Santa Cruz Stasi

Cabrillo Sculpture Garden

2012-01-07T06:46:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, I took my bike for a cruise, enjoying being on vacation in the beautiful weather. I spent some time enjoying an art installation in the theater plaza of Cabrillo College.

Welcome 2012

2012-01-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

We had a quiet New Year's Eve at home this year. I made one of my Christmas gifts from Jason, "Sombreroli": pasta shaped like hats!

Niscene Marks Hike

2011-07-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

Last week, I decided to take a short walk around the neighborhood to snap some photos. For some reason, I got it in my head that I wanted to hike into Niscene and put my feet in the creek. Weird, huh? It is a 6 mile round trip hike from my house, but I did it anyway.

Wildflowers

2011-07-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

We planted a wildflower garden in our backyard, and it is bright and amazing. There are new blooms each day, and it is busy with bird, bee, and butterfly activity.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

2011-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

My parents are in town for the summer, and recently my brother and his girlfriend were able to visit for a week, as well. We went to the Aquarium, which I think has really improved over the past few years. It was fun to spend time with my family in one of our favorite places.

Kyle and his girlfriend Sara

Me and my dad

My dad and mom

The Shortest Parade in the World

2011-07-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

For Independence Day, I went down to the Aptos 4th of July Parade, billed as the "Shortest Parade in the World" since it is only .6 miles long. It was pretty entertaining and I got some great shots! Check out more photos here!

7th Wedding Anniversary

2011-07-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Jason and I celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary on July 3, 2011.

First, we headed up to Davenport Landing to explore some tidepools.

Then, we had our annual picnic at Quail Hollow Ranch to celebrate our . It was over 100 degrees up there!

Resurrection

2011-07-14T06:52:00.000-07:00

I've been taking more pictures lately, and hope to bring our blog back to life. Stay tuned!

Swoosh

2010-11-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

Lots of hummingbirds out at the Arboretum this morning.

Wilder and Natural Bridges

2010-11-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I took Jason down to walk with me in Wilder Ranch SP since I was so impressed with it on my last visit. He had an equally good time, and we are planning to ride bikes there today.

I had Thursday and Friday off of work, and yesterday I went to some of my favorite birding locations, Natural Bridges SB and Antonelli Pond.

I was pretty sure it was Monarch time, and I wasn't disappointed.

Writer's Block

2010-10-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

(a new poem)

Writer's Block

Reading cotton candy books
filled with
impossible things:
chocolate cake, dragons,
little battles ending in a puff of smoke
or the thump of a heavy tail

Invisible black
ribbons of thought
and velvet sense memory
embellish the architecture of your mind

Claymation bodies
click through
frame
after frame
to keep the story going
at a good clip.

Wilder Ranch SP

2010-08-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, I have lived in Santa Cruz for nearly 15 years and have never been to Wilder Ranch State Park. This is especially surprising given my hobby of nature walks and bird photography. I of course was blown away by the birds here, since a large coastal restoration project in the area has left entire beaches just for wildlife.

I hiked about 4 or so miles in on the Old Cove Landing Trail.

Looking North along the coast

A Northern Harrier

Pigeon Guillemot nesting in the cliff

Gulls shoot by the trail, coasting rising on air currents in the cove

Fruit is Heavy on the Vine

2010-08-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

Last week I walked through UCSC, something I enjoy occasionally too see both familiar landmarks and new developments, as well as birds of course. Photos from the Alan Chadwick Garden.

Golden flower in the cutting garden

I've never seen pears growing like this before. I love the mood of this picture.

Obligatory adorable baby deer

Pristine snapdragons about to burst into color

Surprise Visit

2010-08-04T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last month Jason's sister surprised us by stopping by with two of our nieces and a nephew. It was great to see them... everyone has grown up so much!

Jason, Frances, and me! What a dorky smile!

Michael, Jason, Frances, Sophia, and Megan on the floor looking sassy.

July Arboretum

2010-08-03T17:28:00.001-07:00

Some shots from the UCSC Arboretum in July.

ucsc arboretum, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Apple Lane Inn

2010-08-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I checked out this empty old Victorian. It's on sale for about $1.5, and for rent for $8000 a month. Apparently it used to be an active bed and breakfast.

Same As It Ever Was

2010-07-03T07:39:00.001-07:00

He Did It, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Jason and I celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary today! He continues to honor me with love and respect, much like our wedding day...

Enjoy the beautiful holiday weekend. We are going up to Quail Hollow Ranch for a picnic and hike to celebrate.

Back in Business

2010-06-21T09:23:00.001-07:00

I reopened my etsy shop!

Touring

2010-05-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been getting into riding my bike. I have a little Cannondale mountain bike that Jason got for my birthday a few years ago. Since we moved to Aptos, I've ridden quite a few times. Going up into Nicene was especially magical, since the end of our street borders this State Park and it was amazing to ride from my driveway pretty much straight up the mountain, and then shoot straight down to the ocean.
Inspired by the fabulous Ms. Bitch Cakes, I decided to take my camera last Saturday and combine two of my hobbies into a photo bike tour.
I started at my house in Aptos and rode down through Cabrillo College and over to Park Ave, and then down into Capitola Village

Leaving the village, I returned via Park Avenue to the frontage road between New Brighton and Seacliff, and access the Porter-Sesnon open space, where I attempted my first real trail experience on the bike and thought I was going to eat it several times. Glad there was no one around to hear me yelping "Oh SH*T".

Then I dropped down to Seacliff and rode out to the cement ship

All in all, about a 2 hour tour, including photo time. I'm very proud of myself for venturing out in a new way. during this trip my chain came off three times because, well, I don't know how to ride a bike that well yet. So I had to fix that each time, which was a small adventure in itself.

A Perhaps Hand

2010-04-28T20:05:00.001-07:00

spring is rising, originally uploaded by sgrace.

by e.e. cummings

III

Spring is like a perhaps hand
(which comes carefully
out of Nowhere)arranging
a window,into which people look(while
people stare
arranging and changing placing
carefully there a strange
thing and a known thing here)and

changing everything carefully

spring is like a perhaps
Hand in a window
(carefully to
and fro moving New and
Old things,while
people stare carefully
moving a perhaps
fraction of flower here placing
an inch of air there)and

without breaking anything.

Big Wave Day

2010-02-14T11:18:00.001-08:00

Big Wave Day, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Yesterday, at the annual big wave contest at Mavericks near Half Moon Bay, a bunch of people were knocked over by a huge wave. This account says it happened just after 9am, and another person I heard mention it said around 9:15am.

I took the above picture with my phone camera and the time stamp is... 9:15am! I was doing my regular walk down toward Rio Del Mar when a giant set started coming in. the waves were smashing completely over the cement ship and one extra huge one came right up to and almost over the guardrail of the pedestrian walkway. I actually stood there with my mouth open at the size of it.

I totally think it was part of the same set that wiped out these crazy people.

DROID

2010-02-08T20:57:00.001-08:00

DROID, originally uploaded by sgrace.

"Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye."

Sick Day

2010-02-05T05:59:00.001-08:00

Sick Day, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Ugh! I've been sick for a couple days. I hate being sick and missing work, because not only do you feel physically crappy, all you can do is wait and see what kind of mess awaits your return to work...

poise

2010-01-30T15:46:00.001-08:00

yellow, originally uploaded by sgrace.

CSUMB Library

2010-01-29T22:38:00.001-08:00

CSUMB Library, originally uploaded by sgrace.

One of the buildings that I pass on my way home when I have night class at CSUMB. This is the new library.

2010-01-29T22:03:00.000-08:00

I have an urge to blog. I haven't been able to craft this blog into exactly what I want it to be ... I don't think I'm sure what that is. I like having the space. I have a lot of ideas. I have some creative projects going. I want to write more. This year is about releasing myself from the pressure of perfection. So maybe by letting go of any expectation of what to put here I'll figure out what I really want to say.

Hiking Fall Creek

2009-07-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today I left my camera behind for a change and Jason and I hiked about 9 miles into Henry Cowell State Park in the Fall Creek Unit. We started at the parking lot on Felton Empire Rd. and went straight up Fall Creek trail. We turned left at Big Ben trail, then descended right down Lost Empire Trail and met back up with Fall Creek/Bennett Creek.

This was by far the most challenging hike I've done in years and I was amazed at how much all my time at the gym has paid off this summer. My foot is almost totally rehabbed, although my ankle is still relatively weaker on the right side and was sore by the end of the trip. My foot didn't hurt but it was relatively swollen. Speaking of swollen, I did get stung by a freak forest bee! Good thing I'm not allergic. I'm stoked to have completed such a (for me) long hike.

I have taken pictures at Fall Creek before, though I'm glad I wasn't lugging my camera this time. It's a gorgeous part of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Spring Cleaning

2009-04-16T21:22:00.001-07:00

Golden Gate Park, originally uploaded by sgrace.

This time of the year always gives me the urge to simplify.

A Special Place In My Heart For BS

2009-04-15T15:42:00.001-07:00

A Special Place In My Heart For BS, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Banana slugs, that is.

Cloudy Daydream

2009-04-12T14:23:00.001-07:00

Cloudy Daydream, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T11:26:00.001-07:00

Happy Spring!, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Princess Buttercup

2009-02-23T18:59:00.001-08:00

That's one of my nicknames for Tiki. This is what I come home to if I don't make the bed in the morning: a princess pitbull with her head on MY pillow. Sheesh.

Tiki Loves Tue

2009-02-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Tiki viciously licks Tue's ear. I laugh ridiculously at the end because Tiki sneezes. My morning coffee makes a silent, stoic cameo.

Like a Good Girl

2009-02-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

I went to class today, even though I really didn't want to, seeing as I'm on vacation. But I'm thankful I did because there was an in-class assignment that I forgot about. Fortunately I had a good group. Sigh. I am SO TIRED of being a student. That's a negative thing to say, but I think it is more the berocracy of the teacher credentialing system than the actual act of learning that is exhausting.

I Found a Pair

2009-02-16T14:07:00.000-08:00

I finally found a pair of shoes that fit my stupid orthodic inserts. Actually they're not stupid, they're awesome and my feet don't hurt anymore, but they are really hard to fit into anything but running shoes. These are Softspots and I found them for under $40 on clearance at DSW in Santa Clara. Comfortable heels; I don't believe it! Next mountain to die on: black knee-high boots.

Deeper and Deeper

2009-02-16T06:25:00.000-08:00

Today we're braving the rain and going over the hill so I can try and find some shoes. I still have only two pairs that are really work appropriate, and I'm desperate to find a pair of boots.

I'm thankful, though, that I'm on vacation for a week.

...By Any Other Name, Would Be As Sweet...

2009-02-15T12:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I made coconut crusted tilapia with wasabi mashed potatoes and baby broccoli with bacon. It was delicious. I'm thankful that I can cook.

Back in Business

2009-02-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

OK, so I'll never be a regular blogger. Blah.

Today I'm thankful that we got out tax return. Yay.

2009-01-17T09:44:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful that it's a three day weekend. Ahhh.

La La La La!

2009-01-13T21:20:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful that American Idol starts tonight. Seriously.

It's a Beautiful Day

2009-01-12T22:33:00.001-08:00

I'm thankful that the weather has been lovely lately.

Chantrelle Mushroom Pizza

2009-01-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, Jason was able to go hiking with a friend and harvest some chantrelle mushrooms from among the redwoods. I was skeptical, having never had this kind of mushroom and also having never eaten anything that my husband has picked up off the ground in the woods.

Jason assured me that I would not die of toxic mushroom poisoning, and after a bit of internet research I agreed to try them on our regular Friday pizza night.

I sliced the mushrooms and sauteed them with some garlic and onions in butter to get rid of some of the moisture, then placed them on some Trader Joe's dough with cheese and sauce. The pizza turned out deliciously.

Brown Pelicans

2009-01-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Last week, I cruised down to the harbor and was suprised to find several pelicans that were not shy at all. Apparently, the same little shop that sells bait fish and crab also feed the excess supply to the pelicans at night. No wonder they're hanging around.

Nonetheless, I was thankful to get some excellent shots of the big birds.

TGIF

2009-01-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

It's Friday, which means thankfully I'll be able to sleep in tomorrow. It's been a tough grind the first week back.

Drink It Up

2009-01-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Today I actually bought lunch at Togo's. I had a hummus sandwich and large iced tea, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. So I'm thankful for my delicious lunch today.

Tiki Time

2009-01-07T19:25:00.001-08:00

Today I'm thankful for our little girl, Tiki.

Zumba Zumba!

2009-01-06T20:42:00.000-08:00

Today I went to Zumba class for the fourth time. I'm thankful that my CSUMB classes don't start until the 20th so I can Zumba on Tuesdays for a few weeks.

Saying Thanks, One Day at a Time

2009-01-05T19:00:00.001-08:00

I've decided on two daily goals for this blog in 2009. First, I will post at least one picture a day. Second, I have to also mention at least one thing I'm thankful for in my life. I often use that as a trick to fall asleep at night when I'm stressed -- instead of focusing on the negative, I try to list things I'm thankful for until I fall asleep.

So...

I'll start with an easy and obvious one. I'm thankful for Jason, my loving and entertaining husband.

Snake Eyes

2009-01-03T19:11:00.000-08:00

My favorite image from the aquarium trip.

Some Resolutions, Sort Of.

2009-01-02T07:45:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the new year. Hope you and your near and dear ones are weathering the storm at least, and prospering at best.

I've done much better on updating this blog in '08. Since joining facebook recently I know my readership has increased slightly. It is motivating to know that people consume what you produce, even if you are pretty much doing it for yourself anyway. I do like to read over what I've written -- I never fail to be suprosed at the fuidity of my own writing. What felt choppy and rushed at the time often reads very succintly or poetically. Sometimes it's lame crap, through.

For 2009 I'm staying positive but keeping my expectations low. Here are the things I'd like to focus on an accomplish this year. See how your own resolutions compare.

Spend less money
Work out 3x week
Eat mostly local, organic, unprocessed food
Maintain positive work/life balance
Lose weight
Finish this round of grad school

I'm willing to bet that 90% of Americans have at least one similar item on their "list".

2009: I Hope It's Fine

2009-01-01T12:20:00.000-08:00

Have a peaceful New Year. Jason and I are both under the weather so we're sticking close to home today and sadly have to miss the Corbals' party. I started some soup in the crock pot and we'll probably watch AMC all day.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

2008-12-31T07:35:00.000-08:00

Last week, on Tuesday, we went down and bought season passes to the Aquarium as one of our Christmas presents (the other present to ourselves is a Wii!)

I was definately worth it -- visiting just twice in a year pays for the passes ($120 for 2 adults and if you have kids or grandkids that includes 2 free kids passes for the little ones).

We havent been down there in about 7 years, because the last time we went it just had a weird vibe -- there were fire alarms going off and stuff leaking from the ceiling and we just didn't have a very good time.

They've cleaned it up a lot since then,and added new exhibits like a freshwater area for otters and a third area to view the open ocean exhibit from ground level.

The most exciting part for me was the aviary, of course. Jason's present to me was a teleconverter lens for my camera that gives me telephoto capabilities -- perfect for wildlife photography.

Jason was delighted that they added two amazing cichlid tanks, since that is his passion.

You can check out the rest of my photos (I'm still editing and uploading) in this flickr set.

Christmas in the OC!

2008-12-29T09:09:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a mini-vacation visiting my parents and brothers in Orange County.

Bliss

2008-12-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

On vacation until Jan 5th. Ahhh...

Icarus

2008-12-17T19:48:00.000-08:00

Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
by William Carlos Williams

According to Brueghel
when Icarus fell
it was spring

a farmer was ploughing
his field
the whole pageantry

of the year was
awake tingling
near

the edge of the sea
concerned
with itself

sweating in the sun
that melted
the wings' wax

unsignificantly
off the coast
there was

a splash quite unnoticed
this was
Icarus drowning.

Christmas is coming...

2008-12-17T19:35:00.001-08:00

Gooseneck, originally uploaded by sgrace.

You-know-who is getting fat.

Saturday, What a Day

2008-12-06T23:07:00.001-08:00

December is Here!

2008-12-04T21:37:00.001-08:00

Hospitality, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Bad Mojo

2008-12-01T18:47:00.001-08:00

Bad Mojo, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Unfortunately, this complicated marinade voodoo could not overcome the ineptitude of Al Davis. I hope he doesn't smite me or something for writing this.

Laguna Creek

2008-11-30T06:32:00.001-08:00

If the Time is Right, originally uploaded by sgrace.

On Friday Jason and I went up the coast to some beaches that used to be private property but were recently given to the state of California for public access use. Jason said he used to surf here but it was trespassing. There is a large marshy area at the back of the beach that is great for birding, but you will need a scope or binoculars because the area is off limits to foot traffic. Jason was not interested in the birds so much as the nice array of surf breaks including a nice bowl near the point in this photo.

I also managed to convince Jason to come to the Arboretum with me for the first time and, of course, he loved it. He was amazed by the number of hummingbirds. I can't wait to take him up there during hummingbird season!

Naptime

2008-11-28T16:44:00.001-08:00

Prepare to Dream, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T20:11:00.001-08:00

Take a Minute, originally uploaded by sgrace.

This morning I went up and hiked around UCSC for a while, since I knew there would be few students around on Thanksgiving. Yesterday I got the stitches out of my foot and hopefully things will be close to back to normal. I can already tell it's easier to walk and my foot is more flexible without the hardware.

This little fawn was so fearless, he just kept walking toward me grazing on trees like a scene out of Bambi.

My real destination this morning was the "merry-go-round". I haven't been on it in about 5 years.

Back at home, the pets were quite excited about the turkey.

Morning, Goat

2008-11-26T20:09:00.001-08:00

Goat, originally uploaded by sgrace.

I have this thing for goats. I want to live somewhere with enough land to have a few. Last week after my surgery Jason took me up to the Soquel Hills to see some goats he knew of. They were cute, as promised.

Doing OK

2008-11-20T18:15:00.001-08:00

Rosemary, originally uploaded by sgrace.

My surgery on Tuesday went well. Getting the hardware out was much faster and easier then putting it in, but I was not expecting the level of pain I experienced right afterward. But, about 48 hours later, I'm feeling almost no pain at all. Quick recovery. I have to wear the ortho shoe for a week until the sutures come out, and I had to take an additional day off of work to recover, but other then that it was OK.

Monday's Moon

2008-11-17T18:47:00.001-08:00

Moonset, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Tomorrow I have surgery to remove the two pins in my foot. The doctor says it's supposed to be minor -- in fact he would have done it in his office with local anesthesia if I could have held PERFECTLY STILL. I said I'd prefer surgery, thanks. I'm taking today and tomorrow off of work.

Last night we had a really good dinner. I baked a spaghetti squash, and then scraped the insides and mixed it with cooked leeks, bacon, blue cheese and cherry tomatoes. It was excellent, especially today left over for lunch.

Monarch Days

2008-11-16T17:29:00.001-08:00

This morning I went and walked around at Natural Bridges. It's monarch season, and the weather has been warm and beautiful. I found a path that goes through the eucalyptus grove to the west of the parking lot, where there were many birds waking up to the sunshine.

Bewick's Wren

Spotted Towhee

Good Morning!

2008-11-15T11:15:00.001-08:00

Tiki & Lola, originally uploaded by sgrace.

We rolled out of bed this morning in time to catch the sunrise down at the beach. Tiki met a new friend, Lola, a 9 month old American Bulldog mix. They had a grand time. It was a gorgeous sunrise. I'm getting more tattoo work done on my back today. One of these days I'll take some pictures of the progress and post them on here.

The Center Cannot Hold

2008-11-14T17:46:00.001-08:00

Let There Be Light, originally uploaded by sgrace.

I cannot believe how unstable the world seems right now. Job, economy, presidency, war. Everything seems to be happening at once, good and bad. It's exciting and terrifying. Instead of waiting for things to happen, things are happening so rapidly that we hardly have time to ponder, let alone process, the significance. At the same time, there is much to be thankful for. I'm especially thankful to have a safe happy home in which to sit and write this and consider the turn of the universe.

The Second Coming
W.B. Yeats

Turning and turning in the widening gyre,
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

Interesting NY Times article about this poem

Masts at Sunset

2008-11-06T19:06:00.001-08:00

Masts at Sunset, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Flashback

2008-11-05T22:02:00.001-08:00

, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Some day we'll take another vacation.

Choose or Lose

2008-11-04T22:16:00.001-08:00

Acorn Woodpecker, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Eyes on the prize.

We won!

Today Jason and I went to vote at 6:30, just to make sure we were not at the end of a long line. Turns out we were first, and I actually got to be the first one to cast my vote. I had the exciting privilege of verifying the ballot box and the voting machine and some documents to see that they were all empty or blank. Very historic.

This Fish...

2008-11-03T18:59:00.001-08:00

Nice 'Do, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Wants you to vote for Obama tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T14:59:00.001-08:00

Happy Halloween!, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Jason carved this gigantic pumpkin this year. It was 150 pounds before he carved it, and about 3 feet tall! It was definitely the hit of our party.

We had a little gathering this year with about 30 or so people overall. People drifted in and out all night, as it always goes on Halloween (especially on the weekend when there's lots of parties). Jason set up a tarp out in the backyard -- it worked well, since there was rain off and on all night.

I wasn't into having a party this year but I'm really glad we did. Jason insisted and he did most of the work. I put on my Alice costume and there were a lot of friends here that I haven't seen in a while.

Halloween is Coming

2008-10-30T19:40:00.001-07:00

Tiki Attacked by Spider, originally uploaded by sgrace.

New Old Ring

2008-10-29T19:50:00.001-07:00

New Old Ring, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Jason sized up my grandma's ring so I can wear it on my ring finger.

The Usual Routine

2008-10-28T21:13:00.001-07:00

GOLD, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Just Another Manic Monday

2008-10-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

Clean Dishes

2008-10-26T20:09:00.001-07:00

Clean Dishes, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Got some chores done today.

Scavenger Hunt October 08

2008-10-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

MSH October 08, originally uploaded by sgrace.

I finished the Monthly Scavenger Hunt for October!

1. Droopy
2. Over the Top
3. Natural Framing
4. Two-story Building
5. Because I Said So!!
6. En Masse
7. Straw
8. Closing Time
9. Avocado
10. Reptilian
11. Easy Rider
12. Double
13. Orange and Black
14. Fungus Amongus
15. That Cloud Looks Like A(n)...
16. Heartbreaker
17. Egg Yolk
18. Mixer
19. Slow Water
20. Hot Dog

On the Road

2008-10-25T16:29:00.001-07:00

Quail Hollow Ranch, originally uploaded by sgrace.

We went up to Quail Hollow Ranch, where we got married, and walked around a bit today.

TGIF

2008-10-24T17:56:00.001-07:00

Jason and I have been making homemade pizza on Friday nights for a couple months now. It started with me making the dough in the bread machine, but after a while it got too tough to make the dough on a weeknight so now we buy the dough at Engfer's pizza down the street and then I roll them out and we add toppings and bake them. Actually, I've been hand tossing them lately, with mixed results, but it's fun and they taste so much better than delivery. We stopped ordering delivery since I have finally stopped eating fast food.

Tired Thursday

2008-10-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Today was pretty easy and mellow overall. It's nice to feel like you get something done even if it is nowhere near what you wanted to accomplish.

Halloween is coming and I haven't had time to think about a costume or anything. I'm going to have to think about that this weekend. I'll probably wear my Alice costume to work, and then maybe the flapper for night. We're supposed to be having a party, but I'm not really into is as much as I was a month ago. People will still come over and hang out, but I just can't do the whole nine yards this year.
At least tomorrow is Friday! I can't believe the month is almost over and that election day is right around the corner.

APA Sucks

2008-10-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Been extremely busy lately with work and school. It's been absolutely beautiful weather, but I've been pretty tired and trying not to be stressed from all the new stuff I'm being asked to do.

I walked Tiki today, which I have only done a few times since the accident. We just went down to the beach and back. She is still hard to handle sometimes, but I'm hoping to start walking her daily again. Before I broke my foot we were walking about an hour almost every day.

Last night I had my CSUMB classes. I left home yesterday at 6am and didn't get home until 10:30pm. That is quite a grind.

Monday I actually took off work because I was so tired and worn out, and basically did laundry and watched TV.

Sunday was football day -- GO RAIDERS!

We have been tailgating in the handicapped area since I have a placard through November. It's cool there because you can really spread out and there is more room for each space.

Here's our set up, food, and a picture of us. Where did all those wrinkles come from?

Two Santa Cruz Lighthouses

2008-10-20T19:28:00.001-07:00

Two Santa Cruz Lighthouses, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Northern Harrier

2008-10-12T16:14:00.001-07:00

Northern Harrier, originally uploaded by sgrace.

At Terrace Point, near Long Marine Lab

Dreams of Summertime

2008-10-11T14:27:00.001-07:00

IMG_7347, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Monarch

2008-10-05T20:29:00.001-07:00

butterfly, originally uploaded by sgrace.

hummingbird

2008-09-24T19:30:00.001-07:00

hummingbird, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Fall Colors

2008-09-20T15:51:00.001-07:00

Fall Colors, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Naked Ladies

2008-08-27T19:45:00.001-07:00

Naked Ladies, originally uploaded by sgrace.

A sign that fall is coming.

Corcoran Lagoon and More

2008-08-24T10:46:00.001-07:00

Starling, originally uploaded by sgrace.

At Corcoran Lagoon, I saw a flock of European Starling on the Library lawn.

I went down to the Rivermouth looking for interesting birds and got retro-looking shot of the boardwalk. For most of the month it's been foggy until about 11:00am each day.

I went to Antonelli Pond for the first time early in the month. I saw several small songbirds like this Goldfinch and also shorebirds. I've never seen a Blue Heron roosting at the top of a tree; that was unusual.

Catching Up

2008-08-24T10:27:00.001-07:00

Santa Cruz Harbor, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Despite school starting last week, I made several little photo ventures in August.

At the beginning of the month, I there was an unusual number of anchovies all over the Central Coast. I definitely saw a wider variety of shorebirds than ever before. These Elegant Terns are feeding their young.

Santa Cruz Harbor, originally uploaded by sgrace.

More Pelicans than I have ever seen on the SC Harbor jetty. I didn't realize that Brown Pelicans were endangered.

Seeing Double

2008-08-13T18:16:00.001-07:00

Seeing Double, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Brown Pelicans enjoying a run of anchovies in the Santa Cruz Harbor.

Harbor Seal

2008-08-08T23:47:00.001-07:00

Harbor Seal, originally uploaded by sgrace.

There's a great deal of marine animal action in the area lately due to schools of anchovies hanging around. I generally see one or two seals a week in the harbor; there were about 15 out last week when I took this picture.

Glamour Squirrel

2008-08-08T23:35:00.001-07:00

Glamour Squirrel, originally uploaded by sgrace.

Harbor Visitors

2008-08-04T05:42:00.001-07:00

Elegant Tern, originally uploaded by sgrace.

There have been a ton of terns and pelicans in the harbor feeding on anchovies.

There was also some Heerman's Gulls and a Blue Heron out that morning.

Black Crowned Night Heron

2008-08-02T19:45:00.001-07:00

Black Crowned Night Heron, originally uploaded by sgrace.

The weather has been sunny and great for birding. I was excited to catch three roosting Black Crowned Night Herons at Corcoran Lagoon this week. There were also several Snowy Egrets, a Blue Heron, a Brown Pelican, and the usual flock of Mallards and occasional American Coot.

Max

2008-07-30T17:55:00.001-07:00

My parents were here visiting for the past two weeks (they left Saturday). They had the corgis, of course. We had a lot of good meals and I think they had a good time and enjoyed themselves and were able to relax. At the very least I know they appreciated the cooler weather. They stayed at a cute little vacation rental over on Dolores. It had a great yard but a tiny kitchen.

Miller Wedding

2008-07-29T18:19:00.001-07:00

Our friends Bobby and Emily got married a few weeks ago. The celebration was in Pleasanton at a beautiful winery. we had a great time and I even danced a little bit on my gimpy foot.

On the Road Again

2008-07-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here is my foot -- in a SHOE! Yes, that's right, I am walking again and can pretty much get around on my own, but I am very slow and definitely have a pronounced limp. In mid August I get plaster casts taken of both feet for plastic orthopedic inserts that will let me wear most any shoe with a removable insole. Until then, I am pretty much limited to the three pairs of sneakers I have. I did buy a pair of black Converse for the first day of school, however, which is about a dressy as I get right now. Besides, Converse are tres chic at high school nowadays and will hopefully get me some cache with the youngsters.