I'm just saying

If you hang around this blog long enough, one might surmise I tend to use expressions (a lot): 

• Busier than a one armed paper hanger with an itch
• Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
• Dumber than a bag of hammers
• Sometimes you're the bug, sometimes you're the windshield
• Sometimes you're the dog, sometimes you're the fire hydrant
• If you ain't the lead dog on the sled team, the view never changes

I'm back from my road trip to the coast.  Survived my appointment with the TSA with no juicy stories to pass along.  I find if you prepare yourself and you don't tend to stand out, running the security gauntlet can be tolerable.  Still, there are a few bone-headed people who insist on making things difficult/interesting.  There were one or two testy patrons and flight attendants (don't call them stewardesses anymore).  Please remember good people, there is limited space on these pressurize metal tubes with wings that we call airplanes, and you should not expect to fit your entire spring wardrobe in the overhead compartment.  One interesting tidbit I experienced was on the flight from Phoenix and Santa Barbara I kept hearing some squeaking/snuffling noise coming from below my seat.  Turns out the woman behind me had her Bichon Frise stuffed under my seat.   

Oceanfront property in Carpinteria

Good trip, highly productive, fantastic weather, very nice area, long flight, two weeks behind on my chores, 300+ e-mails to read/answer.  This week we were in Carpinteria to visit two suppliers.  I was leading this caravan and I've been there three years ago, so I know the lay of the land and how to plan the trip.  Carpinteria is a nice little town about 1.5 hours north of LA and just south of Santa Barbara.  Tucked right on the coast between the ocean and the mountains.  Since I did this trip a while back, I planned some extra time to explore the general area.  Got to tour the beach, drive up into the mountains, view a seal colony that is about to give birth.  IMHO, pretty good trip, even including the hassles of travel.  These road trips are a necessary evil, but I try to make the best of them as I can.  I even was able to plan extra time to put in some running to warm up for the half marathon later this month.  I had time to run the coast trail that parallels the coastline - beautiful scenery/views. 

One paw for dog, one giant leap for canine... 

Seal colony in Carpinteria

Even though I had a good trip, these audits can make for long days.  When we finished up Thursday evening with the last company, I was able to make time to wander over to the local brewery (Island Brewing) to sample some local suds.  After all of the road trips I've done over the past few years, I have made it my mission to taste some of the local flavor. 

Anyway, while savoring a nice, dark stout, I sent this picture to my wife.   



Stick a fork in me.  I'm done.

Now, perhaps I have used this expression with her a wee bit too much.  Her reply:  I just may oblige you.

Bless her heart...