Monday, May 29, 2006

Dad left

His visit was a short one, only here for the weekend. Before he left he helped me finish putting up my curtains (I've been here since last August!). We moved some of my furniture around. He bought me my own drill because he said I needed one. I love my dad. He's a cool guy.

I cried. That goes without saying with my family and goodbyes.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

715!

My dad and I were at the game where Barry Bonds hit 715. We saw sports history in the making. That was so cool! It was my dad's first SF Giants game. We got decent seats. We were one of the first 10,000 people so we each got a bobble head at the door.

My family has a baseball history, not in playing, but in attending games. Growing up, if it was baseball season, we were either at a Dodgers game or an Angels game. We'll we do have a history in playing pick up games. I remember my father once took some time off work to see me play in a game when I was about 9. I was so happy he was there. Besides remembering how happy I was with his presence, I remember making a mistake while I was covering first base. That was so depressing. jejjejej

After the games we started to head towards Fisherman's Wharf. On the way to the wharf there were a group of people dancing tango our by the square. We sat down to observe. The group followed up with salsa and another dance. They were just there playing Spanish music having fun and not caring who looked on or not. Made me want to learn how to dance.

The wharf, tourist trap galore, was so crowded. I lost count of how many times people bumped into me. I don't ever remember it being this crowded. My mom and dad like going there so we always do. It's a nice afternoon out when the weather behaves and it did.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Monterey - Carmel - Big Sur

My father and I hit the road this morning heading south because he had not been to Monterey yet. We were off to scratch that destination off the list.

Monterey was crowded. It is Memorial Day weekend and people were out. We walked down Cannery Row towards the Aquarium. Stepped into a lot of shops to look at the goods. My dad, the tourist, took a number of pictures.
My dad can't walk for lengthy periods of time, since he refuses to go to the doctor we don't know what the cause is. Bottom line is he walks a bit and rests a bit. That's why it was a leisurely stroll. Perfect weather.

None of this was planned, we were going to play it by ear. After Cannery Row we made the drive, the 17-mile drive. Gorgeous. Absolutely beautiful. This was a first for me too. You get a map and drive for 17 miles. There are markers where you pull over to look at specific sides. Did I already mention how beautiful it is? To see the Pacific Ocean in all its majesty right there was breathtaking. And it was windy and cold! A few times we had to get back in the car to get warm although the sun was shining brightly.
My side commentary here. I am very aware of the differences in earning power we all have. Driving the 17-mile drive though, really brought it home. The differences. We were in the playground of the rich. I don't envy people that have money. I kept thinking of the homeless people I was going to be passing on my way to work on Tuesday. The difference is too much.

We skipped out on the drive to go through Carmel. What a cute little town! It's so tiny parking is an issue which is why we did not stop here. We drove down the main street, making a mental note that I had to come back to browse.

We continued our drive to Big Sur. It was about 4 PM. We were tired, but worse yet, we were hungry. Views are breathtaking. But when we saw the sign that said next 60 miles drive with care, hilly and windy. Forget it. We turned the car around and decided to drive through Salinas. Definite agricultural center. We were driving through Salinas about 5:30PM and the place was dead. I could not live there. Even if I am a homebody most of the time, I like to know there is something going on should I decide to do something.

Since we were on the way back home, I had to make a stop in Gilroy for some shopping. My father, bless his heart, has so much patience with me. Like most men, the last thing he wants to do is go into store after store. But he did. And when I realized I was taking too long, I'd find him patiently sitting outside.

We were exhausted by the time we got home.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

25

25 is a number I am loving today, because as of today I have lost 25 lbs. I've worked hard for it too (since Jan 15, 2006). I feel stronger, sleep like a baby and have more energy...go figure. Oh and the best part....shopping. I need to go shopping for clothes.

Yay...me! ;)

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Goodbyes suck

Mom left today in the afternoon. We always tell each other we are not going to cry, but I always do. As soon as she got in the security check line I got a knot in my throat, this is when my ability to speak disappears. All I was able to do was hug her, I couldn't even say goodbye or call me or I love you.
I can never come straight home after an airport goodbye because loneliness is thick. I never feel lonely, but when my mom or dad leave I only feel loneliness. To escape the feeling I go to the movies or take myself shopping. Anything that keeps me away from my apartment. I have a new pair of shoes.

Before she left we made another movie run, 'The Da Vinci Code.' I have been waiting for this movie for such a long time. I spent a quarter of it yawning. I really thought this movie was boring. The book was great, a real page turner. The movie did not do it justice. The thing I really enjoyed was the locales. Until I get to go to France in person, I need to settle for the images I see in movies. I liked hearing the accents both English and French. I didn't hate the movie, but I didn't love it either. It ran a bit long. My mom thought it was interesting. Interesting is code for b-o-r-i-n-g. And I still think Vince Vaughn (yes, the guy from Wedding Crashers) should have played the lead, he could have pulled it off. All the other casting was good, specially Audrey Tautou...she's a cutie.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Girl time

Today was a vacation day for me. Spent time with mom again. We went for a nice long walk followed by breakfast and lots of conversation.

My mom is a movie buff just like me. Today's movie was 'Mission Impossible III.' I thought it was boring, mom thought it was good. I know it's a movie, I know it's a franchise but I wanted more high energy stuff. It was predictable.
It did bring back my yearning of wanting to be a secret agent, for the good guys...only if I didn't have to hurt people and people wouldn't hurt me. Talk about wanting your cake and eating it too.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Mother's Day

I got to spend mother's day with my mom! ;) We were both happy. We wound up going to a restaurant for a mother's day brunch, which was ridiculously overpriced by the way. They told us the wait would be around one to one and a half hours. All it took was 20 minutes which sat very well with these two hungry ladies. While we were sittig there the hostess kept checking of parties on the waitlist.

"Jones party of 8"
"Murcia party of 6"
"Harry party of 7"

We were two peope. Told my mom she should have had more kids. My family has always been a party of four. Seems small, but it's us.

We went shopping after our brunch. Then we went to the casino, because my mom loves going to the casino. It was her day afterall. I don't enjoy spending time in casinos. I don't like to lose money and I lose it fast. The place was packed with people playing hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I don't get it. I don't see the entertainment value. But as long as mom was happy, I was happy too.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

First Communion

We woke up bright and early, well not to early, to get some exercise into our day. All we did was walk, but considering the weather was freakin' hot it felt like we overexerted ourselves. It was nice to be out there with my mom, conversing with her, catching up on the family gossip. Just being next to her.

The communion was okay. The kids did not rehearse very well, I could tell because they were having trouble getting back to their seats when it was time. The median age was about 12. There were some real tiny 12 year olds and some really tall ones. My cousin was one of the tallest girls.

We went to the family BBQ to celebrate. I'm not close to this section of my family. I'm not close to my mother's side of the family. I didn't grow up with them so it's hard to feel like I know these people. They are almost strangers. Well, they must have felt the same way because I didn't see anyone approaching us for conversation which sucked. I developed a headache soon after we arrived due to the heat and I was not in the greatest of moods because of it. Then we left.

We went to the movies after the BBQ because there would be air-conditioning! I opted for 'United 93.' The movie about the flight that was suppose to hit the white house on 9/11. Some of the hype behind this movie is that it has received the blessing of the families. I cried. The images of the airplanes hitting the World Trade Center are so ingrained in our psyche yet to see them again on the big screen it brings it all back. Sitting there watching, and we know what's going to happen next. Felt extreme frustration at the lack of knowledge and communication seen in the control rooms.
The people on this flight fought back. I travel enough. Sometimes its hard for me to travel down the aisle with a backpack or a carry on. There isn't enough space. To see the images of people running down the aisle towards the pilot's quarters seems unrealistic, but adrenaline must make everything possible.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Mom's in town

My mom arrived tonight for a quick one week visit. We had dinner at a local diner and started driving to Fresno shortly after. You see, the purpose of my mom's visit was to attend my cousin's first communion.

We arrived around midnight and we were exhausted. I knew I should have pulled over to the side of the road for some fresh air, but I didn't. I battled my sleepiness all the way to our hotel. Not the smartest thing to do considering most accidents are caused due to fatigue. We got there safely.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

I don't like her

Or rather I don't like working with her! I have discovered my bad side. I've always known it was there, but I don't use it. The coworker that gets on my last freaking nerve has surpassed my last freaking nerve. It took me a while to be okay with the fact that we were not going to be friends, we were just going to be coworkers. I swear she doesn't think before she asks questions and when you give her an answer she will argue with you that that is not the right answer. Part of me is happy that other people have come to the same conclusion...we would rather not work with her. Yet, we don't have the power to do anything about it. Therefore, I will continue to b*tch as needed.

Today I had an amazing day in aerobics class, because I needed to kick out all the frustration from my interaction with her (read previous paragraph).

I received another email from a long lost friend. I have to check my horoscope to see what is going on with the stars and my past.

Sunday I went to a '5 de mayo' festival. All I wanted to do was eat the junk food and I did. There was lots of music and lots of people. On the way to the area where the festival was taking place, there were countless Hispanics...by the hundreds. A couple of young black guys made a comment that took me by surprise. They noted the low number of police officers in sight. They said if the crowds were black instead of Mexican there would be a huge police presence. And sadly, it's true! I've seen it in other gatherings. I am constantly amazed by my own naiveness.

Monday, May 01, 2006

No protest

I finally responded to the email E sent in March. I didn't think I was going to respond, but today felt right. I don't expect a restart of a friendship or a response. It was a courtesy she wanted to know if I was okay and I answered. I expressed my surprise over the baby and a congratulations. Short, sweet and to the point.

Management lied. But they not only lied, they lied to my face. I am naive! Different stories keep coming up about my friend who was let go. Management told me they tried to keep her, but that HR made a decision. Now I am told that management got approval to let her go. To my face. I might as well have the word gullible tattoed on my forehead.

Plans to go to LA in June to celebrate my friend's birthday. Not really the reason actually. I called her out of the blue and she tells me she is moving to Texas because she has a chance of owning a home there, not just a home but a big home (pool, spa) for a fraction of the cost of one in California. I have a feeling that will be me in a little while, because I am priced out of the SF market.

I went to work. I didn't attend the protests. People on the bus and at work kept looking at me with questioning eyes....shouldn't you be at the protest? Well, no not really. I debated it for a long time, but made the decision not to participate. My power lies in voting in all future elections for measures that are not anti-immigrants. There have been measures in the past and there will be in the future. It was beautiful to see the unity though, this looks like the start of something big. Only time will tell.