A little explainin' for you

Kevin's currently downstairs (still) eating dinner (we had Greek! Not from a restaurant! Homemade! No, I do NOT look like Rachel Ray no matter what that one guy said!)(!!!) and we didn't get one single tricker-treater even though I bought a bag of candy for them (!!!) so I figured this would be as good as time as any to explain the purpose behind this blog.

I was recently in Wisconsin for my best friend, Beth's, wedding. I spent a lot of time seeing family and friends that I haven't for two years (!!!!) and generally speaking, most of the beginning conversation started as such:

FAMILY\FRIEND: Hey you! I haven't seen you in ages! Finally decided to come back and see us, huh?

ME: Yeah, it's been awhile to be sure.

FAMILY\FRIEND: How's California treating you? Get that big earthquake yet?

ME: Heehee, no, no earthquake. California is good.

FAMILY\FRIEND: So what have you been doing for the last two years?

ME: Well, uh, you know...same ole same ole. Work and ... Uh. I don't know, stuff I guess.

FAMILY\FRIEND: Stuff, huh? And you always say you're too busy to call.

ME: Wha? Huh? Well I have been busy, I just couldn't really tell you with what.

FAMILY\FRIEND: Right.

When I came back I came to the conclusion that although I have been busy sort of I really hadn't been doing much that constitutes mentioning. I made a resolution then and there to do something new...ANYTHING NEW...at least once a week. Weekends are, of course, the best time for it. And there you go. It was just recently that it would be cool to actually blog about it.

So, to let you in on the things I did prior to starting this blog and which I have no pictures for:

WEEK ONE: Shopping in Little India, Cerritos, CA. Prior to this week I didn't know where Cerritos was. I bought mostly groceries whose ingredients I can't pronounce and a shirt.

WEEK TWO: Church Festival in Fullerton, CA. I didn't know they had church festivals in California. I won at Whack-A-Mole. Kevin won at Bingo. I had corn on the cob.

WEEK THREE: 100 Year Anniversary Block Party, Newport Beach, CA. This new thing sucked. I almost got run over by a car. There wasn't any interesting booths to look at and the only good band started too early and we missed them. I'm grateful this only happens once every 100 years.

WEEK FOUR: Oktoberfest, Huntington Beach, CA. The weiner dog races rocked. Almost stepping on the 50 some weiner dog contestants every time you went for a beer or bratwurst, not so much. I'm starting to think that the Chicken Dance can never be played enough (sorry Beth!).

WEEK FIVE: Camping...with kids, Bluejay Campgrounds, Lake Elsinore, CA. OK, so I've camped before. And I've even camped at Bluejay before. But this is the first time that everyone I used to camp with has had a kid. We had 9 children for 9 adults. That's including Kevin and myself. The first morning there, when I heard the first wee scream from the first wee child, I put on my iPod and slept blissfully for another two hours. When we finally did get up we were met with the glares of 6 parents with bags under their eyes and muffin bits in their hair. "Oh, must be nice," one parent muttered. Yep. It certainly was. As with the 100 year Anniversary Block Party, I think I'm going to skip doing this one for another 100 years.

WEEK SIX: That, you know. Now we're all caught up, joy.

As for week seven, I'm still not sure yet. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Just so long as it doesn't involve flying somewhere, jumping off something high, or eating something gross. Hey! I'm still in my infancy for the new things...there's always next month.

Santa Monica Farmer's Market, Santa Monica, CA

SO. On the first day of the creation of this blog I should have had a FANTABLULOUS entry. Please humor me in what should have been:

The Santa Monica Urban Picnic

• Al fresco parties including easily-replicated, 15 minute cooking demonstrations by Beringer Vineyards Executive Chef David Frakes, tips on entertaining in true wine country style and free wine tastings
  
• An interactive sensory experience, focusing on the distinct characteristics of Napa Valley wines
  
• Special give-aways including a Smith & Hawken Teak Hampton Table and Chair Set (valued at $1,000)
  
• Take advantage of a 20% discount on Beringer Napa Valley wines when you receive your “Napa Valley Passport” at the event and contribute to Meals on Wheels! For every qualifying purchase of Beringer Napa Valley wines made in October and November 2006, Beringer will donate $5 to Meals and Wheels.
  
• peek inside the vintage 25-foot Airstream Safari Special Edition trailer complete with a Napa Valley makeover

But no. I was...well, let's let the picture speak for me...

Yes, I was a weekend behind. Oh. The irony.

Dammit.

Does this still count as something new? I went to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, which I had never been before. And YES, I had to go through horrible L.A. traffic to get there. OH SURE, it's not the same as it could have been, but...

Dammit.

Well anyway, I bought some seeds, nuts, hummas and bread and drove down Santa Monica Blvd. to go get breakfast.

By the way, if you are ever in Santa Monica, go to the King's Head. Expensive, but good. Did I eat there today? No. I've been there before and it was a 'do something new' day, so I had a shitty breakfast at a place I can't even bother to mention (because I forgot the name) but I know the King's Head is awesome. Just saying.

After breakfast I headed back to the comfort of Orange County and the comfort of the Harp.

Again, this should have been a great first blog entry but alas...it was this.

First Post

Currently testing to see how pictures will look in the brand spanking new blog.

I chose this picture as Kevin is not going to be joining me for this weekends new event. He's going to be watching the Packers.