Hello, 2010

As soon as this cold goes away we'll have some fun.

Had a very enjoyable time up at Dede and Dave's. We went for a good, long walk on a boardwalk and then had a picnic. Not like a regular beach boardwalk. This one was in a wildish little park over a small lake. Had a good time watching the ducks and pelicans. It continued over sand dunes and ended at the beach. I was really glad to get some exercise. When we got back to the cars we had a nice lunch. We had to pack it up quickly because a hungry raccoon showed up. I'm sure he's worked that parking lot many times before. You have to be careful with wildlife that's had a lot of human interaction. No telling what they might do. I once had a squirrel at the Grand Canyon jump in my lap and try to steal my sandwich.

We went wine tasting and had a pretty good time goofing with one of the vintners. He took us on a little tour (really, he just wanted a smoke) and for some reason he took offense to an offhand remark that Stacey made. I think he misunderstood her. He wasn't really mad, but decided to play it up and made Stacey stay at the back of the group. It was kind of weird, but we made a joke out of it. The guy was a bit of a prick, but he made some damn good wine.

After that we went to dinner at our usual fancy schmancy restaurant, McPhee's. This time we were wise and pre-ordered the pork chop. Drew, Mindy and I had those and everyone else had beef and chicken. All of it was very good.

The next day I started coming down with a cold. I was hoping I could hold it off with zinc lozenges and vitamins, but the sucker took hold and screwed up the rest of my vacation. Still, I managed to have a pretty good time. After another day at Dede's we took off for Vegas. Whew! A long drive over mountains and valleys. Lots of altitude changes to screw with my clogged up head.

We had a great time in Vegas. Did some gambling. I was willing to lose $100 for entertainment purposes and I ended up being successfully entertained. Stacey was the lucky one this trip. She won $1,000!

We had gone there because Audra surprised Tori with tickets to a Blackeyed Peas concert. This was a very big deal for them. While they were at the concert Drew, Mindy and I took the boys to see Blue Man Group. Man, what a fun show! Just before we went in I was wondering if I'd see any celebrities this trip. Just then Ed Begley jr, went walking by. He was going to the same show and ended up sitting in the row in front of us several seats down. Blue Man Group put on a dazzling show. Pretty good for three guys and a band.

I'd been to Vegas twice before, but we were just passing through and didn't get to do much. Even this trip was just a taste. But I had fun. Las Vegas is a crazy place. On our last morning there I was puttering around my room packing my stuff. My room had a door to the adjoining room. All was pretty quiet and then I heard some moaning. And then some more moaning. The people in the next room were having a nice morning indeed. She was moaning and gasping, he was humming, so I'm assuming she was on the receiving end of some very good head. Call me a perv, but I sat there and listened to the whole thing. Hey, free entertainment!

We came home on Thursday, just in time for New Year's Eve. Tracey invited me to a party, but I just didn't feel up to it. I went to bed at 11:45. It's the first time in a long time that I didn't stay up for the new year. Even if I don't go to a party I'll at least go outside and listen to the reveling. Being sick sucks.

Paige has had a fever for a couple days now. She's feeling a little better today. I'm getting better, too. I just want to get well so I can get on with it. Last night I started chipping away at the rotten plaster in the bathroom. The hole kept getting bigger and bigger as I pulled out chunks of wet plaster. Shit. There's a leak somewhere in the wall. Who knows how much I'll have to rip out before I find it? The wood is also in bad shape. I've got a big problem there.

So, my goal for the next few months is to exercise and diet and get myself strong so I can handle this stuff. I can't deal with house issues if my back is bothering me.

I have jury duty next week. I just called to check on the schedule. I don't have to go in on Monday, but I don't know about the rest of the week. Who knows? I may get lucky.

So, 2010 is off to an incredibly average start. More of the same, more of the same.