Hometown Notoriety

Greetings from a suburb of San Diego, Ca.  Ok.  As I get deeper into this blogging thing I am putting more clues to my location.  I was hoping to keep it rather generic (So. California) but that is proving to be difficult.  There is so much I want to write about that details are leaking through.

Tonight on the CBS sitcom,  $#*! My Dad Says , my hometown was mentioned.  It is not surprising considering that the show itself is set in San Diego and El Cajon is a suburb, a small town about 8 miles away.  There should be a sense of pride when your hometown gets mentioned on a national television show, but not tonight.  Tonight, this show mentioned my hometown as the "anus of America".  It really isn't.  (My wife and I have in the past referred to it as the "armpit of America", but really only in jest and, kind of affectionately.)  At any rate, it was nice to be mentioned. 

In all fairness, I should state that El Cajon is really a nice little town. 

• At one time in the 1990's the mayor wanted the city to be known as "The City of Trees" and he suggested that we all plant trees. 
• The words "El Cajon" in Spanish mean "the box".  El Cajon sits in a small valley that is shaped like a box. 
• It is the home to Parkway Plaza Mall and the airport, Gillespie Field, (which has an annual air show and a flight museum) http://www.sandiegan.com/airports/gillespie-field/. 
• El Cajon is home to the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center http://www.wieghorstmuseum.org/.  My wife and I used to live a half a block from this old house.  We always wondered what it was.  It was an old house with a strange looking wall around the yard.  It wasn't until years later that we realized it was the home of a famous Western artist.  And then they made it into a museum. 
• We used to have an amusement park (Frasier's Frontier - before that, Marshal Scotty's) but it closed.  
• We used to have a race track, too.  But it closed too.  

Ok, well that about covers it.  Come and visit sometime.  Enjoy the weather. 

D.

Update, November 20, 2010:  El Cajon also has the annual Mother Goose Parade, which has been called the largest parade "in San Diego County and the largest of its type west of  the Mississippi" River. 

A Glorious Day

Have you ever woken up on any ordinary day and felt more than ordinary?  Today started like any other day. I slept well.  I had a decent breakfast and coffee.  Got the wife and boy (er, young man) off to school, settled down to my coffee, breakfast and newspaper (really, articles from internet news sites) and I was ready to meet the day. 

About mid morning I started looking for a snack and going through the fridge.  I could see nothing in there for dinner.  I might have to go to the store.  It is amazing that a small decision can turn into a glorious revelation.  I decided that I would need to go to the store. 

After my shower I stepped onto the front porch.  What a beautiful and glorious day.  I think I will walk.  Not a cloud in the sky, the temperature was about 70ºF, I could see the birds dancing on my lawn.  I walked to the store.  Not a bad walk.  No traffic. No noise other than the birds and babies crying in houses along the way.  Babies crying meant that my neighbors had their windows open on this beautiful autumn day in southern California.  Very nice walk indeed. 

At the store I bought fresh vegetables, garlic and ginger.  How about stir fry for dinner? I carried my reusable canvas shopping bag with me.  The one with the shoulder strap, like a bindle sack (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bindle).  An easy way to carry groceries home. 

On my way home I decided to walk by the Presbyterian church.  And it just so happens that it is 12 o'clock.  The church bells started to ring as if to remind me to Whom this day belongs.  They also reminded me of my wife.  She loves our neighborhood, in part because of these bells.  Talking to her on this beautiful, glorious day reminds me why I married her.  She is the one with whom I want to share this moment.  And thanks to our modern cell phone technology I did.  It was great hearing her voice.  She lifts my spirit. 

I am having a good day.  I will soon be employed.  I love my wife.   I have two bright, beautiful children growing into responsible adults.  I have a good life. 

I hope that your day is going well.  If it isn't, I hope that it gets better.  Have a great day. 

Lastly, I would like to share the last line from my horoscope today.  The first four lines were very negative and not indicative of my mood.  But the last..."Fortunately, you'll have some very valuable help; the heavens are feeling quite harmonious."  No kidding!   I already knew that. 

D. 

Bangkok Orchid Thai Restaurant

The other night we had a terrific dinner.  Wonderful flavors, very satisfying.  I have done the calculations here before.  There are about 15 restaurants within walking distance of my house (1-2 miles).  My wife and I decided to take a walk out for dinner to a local restaurant.  We were going to go to Souplantation but my son decided that Thai food was a better choice for a Tuesday.  We went to the Thai restaurant next door. 

This new restaurant has been open for several months.  I was extremely excited when I saw that they were going to open.  The only other Thai restaurant in the area is a bit farther away, a longer walk and we don't get there much.  But this one is very close by. 

My son is 16 and making a lot of great decisions lately.  He is growing up.  His palate is developing quite nicely.  I am teaching him to cook and he is discovering new food items.  He just recently posted on his Facebook page that he "love[s] Thai food". 

The last three times we had been there we ordered the Leaf Wrapped Savories.  We all loved it for the variety.  Spinach leaves to wrap coconut, diced ginger, peanuts, bean sprouts, and carrots.  Top those wraps with a Thai sauce really makes this an awesome beginning.  Every flavor comes through in its original glory.

On those previous occasions we tried the standard Pad Thai noodles with chicken or shrimp.  Both very good dishes.  My wife ordered the Pad Thai Chicken on this night.  Previously I ordered some things I hadn't tried before.  I wanted to experience some different flavors.  On occasion I was surprised by the heat.  But the heat doesn't last long.

Keeping with my sense of adventure I ordered something new.  Calamari Panang Curry.  The flavors were quite simply extraordinary.  A very nice meal. The Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass were just fantastic. I was also pleased that it came in a coconut sauce.  I vowed to try this dish at home.  I have the recipe right here as I write this.  Someday I will try it.  It is that good.  I would love to make it a part of my repertoire.

I have made up my mind to come back and try some other new and interesting entree'.  Bangkok Orchid Thai has an extensive menu.  I could be quite happy for the next six months.  I think I will be. 

The owner has assured me that the Panang Curry is great with scallops.  I love scallops.  Look for me there next week. 

D.

Desires

I want to finish my coffee.
I want breakfast in bed.
I want to sleep when I'm tired.
I want nothing to dread.

I want to be the ear when you talk.
I want to be the floor when you walk.
I want to say things to make you smile.
I want to stay beside you all the while.

I want to be the air when you breathe.
I want to be there when you leave.
I need your smiles and your sighs.
I need the beauty of your eyes.

I love this woman, this lady next to me,
Except for my love there is nothing she expects of me.
I have given her my life, she makes me whole.
Together we are each other’s heart and soul.


Note: I think I wrote this in the mid nineties. When the kids were small.
D.

Election Day, 2010

Today is election day. I am going to vote and express my right as an American citizen. I am unemployed, but I am not going to vote to keep it that way.

Just my opinion. If you don't vote, you have no right to complain.

D.

World Series Win

Congratulations to Bruce Bochy on his World Series Win. This victory is well deserved.

I think he is the best manager in baseball. I always have. I think the San Diego Padres made a huge mistake in letting him go. That's life. I don't go to nearly as many games as I have in the past. There are many reasons for that. But...

Congratulations Bruce. Enjoy. A job well done.
D.