In a surprising show of seasonality, the rain arrived yesterday and lingered on into the morning. Winter is a subtle affair in a city where the climate is pleasant and balmy almost year-round… and where any hint of precipitation is tracked and analyzed by its residents with more than a little hint of obsessiveness. For a girl who spent her early years in snowier, rainier climes, however, it took some effort to appreciate the local cues of an earth coming to rest.
After brunch with W. at Urban Mo’s (formerly Hamburger Mary’s) and a mostly unsatisfying visit to one of our many local malls, I drove to La Jolla and walked along the shore:
A narrow street runs along the beach, leading to a quiet neighborhood above the water:
I sat on the rocks for awhile, just squinting in the sunshine and watching the waves and dog walkers and joggers come and go. Although it was much too cold to get into the water, I was reminded that I ought to finally learn how to swim this year:
Two weeks away from the office — while fantastic in all its lazy, few-cares-in-the-world, wake-up-late-and-play-with-the-nieces glory — were almost too much, and I was slow and cranky gearing up into workmode this week. It may (lamely) explain why I snapped at a gal while looking at address books on Tuesday: I was weird and twitchy about her invasion of my personal space and growled. Seriously, my apologies, Girl Who Kept Reaching Around Me Instead of Saying ‘Excuse Me’; I’m usually more tolerant of other people being all up in my business but was just not feeling you that night. I stomped off to the register, even. What am I, twelve?
Got not one but two letters in the mail this week from old friends, one of whom just gave birth to twin boys. They are tiny and cute and I can’t wait to buy them tiny and cute outfits to match their tiny cuteness. Congratulations, A & E!
I know it’s popular to come up with resolutions or to talk about why one doesn’t do the resolution thing at New Year’s, but I’ve decided to spend the month reflecting on several aspects of my life and mapping out a few things I’d like to accomplish in the next year. I had a thoughtful conversation with a coworker over lunch this week just about this very thing: we mused over a number of things we were feeling ’stuck’ on in our lives and agreed to check in with each other periodically for some perspective and maybe a kind kick in the butt. I have a strong aversion to letting people in on my personal problems projects, so this is a small but meaningful step for me.
After running several errands this morning, I stopped at the ferry landing in Coronado to enjoy the loveliness of the bay:
The wind was cold on the pier, but I lingered a bit to watch the tall ship cannon battle reenactments thundering in the distance.
I’ve been in Idaho with my sister and her family for a little over a week now, luxuriating in my planner-less, computer-less, appointment-less, obligation-less vacation. We rang in the New Year with a dance party for my nieces, rooted Boise State to victory in the Fiesta Bowl — what a nail-biter — and have been running errands, cooking, buying cupcakes(!), and spending time together. It’s been a good trip and I’m grateful to my sister and her husband for so generously opening their beautiful home to me.
I likely won’t be posting again until I return to California, so for now I’ll just wish everyone a Happy New Year filled with lots of love and adventures. Read the rest of this entry »
