Giant Strategy

I know Bay Area fans have their own classification of fandom.  It's poor.  And it's well-deserved.   The term "fan" shouldn't even really apply, but there you have it.  Regardless of the utter lack of enthusiasm the average Nor Cal resident may show for sports (Raider Nation, obviously excepted) ... why can't the SF Giants put a team together we can get behind?

We signed a new pitcher this week - and please don't get me wrong, I fully respect Randy Johnson - but Sabean is just not delivering on the strategy of team building.

Granted, we now lay claim to a Triple threat of Cy Young-ers and Lincecum has big things ahead of him, hopefully with us.  Bengie, Dave, and Randy are out there and I love them but they don't quite share the special place in my heart as the Giants of yesteryear.

Aurelia is a free agent. **  Omar's in Texas - and the likelihood that I can again get myself, Jugs, and Mamacita bounced out of Tres Agaves for crashing his birthday party is minimal.  Petey was able to be a part of a championship team last year - well deserved (wish it had been us).  Snow is long gone (but at least retired as a Giant).  We're stuck with Zito - Oakland's trash, not quite SF's treasure.  Barry is out -and whether you loved him or loved to hate him, he filled the seats and put on a show that riled even Bay Area "fans".  Where are all my beloved Giants?

It seems like all we do is pick up fantastically gifted, greatly acclaimed ballplayers on their way out, to let them mellow for a couple years before being put out to pasture.  Or we seize promising newbies on their way in, only to trade them after a few years - once they've gotten acclimated to the big leagues, because why would we want them now that we've trained them to play? 

What do I care though?  You'll still see me at PacBell/SBC/ATT several times a month, fondly developing new favorites.

 

** 1/15/09 - now being finessed by Chi-Town

The Pact

I stopped in San Jose yesterday on my home after Christmas with the family and had lunch with E. We haven't seen each other face to face in over three years. Absolutely incredible. In fact, last time we got together was right before Jack and I became a couple.

Anyway, E was home from Jacksonville visiting his family for the holiday. We went to Erik's Deli (one of our favorite spots to go together) and chatted forever, catching up on one another's lives. We were laughing about our pact to be one another's fall-back. (You know, where if you and a friend aren't married by the time you're a particular age, you agree you'll marry each other.)

Well, we had decided the cutoff age would be 27. And my 27^th birthday is in two days.

Two years ago, E called me on my 25^th to wish me 'happy day' and eventually came around to a reminder about the pact.  I hadn't thought of it in a while, to be honest.  He clarified that engagement didn't count; one of us actually had to be married by 27 in order for the pact to be void.  Interesting conversation since we were both seriously involved at the time - his gf had moved for him and Jack and I were living together.

So now, true to form, our timing is off.  I'm single but E is living with his longtime girlfriend – his Naval career takes him all around the US and she's followed him to a few states (not all continental) - and he's singing a different tune.  He says it will be a miracle if he makes it through next year - meaning, without being engaged.  Yet, we're not talking wedding plans, so I guess the pact is off.

Guess I should have pulled a Phoebe and backed up my back up.

Office Night

Since Bean moved back to California, we've developed a little ritual.   Once a week, we get together after work for some combination of dinner, gymming, tv, drinking, and Wii.  Some are more likely than others (dinner) and occasionally we manage to incorporate them all.

Right now, we're watching The Office from beginning to present because she's never really watched it.  Yikes.

I must say, although our assortment of activities represent some of my faves, the real draw is a lovely ladies' night and the opportunity to catch up and re-kindle a long-established friendship.

I'm so happy we have each other back in our lives!

Imaginary Men

Since I've sort of taken myself off the market (inadvertently, I  might add), I now sit around and dream up my perfect man.  Lately, I've taken to imagining a hybrid of invented characters.

I was recently reflecting on what these imaginary men had in common with one another that they would all strike my fancy... and I discovered that I am a sucker for a kind, sweet, funny dork.

Edward Cullen (from the Stephenie Meyer Twilight Saga)

Edward is chivalrous, talented, and devoted but super cheesy - and I love it! 

 

 

Chuck Bartowski (from the NBC television series "Chuck")

Chuck is sweet, naive, always tries to do the right thing and is nerdy smart.

 

 

Ned (from the ABC television series "Pushing Daisies")

Ned may be a goody-two-shoes, yet he also has dark secrets - and they exist beside the pure love in his heart. 

 

Jim Halpert (from the NBC television series "The Office")

And Jim.  Jim reminds me of Cobes so the draw was there instantaneously.  Over time, I've become fond of him on his own merits.  He is silly, cute and clever.  I've never wanted a character to be more real in my life; nor have I ever wanted to be the secretary in the Scranton branch of a mid-size paper company as much as when I watch their office romance.

Here's to the characters that give us a chance to imagine something beyond what we know and to hope we might one day find it.

The 5 Requisite Qualities

• kind
• funny
• smart
• likes me
• I like him back

Sunday Girlfriend

Besides baby brother, the guy I talk to most about dating has got to be Dazzle.  I have no idea how our friendship has evolved into what we now share.  Potentially, it's due to bonding during revivals of drunken Davis traditions (i.e. Picnic Day & Houseboats) and our alliance against technology's misguided efforts to keep us apart.  However it happened, we talk frequently about lots of things, including our love lives - or lack thereof.

So, during our last exchange, Dazzle informed me about his newly-discovered dating desire.  He wants a Sunday Girlfriend.  A what, you say?  Oh, that's right, a Sunday Girlfriend.  I've never heard of this before and I have no idea if it extends beyond the distorted workings of Dazzle's mind. 

Apparently, when the wild carousing of Friday and Saturday night is over, you're recovering from the weekend, and dreading the arrival of the work week & Monday (the merciless, humorless, and  unfailing matriarch of the work week), it gets lonely.  It may occur to you that it would be quite lovely to have a sweet lady, all tenderness and devotion, to wake up to as the glow of Sunday's light steals through your window.  Maybe share a morning quickie followed by the crossword, sudoku, and Post Secret in bed and then brunch with mimosas and bloodys.  Possibly to be followed by an afternoon of football cuddled on the couch or a matinee.  A stroll outside at dusk - preferably with a puppy - would cap off a seemingly perfect day with your Sunday Girlfriend and the two of you would part ways to meet again next week.

Thus, Sunday usually finds Dazzle melancholy and befuddled.  I can't say I blame him.  That Sunday sounds awfully nice.

Bros Before Hoes?

Baby Brother and I have a very unique relationship.  One of the things we're great at is offering sound advice.  Often times, we'll apply to one another in order to better understand the opposite sex.  Needless to say,  the topics of relationships and dating arise. 

Recently, Rose and I were discussing a predicament she'd gotten herself into where men are concerned ... well, the most recent predicament.  She has a thing for two guys who are friends and isn't sure how to handle it.  Since Baby Brother asked me earlier this month to have all my friends review the draft of his Match profile, I figured it was time for him to return the favor and help Rose out.  (And who knows when his insight might be useful to me in the future.)

After explaining the situation to him, this was his counsel: "Males on the prowl put little before their urge to mate.  'Bros before hoes' only goes so far."

Not exactly sure that gave Rose much to work with but it sounds like wily women could could profit from that knowledge.  Regardless, Baby Brother and I are a bro and a ho who look out for each other.  Except I'm not a ho.

Mérida Cuarta Semana - Part Two (La Ultima Noche)

The last night started with a farewell dinner of all the students and the two directors of the institute, Eva and Christián.  We had a huge, delicious meal, received our diplomas, and enjoyed one another's company for one last night.

 

I even had chocolate cake through a straw - it works better than you'd think.

 

Afterwards, we met up with several of the guides for a night on the town.

 

 

 

 

... Things started to get a bit sad....

 

Luckily, after I went off to pout, Alicia consoled me.

... And then things started to get a bit silly....

          

All in all, a fantastic way to end our amazing experience in Mérida and enjoy the wonderful friendships we'd forged during the last month. 

Mérida Cuarta Semana - Part One

My final week of school! While I’ve improved much, I wish it were more and I considered just staying. Unfortunately, that won’t work out but I will figure out how to return soon. Pati and I are turning up the heat on my conversation – listening to songs on the radio, explaining what’s happening in my novel, etc. School this week has been very mellow. We even did some large group "classes" where we played some rigorous rounds of Caras y Gestos.

Monday my non-stop pace caught up to me a bit and I ended up going home right after school to nap, read, eat, and go to bed. How boring. But I think I needed it to be full-throttle for the last stretch of my visit. That and coffee: KFREEZE! Everyone is trying to make the most out of their last few days in Mexico. On the last day of school, Maia, Lauren and I had a conversation about what we would miss. And what we would not miss.

We decided we would not miss riding the bus or our shady corner where we waited for the bus.

Neither would we be disappointed to get back to the cool, coastal air of California after bearing the heat for 4 weeks.

We were loathe to part with the welcoming culture and active nightlife.

We would definitely miss our guides and the other locals we formed relationships with over the last month.

I particularly enjoyed the slightly-modified Spanish keyboard and am still trying to figure out how to get a legit one in the US.

Maia and I would bemoan the loss of KFreeze - an iced, blended coffee drink that was absolutely delicious and we indulged in almost daily.

I would also miss the random heart carved into the sidewalk that we passed each day on our walk to and from the bus.

Mérida Tercera Semana - Part Three

The next day, Lauren and Maia hit the beach but I stayed home because I had some pretty horrendous mosquito bites that I didn't think should be exposed too much to the sun and the sand. Instead, I had a lazy day of reading and movies. There was a huge storm with thunder and lightning. The streets filled to the curbs like rivers – a perfect day to stay inside and relax. We had pizza (!!!) for dinner and then Maia, Christián the director, our new friend Abraham (who runs several bakeries with very delicious treats) and his girlfriend went to VIP movies to see Hancock.

On Sunday, I went with Abraham and Christián to the sea and we spent the day on their friends' yacht. The couple who owns the boat, Efraín and Jimena, is great. He has a bunch of gas stations (30?) all around México and she owns a Crabtree & Evelyn in one of the main malls there. We met up with some of their friends and spent the day on the water. It was beautiful but the water was so warm it was almost uncomfortable; we were only in it for 20 minutes or less - with the exception of some excellent tubing. Afterwards, we all went to dinner at a restaurant along the way home and I had quite possibly the best guacamole I've ever tasted. Honestly, I am still dreaming about that guacamole.

Mérida Tercera Semana - Part Two

The next day during class, Pati and I had a lengthy discussion about the differences in romantic/sexual relationships between México and the U.S. It was very interesting to hear what the general cultural beliefs are. Mexicans look at Americans as very liberal and open-minded, but at the same time, I would say they are much more publicly demonstrative of their affection. Probably because the custom is for children to live with their parents until they are married. So, the street is really the only place they can make out. Most of the Mexicans I've talked to are stunned and somewhat awed by the fact that I haven't lived in a home with my parents since I was 17.

They also are very couple-centric (perfect for me!). What I mean to say is, being part of a relationship is highly regarded. As a general rule, there is little of the politically-correct in México – or at least what we consider politically-correct in the US. One of the first 5 questions you get asked when first introduced to someone is "Do you have a boyfriend?" (Another is "How old are you?" Not rude, but not considered courteous by most Americans.)

If you answer "no" to the significant other question and you are as good looking as a mailbox, you then get asked "why not?" and immediately set up with eligible friends. I was told at least a dozen times that I needed to find a Latin lover or a Mexican boyfriend. And when I asked what I was to do with him at the end of my trip, I was informed I could either "love him and leave him" or get married and bring him home with me or stay in México with him. Good to know my options.

As funny as it is, the Mexican preoccupation with being in a relationship got pretty annoying after a while because they really seem to think that everyone should be involved and they cannot let it go. Although, it is encouraging to see family and coupledom have such a high societal value and for marriage to be a solid goal of the culture.

That night, we went to the movies, VIP of course, to see La Locura del Amor en Las Vegas and then went out for dinner. Nachos arrancheros (arranchero is a lean, delicious cut of beef – NO idea what its parallel is in English). I swear, I don't think I've eaten as much beef in my entire lifetime as I have during this trip. Beef and ice cream. Oh my goodness, do they have delicious ice cream! I eat it almost every day. I think there are only two things keeping me from becoming 90 kg (200 pounds): the heat (a two-fold reason: curbs my appetite and also results in the daily loss of 10 pounds of water weight via sweat) and my lack of sleep (which I'm convinced keeps my metabolism in hyper-drive since my body never rests). Anyway, that night we were introduced to an ice cream place that I have since happily visited several times – my favorite flavors: pistachio and coconut. YUM.

Thursday afternoon we tried to play pool with our guides but couldn't properly coordinate the buses so instead we checked out some local outdoor art exhibits and went to a restaurant for snacks and drinks.

A pretty tame day, all in all. Friday, too, was uneventful until the evening. Maia, Maureen, Joey and I went to a restaurant downtown close to one of the major monuments and had cocktails and chatted. Maia's guide for the week, Christian, met us and we strolled one of the main streets, Montejo, and went to another spot for pitchers.

Mérida Tercera Semana - Part One (Zoo)

During my third week, classes went very well - basically, more of the same exercises to practice my conversation skills. A few of my fellow students and I went to a local dance studio for a salsa lesson Monday night. It was extremely fun and extremely hot. However, sweating out half my body weight kept my skin slick enough to make the turns a little easier. Dancing has a huge presence in the Mexican culture and it's incredible how many people can keep the rhythm and move well. They definitely put us Americans to shame during that class.

Tuesday afternoon we took a group trip to the zoo. In reality, we have been a zoo ourselves so the trip wasn't all that necessary – but at least we got to see some animals. We went with our guides – my new one this week is Cristi. She's super smart and has a hilarious dry wit which is sometimes hard to keep up with in Spanish, but I do my best.  

The inhabitants were fairly typical of what you'd find in most U.S. zoos – zebras, giraffes, hippos, monkeys, alligators, etc.

There was a large variety of jungle cats but it was so hot most of them were either pacing or passed out in the shade and panting.

   

They also have an extensive, subterranean reptile house with all sorts of creepy crawlies – mostly large, venomous snakes – which I did not particularly enjoy and therefore did not photograph much.  

And some other odd characters.

The zoo has an impressive collection of birds, including a giant aviary where visitors could walk through (think Jurassic Park 3 with ducks instead of pterodactyls). I saw my first live pelican up close and personal – oddly, I think that was the favorite animal of my visit, although the baby monkey was quite adorable. Those of you who are familiar with my long and sordid history with bird (usually seagull) droppings will probably be just as shocked as I am that I left the aviary clean. Although we were narrowly missed two or three times.

 

 

Seeing the peacocks reminded me of the family's peacock farm in Knoxville, TN.  Maybe that will be my next trip....

 

After our time with our guides, Lauren, Maia, and I hit the pool at the Fiesta Americana. This time, we got busted for not being guests of the hotel but the staff was very nice and it worked out in the end. We even spent time in the hot tub before heading back home to the Casa de Las Finus.