offer.

The majority of national and state political signs on lawns were pro 8 and Mccain/Palin in nature.  The pro republican signs were unusual, because since Stockton is the foreclosure leader in the U.S., I figured they would put some blame on the economic situation with the party currently in the White House.  Well, I was mistaken.  On Sunday and  Monday, many of the street corners were filled with children brandishing large Yes on 8 signs.  And lots of cars honking in agreement.

Then we were behind this guy for a little bit.  I thought his truck was broken, but according to John, it is “cool” that your truck tilts from one side to the other and occasionally sprouts flames.  Who knew?