Thanksgiving O.C. 08

So, I realized I hadn't followed up w/ a post about our SoCal Thanksgiving trip. It's been quite a tradition, visiting w/ Bonnie's family, but a bit different each time. This year we left OAK on Thanksgiving morning, and caught dinner with her Aunt Sheila & Uncle Ray's family in San Clemente. Along with their daughter's family (Jeff and Carrie & 3 kids - 17, 11, and 8), and Bonnie's dad & stepmom. My sister Rebecca & her beau Rob were able to join us, from Vista in northern San Diego County (about 50 minute drive). All told, I think 15 people came thru that day - great food and great company all around! We stayed Thursday night with Bonnie's dad Jack, & Mercy. Then breakfast Friday morning, then daring to visit the mall! OK - part of the story was that I lost my iPod at the Oakland Airport... left it where I was sitting at at the gate before boarding. Bummer, yes, but not tragic - at least it had no personal or irreplaceable info on it. And it was fun to get a new iPod ( though I didn't get a new one til a few weeks later. I just pretended my old one had died a mechanical death...). Anyway, continuing with the trip. We picked up Nicole from the airport in the afternoon, then made our way to Bonnie's mom's place. Hanging out, then taking a stroll down along Corona del Mar's main strip. Afterwards, enjoying dinner, and watching the Tim Robbins movie "Noise" in the evening. Which I had never heard of - very interesting premise.
Saturday I headed over to a gym to work off some turkey & honeybaked ham. Afternoon was a trip to the O.C. museums - mainly to the Bowers Art Museum to see their Africa photos exhibit, very excellent in its presentation and content, and context. But also checking out the Discovery Cube, which had a 'Bats' exhibit, and "The Science of Gingerbread", plus a lot of fun hands-on exhibits. Saturday night more dinner and visiting, then we wanted to check out some O.C. nightlife. We were thinking of checking out some Latin Jazz, but were unsure of the time frame of the show. So we ended up hitting downtown Newport Beach scene, to a bar to see a Pearl Jam tribute band, then part of a Stone Temple Pilots cover band. Had fun (as much as you can have at a tribute show... the people watching was the most interesting), then made a walk around the downtown strip.
Sunday we tried to meet up with Jack & Mercy again, so they could visit Nicole, but the timing just didn't work out. That concluded our family portion of the weekend (as always, wonderful spending time with all Bonnie's family!) We made a drive up to L.A. to visit Bonnie's friend Susan Isaacs, who's got a book being published & released in a couple months! Very fantastic comedienne and writer (a onetime member of the Groundlings), with a unique take on a religious viewpoint. But also a very lovely person, and wonderful friend (she worked her tail off helping with our big event this summer!). Her husband Larry is a great guy, and accomplished writer himself. We sat on their amazing deck & munched cheese and cakes, and green tea, then went for a proper Thai dinner. Great being able to spend some time with them! Concluded with a thankfully uneventful car return at LAX & flight home to OAK.
As I write this belated post, the day after Xmas, I am staying with my brother Greg & family in Raleigh, North Carolina! Only been here a few hours, but got some local flavor (lots of highly sweet BBQ at Smithfield's), and I spent the evening catching up and playing with Sterling and Elise's and their new Xmas toys. Full report later, as well as the Best of.