This morning we started our day with another great homemade breakfast. Today Erwin didn’t have to work, so he warmed up the La Pavoni Espresso machine and pumped out some tasty caffeinated brew. The previous evening, we had learned that Traci’s best friend Leslie’s sister, Julie, had just given birth at the Stanford hospital. So, Traci and Kylie had planned to go visit since we’re so close and spent the middle part of the day there. From what I heard from Traci, our St. Vincent’s maternity ward is much nicer than Stanfords… but they are doing some remodeling to improve their hospital.
While Traci was out, I spent my time helping my mom and Erwin setup their new Plasma TV, Comcast Cable box, and DVD player… “correctly”. The guys who installed their equipment are a joke. They had cables connected that didn’t belong.. and the biggest offense was having a high-def TV, with High-def service, and not being able to see any of it because they had the TV using the RF modulated CH3 output from the cablebox. It’s a tragedy to say the least.
I also helped Erwin setup their new HP Color Laserjet printer with Wifi Jet direct printing. So needless, to say, I had a productive day. That evening we went for dinner at my Mom’s favorite Sushi place, Shogun, in Downtown Santa Cruz. I really like the Shogun too. It’s better than almost any sushi place I’ve been to in the greater Portland Area. (not that I’ve been to that many different places).
I also always enjoy walking up and down Pacific Ave. in Santa Cruz. There are so many colorful characters that frequent this part of town… it has it’s own built in entertainment. One landmark person, is the “pink” guy. He dresses up all in pink with a tutu and fairy wand or parasol and just stands on the corner. Occasionally waves at people. He’s not pan-handling, he’s just a landmark fixture of Pacific Street. Allegedly he holds a normal job too.
On our way home we decided to play some cards… its become somewhat of a tradition. Traci really likes to play cards, and doesn’t get to play very often. Our game of choice… Hearts. It’s quite competitive with Erwin, Traci, and myself. Erwin is really good at “going for power” or “shooting the moon” depending on your game terminology. It’s where you collect all the tricks and the Queen of spades and as a results you give each of your opponents 26 points (the goal of the game is to have the least amount of points). We spent what must have been a good 3 hours playing. Erwin won, followed by my mom, Traci, and myself. Though the results might have been different had we stopped playing sooner. In either case, we had fun.
Traci with Rob and Julie's newborn baby, Elizabeth.
From left to right: Kylie, Traci, Julie, baby Elizabeth (aka Lilly), and Leslie
It was good that Traci got to meet up with Leslie in the bay area. Initially our sabbatical plans would've had us driving up from LA to San Jose and stopping in Dinuba to see Mark and Leslie. Instead we got 6 days in Cancun. I think it's a fair exchange.
Grandma Kate and Kylie.
"Deal me in."
Kylie thought she was going to be able to stay up and play cards with the adults.
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