Thursday, July 13, 2006

Random memories from my latest trip...

1. Apparently, Summer Breeze (the Seals & Crofts version from the 70s), was THE theme song while I was in San Diego last week. It's easily been years since I last heard or thought of that song (I think). Yet, last week, I heard that song once each day. No lie.

The first time was a very poor rendition from a 'needy' man along the street in front of Anthony's Fish Grotto*. This 'needy' man was playing tunes on his guitar and had a bucket in front of him for donations. Let's just call this the most interesting of the versions I heard in San Diego. Blowing with the jasmine in my MIIIIIIINNNNNND! (imagine this last part in a falsetto voice and very, VERY out of tune)

Another time, it was performed en espagnol at a cafe in Old Town. Good version. The last two times, the actual Seals & Crofts recording was played in a couple of restaurants. I just thought it a little odd that I kept hearing this song every single day!

2. While eating crab-stuffed shrimp at Joe's Crab Shack, I actually heard Xanadu on the muzak that was playing. Seriously. If you are as old as I am, you might remember the movie too. All I know is that someone was doing some major shrooms when that one was written. Love Olivia, but yeesh.

3. On our way back from Old Town last Thursday night, we were sitting at the America Plaza station for about 20 minutes. When the trolley finally approached, a very happy construction worker appeared out of nowhere to hop the trolley on the orange line... same as where we were headed. When I say happy, I mean this guy was feeling NO pain.

Happy Construction Worker guy [reeling around, waving a half-empty bottle of wine]: "WHOOOO! It's time to PAR-TAY! WHOOOOOO!"

Me [eyes as round as pie plates]: "Okay... someone is glad the workday is over."

Scared Midwestern Lady With Me: "Just don't make eye contact with him and everything will be okay."

Me [laughing]: I think this guy is the least of our worries. All you'd have to do is push him over and run. He wouldn't be able to get up!"

Happy Construction Worker guy: "Who wants to join me? I gots plenty of this stuff! WHOOOOOO!"

His joy was so obvious, plus he was providing oodles of entertainment for my group. Sadly, right as the trolley pulled out of the station, two uniformed men joined us for the ride and headed straight for Happy Construction Worker guy. They confiscated his half-empty bottle of wine. Still laughing, he tells them that it's okay... he has more. So then they confiscated all the bottles of wine he has (three). He was still laughing and joking with the officers, right up until the time they started reading him his rights. Then he wasn't so Happy anymore. Much to our chagrin, we pulled up to our station and had to leave the wonderful scene. I was going to take a picture of it all, but my friends thought I might anger the officers.

4. As I was leaving my hotel room, lugging all the bags I brought with me, I glanced at the clock. Guess what time it was? Yep. 11:11. *shudder*

I'm actually feeling half normal today... I'm going to try to post all my pics on my lame photo site later.

*BTW, if you've never been to Anthony's, put that on your Top 10 list of things to do before you die. Yummo.

10 comments:

Paisley said...

Sounds like a fun time!! Welcome back.

:)

Jaek said...

Glad you had a great time, but glad you're back, too. I feel like a piece of the universe is stable once more.

I'm a little jealous. I have only been to California once, north of LA, and I LOVED it. I really want to go back again and again...but I don't think I want to live there.

A guy I was good friends with in my Army days is from San Diego and was always going on about how much he loved it. One day I will go.

Nessa said...

It is a sad comment on today's society when a drunk can't be happy in public without getting arrested.

stinkypaw said...

Darn! Now I can't help to hum "Summer Breeze"!!! And I must be a s old as you 'cause I do remember the songs (especially "Magic") and the movie. I forgave Olivia a long time ago, simply because she was Sandy and will always be!

Glad to read you again! and I'll keep an eye out for your pict.! Take care!

Guinness_Girl said...

Peachy. Now I can't get Summer Breeze out of my head and I left my iPod at home. Grrr! But I"m glad you're back!

I loved me some Xanadu when I was a kid. Don't knock it, lady.

Gabrielle said...

You know, there's a great remix of "Summer Breeze" by Philip Steir, you need a copy of that, it's the perfect California track. I love SD!! Show us the pics!!

JulieGong said...

Xanadu used to be my favorite movie as a child... that probably explains a lot..

don't call me MA'AM said...

paisley: it was... it would have been better with the Farm Boy, though. Thanks!

jaek: you know me. I'm all about keeping the universe stable. ;-)

goldennib: I KNOW! I felt sorry for the guy. He wasn't hurting anyone.

stinkypaw: it still hasn't left my brain. Oh! And I forgot about Magic. Ah... good times.

gg: I'm not knocking it... I loved Xanadu, too. It's just that, now, looking back at it, it was pretty bizarro.

gabrielle: ooh, I'll have to look for that version. thanks! I will probably post pics later this afternoon.

julie: so that's your issue... someone fed you a lot of shrooms when you were little? ;-) But you're a cool chick, so no harm done, right?

Anonymous said...

I lurrrrved "Xanadu" as a girl! Can't believe you heard the song.

Welcome back. Sounds like fun!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, DCMM. I will now be singing "Summer Breeze" (makes me feel goooood) for several days. Thank you! You're a giver, you are.