Week 22: Day Tripping from Farm to Ocean

Week 22: Day Tripping from Farm to Ocean

The wild waves and swirling winds captivate my attention. I could sit on this lonely beach for hours staring at the ocean, listening to the roar of the waves, tasting the freedom of time. What I would give to be able to do nothing.

***

My Saturday morning started out as planned, working on more auction details, then heading out to pick up additional donations. As with many of my volunteer endeavors, my peeps get dragged along and Gigi is with me for the auction ride again. First stop, Coronado Brewery’s Tasting Room, which is actually in the Tecolote Canyon area (their Brew Pub is in Coronado). We make a quick stop at the location, with its massive metal vats of beer. Since it’s too early to indulge in beer tastings for us (not to many others who were there), we keep going.

Next stop, Balboa Park to pick up some museum donations. And since it took forever to find parking, we decide we might as well enjoy the day and take a leisurely lunch at The Prado. The perfect mix of sun and clouds to create a lovely lunch on the patio. After chicken tortilla soup, a trio of skewers, and cream cheese flan with mixed berries, we sit in silence as true friends can, wanting to continue lazily enjoying the sunshine.

I remembered that today was Strawberry Jam Day at Suzie’s Farm in South San Diego. I had been wanting to visit the farm for a long time now, and had never been able to find time. I mentioned it to Gigi, and she had no plans for the rest of the day. What the heck, plus they were going to donate to the auction too. I type in the address on my handy dandy google maps app and away we go. Oh, I wish I had a convertible on a day like today.

***

Now, Gigi has this thing about accidentally ending up in Mexico, so we make sure not to pass the exit prior to Dairy Mart Road (the last before the border), which is Tocayo. After passing a residential neighborhood, we turn down Hollister and to the left we see the farm. The farm is quite expansive, as over the years it has grown to 140 acres, and is the only organic farm in the city of San Diego. We can tell there is quite a crowd gathered, which has a festival feel with the food trucks, music, vendors, children’s activities, and the farm stand. Plus, of course, strawberry picking.

Before we start, I make sure to find Lucila de Alejandro, who along with husband Robin Taylor owns and created the organic farm just about a decade ago. Lucila and I once belonged to the same book club (back when I had time to read — now my pile of books I plan to read continue to grow bedside). After warm hugs hello, Lucila walks with us to the strawberry fields where many families are walking up and down the rows looking to pluck some red ripe berries. Her friendly farm dogs follow as we pass by the chickens going about their business pecking at the composted produce strewn about. The chickens look happy.

We start to look for our own strawberries to pick and head back to the furthest row, and walk towards the middle. At first I thought we got here too late, most have been picked over, but there was an abundance of berries. It becomes somewhat of a game, trying to find the ripe berries, some hidden under leaves which you don’t notice until you turn a different angle, bending down to get another view. We find plenty to fill our brown paper bags. Isn’t it funny how sometimes you search and search for something, and it’s right below your nose, you just didn’t happen to look at it the right way the first time.

After filling up our bags, we wander over to the rest of the Strawberry Jam activities. There’s music, strawberry pickling, face painting, teepees, bean bag toss, ice cream, organic perfumes and soaps, tree swing, and a very welcoming hammock under a pair of trees that if there weren’t crowds of people around I would go and sneak in a nap. We make a visit to the farm stand where we select some produce and jars of strawberry jam, of course you need to get some on Strawberry Jam Day. There’s also some delicious bread pudding courtesy of Snooze Eatery. We find Lucila and say our good-byes.

Although we say good-bye for now, Suzie’s Farm is such a welcoming place. They have truly created a farm with a true sense of community and welcomes everyone. You feel like the farm belongs to you too. I look forward to returning, especially during an evening event where the openness of the fields and the stillness of the night would create an enchanting evening.

***

Since I don’t come down to these parts that often, we explore a little more taking the dirt road towards Suzie’s Warehouse, and around the corner to the horse stables that offers beach rides (a future week activity in the making). The stables looked closed so we had to head back. Wanting our unexpected day trip to continue, I realize that we must not be that far away from Imperial Beach, which during all my years in San Diego, I had never been to. Once we get back to the suburban neighborhoods, we continue a little north, then west to our next destination.

I guess I expected to find a version of Mission or Pacific Beach. Imperial Beach is quite different. Much quieter, at least at this time of year, few restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. And very uncrowded and clean. We head further south to the end of the road where it stops at the wooden overlook to the Oneonta Slough that connects with the Tijuana River. Although Mexico is still some distance away, you can see the white washed homes of the Playas de Tijuana. What a difference a few miles can make in a family’s history?

After enjoying the beauty of the still, green marsh lands, we take a few steps over the sand hill to glimpse the restless, blue ocean. What a contrast of scenery just a few steps apart! I envy those who stay here and who can walk from one end of their home to the other and be enveloped in two different moods. (Note to self: check into summer rental rates.) I’m surprised by the solitude that one can find at this stretch of beach. There is only one other person here, and she too looks like a quick visitor. Mexico to the south, Coronado to the north. No wonder the ocean feels torn apart. Do the currents feel the tug of land borders?

***

It’s starting to get late and time to head on over to the comfort of our homes. We continue the scenic drive and take the strand. Much of the strand is military, and you immediately notice some high circular fenced in building…hmm wonder what government secrets lie inside. We pass the cays, the military housing (how would you like to be stationed here), Glorietta Bay, and the Hotel del Coronado. Soon we are over the bridge and on the familiar freeway 5 homeward bound.

It’s interesting to me how Imperial Beach property values are so much less than that of Coronado which is not that far away. Perception is everything. Maybe if we looked at Imperial Beach at another angle, we would give it more value.

***

What a great day! Being able to wander and discover new places, even in our own backyard is part of my 50 weeks to 50 journey. There is so much to discover…everywhere…people, places, perceptions. Make sure to look at people and places at different angles, you’ll never know what you will discover.

Notebook: Suzie’s Farms, www.suziesfarm,com, onsite farm stand open on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm, public and private tours are available. Check their website for info on upcoming events, childrens camps, and u-pick days. You can taste their produce by at select grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Jumbo’s, numerous restaurants and food trucks throughout the county use their produce, or get your CSA (Community Sponsored Agriculture) boxes available at their farmer’s market locations.

Week 21: One Minute of Fame

It was over before you knew it. My one minute of fame had come and gone just like that…wait, let me snap my fingers on my right hand, it’s much louder…okay, gone just like that!

***

If you haven’t noticed, I silently skipped a blog post last week. You know how it is during this time of the school year, we decide to pack it up with events and fundraisers. But it was for one of those fundraisers that gave me the opportunity to be on TV. I’m chairing the Taste of the Triangle event on May 2, which is EdUCate!’s biggest fundraiser and I’m the chairperson. We have 20 restaurants participating during this 20th anniversary celebration. And Jessica Gago from Fast Forward, a PR company, set up the television appearance on San Diego6 The CW’s morning San Diego Living segment.

I became the designated spokesperson. Lucky me. Did anyone vote on that? Well, I had some warning about the appearance, but I really didn’t tell anyone beforehand. I didn’t even tell my family the day before at our Easter gathering. Although I’ve spoken in front of groups and crowds in the past, I’ve never made a real TV appearance and deep down inside I didn’t want anyone to witness what I thought for sure would be some sort of embarrassing moment, you know possibly tripping over a cord into some chef’s dish.

Luckily, fellow EdUCate! board member and Taste of the Triangle (“TOT”) Vice-Chair (meaning she’s the one that really does all the work) Diane Lueke agreed to come along for moral support. We get there well in advance of our designated arrival, and shown to the Green Room. To the door is as far as we got. There was a group in there getting ready for a fashion show, so between all the models, stylists, hair, makeup folks, there really wasn’t any room. Plus with all that hairspray smell in the air, whoa, we preferred the hallway.

Monday morning and it’s crowded in the studio. There are some guys with a fire and flood prevention service bringing in machines that I have no idea what they could be used for. While waiting, Diane and I go over some other TOT details; there really is a ton of work that goes on to put on one of these taste events. Soon, Tiffany Frowiss, the segment producer, comes by to introduce herself and brings us out to the back lot where we are having the cooking segment.

The chefs have all arrived and are figuring out where to stake their territory. Now, we have four chefs here, and when I had told a friend of mine, who’s also a chef, about the TV segment, his comment was “egos will fly.” Well, of course, they all happen to be men. But, actually they were all very nice and cooperative, exchanging business cards. Chef Michel Malecot from The French Gourmet, I will say is quite comfortable in these settings and is a real pro — he has been supporting TOT since the beginning!

The fire/flood guys are ahead of us, so they take up the outdoor grass area first, and when they are done, then Chefs Michel and Aron Schwartz, from the Marine Kitchen, have to roll their set up over, then the Bella Vista Social CLub and Caffe guys, Chefs Jose Ledesma and Michael Garner have to take the other table, clear it off and put together their set up. Meanwhile, Cozymel’s Chef Miguel Flores and General Manager Amber Johnson have already set up their table, with a few bottles of tequila — is that just for decor? I guess it’s unusual to have so many chefs together for this type of segment.

Soon enough, I’m getting hooked up, cord through my shirt, small microphone clipped on the front of my blouse, and the receiver thingy held in back. I’m sure you see it all the time on TV on the morning talk show hosts. For me, I was like ya, ya no big deal, I do this all the time, but really, it was panic time. Was I going to be able to answer questions? How much were tickets again? What is our website domain? Who am I?

One of the hosts, Laura Cavanaugh, comes out to introduce herself everyone. A very vivacious woman, she asks some off-camera questions to gain a sense of the purpose of EdUCate! and why the chefs would donate their time and food to our cause. When she talks to me I realize, one, she is very tall and good thing I was at least wearing heels — otherwise I would have looked like a munchkin next to her. Second, her ease in having a conversation with you prior to going on air was very comforting. I later felt that it was her way of prepping us all into feeling we were just having a friendly chat together.

Okay, everyone in place, we are quiet, Laura is nodding her head to someone, I assume those in the studio, a countdown was started, and here we go. She begins talking to the camera about TOT in general, then she introduces me and starts to ask me questions. Now, as a board member I pretty much know what’s going on, and I gave quite a bit of info to her beforehand. I feel that I am talking fine, then whoa, what was that question you asked me, I don’t remember discussing that beforehand, okay let me think real quick, I try to find the words (to me this questioning seemed to be taking a really, really long time), and I have a full conversation in my head while this is going on: Jemma think quick…what does the funds we raise buy…she already mentioned Math Academy, so what should I say now…didn’t I anticipate this question before, what was the answer I thought of, oh yes outdated science equipment and what else for Kindergarteners…oh what was that, I think she sees the panic in my face…a rug for kids to sit on…well that really wasn’t the answer I wanted to give, but good enough for now…too late, I already said it on live television.

Whew, Laura goes on to the chefs, and my cue to step aside. I’m done. My one minute of fame completed.

After this first segment which showed The French Gourmet and Marina Kitchen, anchor Marc Bailey comes out to join the group. During the second segment, Bella Vista Caffe and Cozymel’s dishes were shown and Marc went around and ate more food. They were quite funny and the chefs did great. Soon it was done, everything quickly put away, and yes we got to eat the food afterwards. Thank you’s and hugs were given, and we all looked forward to meeting up again at the Taste!

***

Later that afternoon, the segment video was available. I guess I will watch it. I’m getting nervous again. Let’s see…I said uh huh in agreement all the time, I noticed my hesitation during that conversation about the funds, oh and I kept talking when I stepped away forgetting about the mic on me, luckily the studio technicians were on it and cut me off — who knows what I was saying next!

Then, here it starts…the self-criticizing. This is why I hate looking at photos (and now video) of myself, and listening to my voice. Is that really how my voice sounds? Why did they film that angle of my face? I should have worn foot high heels. And why are we so self-conscious? People start sending me the compliments, yet I always feel uncomfortable about getting them. Instead of just saying thank you, I always point out something negative about myself. Why is that?

And I’m not alone. I think many of us, especially women, get very down on ourselves. The way we look, talk, dress. Why are all the pictures of our kids are with their dads? Oh mom is taking the pictures, and we don’t want to be in them anyway, right? Why are we so ingrained in the idea of what society is considered beautiful? Why have we let society, and ourselves, define beauty in such a way that somewhat unrealistic looking models and celebrities grace newsstand magazine covers?

In my day job, we value intellectual property, which includes a celebrity’s right of publicity. Part of our valuation of celebrities includes what we call a Q score, which among other things rates their “attractiveness” from surveys. But what really is attractive? Isn’t the woman that works two jobs to raise her kids beautiful? Isn’t the man that works all day and night, raises his son alone, and feeds the homeless handsome? Isn’t the woman who takes care of her handicapped child day and night without any respite gorgeous? These are people who should get celebrity status. And inside all of us is a celebrity that deserves time in the limelight. Maybe I’ll start a new magazine about everyday celebrities. Would you read that? Honestly?

***

Aside from my self-conscious issues, I was on TV for a reason: to promote the Taste of the Triangle. So here’s a shameless plug for the event. Buy your tickets and come to the event, 20 restaurants providing tastes, lots of auction baskets (who’s going to bid against me for the dinner with the firemen), music from our local kids, bar for adult beverages (sodas too), and dancing! Yes, let’s get loose at the end of the night, because by that time I won’t be self-conscious! And if you want to join in with me for a champagne toast at the VIP reception to celebrate 20 years of the TOT, send in your generous donation. Support EdUCate!…it’s for the kids!

***

Notebook: EdUCate!’s 20th Anniversary Taste of the Triangle, $75 per person, $85 at the door, www.uc-educate.org. 20 tasting restaurants, 100+ auction baskets, music, drinks, dancing, and best of all spending time with friends. If you can’t make it, go online and make a donation, buy it now auction items, or sponsor a teacher.

To see the TOT segment, click here: http://www.sandiego6.com/san-diego-living/food/Taste-of-the-Triangle-Exploring-Local-San-Diego-Cuisine-256046711.html

Tastes from the Channel6 San Diego Living Segment were:

Marina Kitchen – Stingy nettles with pork belly

The French Gourmet – Braised beef cheeks with mashed potatoes and sauteed celery root

Bella Vista Social Club and Caffe – Jambalaya

Cozymel’s – Mini taco salads

Stay tuned, next week we’ll be promoting TOT on KUSI with more chefs and tastes!

Week 20: What’s SUP with that Yoga

I lay down upon the board which sways along with the gentle waters of the harbor. I am grateful to be able to relax on such a beautiful blissful morning. I close my eyes, and am kissed by the sun…as I lay there enjoying the sunshine on my face, the board starts to move side to side just a bit more. Is a boat motoring by? Ugh, I’m starting to feel a little queasy…am I going to get seasick on the paddleboard? I am so lame.

***

I was excited this morning to try a new adventure for my 50 Weeks to 50 journey. I woke up real early and was on the road to Point Loma for Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Yoga. I regularly attend Yoga classes twice a week, and my kids had tried SUP while on vacation. It looked like fun and I wanted to try it too. I knew OEX had life jackets, so the not knowing how to swim thing didn’t bother me…at first.

Then I get to the water’s edge. Again, what I imagined it to be was not. At this particular location in Point Loma by Shelter Island, they don’t wade out from beachside in shallow water, but rather paddle out dockside amongst the boats. Other locations do start beachside, but the location that Lacy gathered a bunch of friends for this morning excursion does not — Lacy you are going to kill me girlfriend! Well, they reassured me it wasn’t that deep, and that they would all be closeby to save me if I fall into the water. But when I’m still recovering from thoughts of thinking I was going to drown from my Week 17 Jetpack experience, and I can’t see the bottom, I’m a little apprehensive. Why can’t San Diego have clearer waters?

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I don’t know if I can do this. Dana, the instructor from Paddleboard Bliss that operates out of OEX Point Loma, was very patient with me and reminded me that these boards are very steady. Now, didn’t Lacy tell me she falls at least once each time, huh. In my mind, I didn’t want to hold up the group and be a distraction. I was ready to wait for the group back at OEX.

Okay, I can do this. Dana helped me on the board by the dock’s edge. I sat there for a while, holding on to the dock for dear life. Lacy paddled next to me and said she would stay right by my side. Okay, I don’t really think she would let me die. But when you’re scared of drowning and you know everyone else can swim and can save you, and Erik, one of the guys in the group, says he was a lifeguard for five years, even if you know all that — you’re still afraid of drowning.

I stay in a position sitting back on my legs and slowly start paddling off with Lacy close at my side. I don’t dare try to stand up. I am well-balanced, right in the middle of the board, over the designated “keyhole” which acts as your location guide on the board. I am like a mannequin, not moving one bit — well except to paddle. I set a stroking pattern. Three strokes on the right, three strokes on the left, repeat.

The rest of the group (Dana, Jessica, Jacque, Erik and Alisha) is way ahead of Lacy and I. As I slowly paddle along, I get a little more comfortable and start to look around. Being so close to the water’s surface, I realize there are some big boats around me. San Diego loves their boats. And who can afford some of these whoppers!

Slowly I go, little by little…I think I’m getting the hang of it — but I’m still not standing up. For me, it’s just paddleboard, not SUP. Well, I think I’m doing fine, but then Erik paddles back to us and said at this rate by the time we get to the more scenic area out by Shelter Island, we would have to come back. So we decide to paddle into a side alcove amongst the docked boats. I knew I was going to hold up the group.

Once all there, we anchor down. It’s so cute, the little anchor to help us from floating all over the place while doing yoga. As we settle in our spots, Dana starts to lead the yoga instruction, I close my eyes and meditate. I can’t even move if I wanted to — I must have been so tense, I can’t move my legs, they have fallen asleep. Wonderful. Eh, it’s good. I sit there, getting calmer by the minute. Everyone else is standing in Warrior One pose, and I sit. I decide to follow along with any arm movements or upper body twists, while my lower body stays put.

Why are there all these waves splashing about? Whoa, a sea lion decided to visit our group and is probably wondering what the heck are those crazy humans doing now. Can’t they do that on land, why are they on water? Humans are so weird. And for all you humans who do think SUP Yoga is crazy, I will say it’s another challenge for those that do love to practice yoga, because you’re concentrating more on your balance, so as to not fall in the water. If I really could get into this, my core would get a great workout.

Dana starts to lead the group in more poses that are closer to the board, so I am much more comfortable doing those. I can balance on my bottom all day. Hey, at 24-hour fitness, I rock at yoga. Can we put this board on the beach? Actually, Paddleboard Bliss will also offer yoga in a pool, and has regular classes in Carlsbad. I may have to sign up for one of those, I’m fine in a pool.

Soon it’s free time. Erik starts to do a bunch of headstands, and Lacy tries that one where you’re on your elbows. There are a few people watching from the docks, and they seem to be cheering for Erik as he keeps trying to stand on his head for longer periods of time. They each fall, but hey, I can’t do those on land. That’s when I decide to lay back and sunbathe on my board…and when I get queasy. Luckily, I did not get sick. Now that would have been embarrassing.

It was time to paddle back to where we started. Just when I was getting comfortable. Oh well, next time I will stand up. Because I’m not risking it now, especially after I saw Lacy’s face when she fell in the water and said how freezing cold it was. Nope, let me sit here at water’s edge and enjoy the sun.

For me, even though I didn’t do the SU in SUP, I had a great time. I got back on the water, enjoyed the glorious sunshine, made new friends, and eventually relaxed. (I still need to learn how to swim.) This is why we live where we do. Gotta love San Diego.

***

Afterwards, we walked a short distance over to Mitch’s Seafood for breakfast and mimosas. I should have had some mimosas first, because I was feeling confident now to stand up! Lesson learned – mimosas before SUP.

***

Notebook:

Thanks to Dana and Shannon at Paddleboard Bliss, and OEX Point Loma for opening early and letting us schedule our group.

Paddleboard Bliss, www.paddleboardbliss.com, has locations in San Diego, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. Classes $39 online booking. Paddleboard rentals, and additional yoga classes available.

OEX Point Loma, 5060 N. Harbor Drive, #165, San Diego, www.oexpointloma.com, sales, lessons and rentals available.

Mitch’s Seafood, 1403 Scott St, San Diego, www.mitchsseafood.com, excellent breakfasts and seafood, watch the fishermen come in with their catch.

Week 19: This Ain’t Your Momma’s Bingo

B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, and BinGLO was its nameo…wait what? Yup, I’m talking about Kozmik BinGLO, Sycuan Casino’s twist on your typical bingo night.

When anyone brings up playing bingo at a casino, I envision little old retired ladies spending away their pension dollars and double fisting their markers (aka daubers) on a table full of paper game boards. One day in the far away future, I figured that I may become one of those sweet little old ladies. I had never played bingo at a casino, so what the heck, I should go check it out and see what my future will look like.

Well, let me tell you — Sycuan’s version of Saturday night bingo is definitely not your momma’s bingo. For one, Kozmik BinGLO starts at 11:00 pm (yes pm)! Now I haven’t started my evenings that late until way before B.C. (that’s before children). So obviously, in preparation I took a nap, at least I think I did. I can’t even remember, I’m getting senile already. Once awaken and ready, I pick up my friends Gigi and Dawn and we head on over to Sycuan, which is a good 45 minute drive away. And since it’s dark and I’ve never driven there even in the daytime, once off the freeway I couldn’t tell where we were heading. Time for my nighttime driving glasses. Feeling old again.

When we arrived at Sycuan at 10:30, and after comedic errors in trying to find a parking spot, I thought we had plenty of time. I was wrong. Little did I know that Kozmik BinGLO is very popular in the east county of San Diego, and this would end up being a sell out night. When we got there, lines to purchase your game cards were wrapped around the slots, and seats in the bingo hall were nowhere to be found. Luckily, my friend Rosey arrived earlier and found us four seats in the back row of the non-smoking section (one thing I hate about casinos is walking through cigarette smoke).

Oh, did I mention this was a special themed BinGLO night? Yup, it was a Mardi Gras celebration. Not only do people dress up with glow in the dark necklaces, clothing, and bunny ears, but add your Mardi Gras beads, hats and masks, and it’s the making of one heck of a party! They have a DJ playing club music, people walking around on stilts, ladies lifting their shirts (not me…you need to throw beads my way for that). And let’s call us the Back Row Divas, because soon enough we’re all getting up in the space behind our seats and start moving to line dance sequences, making sure we’re in sync and wearing that we’re too cool straight face. There’s plenty of dudes around too, but as usual, the ladies start the fun.

Settle down now, the DJ reminds us, we’re here to play bingo and we’re already 15 minutes behind schedule. The fun has just begun. Now, if you are even a bit prudish, let me warn you this activity is not for you. There is lots, and I mean lots, of sexual innuendo going on. The silly one (we still act like our teenagers when this is brought up) that everyone loves is when the caller (I loved his dry deep voice by the way) yells out O-69! The whole crowd yells along and giggles. Then the pattern of your numbers reflect the name of each bingo game, such as “bikini”, “reach around”, and “top or bottom.” But those are tame compared to the game called “dikfor.” Well, you can imagine the comments being made by the DJ. Surprisingly, it was the only game of the night where there was only one winner, awarding $1630. For that lucky lady, she knew what’s a dikfor.

In between the actual bingo games, there were audience participation games. The first one being the “suck it” game. Yes, two women were selected to suck frozen juice bars, and the best sucker won the prize – $500. I think for $500 I’d suck pretty hard too. Then there was the dance off to the big butts song, one guy looked like he was a dog spraying on a fire hydrant. But eventually the crowd chose the pregnant woman as the winner – come on, you’ve got to give to the lady with the baby. The one game that took long and slow to determine a winner, was the one where they had to pass around a bottle between each other’s legs. Now these were strangers, face-to-face, having to maneuver a bottle between their legs. You would think it would be awkward, but not this crowd. They did it with ease, and eventually it kept going and going (and as the DJ pointed out he was already in overtime status), so it was decided to call a four-way tie. All winners.

Let’s just say the night was fun. The music, the games, the chance to win, the dancing, the dressing up, the friendship, good clean simple fun – with sexual overtones of course. You didn’t even miss the alcohol that’s not served.

Sycuan offers Kozmik BinGLO every Saturday night starting at 11:00. The fourth Saturdays of the month, special themed nights are scheduled. For April it’s a baseball jersey night, and for May the theme is Alice in Wonderland. You can reserve tables for 10, and for the Alice night, a group of 10 gets a table full of sweets! Who’s in? Shall I dress up as Alice with a blond wig?

***

Next time. It’s like when you go on vacation to someplace new, you always think about what you will do next time. So, next time I come to BinGLO, and there will be a next time, I plan to arrive much earlier and get seats located closer to all the action. Although us Back Row Divas created our own fun, it’d be nice to see what the DJ was actually referring to. And more the merrier for this activity, so guys and gals, you’re all invited. It would be a great place for birthdays and pre-wedding celebrations. Baby showers, no. And even though I’m not a big buffet person, I would get there even earlier to indulge; then play some of the other casino games. It is a lot closer than Vegas…I wonder what other local casinos may offer a Saturday club-like bingo parlor…hmm, more onsite research is needed.

Oh, and also next time — I’m going to get some of the paper games too. There’s a reason why those ladies double fist their daubers, it’s kinda boring just watching the computer screen tell you how many more numbers you need. I didn’t even realize I had 72 game cards going on, because silly me didn’t click around the screen to see that there were pages of game card screens to view. There’s a little bit of little old lady in me already. Hey, I can double fist with the best of them.

***

Notebook:

Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, www.sycuan.com

Kozmik BinGLO is every Saturday night starting at 11:00pm. $10,000+ payouts for the theme nights, each bingo games pays $1,000, fun games pay $500. Actual winnings may vary, as one game had over 20 winners and only the Dikfor lady was a sole winner, with a bonus too (not that kind of bonus, get your minds out of the gutter please!). Regular Saturday nights it’s a $2,500 payout, yes a lot less, but it’s only $8 for paper/$15 for electronic/$25 for 42 game cards. The $10,000 theme night we were there, cost is $10 paper/$20 electronic/$35 special package – which we selected, might as well play big!

Regular bingo is played throughout the day, everyday, including earlier evening sessions at 6:15 and 7:00pm. Special promotional days are scheduled each month, so check out their website for monthly updates.

P.S. My momma told me should would love to go to Kozmik BinGLO…she doesn’t want to be with the old ladies, she wants to be with the young kids, it’s more fun — that’s my momma!

Week 19A: Going Commando

I don’t know about you, but underwear always seems so binding. And if you’re wearing a dress that’s just a little clingy, you see lines and maybe a little bit of the love handles. Well, I decided to stop wearing underwear for my 50 Weeks to 50 journey. Bras are still okay, I need to lift my aging lovely pair. But no more panties.

Think about it. It will save me a fortune from wanting to take advantage of all those Victoria’s Secret panty sales – 7 for $26 is going on right now. And for some reason it takes me longer to decide on what panty to wear for occasions than my outfit. Not that anyone else is going to see them (well, maybe sometimes). But for instance, when my kids are playing a ball game, I admit that I wear school colored undies — I think it will bring them good luck. So, I go out and buy all the blue colored cotton ones, some with polka dots, some with graphics, some that say “LOVE” on the behind. I have found that the plain blue ones provide the best winning percentage.

But I want to get away from being too superstitious. Partially why I am getting rid of the undies. They stress me out.

So far it’s been quite liberating. I feel so free and unrestrained. And so fresh, and airy. It’s spring all over. I think my personality has even changed, I feel so much more relaxed. Maybe if people stopped wearing undies, everyone would get along so much better. Shall we suggest this to Obama and Putin? It does seem so hippish 1960s and 1970s, but they knew what they were doing with that peace, love movement. No undies equals exhilaration!

The freestyle lifestyle seems to be winning so far, yesterday the varsity team did fabulous — winning 12-2 (Craig Grubbe pitched a complete game and Morgan Baumeister hit a grand slam!). Two more games this week, let’s hope for the same result. No underwear brings positive baseball karma. Maybe I should suggest this to all the team moms – have an underwear bonfire at the beach. Didn’t they burn bras in the 60s? Better yet, no underwear days at Petco Park! I think I may need to trademark something here — win without undiewear? Hmm, I’ll think of something better.

Now if I get my kids to do the same thing, it would reduce one full load of laundry per week. Maybe it can be a whole new movement. Less money, less impact on resources. Celebrate Earth Month and stop wearing underwear – it’s environmentally friendly.

To be realistic, there may be times when underwear is hygienically prudent. You know…like that time of the month. And well, especially to those of us who have had children, when you’re sick and sneezing and coughing, sometimes a little pee is released…well you get it.

But overall, my new motto is: Go commando, the environmentally friendly non-fashion style!

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For those of you who are on Facebook and may read my posts, I had already announced that I would stop wearing underwear. And thank you to those who liked or commented to the post, especially all you men. And those who did like or comment, I sent them the following message:

“UH OH!! You should not have liked or commented! Now you have to pick one of the 14 below and post to your status. This is the 2014 breast cancer awareness game. Don’t be a spoil sport; just choose your poison and change your status. 1) Damn diarrhea. 2) Just used my boobs to get out of a speeding ticket. 3) Anyone have a tampon, I’m out. 4) How do you get rid of foot fungus? 5) Why is nobody around when I’m horny? 6) No toilet paper goodbye socks! 7) Someone offered me a job as a prostitute but I’m hesitant. I think I’m in love with someone what should I do? 9) I’ve decided to stop wearing underwear. 10) I still love my ex. 11) I really don’t know how to tell anyone and I’m sick of hiding it I’m gay. 12) Guess it was too good to be true, I’m pregnant. 13) Just won $7000 on a scratchy. 14) I’ve just found out I’ve been cheated on for the past 5 months. Post with no explanations. And remember…I fell for this first!!”

My friend Lucie had posted the boobs one, and I liked it. Of course, I had to play the game, and I posted the underwear statement. I thought of posting some of the others, but didn’t want to cause a community scandal. My mom immediately had questioned why I was no longer wearing underwear and was very concerned.

Remember, it is for Breast Cancer Awareness. Ladies, and men, make sure to check your breasts monthly (you men can happily assist with that), and get regular mammograms.

Yes, my friends – Happy April Fool’s Day!

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(If you are wondering, these are not photos of my actual underwear, I still keep some things private. I took these from eBay. Apparently you can buy used Victoria’s Secret underwear online.)

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Notebook:

http://www.breastcancer.org/

http://ww5.komen.org/

http://www.cancer.org/index

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