California Knows How To Party

I feel it is safe to say that most everyone who reads Pete Chat knows of my unabated love for my home state. I love the weather, the food, the people, the sports, the beach and just about everything else. California has everything I could possibly want with the major exception of stable employment. And thus I find myself living in Virginia, which while not as good as California, has treated me well the last five and half years.

Where as last year I went to New York and celebrated Memorial Day in New York, this year I jumped on an American Airlines flight to sunny So Cal. Shannon had never been before so we did a lot of the touristy things that people do when visiting the Southland. We did not however got to Disneyland.

We went to Angel Stadium and saw my beloved Angels play the A's. We were in the fifth row down the third base line. Foul balls landed on each side of us. We were in the sun the whole game and I managed to get burnt on my face and hands of all places. Shannon wound up with a sun burn on her knees. The Angels played valiantly and the tying run made it within five feet of the wall in center field.

I know it can be a little nerve racking to meet the family for anybody. My nieces and nephews were especially tough on Shannon. They didn't like her and wouldn't even stand by her.*

*In fact that was not true at all. They adored her pretty much off the bat. That was never more evident that the time we went over to their house and the kids ran right passed me and straight to Shannon.
Thursday night I showed Shannon my mission pictures ( she claims this wasn't boring for her). We of course went and dined on California Staple In-N-Out. It was as always completely and utterly delicious.

On Friday, we went to three beaches, Huntington for Breakfast, Venice to see the Weirdos and Santa Monica to walk on the pier.

It was a really nice day to be outside but not play in the water nice. We did put our feet in and I still proclaim my preference for the Pacific. Since we were in the Los Angeles, we drove by LMU and over to the Los Angeles Temple to check out the new visitors center, then over to Rubio's for fish Tacos. By the end of the day I was totally and utterly exhausted. We walked a ton.


 Saturday I wanted to have a really special day with the kids. I thought of the things I liked to do when I was kid with my uncles.

I always enjoyed ordering exactly what I liked at a fast food restaurant. We pulled in the drive through of Jack In The Box and everybody who wanted something got it. Shannon was impressed by the variety that JITB had. I guess its not everyday that tacos, burgers, and egg rolls are all offered on the same menu.

Ralph B Clarke Park was one of my favorite places to go when I was kid. My mom used to take me here and it was just about the best place to run around. The kids did what kids do, they ran, they chased the birds, they competed in an epic obstacle course (which was timed) and of course they went on the swings.

Next stop the movies. If it had been just Gavin and I, I might have taken him to some action movie. I loved it when my uncle took me to see Rapid Fire. But since the girls were there we settled on Diary of A Wimpy Kid. It wasn't really in my wheelhouse but there were parts that I laughed at. Next it was over to Del Taco for lunch. It was delicious.

Every time I come home the kids always want to look at puppies and this was no exception. we went to the pet store, and looked at an adorable Australian Sheppard. The girl who was helping us was the same girl who was there at Christmas time. I'm not sure of the exact reason, perhaps Shannon being there but she was a lot less helpful this time. It happens I guess. The kids want a dog so bad, and Bronte is even saving for one. We'll see what happens.

The day was still not over, we got frisbees at the dollar store and went over to La Mirada Regional park for a rousing round of frisbee golf, but we got so much more. We got a front row seat for a mystical battle.

I do not know whether good or evil prevailed. I do know that it was epic. Many foam weapons were used in this barbarous display of LARPing. The teenagers who were doing it, looked like they were having a lot of fun.

 We dropped the kids off at home and headed to David's graduation party. David's mom Janet had decorated the room with pictures from throughout David's life. I am happy to say I was well represented in the pictures. I am really proud of my "little brother" even if he won't admit how great I am at sports.

Shannon and I went to my house and I showed her the High School video I have. It's a bunch of the skits and things we did in high school. Some of it didn't age all that well, but Ryan Barber's portrayal of Andy Mangles still has me rolling on the floor laughing.

Overall the weather was great, I got to spend much needed quality time with my family, and show Shannon my home town. It was a great trip and just reaffirmed how much I want to move back to California.