Xmas week

I have had a lovely Xmas week. I've been staying in Walnut Creek and working remotely (although infrequently). Xmas day we had some of Sharon's friends over and Alex joined us at midday. Mid afternoon we had a plumbing crisis so I found myself under the kitchen sink repairing the plastic pipes (well trying to rejoin them) and laughing hysterically with Lydia. Crisis averted we sat down to Xmas dinner, including crackers, bought by Michelle. They don't do crackers here as that is a strictly British tradition. Trivia fact, crackers were invented by a London confectioner who based them around bonbons he saw in Paris. Originally he just sold bonbons then he realized that they sold best at Xmas so he developed the cracker! In the evening the others played cranium and Sharon and I lounged around laughing (we played the next day - it really is one of the few board games I do like).
Later in the week we went and watched Charlies War. A drama based on Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. I really enjoyed it but then I like my political dramas! We also went to see Juno. This was really really good. It's about a young girl who gets pregnant - sounds awful but it's funny and insightful.
I had my biggest birthday treat on the 29th with Sharon taking me to Osmosis, a spa in Sonoma. As an added treat we also stopped at an antique shop that boasts the largest military museum (privately owned)! At the spa we started with a Cedar Enzyme Bath. This was amazing. You literally lay down in heated wood chips that are then heaped on top of you. It really is fantastic........even if it sounds odd! We then had a full body massage followed by the best facial I've ever had. It was an unexpected treat.
Back to work for the second half of next week then back full time the following week. I hope everyone's had a lovely break (well I guess it still is the summer holidays there).

Making an elf of myself and other stuff

Never let it be said that I can't dance and get into the Xmas spirit. I just made a total elf of myself: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1671421541 .
It's been a busy few weeks combining hardwork and some adventures! On the adventure front I went to an NBA basketball game between the LA Lakers and the Warriors (local team). WOW. It was amazing. The Warriors won by two points after having lost the eight previous games to the Lakers. Around 21,000 people filled the stadium and, as we arrived, everyone was given a Warriors teeshirt. It was Sharon's treat and she had arranged for Alex to bring his friend Justin (who thought I was an exchange student at College!). Long games they play here - the whole thing took 2.5hrs but there was lots of entertainment. I was sporting a cold so was a little subdued but enjoyed it all.
Work's been busy and I've been thinking about what I really want to be doing. Things will change a lot in the New Year but I'm relaxed about it. For Xmas I am heading to Walnut Creek and Michelle is going to come too. I get to work from home all week so that's grand (no such thing as boxing day here of course). Sharon's invited some friends over and Alex joins us for the second half of the day. I'm looking forward to food and festivities.
My birthday was really nice too. I had the day before off work and stayed at Sharon's ,had a lovely dinner and headed back to San Jose for work the next day. Michelle and I then went out for dinner at a local restaurant I've been wanting to try. All very nice. On the 29th Sharon is taking me on a "unknown" adventure as well.
I'm still looking at bikes and aiming to buy one in the new year. It won't be the tourer yet but Brice and I have come up with a clever way I can have a real touring bike.......get a side car. As tall and strong as I am I really couldn't see how I could actually holdup one of the big touring bikes - Brice and I hit on the sidecar idea at almost the same time. It's a fantastic option and means I can get a real tourer. They add a bit to the overall price but I'm not looking to buy for another year so have time to save pennies and build by credit rating.
Life here moves along quickly and I am feeling very settled. Can't quite believe we are back at Xmas and what a different place I am in. I'm not going away for the holidays but will look for a few local adventures. I've never actually been to Alcatraz but I am going to give a trip to Alex for Xmas so we will all make a day trip of it. Hope everyone has a great break (it's a little cooler here but no snow.......at least that part of life in California is proving correct......but it does rain - although not often). Merry Xmas all.

Daily life

Time is moving quickly and Xmas looms. Nice really as I'm such a sucker for all the Xmas lights, the tree etc etc etc. Every night I drive home past a park that has a massive light display with pirate ships, palm trees, animals etc etc. It's a drive through display so I only see it flashing past between the trees as we drive home on the freeway. Still it never fails to captivate me.
Last weekend we went and saw American Gangster. It's a really long movie and a true story. It was good as far as it went but not one of my favourites. Even though I don't have a television one show I have become obsessed with is Dexter. The story line sounds odd "Orphaned at the age of three and harboring a traumatic secret, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) was adopted by a Miami police officer named Harry Morgan who recognized his sociopathic tendencies and taught him to channel his gruesome passion for killing and dissecting in a “constructive” way: by killing only heinous criminals (such as mob assassins and serial killers of the innocent) who have slipped through the justice system. To satisfy his interest in blood and to facilitate his own crimes, Dexter works as a blood spatter analyst for the Miami police." It really is very good and Dexter is a strangely likable character.
Some adventures planned before Xmas, including going to a dance this weekend and a basketball game the following weekend. We had the consultants xmas function on Monday and I won a door prize.........cool. It was a book voucher so I gave it to my flatmate (poor student so I figured she'd get more out of it). My rideshare is so sweet, she stayed an extra hour and a half later to wait for me so I could go to the Xmas party! Not sure what the break is over Xmas - given it's not that big here. Some weeks I get to work from home (or Sharons) on Fridays so that's a break from the commute.
I am glad I have the exercyle and I have been using it. My gimpy leg needs the exercise and it makes me much happier to feel that I am at least putting some effort into being/staying fit!!! Life is happy - although expect to hear about more changes in the New Year, I haven't quite finished moving around as I need to move closer to the job (or whatever job I might have).