"How I spent my winter vacation"
I took my first week-long vacation off from work in about two years. Below are the interesting accounts of that adventure. Look out, it's a bit longer than my standard posts.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Game night for Dark Horizons. The gods threatened to rain on us all night long, but thankfully only carried out that threat for about half the night. Still, it didn't matter; the turn out wasn't much. More than a tabletop session could support, but not quite what I'd like to see for a LARP. I imagine things will pick back up again next year when the holiday season has come to an end.
I must confess that, while it was a bit overwhelming most of the time, I liked playing in a hundred person LARP. The funny thing is that I'm not too keen on large gatherings and unfamiliar faces. Perhaps one of these days I'll be able to host a game of ridiculous size. I may very well have a change of mind when I think more on the reality of it, but for now it's a nifty idea.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The rain did a good job of washing away the smog. The day was clear and there was hardly any traffic standing between me and the open road. I was able to cover the 350 mile trip to Buckeye, AZ, in about 4 1/2 hours. Everytime I make the journey, I am amazed at the wide-open spaces. It will all be filled in with chain-stores and tract homes one day soon. The new construction is a sign of progress to be sure; but I think that in all the speed of it, regional identity is being sacrificed.
All that doesn't matter though. I arrived to see my dad looking well. I'm told that my arrival brings him happiness. I wish that I could make the trip more often.
Monday, December 18, 2006
A quiet, lazy day. My dad and I passed the time away with amusing stories and a few unpleasant topics. Mostly amusing stories though. Each trip out has with it the practical discussions concerning his will and last wishes. I know it has to be said, but it isn't ever fun. This time around he decided to ignore the doctors and decided to not die. It was a much better way to conclude the conversation than any other.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Today we went out shopping. I don't much care for Walmart, but it really is all that is out there - some sacrifices must be made. I think that I may have frustrated my dad a bit in my refusal to identify some sort of gift I would like.
For dinner we went to Black Angus. Not being a big steak eater myself, I went with the salmon. It wasn't bad. My dad had prime rib. Rare. Bloody rare. Still mooing rare. Before the return trip home, a trip to the pharmacy was necessary. Arguing was also necessary.
When we returned my dad made a decision on what he wanted to get me for Christmas. It was completely unexpected. I'm still not quite sure how to respond or adequately thank him. It is very much appreciated and exactly what I wanted.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
It happens everytime, but the day for parting is always difficult. Every mile of the return trip serves only to take me further away; and on more than a few occasions did I contemplate turning right back around. I wish that I could stay. I would like very much to thumb my nose at the world and never leave. The Universe is unkind.
The first 300 miles were covered in around four hours. The last 50 miles required two hours. Los Angeles traffic is not fun.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Stephen, our region's administrator, took the staff out to lunch for his annual staff appreciation, er, lunch. I actually got served my meal on time. Linda, our office manager, was kind enough to bring a stack of Christmas cards that had been piling up on my desk in my absence.
My car received a much needed bath. It rained shortly after.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Our office potluck drew me back in. There were more folks who showed up than there were of us who actually worked there. We seem to draw a bit of a gathering of alumni each year. My enchiladas were missed, I'll have to bring them to the next potluck. I was politely encouraged to stay away from my desk.
After two buckets of coins, I had finished sorting and counting. As it turns out, I had around $164.50 just sitting around. Next step will be to actually deposit all those coins.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Fred (Richard) and I made a trip out to Frank & Son's. We stopped by the Warhouse first so that I could pick up a copy of the Mage handbook. Parking was, as usual, murder. I was good though and only spent two bucks on a booster pack of DC HeroClix. I don't actually play the game, but the figures are nifty.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Game night for Dark Horizons. The gods threatened to rain on us all night long, but thankfully only carried out that threat for about half the night. Still, it didn't matter; the turn out wasn't much. More than a tabletop session could support, but not quite what I'd like to see for a LARP. I imagine things will pick back up again next year when the holiday season has come to an end.
I must confess that, while it was a bit overwhelming most of the time, I liked playing in a hundred person LARP. The funny thing is that I'm not too keen on large gatherings and unfamiliar faces. Perhaps one of these days I'll be able to host a game of ridiculous size. I may very well have a change of mind when I think more on the reality of it, but for now it's a nifty idea.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The rain did a good job of washing away the smog. The day was clear and there was hardly any traffic standing between me and the open road. I was able to cover the 350 mile trip to Buckeye, AZ, in about 4 1/2 hours. Everytime I make the journey, I am amazed at the wide-open spaces. It will all be filled in with chain-stores and tract homes one day soon. The new construction is a sign of progress to be sure; but I think that in all the speed of it, regional identity is being sacrificed.
All that doesn't matter though. I arrived to see my dad looking well. I'm told that my arrival brings him happiness. I wish that I could make the trip more often.
Monday, December 18, 2006
A quiet, lazy day. My dad and I passed the time away with amusing stories and a few unpleasant topics. Mostly amusing stories though. Each trip out has with it the practical discussions concerning his will and last wishes. I know it has to be said, but it isn't ever fun. This time around he decided to ignore the doctors and decided to not die. It was a much better way to conclude the conversation than any other.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Today we went out shopping. I don't much care for Walmart, but it really is all that is out there - some sacrifices must be made. I think that I may have frustrated my dad a bit in my refusal to identify some sort of gift I would like.
For dinner we went to Black Angus. Not being a big steak eater myself, I went with the salmon. It wasn't bad. My dad had prime rib. Rare. Bloody rare. Still mooing rare. Before the return trip home, a trip to the pharmacy was necessary. Arguing was also necessary.
When we returned my dad made a decision on what he wanted to get me for Christmas. It was completely unexpected. I'm still not quite sure how to respond or adequately thank him. It is very much appreciated and exactly what I wanted.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
It happens everytime, but the day for parting is always difficult. Every mile of the return trip serves only to take me further away; and on more than a few occasions did I contemplate turning right back around. I wish that I could stay. I would like very much to thumb my nose at the world and never leave. The Universe is unkind.
The first 300 miles were covered in around four hours. The last 50 miles required two hours. Los Angeles traffic is not fun.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Stephen, our region's administrator, took the staff out to lunch for his annual staff appreciation, er, lunch. I actually got served my meal on time. Linda, our office manager, was kind enough to bring a stack of Christmas cards that had been piling up on my desk in my absence.
My car received a much needed bath. It rained shortly after.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Our office potluck drew me back in. There were more folks who showed up than there were of us who actually worked there. We seem to draw a bit of a gathering of alumni each year. My enchiladas were missed, I'll have to bring them to the next potluck. I was politely encouraged to stay away from my desk.
After two buckets of coins, I had finished sorting and counting. As it turns out, I had around $164.50 just sitting around. Next step will be to actually deposit all those coins.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Fred (Richard) and I made a trip out to Frank & Son's. We stopped by the Warhouse first so that I could pick up a copy of the Mage handbook. Parking was, as usual, murder. I was good though and only spent two bucks on a booster pack of DC HeroClix. I don't actually play the game, but the figures are nifty.