May 17
dennisqUncategorized
After getting up late (granted, anything after 5:10 am is late for me), We rode with my sister Amy to Pismo Beach, Ca for lunch and “window shopping”. I have no idea why we were looking for windows being I had no way of getting it home even if we need a new one, I could get one at the local “Big Box” store for a fraction of the cost. They had some mighty nice windows there, but I didn’t find even a single one for sale. “Never a dull moment when I’m around”, is the line I use when things don’t go as planned. As with many places in the world, at PB you need to pay for parking. When I’m near, things just don’t work correctly all the time. When we tried to pay for parking, the pay stand wasn’t accepting bills (I can’t see why, my gas bill isn’t that much), so the change came out and off to lunch.
Mo’s BBQ – a quaint little place with a seating area about the size of my garage. They served a selection of Bar-B-Que items like beef, chicken and pork. Out of respect for the owner, I didn’t take pictures of the inside, but it was decorated in a rustic and chaos kind of way. Suspended from the ceiling things like acrylic pigs riding surfboards and old wooden chairs. Old license plates and pictures adorned the walls setting the mood of a well established BBQ restaurant. I chose the BBQ Chicken sandwich,beans as my side and a cup of water to chase it down. When the food arrived at our table I was startled to discover the chicken was covered with coleslaw. It made the sandwich interesting and hid the fact the chicken was a little lite on the BBQ sauce (I should’ve followed my sisters lead and add more sauce). In general, we liked our meal and will return is we happen to be in the area again. This time, we will brings the platinum card. Eight dollars a sandwich is a little steep, but worth the price.
We perusing the shops on the main street we walked down one of the streets near the beach, spoke to a young man in a shop, imparting our experiences as youth with shake boards. Today you couldn’t tell that I could ride miles on a board, now its a trying matter of feet. We had heard there had been a pet store in that area and much to our delight, Amy would surprise us by driving to its new location.
The Animal Kingdom Pet Store. Grover Beach, Ca. – A clean store with a varied selection of animals and pet supplies. Though it is my opinion the prices are a little eccentric on the animals; I priced cats in particular; I concede the price includes testing for feline leukemia, other common cat killing diseases as well as a follow well care vet visit and up to date vaccinations. The store was clean and well kept. Much to their credit, a customer entered the store and bought a puppy for her daughter whom had her dog stolen the day before. Her testimony was this was the forth dog she had driven hours to buy from that location. Was this a ruse? We will never know.
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
Its difficult at best to properly describe how mundane; ok; boring the drive to Santa Maria truly is, but its safe to say, we made it safely. As expected, the drive past Los Angeles International Airport was slower than I had anticipated, I thought mid-morning would be moving smoother, nope. A trip which should’ve taken about Three hours with a couple stops, took about Four hours. We made it there in plenty of time. We had dinner with me Sister, her Husband, Mary and Beverly. Dinner was quite and at my sisters though it was all very good, nothing exotic like Flaming Alaska Peking Duck. We had a chance to catch up on the past few months and I have arrived at the conclusion that the expression is correct, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. My Aunt is still dealing with mysterious mass that the Doctor won’t come out and make a clear diagnosis. Forever in limbo, that os the HMO way. Neither approved nor denied. If no diagnosis, then no action plan ect. My prayers are with her. Mary hopes to retire in the near future. More power to her in todays economy.
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
I can’t say we did much today. Slept in. Started writing about our vacation. Sorry, I didn’t write these at days end. Made a trip to PetSmart for pet snacks ect. Other general errands. Towards the end of the day we packed the necessities and went to bed for an early start North.
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
After leaving San Diego, we set the GPS for yet another exotic location: Now And Then Thrift Store located in Orange County, Ca. Yes, Cathy wanted to see the famed thrift store belonging to the wild pair of the cable TV show; “Storage Wars”; Brandy and Jerad. I hope I didn’t miss-spell any names. Yes we were there, no they were not. It was a small, quaint shop will fewer items than I might have thought to find, but it was fun to look into a place I had seen on TV. After ogling the wares, finding little of personal interest, we bought a new keyboard (I’m using it now) and off we went to KFC for Snackers. We still had about 30-40 minutes drive home, but we were almost done. After arriving home, we unpacked and waited for our next adventure.
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
We were up and out sometime around 10am and followed the GPS back to Sea World San Diego. We had splurged on the silver passes to come back a few more times in the next Twelve months. Will cost about Forty dollars in gas and Five dollars for preferred parking (shorter walk for that long end of day). We might stay the night in a room if we plan far enough ahead or can make it a turn around trip as San Diego is only a few short hours away. The day before, we had seen Pets Rule, Blue Horizons, Shamu Show, Sea Lions Live and Turtle Reef. Rode the Atlantis water/roller coaster ride and surveyed the many gift shops looking for just the right trinkets.
Today; being Saturday; was busy as one might think. Knee deep in children and elbow deep in people, we waded through like salmon migrating upstream to spawn. We Rode the Sky Cabin and Two other spiny rides (no more spiny rides please). Saw Sea Lions Live (again), but this time, we were in the ONLY spot in the whole arena where people get wet, “Ok Cathy, were in the splash zone. I don’t want to hear it if you get wet.”. Well, needless to say, in the first Five minutes of the show, there is One time where the Sea Lion sprays water, you guessed it, right on us. Never to be forgotten again, Cathy and I were drenched from head to toe! She had forgotten about that part of the show. I’m still laughing. I doubt she will ever forget that happened.
Dine With Shamu. For the most part was a big letdown from the last time we were there Fourteen years ago. Then I was right on the water, arm resting on the tile retaining wall. I could reach out at any time and touch the Killer Whales as they passed. Now, the tank is much larger; big enough for a performance; a Plexiglas wall separates the diners and the trainers. Given the new format, I can understand the need for the changes, but its just not the same. The food: hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for the children. Fish, beef, shrimp, veggies with and without cheese and chicken. The fish was lacking sauce or lemon (perhaps I just missed them), the beef was fresh sliced with optional beef gravy, I feel this was the best part of the meal. The shrimp was served in a light sauce consisting of red/green peppers and celery, there may have been more to it, but I like it none the less. The chicken was cooked in a roaster with red/green peppers; bland is all I will say for it. There were a few deserts including the trade mark chocolate covered Shamu sugar cookies and cakes. In conclusion, Dining With Shamu wasn’t what I remembered. The food wasn’t to my pallet, but the short performance was worth being there to see.
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
The drive to Sea World San Diego went with relative ease. We spent about Four hours there and decided to check in at our hotel. Tired and sun burned I lumbered up to the check-in counter. I gave them my name and told them I needed to change my card on file (a merchant I had done business with informed my bank that their records may have been compromised; thusly; my card had to be replaced). Well I didn’t think much of this being we were going to pay cash on checkout. The clerk discreetly wrote in block letters on a plain paper, “CREDIT CARD DECLINED”. Duh, I had a hand full of cash. No go. They directed us to an ATM about a mile away. Upon our return my card was accepted, this clerk noticed that the rates had dropped on a couple of the nights and made the adjustments. Finally, we could settle in and relax. After spending an exuberant amount of money on Two hamburgers, Three orders of french fries, One soda and Two bottles of water for the next day (granted the food WAS that GOOD – BUNZ try it when your in San Diego), we were ready to see my Dad.
That visit went very well. Shortly after I had called, he arrived with his army buddy whom I had called “Uncle Glen” my whole life. Also note: he is the person my brother is named after. I was great to see Uncle Glen after the better part of Twenty Five years. We spent a short time catching up for the years gone by, followed closely by a brief discussion regarding health, fitness and the use of supplements to keep fit and moving. My Dad imparted some treasures including negatives from pictures of long ago and some cattle horns from his Grand Fathers farm (WOW, any time I hear of something three generations old, I can’t help but to be impressed).
May 17
dennisqUncategorized
The first day of vacation was spent running around getting all those little things done; like paying rent ect. I had to go into work to receive my vacation check (paid on the payday of the annual date). “Its not here. This afternoon or tomorrow. Cooperate is getting in trouble for it. If you have direct deposit you should be ok.”, all my managers collaborated. After several minutes of this charade, I was convinced that my vacation was off to a horrific start.
“I have this afternoon, not tomorrow morning. I don’t have time for this big of a screwup.”, I muttered as I flew out of the office. A few seconds later I received a call from one of my managers asking me where I was and they had just been called by the office to pick up the payroll. I don’t believe that for a hot second. Long story short, more than a hour later I received my vacation check. Was it the fault of cooperate? I think they hadn’t yet gone over and picked them up before I had arrived. Now I knew I had the funds for my vacation. Granted, we had some unexpected last minute bills that had to be payed before we could leave, but we made it out.
May 01
dennisqCount Your Many Blessings, GOD'S precious gift of life., Open Friendship friends relationships
Having spent the past few days in thoughtful lament, marking the passage of time since my good friend passed away at the age of 35. I have noted many changes in technology that he would’ve loved. Including faster computers, better cell phones and alternative propulsion vehicles (I think he would’ve liked the hydrogen ones best). I noted the disagreements we had which often created a chasm between us, but we somehow managed to pull back together. History often chooses to remember the good of a person and discard the bad, Doug had his dark side which few had even seen. I won’t expound upon that here, just be reminded that I know he wasn’t the Saint these posts might lead one to believe. But still there is many good things to be learned from his short life.
I don’t know if it was his stroke or the Fifth stage of dieing (the complete acceptance of ones fate), Doug underwent a kind of metamorphosis, changing from an overbearing persons whom believed that since he had done something for them, thus they were obligated to return the favor and sometimes with interest. I watched his go from expecting, to acquiring an appreciation for the smallest effort regardless of the total outcome. This revelation came just weeks before his passing from this existence to another. His next visit to the hospital would be his final and I would live the remainder of my days with the regret of not visiting him when he stopped taking my calls. If I could turn back the way-back-clock, there would be many of things I would do differently. The Two things I would differently is to be there more towards the end and tell him he was my good friend.
Even a charlatan can impart words of wisdom. There was a TV psychic whom; at the end of the show; would tell the audience to “communicate, appreciate and validate a loved one today”, having lost Two good friends in a short period of time, I have come to understand the importance of telling people the value they have in your life and to listen to your gut feelings when it screams something is very wrong. This message I try to pass on to the people I know and express how important it is to let people know the good things you feel and to let them know they make a positive difference in your life. So my challenge to you the reader today is to tell someone how much they mean to you and the influence they have on your live. Remember: yesterday is a memory, today is but a fleeting moment and tomorrow may never come.
Apr 22
dennisqUncategorized
Every once-and-again I like to start a story. Nothing clear, concise or even discernible; just a fun exercise in creative writing. Plot Twist: I’m not the only person writing. This is an open work, a kind of public domain publication, where people can post the next portion of the story. My rules are simple:
- Keep it in good taste, please refrain from vulgarity, direct references to private interpersonal relationships, profane language (not even to accentuate the dialog), or otherwise demeaning or derogatory remarks to a person or people. Though I am a Conservative Christian, this is NOT a place suitable for bashing, bantering, saber rattling or bible thumping of any type.
- This is a free form of entertainment intended for the enjoyment of those reading as well as the writers.
- It is intend for this to be a FREE work. Therefore all those posting here acknowledges this fact.
- Anyone referencing these posts in total or in part, please give credit to the site and the user whom made the post.
You may find this is several places, join in all of the stories.
dennisq
Apr 22
dennisqUncategorized JOFRoute66 site
Main Site Offline Until Further Notice.
Due to the lack of forethought on the part of yours truly, the CMS of JOFRoute66.Com will be done until I can reconstruct or completely redesign it in its entirety. My lack of experience has hampered its further development but I will continue to recover the posts and users. Until such time, please continue to check here for continued updates.
dennisq
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