I Read Banned Books

San Diego was expensive, exquisite, and exhausting.  I wish we had four or five days instead of two and a half.  I suppose one cannot complain:  a getaway is a getaway.  I was thrilled to have three guest bloggers while I was gone, and I noticed that they were treated well.  Thank you, Boog, DigitalRob, and Sistah CJ for your excellent contributions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on I Read Banned Books.  While I enjoyed having the respite from the Cult of Insanity, writing today’s post is annoying the hell out of me.  The old writing groove is not in the heart.  Let’s just bullet it out like a good Clint Eastwood movie.

The Good :

• San Diego Zoo:  The last time we went just to the zoo and not the Wild Animal Park and Sea World was when Monkey Boy was five and whiny.  This time we saw everything in record time and enjoyed Coronas and churros.  My favorite exhibits were the elephants, rhinos, hippos, gorillas, orangutans, assorted monkeys, meerkats, koala bears, and pandas.  If I can wait in line for an iToy, I can wait in line for the pandas.  We only missed the polar bears and sea turtles.
• Dick’s Last Resort San Diego:  I cannot tell you what raucous, irreverant hellafun this was.  I cannot wait to go with friends here in Las Vegas.  Who’s in?  Monkey Boy saw a lesbian’s ta-tas and was embarrassed to pieces by Boog and I on the drunk walk o’ shame back to the hotel.  Big Ass Glasses of Guinness and Jägerbombs are an evil combination.  And, since when is Red Bull used as an ingredient?  Fuck me!  I’m old!
• Manchester Grand Hyatt:  Last minute deal find on hotels.com for an affordable and luxurious stay.  Besides the windows were left open for fresh nighttime sea breezes.
• Pacific Beach: This is an excellent golden sand between your toes haunt.
• Gringo’s: We were wasting away in Margaritaville and mouthwatering, authentic Mexican food after our fun in the sun excursion.
• Seaport Village, Gaslamp Quarter, and Balboa Park:  Many varied offerings for food and entertainment are in these areas.  Again, two and a half days are not enough to see it and to do it all.
• Perry’s Cafe: This local legend has been around for decades and has the clinetale and naugehyde decor to prove it is “established.”  The spinach fritattas were fantastic, and the old school diner style service was applaudable.  Thanks, Ruprecht, for the most edible suggestion.
• Spending time with Boog:  He is my “pocket full of sunshine.”

The Bad :

• Pictures:  Not many were taken, and most of the ones that I did take aren’t that great.  I will share the snarky ones from Dick’s for Wordless Wednesday.   I must first Photoshop my face out of them.
• Beach weather:  It was overcast and almost too cool resulting in Boog being a little pinker than planned in the frontal lobe region.
• Comic-Con:  We were one week too early for the geekdorknerd fest.  Damn corporate asshats that Boog works for would not let him take this week off.  Yes, I would have gone and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I suppose I’ll have to live vicariously through Ruprecht.
• Boarding The Terrorist:  Laugh if you must, but he is my baby.  It was painful to put my four-year-old in a cage, but we did make it back in time to pick him up and have snuggle buddy time in our own bed last night.  He seems to have forgiven us for now.
• Snoring:  We all snored at one point or another over the two nights.  I know that for me it is time to start eating right, exercising, and getting the extra poundage off.  For Boog and Monkey Boy, it appears to be in the genes.

The Ugly :

• Monkey Boy:  He had a nasty, smart ass teenager attitude the entire weekend.  Both Boog and I were insulted repeatedly by his words and his actions.  As per the usual, he does not get anything.  I am convinced now more than ever that he is socially retarded.  The harder we try to make things easier for him, the worse he fights back.  I am done.  I am being purposely vague with the details because it just frustrates me more to talk about them.  The I Read Banned Book’s household may resemble a real-life Spaghetti Western before August 11 gets here.  And, yes, there will be a coming to Jesus meeting with Shoeless Sue very soon.

Next summer there will be an adult vacation without the step-slave or bust.