Things went pretty well at the CIA today. I think that my position here is becoming more appreciated since I have been away. Perhaps the break just did ME a world of good. Maybe everyone was relieved to not see my charming face here for the past two weeks. I have been given the cookies these past couple of days and tonight I have two bags. I suspect that I am going to be pretty popular at the AA meeting tonight. The weekends here are generally a different scene entirely. Tommorow the Special Events team will be doing a wedding which usually means that the staff gets a little something to eat. Then again, there is the "Family Meal" that the restaurant prepares for the staff in the SIMI room after 4:30 PM My attitude has been improving, my computers are working fine and I should'nt be too strapped until the next payday.Life is good

Back in the Saddle

Today was my first day back after a nice lengthy vacation.I had no shame in explaining that I didn't really go anywhere... just on short trips. School is back in session here at the CIA an there is a whole new crop of Baking and Pastry students.It is pretty much business as usaual and hence, there is no need to get my ego in the way of progress here. The weather has been cooperating nicely, but it is still a little warm. Tonight I am attending the men's club meeting at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. I am bringing fresh CIA cookies so it should be a nice dinner meeting. We will be discussing the upcoming Parish Festival.

Lesson One

Lesson One

Watch the video

Okay, here I am acting like a pro and I just started doing this... Who the heck do I think I am? Well, if I can do this, so can you ! This is my first hot tip on videoblogging. Enjoy ! ( or not )

Banteron's Blip Blog Begins !

This is starting to be fun. Okay, so you may NOT think that I am not a very private person. The fact is that I like to put myself out there , but I do in fact cherish my privacy. I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country in a one bedroom apartment amidst Hispanic neighbors who have many kids who like to stay up to all hours playing a variety of games that involve yelling, screaming and crying. I live upstairs, plunking away at my puter. Today I discovered videoblogging at http://blip.tv It is just an experiment depending on how easy and interested YOU may be in tracking my day to day activites. If I can do this, Anyone can do this ! Have a simple ( perhaps boring at times) daily monologue that details your thoughts and observations.
Oh joy !

Lunchtime Poetry

Here it is, the second week of my vacation. Today, I did the food run from Napa to Calistoga with Jim and Leonardo. We got it all done before noon so the heat was not too much of a factor, although it should hit double digits this afternoon.Last Sunday, I was accused of being a pervert for taking an unauthorized picture of two pre-teen girls walking along the boardwalk at Johnson's Beach in Gurneville eating ice cream cones ((( What was I thinking !!))) . It was devastating to hear the accusation from the mother of one of these girls. "Who the hell do you think you are?" She bellowed. " What right have you to take a picture of my daughter without asking her permission ! " ( she was right, of course) I muttered apologies and regret and explained that I was only taking pictures of people in general, as part of a photo documentary piece. After submitting an ID, she finally let me go after thoroughly reeming me emotionally. I doubt that I will return to that beach any time soon. I hear on the news that Forest Fires have broken out in Middletown since last night. It was only 25% contained as I write this. I want to see " The way of the peaceful warrior " with Nick Nolte tonight at the Rialto. It is Tightwad Tuesday and the show begins at 7:10 pm. The price break is by two or three dollars on this day.I also will be purchasing some groceries at Trader Joes and the Grocery Outlet before I head back over the hill on my scooter. It is nice sitting here in my apartment listening to Robert Hass read his poetry via a podcast.

I'm still the same

Nothing has changed. On this day in History, on this very spot, Nothing Happened... and, That's Okay ! Hey, I have been told that when you are really bored you are getting real close to your Higher Power. Hmmmm... that sounds a little too Zen for me.
The one thing I do know, is that my laundry still needs to get done. I still need to feed myself and shower everyday. I still need to work to pay my bills to get and stay out of debt. I still need to communicate with my loved ones so that they don't think I have completely lost it. I still need to get plenty of rest so that I don't go around banging into walls. I never knew that this blog could be so funny. Tune in next week when I have been off for awhile to hear the saga of my summer vacation. Hell I had more excitement. adventure and fun in one day at 15 than I've had in the last 5 years of my fifties. This is like Zen and the art of Limbo...

How low can you go?

Is it Ground Hog Day ?

It sure feels like it. Somedays I come to work and I go down the same road, talk to the same people, do the same job. Blah, Blah and Blah. It is a good thing that I will be having a nice long vacation after the 10th of this month. I plan on taking a lot of short trips on my motor scooter, exercising by riding my bike or hiking, cooking my own meals, etc. I want to come back to the CIA refreshed and ready to face another year of fun, food and frolic ! When you are eating , sleeping and breathing CIA 40+ hours a week you can go a little crazy. Don' t get me wrong, though. Everyone needs a break. I plan to take a lot of pictures, go to San Francisco, Russian River, Shasta, Monterey, Mendocino and other "day trips". The thing is, I am on a budget and have to watch my spending like the rest of you.

Saturday on a Holiday Weekend

The kids in the neighborhood are getting excited about the fair that is taking place this weekend. They buy a bracelet and get to go on all the rides ( Jessica says that it's Free then). It is quiet here at the CIA. Only foot traffic as we have no big events scheduled. Last night the Napa Valley Vintners had their annual dinner in the Barrel Room. I heard that everything went smoothly and our Special Events Staff deserves a Gold Star. As it stands, I am continuing this blog on Wednesday , July 5th because as usual , I got busy. Last night I did a kewl thing. I climbed up on the roof top of my apartment building to watch the fireworks. I also brought my Powermac with and Isight up there with me. I was chatting with my friend Steve from Calgary who was at a campground there ( without any fireworks to view, I might add ) and I was able to direct the ISight camera towards the sky so that he could watch the entire show from 9:30 to 10:00 pm. I love high tech stuff for this very reason.