Oh... my... QUAD! That was so much FUN!!!!

Yesterday we were invited to join our friends Connie and Ross who recently purchased Quad ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles) in breaking in the new toys up in Happy Jack, AZ. Lorrie and Kevin... if the fun we had riding the Quads is anything like the joy that you guys get from your Jet Ski's... then we TOTALLY get it now! We had a blast!!!

We started our day at Con and Ross' house about 7:30am... loaded up their truck and trailer (which we affectionately refer to as the "wagon") with our chairs, picnic goodies, etc.
After a brief, but adventure filled stop at a local Safeway store for some breakfast pastries and Starbucks... we were on our way! After a lovely drive from Mesa to Payson, AZ... and beyond... to Happy Jack we found a great little spot in the Coconino National Forest! We set up "camp" and unloaded the quads... and Connie and Ross headed out on an inaugural jaunt while Jon and I took some time to enjoy the fresh air, the whispering pines... and the beautiful peace and quiet.

The temperature was in the mid 80's which was a welcome relief from the 100+ temperatures that we left behind in Phoenix. It was a gorgeous day!!!! At that point, we were ready for lunch! Except for fighting against the wind, we enjoyed a fantastic tailgate lunch of tasty sandwiches!

After lunch, Jon received a tutorial from Ross on Quad operation... and the two of them headed off on a ride! They returned a little bit later... and Jon was grinning from ear to ear... having a BLAST! At this point, I was sleepy post lunch, and had decided I would forego a ride on the Quad. But... everyone strongly urged me to give it a try, so I was convinced. Jon said I would either "love it" or "hate it"... (and since he so obviously LOVED it... I think he was hoping I would hate it to avoid further temptations!)

I cannot BELIEVE I considered NOT riding! After a bit of explanation, Ross and I set out on a short ride so I could get accustomed to the Quad. FANTASTIC! It was so much fun... I can't even begin to put it into words. It took me awhile to get used to going over rough terrain... but as the day went on I got more and more comfortable with it.

After that, Ross insisted that Jon and I take the Quads out on our own for a bit! What fun! Jon took to Quad riding like a fish to water! Was great to see him having so much fun! But then I realized that I was having just as much fun! Plus... our surroundings were just so beautiful! There were free range cattle roaming all around and they just looked at us like we were crazy!
At one point, Connie and I took a break and went to Happy Jack Lodge to use the facilities, and pick up some sodas. We returned to tales from Ross and Jon of their crazy adventures! Apparently they had graduated BEYOND level ground... and found some hills! I think Connie and I are in agreement that we are not yet ready for such advanced techniques!

Connie and I set out on our own leisurely outing... where we encountered more cattle. Some of which I think were bulls! (Which alarmed me a little bit as I was sitting on top of a RED Quad!!!!) At one point, Connie assumed the lead and suprised me by running headlong into a very intimidating (for us anyway) dip in the terrain! I was so proud of her... but when I pulled alongside her, she was all "That was SCARY! I almost lost control!!!" or something to that effect! At that point, Connie was ready to head back!

Unfortunately, when we returned to camp, one of the Quads decided to have some technical trouble. While Ross troubleshooted... Connie went off on the other Quad to explore. A bit later she came flying down the straightaway practically full throttle... hat swinging in the wind behind her with a big smile! I think she is going for some rougher terrain next time!!!

Took some effort for us to pack up... but I was given the honor to drive the still working Quad onto the back of the trailer! Fun! Was some hard work getting stuff loaded back up... but very rewarding! Felt like we had all had a real workout!

We drove back through Payson and stopped at Macky's for a hearty dinner! Amazing how good food tastes when you have worked so hard! Dinner was topped by some fantastic pie for dessert! What a perfect day!

By the time Jon and I arrived home and got settled, it was at least midnight. I swear... I was asleep before my head hit the pillow! Next thing I knew, I was waking up this morning... a little sore and with a little too much sun, but I feel great!

Now... just need to figure out how Jon and I can incorporate the purchase of Quads, a trailer, a new vehicle to haul them... plus a new house to store all this stuff into our life!

Giacometti at the Getty!

Today we had a fantastic day at the Getty Center in L.A. Saw lots of great art... one of which was van Gogh's "Irises" which is ALWAYs a treat! For any of you that saw our pictures from our Paris trip last year... you may recall that we had a great pic of Jon standing beside a Giacometti sculpture. Well, we saw a variation of the same work... but I couldn't persuade him to do it again... so I had to be the one to pose with it this time!

While sitting in my FAVORITE spot in the world (the stone bench that looks onto the reflecting pool in courtyard area of the Getty...) I saw a guy walk by wearing a super classy t-shirt... "Master Baiter - Bait and Tackle Shop". I just can't believe people actually buy this stuff... let alone wear it in public! But... who am I to judge!

One of the rotating exhibits that we saw was a series of photographs taken in L.A. by a photographer named John Humble. While we were looking at the photos (which were indeed nice!) a woman sidled up to me and said "That's the artist over there..." I turned to look and she said "the tall guy..." I was all "Cool!" At first I thought she mistook me for someone else... then decided she was just being friendly. I alerted Jon to the fact that the artist was present... and the woman proceeded to say "If you asked for his autograph... it would just make his day!" At this point... I realized that she is his wife, or friend or something! SHAMELESS! It was kind of funny though... we assumed that this was the first time he had visited the installation... as he took a good handful or two of the exhibit programs to take with him or autograph or something! Later, I saw him again in the gift shop chatting with an employee about autographing some of his books or something. Later, I realized I should have bought some of the post cards of his photos... and had him sign the postcards so we could sent them! Ha!

Ok. A fun but exhausing day! We are back home and preparing to go back to work in the morning and return to a normal schedule after Jon's Asia trip.

To Live and Blog in L.A.

So after a hectic week, I flew out Friday evening to meet Jon in L.A. after his return from a week long series of business trips in Asia.

After sleeping in this morning, we picked up our rental car and headed to the Farmer's Market which we have never been too... but have heard good things about it. We enjoyed a wonderful French lunch and browsed around the market, then we did a tiny bit of shopping at The Grove shopping center... where I took the time to pose for a photo in front of the American Girl store... as a tribute to our pal Emily.

We ventured down to West Hollywood to pop into one of our favorite gay and lesbian bookstores... A Different Light... and completely by accident found ourselves in the middle of L.A.'s gay pride weekend! What fun! We saw a police car with the doors opened... and I told Jon that I had to fight the urge to jump into the car and ask the policemen if they could take us to visit Paris Hilton in the slammer!!

Later, we headed over to Century City to visit The Container Store for some of their fantastic leakproof travel bottles!

Finally, we topped the evening off with dinner at Petrelli's Steak House... a restaurant that we found in a book on L.A. that Jon had bought earlier in the day. We didn't know anything about it... other than it was close to where we were... and we were tired and hungry! Turned out... it was overpriced... and the food was very disappointing.

But... now, we are ready for a good nights sleep (Jon more so than me... due to his crazy worldwide travels) before getting up and heading to the Getty Center tomorrow!

Not that exciting of a day... but... just had to post the American Girl picture for Emily!

Can I borrow that?

Wow. That is what I get for saying I had nothing to blog about. Brace yourselves!

After an otherwise uneventful Monday, I decided to stop at the gym on the way home. Almost talked myself out of it... but I thought it would be good for me. After my workout, I showered, dressed and was packing up my gym bag with my used wet towel in my hand when a little bald head popped around the corner of the lockers and said something like "Can I borrow your towel for a second? I just need to wipe something up." (Swear to God that is what he said! But I could be have misunderstood.)

Now at this point I was just taken by surprise... and the fact that he had his hand outstretched taking the towel from me as he asked the question... all I could respond with was "Um... okay..."
But then it hit me... a total stranger just asked to borrow my USED towel... the towel that I just dried my man parts with... to wipe up some mystery substance in the gym locker room. Ewwwww! I figured that someone had just left a bench wet or something and that he would hand it right back. Creepy... but valid, I guess.

So, I continued to pack my gym bag... then walked over to the mirror and adjusted my hair... giving him ample time to return my towel. But no. He did not return from his side of the lockers. So... I walked around in search of my towel... and he was GONE! Not sure because I didn't get a good look at him... but I saw a little bald guy on the other side of the door to the showers with a towel around his waist... that I am SURE was mine!!!!! The freak took my soggy wet towel... AND WENT TO TAKE A SHOWER WITH IT!

At this point, I was thinking... I don't need that towel bad enough and just left. Luckily... it was just a cheapo white towel that I bought at Family Dollar or someplace like that specifically to go in my gym bag. Not one of our good towels from home. The only logical thing that I can think of... is that he thought the towel belonged to the gym... and that he was borrowing a used towel that I didn't need back. But, I'm pretty sure that this particular LA Fitness DOES NOT OFFER A TOWEL SERVICE! And... even if they did... how desperately would you need to take a shower if you had to borrow a used, wet and soiled towel from a total stranger!

And of course... driving home I desperately needed to stop at the grocery store... but after that experience, I didn't want to interface with another human being... so I convinced myself that we had the makings of a Zone Perfect meal in the pantry. Thus my dinner consisted of tuna fish, garbanzo beans and a handful of olives. Now I think I need a cocktail to wash it all down!
Hmmm. Guess this is what blogging is all about, huh?

Seriously... this is right out of a Laurie Notaro book!!!!

Very first post on the blog!

Okay! Following Christa's lead... I had to create a blog. Not quite sure what to put on here right now, but I figured I would at least get started and see what kind of inspiration takes hold.

I've started with a section that shows what I am currently reading... as well as a section for some of my favorite websites to visit. Shocker! BookCrossing! :-) I know... boring stuff. I'll try to do better.

Stay tuned!