DM travels southish

[Greg_phpbb3_import1]

Did you know Hempcon is happening April 1-3 at LA convention center? Did you know that Ziggy Marley will be performing at Hempcon on April 2?

[Drunk Monk]

Brewery tour. http://brotherhoodofdoom.com/phpBB3/view...a&start=15

[Drunk Monk]

It was a trip of little sleep and lots of caffeine. After Wondercon to the Anchor tour (where I got more drunk than I have in years), we blasted down to LA Sunday evening after S got off work.

Our stop at Lynch Manor was quick, only enough time to deliver some pants, pick up some Bushmills and get molested by Dani. I'm still picking dog fur out of my PJs.

But still, it was good to see Greg and a sleepy tq, if only for moment. Thanks for the hospitality!

The mission? It was a panda pilgrimage and it was great fun. Gao Gao and Bai Yun seemed to be the only larger mammals that were happy at the zoo. They seemed to know they were getting good care - all the bamboo they could eat and an endless parade of stupid humans to look at. I liked the kipspringer, the snow leopard, the insect house and reptile exhibit.

Spent the night at a nice Best Western on Shelter Island. Didn't sleep well, unfortunately. Not sure why. It was quiet and comfy enough. Just too wired from my San Diego Zoo $6 coca cola, I guess. We swam and rode the free rental bikes the next day. Then we wound up in the Gaslamp district for opening day - Padres vs. Giants ironically. We almost bought tickets but then thought better of it. Went to that old Spanish district, which was lame, so we got drinks and left. There was a shop that had a big sign that said 'swords' but I wasn't even inclined to go as the rest of the shops were so touristy.

We went to Santa Barbara to stay at a hostel for the night. I was born in Santa Barbara. It was a very noisy hostel and I didn't sleep at all.

We had breakfast at a great diner in San Luis Obispo. Eggs Florentine and keep the damn coffee flowing! Got home Wednesday afternoon in time for T to go to gymnastics and me to go to kung fu.

I'm glad it's Friday now and I can rest from the weekend.

[Drunk Monk]

Had the worst fish tacos ever at some touristy mexican place - so disappointing. you'd think right there next to tijuana and the ocean i'd get some rocking fish tacos, but these were more like fish and chips cuts, drowned in salsa and food coupon cheese. nasty.

[Drunk Monk]

Tara is spending her first night at UCSD ERC. Stacy & I are in a seaside hotel in La Jolla with a balcony facing the ocean. La Jolla is swanky yoga spa town. The hotel has a clothbound catalog of high end watches. We had gourmet tacos for dinner. 

It's not Rome. It's my daughter's next 4 years.

[Drunk Monk]

Fruti di mare pizza to die for. Lots of firm butts in yoga pants. Damn hotel wifi is too overloaded for Sling to watch the mongol ep of Art of War. S&T had some amazing gelato but it's not Rome.

[Drunk Monk]

finally got to the end of the ep. They kept my prudent line but cut my line about racheting up the ballista when the first attempt only went like 20 ft. At least they kept shots of me grinning because that was a lot of fun. How often do you get to shoot up a car like that?

We rented bikes today and rode around balboa park. The museum was nice and the Japanese garden. The international houses needed animatronic dolls sings small world. The organ was practicing James Bond themes, much to our delight. Little Italy for dinner with my last shaolin Shifu, who I haven't seen in a few years. Need him to meet Tara, so she has a shaolin monk in her back pocket if need be.

[Drunk Monk]

Downtown SD is fairly walkable. We hit Horton plaza which is very Seuss like and partially abandoned like most malls, the Chinese historical museum,which is just the collection of Tom Hom, a local magnate, and have been eating in little Italy (nice but pricey) and seaport (touristy). Checked out the sea shepherd which was cool. SD has lots of piss smells - my theory is that it doesn't rain here enough like other cities so it doesn't get washed.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Good theory. Likely true, too.

[Drunk Monk]

Lofty coffee in little Italy makes the best croissants outside of cadaques. Excellent coffee and tea too.

Took the ferry to Coronado. Reminded me of fantasy island. Much patriotism with the upcoming 4th and as this is such a militarized zone. We're escaping just in time. 

Now chilling on the lobby until heading to the airport. Next time we come to Sd, we leave Tara here.

[King Bob]

Next time hit the Timken Museum in Balboa Park - right next to the SD Museum of Art - it's small and free and almost all the paintings are masterpieces. The Art Museum next door is also worth a visit; they have a good permanent collection and the sculpture garden is nice. The Museum of Man in Balboa Park also is good - they have some Peruvian mummies.

You would also enjoy Ballast Point Brewery (one in Little Italy, really a restaurant, and the brewery itself, up by Escondido).

[Drunk Monk]

We didn't do the Timkin or Man museum, just the main art one which was really nice. We rode bikes there and were pretty burnt out so we skipped the other museums.

And, believe it or not, I'm not drinking beer much any more. Diabetes. :-(

[Drunk Monk]

Starting to pack the CRV. The big move. 

Bittersweet.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Godspeed.

[Drunk Monk]

450+ miles, 8+ hours, 1 tank of gas.

We have today to chill. Tomorrow is the move in. Sunday Stacy & I make if back to the bungalow, just the two of us.