40 Years Later…
This past Sunday, my parents celebrated 40 years of blissful marriage (well, after five children I am thinking that those years were not all blissful but stressful, busy, always late, expensive, scary, etc...) Okay, lets start this over again.
This past Sunday, my parents celebrated 40 years of a loving, exciting, and faithful marriage (even with 5 children). So to celebrate, the five of us decided to throw my parents a surprise party. Our family friend Debbie was kind enough to lend us her house for the occasion. After a dinner to distract my parents, we rushed over to Debbie's and yelled "Surprise, Happy Anniversary!" After the initial shock, my parents along with everyone enjoyed some food (potato bar was a hit), wine, and telling embarrassing stories about my parents.
So here is to 40 more years of a more relaxing and tuition free marriage. Congratulations Mom and Dad!
Summer Has Begun
On Friday night, Wife and I started off our month of summer (school will start in a few weeks) with a night of eating and drinking. We cycled west to University and 30th to enjoy the monthly event, 30th on 30th. After we locked up our bikes using every lock and wire (Wife was a little paranoid), we walked into Rancho's to pick up some food and then out to the patio area where we enjoyed chicken tamales in mole sauce with an Orange Ave Wit from the Coronado Brewing Company. A few blocks away at the Linkery, we ate grass-fed beef tacos and I enjoyed the 30th Street Pale Ale. Our last stop for 30th on 30th was Urban Solace, where we sat and enjoyed pulled pork and drinks.
Now full, we carefully unlocked our bikes and rode up 30th (utilizing Wife's new head and tail lights I bought earlier in the evening) to the local Tequila bar to hang out with our friends Liz and Ryan, Tina and Burns, and Katie and Jim. Once inside and with drinks in hand, I utilized my new sports history knowledge to wow and amaze those at our table (Ty Cobb still holds the overall batting average record with a .367). When the bar closed at the late hour of 10 pm, we rode home and went to bed.
On Saturday, after a few hours of working at a one-day summer camp up in Miramar, Wife and I enjoyed a lazy afternoon topped off with live Seattle Sounders versus San Jose Earthquakes (in which the Sounders soundly defeated the Earthquakes). After the first half, I decided we needed to get out of the house and created the ultimate viewing experience in our backyard. You can see it in the pictures below:
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- It is bigger than the one in Italy
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- Newly Installed Theater Seating
To end the weekend, Wife visited her family out in El Cajon (and exhausted Killian with his two play-dates) while I headed out with Joe (@eastmancolour) to April's (@grrillaesthete) place for an afternoon of Axis and Allies. Even though the Axis put up a valiant fight, history repeated itself as we lost in the end to the Allies. Next time the Axis will win, I guarantee it!
With the work-week upon us once again, at least I do not have any evening classes, just fun things to look forward to!
Bocce Ball and Reminiscing
On Sunday afternoon, Wife and I headed out to El Cajon for Killian's play date with Kona and to visit the Gennas. We enjoyed some drinks, food, hearing about their trip to Italy, and wishing we were all back in Italy (and yes we know that Italy seems great because we were not working, but still, I think we could all work there and be happy).
Just to keep that Italian spirit alive and to ease the Gennas back into American living (they returned last Tuesday), we played a few rounds of Bocce ball. I believe as couples, we each won a game. Vince suggested we should practice and possibly attempt to play with the pros up at Dana Point. I suggested he should dig up some grass and save water by building a regulation Bocce Ball court in his back yard.
South Park Summer Walkabout
Last Saturday, Wife and I enjoyed a date night by making use of the new San Diego Park-2-Park Shuttle (@SDPark2Park) and riding it down to South Park (@SouthParkSD) for the quarterly walkabout.
We started off the night at the Blind Lady Ale House then rode the shuttle to South Park and visited the new Space Emporium (@SpaceEmporium) opened up by some friends from SD Space (@SDSpace). After buying a t-shirt, Wife and I walked around, enjoyed a flea circus, ate some ice cream (well, she did, I had a cupcake), window shopped, and walked down Fern Street to the nearest shuttle stop.
Wife really wanted to take advantage of the discount offered by our shuttle wristband, so we decided to stop off at the Bluefoot Bar and then head over to a new bar/restaurant by the North Park Theater. Once inside the Bluefoot, I attempted to order a drink and was interrupted by the bartender as he asked my name. There behind the bar was Joe Driscoll, a grade school friend I had not seen in over 14 years. We reminisced, talked about the recent past, enjoyed a few drinks (and shots), and then parted ways around 12:30 a.m. Let's just say we never made it to the new bar.
To end the night, we rode the shuttle back to its Normal Heights stop and walked home. I wholeheartedly believe both Wife and I enjoyed the night out and plan on doing it again.
Party Hopping on the 4th
For the 4th of July, Wife and I began at the Lezack's new place. After fixing their PS3-HDMI-Television problem (I know, I am a nerd), we played a new game called washers. Michelle (@mlezack) and I beat Jen (@beachJen81) and Dan with a score of 21 to something. After then watching a few more rounds, Wife and I headed north to visit Tom and his new apartment on the what I am calling Tom's Harbor (it is more of a cove, but I like harbor better).
After finding a great parking space (close to Tom's), we enjoyed the view from the balcony, a delicious crock pot dinner, hanging on the dock, and then some fireworks. While we did not see much of the official fireworks, the neighbors definitely made sure we saw some sparkles.
I have to give it to both our host, they have great party locations. The Lezacks have a wonderful backyard with a pool (unfortunately too cold this 4th) and jacuzzi, while Tom has a very vibrant spot on the water with a dock and some friendly neighbors. Looking forward to the Labor Day Party!