Monday, January 28, 2008

Pics from Puerto Vallarta



I want to post these so everyone will see one of my Man-Cub's favorite places in PV:
Yes, the office for a sport fishing business, Master Baiter's.
Check them out here.

Seriously, the guy inside was really nice. They do only tours, NO TIME SHARES.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

burned candle at both ends, now extinguished

All of the non-stop activity of the past 6 months has finally worn me down. The cold I had developed in PV turned into bronchitis and I have been benched by it! I have tried to keep going, but after feeling worse than pond-scum on Thursday, I finally went to the doctor yesterday.
He took one look at me and said "this has wiped you out!" He wasn't even my regular MD, one of the associates (but so delightfully kind and sweet!) So now, rest, fluids (not tequila), antibiotics. I am not feeling better yet, but maybe by tomorrow!

Hubby and I are finalizing a presentation for a friend this weekend. At least I can do the PowerPoint stuff in my pjs! When we met with him Thursday night, he loved what we had come up with! Now we are tweaking. It is great to get positive feedback from a friend and client.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

what's been going on

Just random musings:

Heard on the radio that Heath Ledger was found dead in NYC today. So sad, so talented.

The political season seems to be hitting its stride, mud is beginning to be slung. I wish the candidates would refrain from telling us what not to like about their opponents and just tell us what they want to do for us.

Yesterday was supposed be the gloomiest day of the year based on a strange mathematical formula relating to the time since Christmas, the low amount of sunlight and the arrival of holiday credit card bills. January 21 is supposed to have the highest number of suicides.

If I can get through tomorrow, then I have Project Runway to look forward to! All the designers are starting to crack in one way or another. I know how it feels! I am faced by creative demands, impossible budgets and an overwhelming excess of administrative B******T to do! I just focus on the limited design time I have and try to make my patterns count.

I have been working on my scrapbook of our PV trip. With every photo I print, I remember additional details. This may have been the best trip I've taken (so far!).

I really want to go to India. I have been so in love with the colors, foods, culture and people for so long. I think it will require 2 weeks. I need to research this. And make it happen.

Yep, this is the best way to cope with the gloomy gray days of January: fantasize about the saffron yellow, tangerine orange and glowing pink of India! Namaste!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Cool little quiz

Here's a cool quiz to match you up to one of the current presidential candidates QUIZ. You can see my results on the left. Interesting!
Well the snow came and went. We are now awaiting more. I am looking forward to spring!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Winter blahs, and it's not even February yet!

I am trying to dig out cute pictures to keep myself from diving under the covers to wait out winter. The adorable pup seen here is my brother's, her name is Zuni. She is so sweet, and very smart.
Today has been a true winter day: dull, gray light, sound muffled by the growing cloud cover, my staff playing Chicken Little about the possible snow! I do not know which I hate more: the weather people hyping up the possibility, my staff all aflutter about the possibility or dealing with the white stuff itself. I believe it would be better if the weather was just accepted for what it is, rather than something to guess and speculate on. "Hot enough for ye?" "We shore do need the rain!" Weather, we can talk about it but have no control over it!
At least it is Wednesday. One day closer to the weekend. Man-cub is coming home Friday. He will breeze in Friday around 6. Sleep til noon. Hang out with his friends. We need to get some groceries!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Stray musings of the week

Well, Man-Cub made his way back to M-boro with his new piercing. I have hacked and coughed non-stop since 1/1/08. Probably a sinus infection but I am trying to wait it out since I have no fever. Hubby ended up smuggling a friend back from SOB (South of the Border): Montezuma's Revenge. Yep, a sweet parasite, he has dropped significant weight, but now is on Xtreme antibiotics and starting to look human again.
Another week has ended and I am fascinated by the caucuses and primaries and all the jockeying for votes. Seems like this election has been going on forever. I really like the fact that the pundits got New Hampshire wrong. In the race to be first with information, they too often convince the public that the elections have already been sewn up, which in turn makes voters believe their vote won't matter and then they don't vote! Personally, I am leaning toward Obama. I am very ready for a change. I believe the old, fat, white men have had their turn and done a job on our country. I guess as a woman, most would expect me to be for Hillary. I don't hate her (as many do), but I see her as too much of an insider. That could be an asset, but I think the politicians are too far removed from our reality and have completely forgotten what it is like to really work to pay bills. I also believe our founding fathers (while complete sexist, but appropriate for their time) intended for us to truly govern ourselves. Not create career politicians. That is what I don't like about Edwards. He got elected to the Senate and has done nothing since except campaign to become president.
So in case any candidates happen upon my musings, here are the concerns of a middle-aged (but very HOT) wife, mother and designer (me):
1. The Environment: we need to protect our planet.
2. The Economy: the shrinking middle class should scare everyone. We are slowly becoming a nation of haves and have-nots.
3. The war in Iraq: bring the troops home, let them rest up, then send them to the Gulf to resurrect those cities, towns and communities damaged by Katrina. The lack of help in this disaster is a National Shame.
4. Peace. We are more alike than we are different. Let's find peaceful ways to resolve conflict.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Cliches for life

Al, Freddie and I were "advising" the Man-cub this morning in prep for his second semester. Freddie told the boy to focus all his waking hours on studying and working out, then be amazed at what happened. We got on a roll with advise, so here is a list of platitudes to inspire:
1. Diamonds are formed under pressure.
2. That which does not kill me makes me stronger.
3. The harder you work, the luckier you get.
4. This too, shall pass.
5. Give it time
6. Talent in cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work. Stephen King
7.In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. Bill Cosby
8.
I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying.
Michael Jordan
9.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
Hunter S. Thompson
10.
We adore chaos because we love to produce order. M. C. Escher
11.
“Oh, God, why don’t I remember that a little chaos is good for the soul?” — Marilyn French
12. Get out there and try, what have you got to lose?
Just a gentle kick in the butt to get motivated!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Paying the piper

This is a very cheap brand of tequila available in the local markets in PV. It is the "Reposado" brand, but considering the picture on the label (and the fact it was both bottles together for about $4US), I thought it would translate to "Old Goat". I have found that it really means "reclined", " to take a rest" and (no surprise) "to be buried". Well, I feel bad enough for all three, but not from imbibing in cheap tequila. Oh, no, the reason for my discomfort had to come from breathing in the toxic recirculated air from the planes. Strange, I wasn't sick whilst prancing about the tropics in my swim suit and sandals. As soon as I get properly clothed and shod, I fall victim to a horrid malaise. I just was never meant for winter in at this latitude.

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The Most Beautiful Beach

Yep, it is very remote! We arrived there in the back of a huge Mercedes 4WD truck, after climbing and descending many ancient cobblestone paths. We had stopped in a tiny village, El Colomo, to visit with the farmers of this valley. We had hiked through semi-evergreen rain forests (where the classic Schwarzenegger flick "Predator" was shot). We were hot, sweaty, dirty and had been drinking mas frio cervesas. Then, we made one last descent and landed here.
A small, crescent shaped beach, bordered by the rocky by-products of the local volcanoes. A delightful Mexican-grilled repast awaited us (steak, chicken,
chorizo, arroz, tomatoes, cukes, homemade tortillas, and of course, the ubiquitous open bar). We wondered about, ate drank and rested.Paradise exists. We've been there.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Feliz Nuevo Ano!!!

We arrived back in the states yesterday at 5:49pm. We finally got through customs and back to the car at 8pm. Wow, we waited in line to return (as natural born citizens) longer than all the lines combined to get into and out of Mexico! Something is seriously wrong with that!
Enough griping about out bureucracy.

Yes, we survived our trip to Puerto Vallarta. This is a wild, hard-partying, rustic, remote, Paradise. The Sierra Madre range dips right into the Bahia de Banderas, the rainforest jungles are full of towering palms, parasitic ficus, vivid birds, volcanos and wonderful people. The Tequila they make here (this is the true HOME of Tequila) is a clear, smooth, insidious monster. It goes down too easily. First you start with a 2-figer shot, the next thing you know, you've lost 14 hours! Whew! Everywhere you go, there is an open bar and charming natives pouring and offering limes! We ventured on a Sierra Madre tour (open bar, all the tequila & cervesa you can drink), a whale-watching tour (open bar and bartender) and spent much time on the beach (many open bars, waiters come to you chaise to take your order) and in Puerto Vallarta (too many drink options to count). My man-cub seemed to enjoy himself greatly. He went out with a bunch of Canadians one night and ended up with a new piercing!
A great vacation, and fabulous way to spend the week between Christmas and New Years. More pictures and tales to come.