my new turquoise ring I bought at the Cayucos peddler's faire 

standing under the pier as a wave knocks me over... 

Charlie emerged out of the mist to join me on my stroll... 

my last morning walk, through the fog...it was cool because it was after Labor Day so all the tourists were gone and I had the beach to myself, save for a few surfers...until... 

and I'm following suit... 

Charlie, enjoying his glass of riesling before the sunset, across the street from the Sea Chest... 

Back from Little But Very Important Journey

Hi all, I got back from the beach trip on Wednesday and everything's crazy around here workwise still (Hell Week Part 2?) but I'm still on the nice California-laid back-all-is-right-with-the-world-vibe-though, so that's a good thing and I feeling good so I think it was well worth the money to fly out there - yes, two weeks would have been nice, but I have to take what I can get - I was very grateful for the time I did have...and the good fresh seafood from the Sea Chest, yummy wine, hiking with Dad, shopping and laughing with Mom - every part of those four days was perfect...I'll write more later, but for now I just want to post some pics that I think are lovely (as requested by Goody Delgado)

A Very Quick Update and Hi

Hell Week officially ended on Saturday night so I got to go home, eat my own food, sleep in my own bed, do whatever the hell I wanted to do...I was starting to feel like I was being held hostage here and my aggravation level was growing - I felt like I had no time for myself, to take care of personal things, take a walk outside even, just for a breather...I snuck out twice for an hour or so to meet Zeus but other than that, I was very crazed and sleep deprived...some aspects of it were fun, since everyone got goofy and silly as the late nights wore on...the people I work with make me laugh a lot, so it helps to keep the mood cheerful instead of me dreading being here...this week has been pretty mellow so far, just resting, trying to get my life back in order and on schedule and stay on top of everything that has fallen by the wayside over the past few hectic weeks...that's always a struggle for me, but I think that's why I've turned into a compulsive list-maker... that's my only strategy in time management and against procrastination but I do go overboard with it at times...

The good news this week is that I'm going to California for 4 days! If we weren't in the middle of all this PeopleSoft Nonsense, I would be on vacation for 10 days with my parents in Cayucos, California, a little tiny beach town in the Central Coast, south of Big Sur (http://www.cayucosbythesea.com/index.html) ... it's probably my favorite spot to be...we've been going there as a family for years and it has so many good memories for me and it's just a spot with good vibes - I always feel good and happy and content and peaceful there. So I decided to splurge on a last minute ticket (with the help of the parents of course - it's my sole birthday gift this year, but well worth it - aren't they the coolest to do this for me? I think so) and so I'll be on a plane west coast bound on Friday - I get there at 11pm and then I'm leaving at 7pm on Tuesday night...I can't wait...hiking, sunrise beach walks, great wine and fresh seafood daily... after last week, I deserve a little happiness, yes? Glad you agree! Happy long weekend to all of you...later gators!

P.S.

woo hoo!!!!!!!!

I get to go to sleep now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Sleep Deprivation Update

I'm soooo sleepy and achy and my delirious head is swimming...we stayed here until close to 4 a.m. and we were all up at 7:30 to be back here before 9 a.m. to finish off our conversion validation by the this afternoon...then back to the hotel to nap ( I hope, please please God, let them give me naptime) and then back here at 6 or 7 to begin all over again...

signing off...onward and upward (hee hee, that's for you Joyce!)