Happy New Year

© Linda Davick

Everything Is Wrong

Our car broke down. Our dryer broke down. As you can see, I'm having to air-dry my new socks in the kitchen.

Everything may be wrong, but when you find one thing that's right in the middle of everything that's wrong, isn't it terrific?

I found these socks I loved at Ross Dress For Less. Foolishy, I bought only one pair. I liked them so much that I put them on as soon as I got in the car. When I took them off that night, I was still head over heels in love with them.

The next morning I wanted to wear them again; but the dryer had broken. I drove straight back to Ross Dress For Less. (This was before the tie rod snapped in two on the car.) I was stunned to find that no one had bought even one pair of my favorite socks in my absence. So I bought all the rest. And now, even though everything is still wrong, I feel grounded.

Movie Review

Today when I noticed the Little Man standing in his chair clapping for Little Children, I decided we should go see it. I didn't like it at all!

But here's a rave review for you: Sofia in a tiny can that you can take to the movies in your bag. It comes with an flexible straw. Great with popcorn and chocolate. Named for Sofia Coppola, who directed Lost In Translation.

Christmas Is Over.

photo Linda Davick
I was walking down Geary Street. When I saw Santa painted on the front window of Royal Ground Coffee Shop with his tooth blacked out, I knew Christmas was over.

Tom, Can I Have A LOT Of Wine?

Waterfall acted shocked when she found out that Tom was the one who had given me the mini-bottles of wine in the Guessing Game. Maybe she was just a sore loser, who knows. (Gosh, Waterfall! Of all the readers who took the challenge, you came in 2nd! That's pretty good!) But nonetheless, her advice was sound:

Tom gave you mini-bottles of wine? Next time, ask for "a LOT of wine" rather than "many bottles of wine." He'll be less likely to misunderstand you. :)

After reading her comment, I said: "Tom? Can I have a LOT of wine?" Sometimes all you have to do is ask. This evening Scott and Spots accompanied Tom to Weimax Wines & Spirits in Burlingame. Tom and Scott decided to buy a case of wine apiece. The only stipulation being that each bottle had to be under $10. Bob at Weimax helped them pick the bottles out. As I drink the wine, I'll review each bottle for you.

Segregation

Linda Davick
On holidays when you were little, did you have to sit at the baby table with all the little kids? And all the adults got to sit at the big table?

These birds were doing the same thing this evening.

Grand Prize Winner

It's hard to believe, but a relatively new visitor to this blog has won the Guessing Game. Take a bow, Dee. For your award, you may choose one of the four prizes shown above. Free shipping is included. E-mail me your address to claim your prize. If not claimed within 48 hours, prize will go to Waterfall, who came in a close 2nd.

Guessing Game

One of my favorite games is called Gifts For Linda. To play, match the givers (below) to the gift they gave (above).

Merry Christmas, Baby

On the flight to Cincinnati, the plane is not at all full. The whole row of emergency exit seats behind me is empty. As the doors are closing, a blond girl runs back and plops into the seat by the window behind me. I'm dying to stretch out, so I pick up my things and move back a row, across the aisle from her. We smile at each other, happy to have this extra space.

The flight attendant announces that those sitting in the emergency exit rows must be willing and able to assist crew members in the event of an emergency. The girl and I eye eachother and she dissolves into a puddle of giggles.

The flight is smooth, but as we're getting ready to land the wheels lower with a loud CRACK! The girl across the aisle yells, "SHIT!"
She works her hand between the seats in front of her and says, "Excuse me! Excuse me!" Then I hear her ask, "Will you mind holding my hand? I'm petrified of landings." I lean forward and see a young guy sitting in front of her. He doesn't look bad. Apparently he takes her hand. She explains, "When I was 10, I was in a plane that almost crashed when it landed, and since then I can't help it–I'm always afraid of landings."

When the plane hits the ground, she retracts her hand and says as if coming to her senses: "I'm sorry. I really should have sat beside someone. But this is a great way to make connections!"

He turns around. "Are you from Cincinnati?"
"No, Chattanooga. I'm in the mental health field. Have you just come from visiting your family? Is Cincinnati your final destination?"
"No. I'm on my way to Chicago."
"CHICAGO! Why aren't you on a direct flight from Chattanooga to Chicago?"
Because this way I met you, I'm thinking he's thinking.
He mentions something about the exorbitant cost of the direct flight.
"That's INSANE!"
"Are you visiting your family?" he asks.
"No. I've decided to go to Arizona. I have family in Nevada, but my ex-husband will be there, and you can imagine how interesting that would be!" She dissolves into giggles again. Then to nobody in particular: "I have a long layover here. Four hours."

The fasten seat belt sign is no longer illuminated. The guy leans forward and turns around. I look at his hand, hoping I won't see a ring on his finger. I stay seated; she and he are standing. She asks me, "Do you want to go in front of me?"
"No!" I grin.
She smiles. "I can't wait to hit the bar. A vodka & tonic is just what I need." Her voice carries.

We file out into the terminal. First she walks behind him; then I see them walking together and talking; then I notice that he walks on ahead. But before I go right to catch the shuttle to Terminal B, I catch a glimpse of them walking together again. Here's hoping they arranged a quick Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

I flew out of Chattanooga at 2:46 this afternoon. The airport security guy opened the bag I was checking to screen it for explosives. He saw the destination tag and said: "Looks like you have a long day ahead of you."
"Yeah. How about you?"
"I get off at 6:30."
"That's good. Only a few more hours."
"It's better than last year, that's for sure."
"What. Did you work longer last Christmas?"
"I was in Afghanistan."
Heart sinking: "Oh. How long were you there?"
"One year. 364 days. I made it back. But 4 guys in our group didn't."
"I'm glad you made it back."
"Yep. They may have gotten 4 of ours, but we got lots more of theirs."
As I'm backing away he calls out: "Merry Christmas!"

Running In Chattanooga

Here's where I jog when I'm in Chattanooga. It's a cushy red track at the foot of Signal Mountain. I was able to squeeze a run in twice this trip–once on Monday and once today.

Today is my dad's birthday. He'd be 87 if he were alive. As my mom says, wouldn't he be crazy about all this computer/digital camera business? YES!

Walking In Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a beautiful place. Mom and I
drove over to the River Walk today. It's an eight mile path that runs along the Tennessee River.