I hope this finds each of you enjoying a warm and happy holiday with your loved ones. I certainly enjoyed mine with the Sanborn clan. Aside from the regular sniping that occurs at any family gathering, it was great. This is the first time since 1992 I've seen everyone; such occasions are not to be taken lightly.
There's a lot of craziness in the world. Here's hoping that only some of it leaks inside ;)
Ho Ho Ho
Dave
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, Wiccan Day
Greetings, all, from snowy, sun-drenched Michigan. No snow-ball fights, here, to distract the family from its very rare reunion on the Eastern Shore of Lake Michigan, lower glove, little pinkie region.
My parents and I, like many of you, slogged through hours in airports, arguments over directions (both among ourselves and with the GPS unit), and lock-outs from rental cars. But it is worth it to see folks who think like you and yet still welcome you with open arms. The power of blood is amazing for stain removal as it were.
It has not been a quiet week anywhere, least of all in my life. As Johnny Cash sings, I've been everywhere, man. I traveled to Salt Lake City and had a wonderful time exploring that clean, well-organized town with my friend Eric. He showed me the many nooks and crannies - including those forbidden fruits: coffee houses, patisseries, restaurants built by chain-smoking, poodle-bearing madams, taverns (no membership required), and chocolatl bars. O, SLC, how I barely knew ye.
Of course, in a town with one of the highest birth rates in the country, a trip to IKEA was required. We spent a few hours humoring my irrepressible urge to nest. Van's aren't built with cabinetry in mind, but I could imagine a well-turned-out, 515 sq. foot house after our visit... for each dog ;) I like being able to stretch out just a bit more.
Best of all, skiing, great skiing, is only 25 minutes away and hiking to-die-for is within a few hours drive. Just going up above the inversion layer reveals stark, beautiful scenery. As my friend Shannon says, SLC is a well kept secret. Well, I guess until now.
The on to San Francisco for 2 weeks of culinary excess and endless visitations EVERY NIGHT with old companions and new friends. I've rarely had so much fun for such an extended period of time. My friends, Mike and Chau, braved not one but two boarders and put up some very fine pho. Between beers, bars, sushi, pho, awesome hot pot, hot Chinese food, Cha'Am pad-prik-king, Shalimar Pakistani food, filming friends beat on each other in a dojo, and some console and table top gaming every spare minute was full up. Thus my inability to write to you, dear friends. Just too much time living and not enough talking about what was happening. It is a wonderful combination, but does call for some down time after a bit. [Pant. Pant.]
I also got a chance to hang out with AT&T friends and other corporate sponsor-types and enjoy the higher end SF experience, you know: a little bit of food and drink for a lot of money. At least they sure make the grey goose martinis strong. Even spent an evening to celebrate my retirement at Acote', good food and great wine in Oakland's Rockridge area. If ever I return to SF, it will be there. I spent a half hour wandering its balmy streets, soaking in the cute shops, and nearly getting hit by an impatient driver. Makes for memories :)
So... a weary, and plumper, Dave wended his way over the 7000+ Sierras only to relearn how to put on chains, and forget how to properly take them off. Slithering around in 3" of wet slush is NOT fun. However, I can assure you all, I know how to deal with snowy driving conditions. . . I promptly returned home and bought a 4x4 Toyota Tacoma with snow-gripping tires. Screw chains.
Anyway, this post is running too long. I am approaching the end of my 11 year career at AT&T, my marriage is winding down, and the sun is dropping below the horizon at 4:30 p.m. I feel great and enthusiastic about what the future will bring. Despite everything, I know we will all be o.k.
Stay comfortable and find folks who make you laugh to hang out with. I'm happy being with crazy family in cold Michigan. I've never felt so warm.
My parents and I, like many of you, slogged through hours in airports, arguments over directions (both among ourselves and with the GPS unit), and lock-outs from rental cars. But it is worth it to see folks who think like you and yet still welcome you with open arms. The power of blood is amazing for stain removal as it were.
It has not been a quiet week anywhere, least of all in my life. As Johnny Cash sings, I've been everywhere, man. I traveled to Salt Lake City and had a wonderful time exploring that clean, well-organized town with my friend Eric. He showed me the many nooks and crannies - including those forbidden fruits: coffee houses, patisseries, restaurants built by chain-smoking, poodle-bearing madams, taverns (no membership required), and chocolatl bars. O, SLC, how I barely knew ye.
Of course, in a town with one of the highest birth rates in the country, a trip to IKEA was required. We spent a few hours humoring my irrepressible urge to nest. Van's aren't built with cabinetry in mind, but I could imagine a well-turned-out, 515 sq. foot house after our visit... for each dog ;) I like being able to stretch out just a bit more.
Best of all, skiing, great skiing, is only 25 minutes away and hiking to-die-for is within a few hours drive. Just going up above the inversion layer reveals stark, beautiful scenery. As my friend Shannon says, SLC is a well kept secret. Well, I guess until now.
The on to San Francisco for 2 weeks of culinary excess and endless visitations EVERY NIGHT with old companions and new friends. I've rarely had so much fun for such an extended period of time. My friends, Mike and Chau, braved not one but two boarders and put up some very fine pho. Between beers, bars, sushi, pho, awesome hot pot, hot Chinese food, Cha'Am pad-prik-king, Shalimar Pakistani food, filming friends beat on each other in a dojo, and some console and table top gaming every spare minute was full up. Thus my inability to write to you, dear friends. Just too much time living and not enough talking about what was happening. It is a wonderful combination, but does call for some down time after a bit. [Pant. Pant.]
I also got a chance to hang out with AT&T friends and other corporate sponsor-types and enjoy the higher end SF experience, you know: a little bit of food and drink for a lot of money. At least they sure make the grey goose martinis strong. Even spent an evening to celebrate my retirement at Acote', good food and great wine in Oakland's Rockridge area. If ever I return to SF, it will be there. I spent a half hour wandering its balmy streets, soaking in the cute shops, and nearly getting hit by an impatient driver. Makes for memories :)
So... a weary, and plumper, Dave wended his way over the 7000+ Sierras only to relearn how to put on chains, and forget how to properly take them off. Slithering around in 3" of wet slush is NOT fun. However, I can assure you all, I know how to deal with snowy driving conditions. . . I promptly returned home and bought a 4x4 Toyota Tacoma with snow-gripping tires. Screw chains.
Anyway, this post is running too long. I am approaching the end of my 11 year career at AT&T, my marriage is winding down, and the sun is dropping below the horizon at 4:30 p.m. I feel great and enthusiastic about what the future will bring. Despite everything, I know we will all be o.k.
Stay comfortable and find folks who make you laugh to hang out with. I'm happy being with crazy family in cold Michigan. I've never felt so warm.
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