Today was hilarious at dinner. My Dad had a gift card for The Olive Garden and he had never been, so we ventured down to Oxnard for an adventure in fine dining. Of course it was Sunday, so we got the excitement of waiting in traffic for about 30 minutes. Once there, we knew we have met our fine dining establishment. Waiting time was only 15 minutes luckily, but each party ahead of us had like 15 people per group. Highlight #1 was when Dad went to sit down in the waiting area and he tried to move the chair. He obviously forgot we were in Oxnard as the chair was bolted down! So, my pops sat at an angle waiting for our table facing some other interesting character that kept grinning at him. Finally it was our time and we were seated. So far so good.

“What will you have to drink?” - The waiter asks.

“I will have a milk please.” - Says Dad.

“Water fo me please.” - Says I.

After about ten minutes our lovely drinks arrive. I get a big boy cup with plenty of water. Dad gets an interesting plastic cup with a bright red lid and interesting cartoon characters on it. I just start laughing cause he just got the kids milk in a somewhat child proof cup! Classic.

Our waiter comes by and just stares at Dad’s cup of milk and says “That just is not right…”, I say “Oh, it is ok…it is hilarious!!!”

Below is a photo to validate this all really happened.

Got invited to go checkout a Dodger game on Friday. Was my first real ball game since I was 8. It was pretty sweet! Forgot how large the stadiums are and all of the visuals are overload (people and tech). Beer is crazy expensive, $10 for a large domestic, good time. I ordered four beers and two hot dogs…$55! Pretty much the same at Nascar too. The Dodger’s won, so that rocked.

Before the game, went to Paradise Cove in Malibu for lunch. They have the best food there and you can sit outside in the sand which is awesome. Drinks are spectacular too…not much better than the combo of all that. At paradise cove we found a lamborghini and naturally the ladies had to pose with it. The douche “owner” also came out after a few…we don’t believe he owned the car. Was too young, wore orange shoes, and had NO CLUE on how to drive the car. Maybe it is his pops or he works at a dealer.

Photo album linked to the image below.

At the Game, Click to View More

Saturday Night, Chuck and I went down to Irwindale for one of our Summer traditions….to check out auto racing at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA. The race agenda for the night included many different classes from super stocks, Pintos, and even some crazy figure 8 racing. On the way down, stopped at Yanni’s in Fillmore, definitely have the best burgers anywhere (you would never guess looking at the joint). The most interesting part of going down to the races is people watching. All sorts come to this event, but mostly those that you usually only see in movies. Lots of interesting hair and personalities. Figure 8 racing was the highlight until there was a gnarly crash that required the driver to be cut out and then taken away to the hospital.

Race Time, Click to View More

Just wanted to thank everyone for their support in the last week. It really showed what a great group of friends and family I have. I really was not sure what to expect from work when I returned half way Friday and then fully on Monday…but it was nothing but support and making sure I was doing OK. I am very lucky and fortunate to have all of your in my life.

I decided it would be a good idea for me to do something different to get my mind off of the week…I took a friend up on an offer and spent the night out in wilderness. The location is somewhere off of Toro Canyon where fire roads exist. The living headquarters are on a dirt road and once you are there, chances of escaping are minimal. On the way there, we passed peacocks and chickens.

There were three main excitements of me being with nature. The first was some kind of drink that had champagne and “live bacteria”. I really tried to drink it…but finally had to pass on it. Things swimming in my drinks really do not do it for me. Second (not so much nature), but I ate these peas out of beans…I forget the name…but the point is I ate something very different from the norm. Now onto the third…this has to be the largest item of the night that I never thought I would do. I used the restroom outside. There is a toilet attached to our headquarters..and it is totally surrounded by nature and trees. I really tried to hold it…but after fighting it for six hours, I gave in. Nature was nice to me and nothing attacked.

I am thankful to still be alive.

Today was the 3rd annual Fiesta pot luck lunch. Everyone had a great time. I made margaritas and the rest of the crew brought in great food. We have a great balcony that you can watch the parade from. I of course sported the giant sombrero that makes walking around difficult (hard to see and can’t quite get my head through doorways). I can’t wait for next year! Viva La Fiesta!!!

Party Time, Click to View More