Via Flickr:
My 6th winning tab, 5th free coffee. I am on a rrrrroll.
FYI there are two tabs this year because of Tim Hortons 50th anniversary. All of my winning tabs have been yellow.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Day 59
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
Monday, 24 February 2014
Sunday, 23 February 2014
This is how its done
Hey Sweden! I have nothing but good memories of visiting your country! 80% of my furniture comes from IKEA! #hardtotrashtalkSweden
— Angela B (@angelamermaid42) February 24, 2014How I Spent My Winter Vacation - Part Four
February 10 was my last full day in San Diego. My plans for the day had changed rapidly. Originally I was to meet Judy and Lisa, two women I knew from our mutual love of Owen/Cristina, in the morning. Lisa was taking the train from LA and Judy would pick up both of us and we'd eat. But then Judy's kids got sick and so did she.
So Lisa and I tried to figure out how to meet up - and I tried to figure out what to do with the rest of my day. When Judy started feeling better, it became more complicated. Part of me wanted to see more of San Diego, but honestly, I had been doing a lot of walking and exploring and didn't really feel up to figuring out the bus system. I could have rented a car, but the California freeway system looks pretty complex and intimidating.
Judy felt better so we eventually settled on meeting for supper. I decided I would make things simpler by not exploring San Diego. Polina suggested that I walk to the Mission Trails Regional Park nearby, and that turned out to be a great idea.
So I walked half an hour to the park. I found the environment very interesting - most of my life has been lived in northern climates. (I checked Google Maps - San Diego is actually the farthest south I have even travelled).
The park has a visitor's centre. A volunteer encouraged me to follow a path around the centre, which he said he could do in 45 minutes and he was "an old guy". He also assured me it was safe for a lone woman to be walking on and suggested I visit the Grinding Rocks.
He also gave me a guide to native plant life around the centre. This is made in the tradition of the Kumeyaay and was on the grounds.
So Lisa and I tried to figure out how to meet up - and I tried to figure out what to do with the rest of my day. When Judy started feeling better, it became more complicated. Part of me wanted to see more of San Diego, but honestly, I had been doing a lot of walking and exploring and didn't really feel up to figuring out the bus system. I could have rented a car, but the California freeway system looks pretty complex and intimidating.
Judy felt better so we eventually settled on meeting for supper. I decided I would make things simpler by not exploring San Diego. Polina suggested that I walk to the Mission Trails Regional Park nearby, and that turned out to be a great idea.
So I walked half an hour to the park. I found the environment very interesting - most of my life has been lived in northern climates. (I checked Google Maps - San Diego is actually the farthest south I have even travelled).
The park has a visitor's centre. A volunteer encouraged me to follow a path around the centre, which he said he could do in 45 minutes and he was "an old guy". He also assured me it was safe for a lone woman to be walking on and suggested I visit the Grinding Rocks.
He also gave me a guide to native plant life around the centre. This is made in the tradition of the Kumeyaay and was on the grounds.
Day 54
Via Flickr:
There are only two reasons to be up early on a Sunday - catching a flight or watching a gold medal hockey game.
There are only two reasons to be up early on a Sunday - catching a flight or watching a gold medal hockey game.
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Day 53
Via Flickr:
In a burst of productivity, I rearranged stuff so that I could put all of my yarn stash in my walk-in closet.
In a burst of productivity, I rearranged stuff so that I could put all of my yarn stash in my walk-in closet.
Friday, 21 February 2014
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Northern Lights
Via Flickr:
Another photo from last night - took some extra processing to bring out the aurora.
Another photo from last night - took some extra processing to bring out the aurora.
How I Spent My Winter Vacation - Part Three
February 9 was another beautiful day in San Diego. By this point, I'd forgotten what bitter cold feels like.
We went to a restaurant with a gluten-free menu - 's daughter is celiac and was thrilled to have another GF person visiting. The GF cinnamon roll pancakes were awesome.
Before heading out to the zoo, I took pictures of clover. Because I was in love with all the greenness of San Diego.
Before heading out to the zoo, I took pictures of clover. Because I was in love with all the greenness of San Diego.
Day 51
Via Flickr:
Flag selfie in honour of Canada's latest gold medal, when our women defeated the US in overtime!
The Northern Lights
One thing that Calgary has over California is the Northern Lights. I've long admired a coworker's photography and wished I had the nerve to chase Northern Lights like he does.
Normally, there's a cloud cover when an aurora watch is issued. Tonight there wasn't. And I decided that for once, I'd go for it. I grabbed my trusty Lumix and a tripod and set off for a nearby park area.
And now I'm going to bed.
Normally, there's a cloud cover when an aurora watch is issued. Tonight there wasn't. And I decided that for once, I'd go for it. I grabbed my trusty Lumix and a tripod and set off for a nearby park area.
And now I'm going to bed.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Monday, 17 February 2014
Day 48
Via Flickr:
Today is Family Day in Alberta, yet Canada Post was still making deliveries. I'm glad - because I got a nice surprise card!
Sunday, 16 February 2014
How I Spent My Winter Vacation - Part Two
The original reason to go to San Diego was the Mermaid Marathon. I thought it would be a good reason to get up and start moving after surgery in the fall. I chose the 5K race because I wasn't sure how much stamina I'd recover by race time.
What makes it a "mermaid" marathon is that 99% of the entrants were female, from a grand and wise mermaid in robes to lots of giggling mini-mermaids.
Since P lured me to San Diego for the marathon, she walked it with me. Starting early in the morning.
Surrounded by women in colourful tutus and mermaid leggings, we felt a little underdressed. :-) I did tie-dye my t-shirt for the race.
What makes it a "mermaid" marathon is that 99% of the entrants were female, from a grand and wise mermaid in robes to lots of giggling mini-mermaids.
Since P lured me to San Diego for the marathon, she walked it with me. Starting early in the morning.
Surrounded by women in colourful tutus and mermaid leggings, we felt a little underdressed. :-) I did tie-dye my t-shirt for the race.
Saturday, 15 February 2014
How I Spent My Winter Vacation - Part One
This is how it will go - I'll post a recap of each day, with photos to illustrate, but I won't post all of the photos from each day at once. I will post the others one at a time, later, so I can still share them but not overwhelm one post with too many.
Note: the Jedi camera doesn't want to turn on, I tried it with two fully charged battery packs. I'll take it into a shop - it may be as simple as the date/time battery needing to be replaced. My point is, all of my photos were either taken with my Lumix or my cell phone.
I arrived in San Diego on February 6. My first flight, from Calgary to Los Angeles, was great. I watched Gravity then chatted with the older couple seated next to me. They were going to sightsee for a day, then board a cruise ship that would take them through the Panama Canal to Florida.
LAX is huge. And overwhelming. With the kindness of helpful people, I found my terminal for my next flight. When I went in search of my gate, I got whisked into a shuttle bus and was driven across across the airport to a smaller terminal with one fast food restaurant and no WiFi. #firstworldproblems.
My next flight was in partnership with WestJet. It was an American Eagle flight and cramped. My seatmate and I agreed that we should pull the window shade down and try to nap. This was definitely an economy flight.
P was at the San Diego airport, with her kids, Victoria and Andrew. I've known P for so long online that it wasn't weird settling into her minivan and talking as we drove through San Diego. San Diego is beautiful, by the way.
The next morning, everyone was at work or school. I had breakfast with a beautiful view of her backyard, and canyons and hills. And a hummingbird hovering around these flowers.
Note: the Jedi camera doesn't want to turn on, I tried it with two fully charged battery packs. I'll take it into a shop - it may be as simple as the date/time battery needing to be replaced. My point is, all of my photos were either taken with my Lumix or my cell phone.
I arrived in San Diego on February 6. My first flight, from Calgary to Los Angeles, was great. I watched Gravity then chatted with the older couple seated next to me. They were going to sightsee for a day, then board a cruise ship that would take them through the Panama Canal to Florida.
LAX is huge. And overwhelming. With the kindness of helpful people, I found my terminal for my next flight. When I went in search of my gate, I got whisked into a shuttle bus and was driven across across the airport to a smaller terminal with one fast food restaurant and no WiFi. #firstworldproblems.
My next flight was in partnership with WestJet. It was an American Eagle flight and cramped. My seatmate and I agreed that we should pull the window shade down and try to nap. This was definitely an economy flight.
P was at the San Diego airport, with her kids, Victoria and Andrew. I've known P for so long online that it wasn't weird settling into her minivan and talking as we drove through San Diego. San Diego is beautiful, by the way.
The next morning, everyone was at work or school. I had breakfast with a beautiful view of her backyard, and canyons and hills. And a hummingbird hovering around these flowers.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Day 45
Via Flickr:
I got my phone back with a new motherboard, so covert selfies on transit are back!
Thursday, 13 February 2014
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Days 37-42
Tired after a long day of travel and crashing on a guest bed.
Enjoying watching the sun set with a friend.
La Jolla.
Another day where I forgot to take a selfie until I was ready for bed. Also, SPF60 wasn't sufficient for my pale Canadian skin.
Visiting the Mission Trails Regional Park. This was taken before I hiked a hot 5K and possibly brushed up against poison oak.
After one cancelled flight and a shuttle ride to LAX, I'm homeward bound.
Enjoying watching the sun set with a friend.
La Jolla.
Another day where I forgot to take a selfie until I was ready for bed. Also, SPF60 wasn't sufficient for my pale Canadian skin.
Visiting the Mission Trails Regional Park. This was taken before I hiked a hot 5K and possibly brushed up against poison oak.
After one cancelled flight and a shuttle ride to LAX, I'm homeward bound.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Homeward Bound Boo Yeah!
This morning, I was at the San Diego airport and a little nervous about the status of my flight. I was scheduled to fly to LAX, have a four hour layover, then board a plane to Calgary. RECAP.
My flight got cancelled due to fog. BOO!
My flight got cancelled due to fog. BOO!
Wednesday, 5 February 2014
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Monday, 3 February 2014
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Day 33
Via Flickr:
My phone died and is undergoing repair under warranty. I'm using my old phone, with less camera options. So I'm going to be extra creative in figuring out how to take selfies.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Day 32
Via Flickr:
Experimenting with a laser pointer and the timer option on my Lumix. Just another Saturday night. ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
