This last week has been rough site-wise as I'm sure you've noticed. But fear not! the drought of '08 is no more. Thunderstorms out the window, Mountain Dew at my side, and still-packed suitcases splayed across the floor, I have much to share.
As scant few of you know I've just returned from Sandy Eggo! My Dad had a business conference there and the rest of the family accompanied him for, you know...moral support. At first I wasn't sure how to describe the five days there. But then I realized: there are pretty much only three things that make a place unique: The Place (setting), The People, and The Food.
As scant few of you know I've just returned from Sandy Eggo! My Dad had a business conference there and the rest of the family accompanied him for, you know...moral support. At first I wasn't sure how to describe the five days there. But then I realized: there are pretty much only three things that make a place unique: The Place (setting), The People, and The Food.
The Place: Ocean Ocean Ocean
The city of San Diego is spread around one big bay in the Southwest corner of California. In the middle of the bay is Coronado Island beyond which is only ocean, ocean and more ocean. I don't know by what force of nature or by which Greek god's hand the weather in San Diego came to be, but it is as perfect as one could ask for. (Besides the occasional wildfires of course.) Some of you might be shaking your heads, thinking to yourselves that any climate outside of Pennsylvania is perfect, but you're wrong. Guys. Guys. Gals too. People. Listen: the weather in San Diego is perfect. Seriously, while I was there the range of temperature went from the bone-shaking low of 65 to the skin-melting high of...76. Eleven degrees of heaven! I hear that this goes on more or less all year, but if that were true I think I'd be forced to shoot myself. And what do you know, as soon as I got off the plane today a thunderstorm came for a visit, presumably to remind me that I live in PA and not CA. It's a result of this setting that San Diego attracts and breeds three types of people.
The People: Homeless Navy Surfer
Three very different types of people, I know but it's true! There are more homeless people in San Diego than in any other city I've seen. And you can't blame them one bit. There are parks all over with carefully-groomed grass, comfortable benches with ocean-front views, and apparently very lax police officers. Even crazier, I saw a bunch of homeless people carrying newspapers around and was baffled why they would need more warmth. And then I saw a homeless man reading the newspaper. Where in Philadelphia newspapers are used as makeshift blankets, the homeless of San Diego have the luxury of reading them! I know I'm horrible...
There's also a ton of military bases around San Diego. From my window I could see four Aircraft Carriers in the bay (one's a floating museum you can walk around - pretty awesome). There's also three nuclear submarines, an aircraft repair shop (F-18's flew around constantly), the Navy Maritime Research lab (where they train dolphins and seals) and plenty of other stuff. And there was the 2008 Marine Combat Stress Relief Conference downstairs in my hotel. So yeah, lots of Navy.
As for the Surfers - it's California! They're everywhere. Which leaves...
There's also a ton of military bases around San Diego. From my window I could see four Aircraft Carriers in the bay (one's a floating museum you can walk around - pretty awesome). There's also three nuclear submarines, an aircraft repair shop (F-18's flew around constantly), the Navy Maritime Research lab (where they train dolphins and seals) and plenty of other stuff. And there was the 2008 Marine Combat Stress Relief Conference downstairs in my hotel. So yeah, lots of Navy.
As for the Surfers - it's California! They're everywhere. Which leaves...
The Food: Seafood Seafood Seafood
I just realized I have to go to work in five hours and it's been a long week so...to be continued! (When I get back from work tomorrow early afternoon)
I just realized I have to go to work in five hours and it's been a long week so...to be continued! (When I get back from work tomorrow early afternoon)
3 comments:
The drought of '08? That's a bit vague, don't you think? We're going to have start identifying these droughts by month, or even week...
You son of a bitch!
How could you blow off Otakon for that?!
lol ian. it depends how literate the homeless are in baltimore.
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