All Quiet on the Western Front

Staz, the Engineer and pooch have left the building. Having been on alert for various animal wars and mishaps, as well as having 2 additional people rattling around our tiny little house, the sudden quiet here is a tad disconcerting. It seems like something should be happening, but it's not. I can actually hear a clock tick.

I got a call from them on the road about two hours ago - they were stuck in bumper to bumper no-go traffic before Bakersfield. At that rate, they probably won't arrive back in SF until midnight, which would make it roughly a 10 hour drive. Now, that's friendship folks!

Turkey day was great. The food turned out perfect for the most part, with plenty of leftovers, and we all had a damn fine time with a nice fire burning, imbibing and playing scrabble and a rousing game of Clue (Miss Scarlet is a WHORE!).

Friday, much to the missus' dismay, her West Wing marathon was preempted in the living room for all football and beer all the time, except when we were watching basketball and the World Series of Poker. Or was that Saturday? Or both? It's all a blur.

I had an absolute blast. I can't believe it was a whole week they were here, it went by so fast. Or slow, as was our pace. In fact we rarely left the compound except for that trip to the Salton Sea, the occasional grocery store run to restock our "supplies" and then a trip up the Tram last night to celebrate the Engineers birthday.

The last time I went up the Tram it was with a group of 12 rowdy gay boys, the place was totally empty and we owned the restaurant. This time however, it now being Season and a holiday weekend as well, it was packed. Getting on the cars, we tried to pull the 'ol "get on last" trick (guarantees a window spot at the door) but we were outplayed by a family of 4. Bastards! We weren't quite at capacity (80) but close. Factor in the kids running over our feet and the woman who seemed to forget she was wearing a very large backpack while doing pirouettes (Whomp! Whomp! Hello?! 'Scuse you, bitch!) we were slightly cranky by the time we reached the top. Which was also packed with people - all cranky as well. But we would not be thwarted! We were going to have fun damn it!

After a nice drink at the bar, it was apparent that the troops were getting pretty hungry. I flirted the hostess enough to get her to seat us early. The flirting paid off, she gave us the best table in the place, far away, high above actually - it was an aerie table, from any scampering twits. Great food, dynamite wine and fantastic company. It was the perfect capper to a great week.

Today, just as the animudges had finally accepted their multi species existence (actually the blind and deaf dog could care less, he didn't know the cats were even there except when he accidently walked into one), it was time to load up my buds car. The girls gathered their bags as I grabbed a quick smoke out by the pool. Something told me to turn around just in time to see the dog trip on the coping and nosedive into the pool (remember he's blind and deaf). Of course I dove in after him, fully clothed (thank god the pool was heated) and carried him out. Poor guy. 7 days that dog was here and never once did he come close to falling in the pool, but of course moments before he's getting into a car for an 8 hour road trip... Mmm Hmm. Wet dog smell! Pretty.

I dread the thought of work tomorrow morning but I'm basking in the warmth and friendship I enjoyed this past week. Life is good. I hope you all had good ones too! Cheers!