Boxes, Mo' Boxes

   Woke up screaming about boxes one night in December.  Saw it coming.  December is draining.

Pictures from the day after my box nightmare (it did not disappoint) . Other than that one night screaming (and such a terrible scream. i have to work on a better sound), the work situation is nothing new. Just a bunch more. This year has reached the point of being nearly not manageable. Certainly not enjoyable. As I write this, I'm on the other side of it. And even during the while of it, there is always the other best part of my life.  All the other stuff I get to do outside of work, and with the company I keep.

Fundraisers: Just $10K for a photoOp with the Big Man himself.

He may be a bit square but a big heart he got.

And this, the only photo of me and Tito.  

Every year the Fairmont Hotel has a giant Gingerbread House which on the evening we stopped by had drawn a large crowd of admirers. Impressive but not much you can do but look at it; not really worth a lick. Just the same we always enjoy walking through the hotel and going out into the never crowded outside courtyard between the old and new wings of the hotel.  I sure do miss the old elevator that once was the thrill rides of all thrill rides- for how slow it rumbled as you overlooked the street below.

Our first foray into Fantasy Football ended this past Sunday.  We (Team Box Strong) finished second. Out of the last playoff we lost by just 12.2 points (256.2-244) after trailing by nearly 70 early Sunday.  So close. Alas but congrats to family member Joshua (Renton Ruffians). Well played.  And thank you Jeremiah for getting this league set up and inviting us to play in it.  We did score the most points  (Thank you Drew Brees, and Jamaal Charles!) and had the largest win differential.  

FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS				2013 REGULAR SEASON
RANK	TEAM	OWNER(S)		REC	PF	PA	PF/G	PA/G	DIFF
1	Renton Ruffians	Joshua Dempsey		11-2	1410.9	1180.4	108.5	90.8	+17.7
2	Team Box Strong	Dex chew		9-4	1586.9	1273	122.1	97.9	+24.1
3	The Fightin' Harbaughs	Jeremiah Dempsey		8-5	1512.5	1335	116.3	102.7	+13.7
4	Awesome Cool Guys	Bobby Cupp, Meredyth Skemp		10-3	1440.9	1192.3	110.8	91.7	+19.1
5	Tommy Tommy Long Hair	Tom Dempsey		2-11	1075.6	1441.6	82.7	110.9	-28.2
6	Team cupp	bobnkathy cupp		7-6	1308.7	1261.4	100.7	97.0	+3.6
7	Team RICEANDCHICKEN	Clark Pingul		8-5	1430.5	1250.3	110.0	96.2	+13.9
8	Team Winners	Stacey Dempsey		2-11	1001.7	1346.9	77.1	103.6	-26.6
9	IHAVENOCLUE WHATIAMDOING.	Mickey Dempsey		2-11	962.6	1455.4	74.0	112.0	-37.9
10	The Golden Lakes	GianCarlo Gratz		6-7	1291.1	1285.2	99.3	98.9	+0.5

 Just before Christmas we (ate the box of food Sarah and Drew sent us)- we went to Santa Cruz and secured our room in the Beach Street Inn. The boys did really well in the arcade and for once the return on the tickets was pretty good; Dexter getting a mini army-10 of stuffed alien creatures and Oliver a football, sword and the miscellaneous.  Mostly the quiet time at the beach in sun and water, evening strolls and good wandering down town and hanging out in our room provided a great recharge for the adults.

When the kayak place was closed we walked along the pier and saw sea lions napping most everywhere below us.  At the end of the pier was a large congregation of these, bunched so closely together- more than I have even seen in Oregon or at Pier 39.  I wonder why they were so close, floating mostly but sometimes as if there was a sudden appearance of food, the sea lions would move in a maddening flurry. Splashing would lead to a brief disappearance, then calmness as they resettled on the surface of the water. We never saw anyone toss in food but perhaps they lured fish in, or some type of social ritual. Or sea lions are nuts.

Well, if I want to get this out before 2014 I'd better wrap it up soon. Great my first entry of the new year will be another one of  my "here's some more photos from last month'....

Christmas Eve with Mike and Hingee with Traci and Kevin back in town, meeting Jeff and Christmas dinner with the Ann and John in Redwood City, with the Kathy, Bob, Cailin and Mike, Bobby and Meredyth (2 months away!), Mickey and Clark, Jeremiah, Tim.  

Time for a countdown. Time to wake up Maria! Dexter and Oliver are wide awake. Hey everyone, I hope the next 365 brings good stuff.  Peace

Last Week of November

At the Dempseys with Ann and John, Tommy and Family, Chris, Tim, Stacey, Mickey & Clark, Jay & Nana.  The one night of the year I really do enjoy over eating.  Best meal of the year!!

Decorating the lobby Xmas Tree courtesy of Kathy and Bob. Also with Cai, Michael, Sirina and Zachary

Traci with the boys in a Spin Fest/ Tag game while Kevin, Maria, Ryland (unwilling) and I willingly stay back

Tina, John and GC take Dexter to see the Niners throttle the Rams in one of the last games at Candlestick

Dexter at rest with 2 friends

Several years ago when the cats considered Oliver the 3rd relatively hairless sibling.

The jokes are no longer funny that this is Sunday before a return to work Monday, for this is in reality, Sunday.  Work waits and it will be a massive work load tomorrow.  The price of several days closed as the mail will pile up, collect and be delivered in mass quantities.  No regrets not going in to work as I have every year Friday after Thanksgiving. I can feel four days off in a rested body- and while we did stop by to do some fish maintenance last night, not a package was  processed, nor an email answered.

These days of family warmth, joking and gathering around pies and food stuffs were rewarding and welcome.   Today we also visited Allison and John's new residence and it is a grand lovely place.  The sun shines while the cold waits (sometime later this week) and it's time to strategically place blankets.  We avoided most forms of shopping while Dexter and I did go to the Hunger Games sequel Thursday morning We also enjoyed '"The Big Easy Express" - a music documentary of a roadshow by train that Cailin suggested we would like.

Caught up with Aunt Janey and although there's been a recent healthy concern, she was still so concerned about feeding us and hosting us!  Multiple cat sitting, a stop at Amoeba records and last night's rousing Eddie Palmieri big band show at the SF Jazz Center (Miner auditorium). Chatted with Jenny Hoover! I don't know where Donald Harrison was but the Baby Bull was in attendance (Orlando Cepeda) to see this all star group which includes Nelson Rodriguez (tres)  and my favorites Herman Olivera (coro)  and Jimmy Bosch (trombone). The arrangements were fun and loose where Bosch would take cues from Palmieri and then tap a band member on the shoulder and wave him along to the front mics to play. And as homage to Cepeda during the first number as accent to the downbeats, Olivera swang an imaginary bat.  Awesome!

Didn't See An Orca

  The press reported a large sighting or Orcas and whales in Monterey Bay because of  vast numbers of sardines and seal lions.  Hoping to see these gallant giants we drove of in search of but despite our hopeful ways, none were spotted.  No whales were apparently spotted by anyone today reminding me that the media can blow up an occurrence as something commonplace.  Perhaps next time.

    Just the same  it was good to get out for a drive together.  The coast, weather, views were beautiful today and although we actually got the boys to dress in layers, it was not cold.  Entering Point Lobos Reserve, we parked and hiked to a where we could see the beauty of the  Pacific Ocean, basking seal lions and surrounded by sun, blue water on a cool, sweet Sunday.

     Also a good opportunity to justify the use of our family membership at the Aquarium which arriving at 3:40 (close at 5p) we find the place to be large unpopulated and thereby very enjoyable.  Reminds of when we would visit Eva, our named great white shark at opening or at closing, before the crowds stifle and the noise and strobe of camera flashes irritate.  Today, room to breathe and enjoy.

I tried to make these photos interesting!

Using a Nikon X40 underwater lens, we....here's a photo of what we didn't see today
(photo by Charles Flip Nicklin)

What we did see was really cool, and this was the big finish before the drive home.  Accustomed to only seeing these guys in hiding tucked in a corner of a tank, to see one exploring was splendid

Still likes his folks

Something Dexter saw through the viewfinder made him laugh and grossed him out at the same time

Keep On Trekkin'

Dexter wanted to take his friend to the San Francisco Star Trek Convention, which unfortunately was located at the Burlingame Hyatt near the airport.  Nothing against Burlingame-well perhaps something against Burlingame, I grumbled for the need to drive to the bland destination point.  We've only gone once before to the SF event but it's usually in SF, run by a Creation Entertainment- the same group that put on the large Las Vegas show.

Much smaller in scale with far fewer points of interest; cast, presentations and dealers are minimal but at least the hotel offered a good place to host with the Hyatt's large interiors provided a roomy feel to the show. Dexter's buddy, a bit of a creative clown (thoughtful and polite another facet) was excited to attend something that has been of interest, and Dexter was happy to do walkabouts.  

I wanted to get a couple of mugs and did, and honored Oliver's request to get him a toy phaser (mini).  The Dexter group purchased some big posters.  I enjoyed the speakers as the panels of Next Generation member are always loose and fun. If anyone is ever at a Star Trek event- willingly or not, I would recommend planting yourself at a Next Generation cast presentation- entertaining for anyone.  The interplay is a mix of old bits, openness to the moment, and much shared laughter.  Everything, everyone is fair game yet respectful of the genre as a whole.  A bit salty with little touches of sugar. The cast individually visited Jeri Ryan at her solo presentation earlier.  Ryan seems more relaxed to the point of enjoying her interactions but all cast members must tire of fans asking for their favorite behind the scenes pranks memories. Jonathan Frakes yelled (playfully, pointedly and loudly) at the boys when they began to leave before the Next Gen folks were done with their session.  They know that within these walls they rule, so why not have fun with it?

silly together

view from the top. Convention is on the left.

One on the left- not fond of heights, or views

The subtle, the ribald, the wandering moderator (Gate McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Jonathan Frakes)

When on a roll Jeri Ryan speaks very fast and screams when visited by Next Gen friends

Asked K before the event (he's a Next Gen fan) which cast member of those in attendance who would like a photo op with, and he chose Dr. Crusher.  Gates McFadden asked for the boys' names, checked to see who was who, took the photo, shook hands and here's our copy of the pic, which we gave to K.

A splendid day made better when the Burckins met us at home for a hearty Maria dinner.  Lastly, a walk to Swensons serving as finale so Excelsior!

Very Fond

Last week at my brother's, we gathered for an easy nice birthday for him.  Maria made an ice cream cake,Hingee joined for lunch.      Afterwards, we took care of Ryland and played in the park.  There, two quick photos turned out well.  Just captures different moods and also, fragments of who they are.  

Round Up

  Catching up with the photo of a poorly set building tarp when combined with the windiest of SF nights resulted in 3 explosions and a power outage for blocks.  This alarmed and lasted from 10pm until 5:30 in the morning.  Neighborhood excitement, fire trucks and the people (living in the building with the tarp) instructed to stay inside.  Oliver and I missed the scene as we slept over at my brother's to keep my Traci's dog, Ryland company.  We did hear about how excited Dexter and Kathy got!

Ollie- school dance in a Zoot suit? 

Nah! Halloween, as the Frankenstein monster. (I was Doctor Frankenstein by the way) B-Rose and Zacherman. Missed the rest of Team Halloween but we understand the older kids are branching into their circles.

Old friends the Mares, Grants and here Mr. Hudson will be passing out his awesome baseball/football cards.

Yes, that bear might be the spookiest part of the photo

Sometimes the distance between lit houses was further compounded by the amount of stairs to climb.

counting the loot

parents relaxed and ready to go home

good friends and the Dext glare

2 headed cat

The many colors of Maria on her birthday, immediately following Halloween

Lance and his lizard

Lizard release program 1251 Hyde street. Lance found this lizard in the street; caught it and set it free in our back yard.

Nov2 Golfland San Jose

Will someone please hit a ball?!

Someone? Anyone?!!!

A mighty blow, at last.

A flying dive for the flying black ball

Before the Stanford-Vanguard Pre season game. The season has high hopes.

Finishing up at John and Ann's. John's Birthday too!

Here he has sat for many years. May John hold court for many more.

Blowing the Brass

Finding a high note

Sons and Brothers

Ryland

Just let him feel the cool cool breeze