Nightmare on Schnoogie Street

Holly has served as the Fashion Police in our household for the past 4 years or so. Her task has been a tough one with me on some occasions, partly because I don't keep up with the trends and partly because I don't care!

The picture here represents all that is wrong with the way I dress at home. I got home late from work tonight, so I went straight in to change and put on my fuzzy pink socks because it is getting cool at night now. I had some laundry to do, so I grabbed my crocs (it might be obvioous that I have two pairs) out of the closet on my way into the garage.

Upon realizing my fashion faux pas once I got out into the kitchen, David and I had a good laugh about just how distressed Holly would be were she here to witness my complete lack of taste, style, coordination and apparent understanding of colors.

We took a picture. She's going to be appalled!

It's Official!

Multitasking is bad for you.

I heard this debated at great length this afternoon on NPR. The gist of the study says that while multi-taskers like to believe that they are getting lots done and doing it all well, they actually are more susceptible to random and insignificant pieces of data distracting them and interfering with their ability to process information effectively.

At least that is what I think was said. I was on the phone, leading a conference call while eating my lunch and driving. I wasn't texting, though!!

Too Much Good Stuff

I have been fortunate in my life thus far to visit a myriad of interesting, fascinating and fun places. I hope to continue on this road for many years to come and for that reason I often look for new opportunities to broaden my horizon and expand my understanding of the world I live in. Today, I had the unexpected opportunity to visit a world-renown location somewhere between Hemet and Riverside...the largest Arco (and subsequent AM/PM market) in the U.S.

Admittedly, my journey to the promised land of convenience stores started out unassuming enough. It was 107 degrees, I had been driving with the A/C blaring for about 30 minutes and I was thirsty. I originally chose the freeway exit for the Unocal and Circle K sign that prominently signaled a snack-oasis, but as I rolled along the road and off of the freeway, I realized that I was across the street from a landmark that I have never seen or visited and decided that I must be able to join the ranks of the people who can claim, "I have been there."

While I left my car to fill-up, I entered the sliding doors and blinked slightly as the brightness and mass of the store greeted my eyes. Packaged foods, coolers, freezers, a deli and an entire food court waited for exploration. The fountain area had 3 separate machines and at least two different kinds of ice, including my favorite, the chewable pieces that are rather elusive in the typical quick-serve retail environment.

I probably burned a good 10 minutes just looking around, deciding what to purchase, before I finally landed upon a caramel iced latte from the fountain area (using the tasty chewable ice balls, of course). It was a tad sweet for my preferences, but between the good ice AND the "largest Arco in the world" status, I was content with my choice.

Now I can tout my claim that I have been exposed to too much good stuff, right there in the middle of the desert. Everyone should be so lucky!

Not Going For the Service

We have chanced upon a great little burrito place in Ventura called Corrales. I wandered past it one weekend when I was walking around, killing time before the Emmaus Board meeting. There was a huge line at 10 in the morning, leading me to believe that it must be tasty. I immediately called David to tell him about this place (we are all about the good Mexican food) and we agreed that it was a must-visit.

David made it to Corrales and made it a point to tell me how good it was, but the timing had not been right for me to go. I found myself passing through Ventura on my way to Santa Barbara at lunchtime last Wednesday, so I seized upon the opportunity to stop at what the Ventura County Reporter ranked as "the best cheap eats in Ventura County." How could I pass it up?

I ordered a chile rellano burrito with beans, cheese and avocado (really, there could be NOTHING better on the menu). The woman at the window surveyed me, took my money and handed me my number. 5-minutes later, my number was called, a bag shoved through the window and I was ready to dig in.

One look and I knew that something was wrong...there was chicken or pork in my burrito...nope! I went back to the window, explained the problem and was told to wait. A few more minutes and a new burrito appeared - success! It was totally worth the wait and at $4 for my whole lunch, it does count as some seriously cheap eats!

As I recounted my experience to David, he (in his usual low-key way) summed it up perfectly. People line up for the food, they're not going for the service!

'Tis the Season to???

I was out running some much-needed errands yesterday, including a stop at Target (better know as Tarjay in the sophisticated circles). As I navigated my cart through the store, I came upon the above-pictured corner in the back of the store, often used as the seasonal section.

I had to think for a moment. What is the date? Mid-September. So which message do I listen to? "Make the Outdoors Yours" evokes thoughts of summertime and BBQs, not too outrageous given we are in So Cal and have a good 30 days before things really start to cool off.

I could look forward to the end of next month and get in on the Halloween decorations with the "Bare Bone Prices", OR I could just skip straight to Christmas and load up on my fill of Christmas wreaths.

Good grief, I am confused!

Hangin' with the Schnoogs

Something has been missing in my life...creating a void, a sense of emptiness...the blog!!!

There has been plenty of action going on in the last few weeks, none of which I have taken the time to articulate in a short, entertaining and well-worded entry!

Things, they are a-changing. I've got a list of items to share, so let's begin with a great Sunday afternoon last week in Ojai. Me and my girl went out to check out the Ojai Valley Inn and spend an afternoon in the sun, a very wise move on our part.

The grounds are gorgeous, the staff super friendly and the restaurant tasty. I really don't know why we left to return home!

A New Chapter

We have officially entered a new chapter in all of our lives. While it sounds somewhat dramatic to state it like that, it sort of snuck up on us in a quiet sort of way and now that it is here, I am not quite sure that we have all fully accepted it.

The day went well. We loaded up the car, hit the road and were parked at the dorms by 9:45 am. Holly checked in, got her keys and we had her things up in her room in no time. Met the new roommates and their respective family members, set up the big things like bed and clothes, then walked around the campus to grab some lunch.

David had to say goodbye after lunch, so after a few final photos (check them all out here), Holly and I set out for a variety of errands, partly to pick up some items she still needed and partly to get her oriented to her new surroundings. This isn't Thousand Oaks, that is for sure. The San Fernando Valley is bigger, louder and far more congested on many different levels than my little lamb is accustomed to, but I said nothing.

I attended a parent orientation (during which they repeatedly assured the parents that many safety precautions are built into campus life...not helping my concern for the little suburb girl in the big bustling city!), then went out for dinner instead of the BBQ on campus. We decided that we were more in the mood for a salad.

One more trip into the store for a few more items, hanging the corkboard on the wall, and then I declared the fact that it was time for me to go. No big fanfare, no symbolic or emotional send-off, just a big hug and promise to see her in two weeks.

She's coming back soon enough, I see that she left some of her favorite clothes in her room. Maybe we all need to ease into this new arrangement in our own way.

30 Miles

Extra long twin sheets have been purchased (why do dorms make that weird bed size standard, while so few retailers carry those sheets?). Fees have been paid. Forms have been filled out. Suitcases and boxes are packed. The car is loaded. The time has come.

We set out on the 30-mile journey to Northridge today. I actually drive further than that to and from work each day, but it still feels like we are taking a huge trip. A different city, a different county and a whole new and exciting chapter of life for the Schnoogs...it is college move-in day!

Originally thought to just be a few hours for David and I, we realized after going through the orientation packet yesterday that there are things going on all day, until the "ceremonial send-off on the lawn" where the administration forces the clingy parents to leave and officially let their kid live their life.

I originally was going to go into work at about 2 because I didn't think I was going to be that clingy parent that just hung around, but as we went through the activities and realized that there were some activities for the families to learn more about the campus and life there, Holly phrased it in such a way that I couldn't leave early. "I wouldn't be bothered if you wanted to stay for the family picnic and send off."

Since she put it that way...I am sure that the next few postings will include a fair share of pictures and details of the move-in excitement!

Red Sky at Night

There is a fire burning up north and while it is (thankfully) not putting any homes at risk, it is burning its fair share of brush. The result for those of us south is a spectacular sunset show each night.

I noticed how orange the sun was yesterday as Holly and I were returning from the movies (500 Days of Summer, an entertaining and somewhat different approach to telling a story and one that doesn't take the easy-out ending route either), so as soon as we were in the house I grabbed my camera and trotted out to the back yard to see if I could catch the orange glow before it dipped too low on the horizon.

I caught most of it and certainly plenty of the glow that went along with it, pretty cool in my book!

Go Matadors

The colors around the house have quickly switched from green to red...not because we are getting ready for Christmas (yet), but because Holly and her school spirit have moved from Lancer green to Matador red!

The final preparations are in motion, ranging from bedding to a microwave and final decisions on the meal plan. The roommates (there will be 4 of them together in a 2 bedroom apartment, complete with kitchen) have all chatted on the phone and across their various MySpace and Facebook pages.

Shopping at Target will likely be an all-weekend event to make sure that we set the new place up right.

Thank goodness she is only going 30 miles away!