One Gorgeous Day

Today is March 18th, the day after St. Patricks day and the first day of sunshine in quite awhile. We had double rainbows in the Valley before sunset last night and the rain actually was refreshing. The ACAP students had their graduation last night and the parents of many of them had me take pictures of the families before the reception took place here in the atrium. Connie Willis is a student who had gone through the program and wants to be the next Rachel Ray ( a cooking show personality on the Food Network ). She actually has done some television work on the home shopping network but feels that she will be more qualified now that she has graduated from this prestigious school. She is quite shrewd at getting her way sometimes, but is not at all malicious. She is just agressive and works at getting her way at any means possible. I gave her family a long tour throughout the whole building yesterday and she was grateful. A whole new crop of Students will be coming to start the Spring semester classes shortly.The activity and foot traffic is certainly picking up as the tourist season begins

Tuesday Afternoon

The weather has continued to be stormy, cold and windy. February and March have really been wet and wild this year. Today, i am trying to find something to write about because this blog is starting to be reflective of how boring my life appears here on the web. I tried to upload a " racy " picture from the Academy Awards Gala but the server wouldn't do it, So I am left texting my observations without any imagery to back it up. Perhaps I will be able to upload a shot on this post ( i hope so ) , but if I don't I will probably try again sometime in the near future.

Academy Awards Gala

I stayed over until 6:30 pm last night at work. The Napa Valley Aids Project sponsored the Academy Awards Gala event that was held in our Barrel Room at the CIA. I watched as the room was transformed into a 70's style party. It was attended by lots of people who watched on a very large screen as the awards ceremony unfolded. The movie "Crash" won best picture and Phillip Seymour Hoffman won the best actor award for "Capote." Reese Witherspoon won best actress award for "Walk the line" which was a movie about country singer Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter. The movie, "Brokeback Mountain" won the award for best director Ang Lee. I enjoy watching this event every year because i try to make a point of seeing all the movies before the Academy Awards are handed out.

My Badge

Badge
Originally uploaded by banteron.

I am now an official Flickr Professional Photographer thanks to the NCMUG and Derrick Story who is well known in the Mac Community. I am now proud to be his collegue. This badge is my official certification in an elite group of digital imagers and Photoshop users. As the staff photographer of the Culinary Insitute of America's Greystone Campus, I am called on to take pictures of all relevant events, weddings and other gatherings requiring official documentation.

Good Day Sunshine

Today was just beautiful here in St. Helena. The enchanted magnolias are in bloom and it is only the 12th of February. The east coast has been hit with a huge blizzard and snow is covering several major cities. The airports have all been closed. Here in the Atrium lobby of Greystone the morning has started off rather quietly, but it has picked up sense then.In San Francisco Last night was a parade in Chinatown celebrating the Chinese New Year of the dog. Tuesday is Valentine's day and the men's club at the churh I attend will be featuring a Crab Feed. I announced this event at the 8 am mass telling the attendees that the event was SOLD OUT and suddenly the congregation began to clap. It is amusing what people find worthy of applause. It was touching, however.

Waiting for Monday

It's only Saturday, but I am already looking forward to my days off. The weather is just beautiful outside and I plan on taking full advantage of it.The only event that is happening tonight at the CIA is something that the Montessori Family Center from St. Helena is putting on.They are calling it "Shanghai Nights" and it is a fundraiser that the locals get gussied up for to bid on wine, and eat extravagant food. On another note, I went to my regular home group meeting last night at the hospital. I am back attending that meeting now, because the old secretary has moved on ( He really got on my nerves, So I decided that I needed to be around "oldtimers" for awhile ).Nurse Kitty is just being her bubbly self, and it seems that we can be civil towards each other since I have made amends. Tommorow I will do the first reading at mass and sell tickets to the Church Men's club Crab Feed after mass. No big deals in my life right now... Just honoring my committments.

The Breakdown

This Sunday moring I woke up early to get a head start. I was responsible for being the first lector, taking the collection, announcing the Crab Feed for the men's club and selling the tickets after Mass. Then I head for the CIA where the big breakdown after the Mustard Festival event took place. There was a lot little messes and things that needed to be put back in their rightful place. I don't really feel that things are up to speed for the day until I have all my ducks in a row, so to speak. The weather has lightened up a little bit, but the digging and renovation taking place around my apartment leaves a lot to be desired.My phone is not working again... their was not hot water this morning... my rent was raised 90.00 a month to 840.00, my PG&E bill skyrocketed to 75.00 a month from 25.00 and I HAD MY HEAT TURNED OFF since the beginning of December. When I went outside I smelled a gas leak around the apartment so things aren't going so great.

Back in the Saddle

I love my life... don't get me wrong. I do believe that I can get depressed, and that their is mental illness in my family. I find that it is important to remember to ask for help when I am overstressed or just plain depressed. My physician has prescribed "seratonin uptake inhibitors" to help me maintain the necessary seratonin levels in my brain. Without these, my moods and outlook on life can suffer, so can my relationships. It is hard to maintain a positive attitude at my job and at home when I find it difficult to get out of bed. As a recovering alcoholic, it is easy too, to indulge in what is called, "Stinking Thinking," A personal inventory helps me stay on track and making ammends when necessary have helped me maintain continuous sobriety for over 29 years and counting. My belief in a higher power has helped too. Without the third step of the aa program, I would be stuck in a very dark place and relying on resources that would ultimately distructive to me. Today is the first day for the rest of my life. I love my life.

Cold Weather, Warm Hearts

The days are still pretty short and the nights are long and pretty soon the swallows will be returning to build thier nests in the spring and we will have a lot of bird poop to clean up in front of our main entrance. In spite of all the terrible things going on in the world, it is important to wear the world "like a lose garment" as they say. Don't take yourself too seriously, and try to laugh about things that might otherwise upset you.I am 55 and the circumstances that have got me this far are pretty much out of my control. I go to work, I pay my rent, I do my laundry, I pay my bills and when I have some free time I get creative and draw pictures which I scan into my computer and then add to my website . Hey, life is great- and then you move on....

Dishing it up

Okay, I am sitting here at work trying to reflect on what has been going on for the past three weeks of the new year. So far, we have had the "Worlds of Healthy Flavors" conference here at Greystone. I have seen two mediocore movies that don't even warrant a critique.Today we had a Town Hall Meeting for our staff. Charles Henning introduced the standards of excellence to the employees at Greystone. Be it said that his background in hospitality has groomed him to offer such sterling overtures as, "How may I assist you?" or "I am at your service" or "It's certainly my pleasure" whenver a guest calls upon any of us. I think this is good and should reflect well on the CIA. I do however, have a little concern about the spontanaety of these repsonses however scripted.

Get more Kicks in 2006

We are already one week into 2006 and time waits for no one. Our student housing got flooded in St. Helena pretty bad. They had to rip out the carpets and sheet rock about 14 rooms. The students are returning tomorrow and everything has to be ready for the new semester. The Healthy World's of Flavor Conference is coming up next week and that should bring a bunch of "Foodies" to the area. Then after that event, we start preparing for the Mustard Festival kickoff event. Somedays I have to pinch myself because I have it so good. I only wish the pay was a little better because my rent just went up another 90 bucks. It is still probably the cheapest housing to be found in Calistoga.

Big Rains

flood1
Originally uploaded by banteron.

New Year's Eve brought heavy rain and flooding here in the Napa Valley. Storms are backed up out in the Pacific and many of the vineyards here are totally saturated. Cars hydroplaned,trees fell, mud slid, electricity failed, people were evacuated and most didn't let this stormy weather dampen their spirits. I worked for only half a day at the CIA, because no one could come north on Hwy. 29 from the city of Napa. The CHP had thier hands full, and dining plans for New Year's Eve in the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant were dashed because no one but people from Calistoga could get through.

Alien head

Alien head
Originally uploaded by banteron.

I've had a lot of fun with this software called "Photobooth". I just turned off the lights and started making faces using the various filters. I further tweaked them in Photoshop to get just the look I wanted. This is the best time of the year to work inside on the computer. It is raining and cold outside. These are the days when I am glad that I bought this contraption.

Lag Time

During the days between Christmas and New Year's Eve we have a lot of people who are tired of looking at their relatives and want to get out and explore a little. The restaurant has been pretty busy because folks are either still on holiday or the kids haven't returned to school. The weather has been pretty nice today, but the past few days have been a heavy downpour. The Russian and Napa rivers were on flood watch.It's a good time to catch a flick or go to a museum. Unfortunately, there are no lunches being served for the staff until around three-thirty, and it is a family style meal which is held in the Simi room. Hey, I will take whatever they are dishing out. I already had a bag of "Inka Nuts" and a Red Bull to tide me over.

Work.... it just is.

It is come to my attention that some of the perks that I was fortunate enough to have as part of my position here at the CIA are being compromised. From now on I won't be receiving a dinner for two as a token gift for giving group tours after hours. From now on, concierges will recieve 3 points for each tour, and those points will add up to 9 which will THEN qualify you for a $100 dollar coupon at the restaurant. I for one, am not impressed with the nickel and dime squeeze that is taking place. Since I love my job however, I will put up with this scaling back even though the incentive for giving tours after hours makes me feel less appreciated.

Festivities Galore

Last night was the annual Open-House Holiday Party at Greystone. There were Gingerbread houses, Cookie decorating, A choral group singing Christmas songs and Plates of oer duerves. There were lots of people and kids amping up on sugar and sodas. I stuck around until after six to take pictures and most of those are on my other computer. I am too lazy to get off my butt to go over and get them onto this computer to make this post appear relevant. Instead of having a stupid picture of a holiday party , I am adding a more interesting picture of myself mugging the camera with one finger admonishing the viewer... Capiche?

My 55th Birthday

Well today I reached a speed limit of sorts in terms of the number of years I have gained here on earth. I celebrated at the CIA's Wine Spectator Restaurant with my family and a my friend Reid. There were nephews, nieces, brother-in-laws and babies. Hamish, Rita, Martha, Ernie, Terry, Camille, Ian, Mary-Kay, Antonella and her mom, Edward, Reid and of course little Maisy. She was warm and comfortable throughout dinner and did not make a peep. Camille entertained herself by crawling under the table exploring. Dinner was great. We had the temptations which included Foix Graux (sp?) Acorn Squash soup, Olive Tapanade, and then came the first courses. I had Spinach Risotto and Trout, Rita had a Hangar Steak, Martha had Scallops and Reid had some sort of Chicken Dish. The food was fantastic and so were the desserts which include Creme Brulee and a Hot Chocolate Lava cake with Grand Manier Cream. We had a delightful evening and It was great seeing everyone. Plans have been made to meet at Martha's for a White Elephant Christmas on the 26th.

Birthday Time

As my 55th birthday approaches, I ma reflecting on the idea that I have reached a metaphorical "Speed Limit". I am in the autumn of my years so to speak, and every day I look for ways to insure my comfort as time goes bye. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to the employee Christmas Party this year, but glad that I did because of the delicious food and wonderful setting. The band was terrific and even though I didn't stay late, I had a good time. This year they had a little puppet chow called, "le Cirque de Cafe" which featured knives, forks and spoons in a fantasy circus motif with accordian accompaniment. It was entertaining and silly all at once. Next Tuesday evening I will be celebrating my Birthday in the Wine Specatator Greystone Restaurant with family and friends. My hope is that a certain special someone will show... we shall see.

December is here

Today I slept in... It is still my vacation and I am taking full advantage of it. We had a wicked storm hit the west coast last night and It looks like that it will be around for the rest of the week. I have been playing on the computer here, learning new things like how to hack web pages, how to post awesome pics that I have created in Photobooth/Photoshop and tonight I am going to create a lightscribe DVD. What fun !

Today is a good day to sleep and putz around on my puter. Yesterday, I drove to Mont La Salle to take a bunch of pictures of the grounds there. I was pleased with the result, so I made a slideshow out of all the pictures. Last night I stayed up and talked to my online friend Andrew. It proved to be a rather uneventful day except for the fact that I didn't actually get to bed until around 3 a.m. Oh dash it, it's my vacation I can stay up late when I want to!