Blahs Not So Blue or Blah
Life has those ups and those downs. I've been riding that roller coaster over the past week, but it's all a continuation of that ride I've been on my whole life. I'm not planning to get off any time soon either. But what comes is what is supposed to come so it's best to have a good of a time as you can.
Yesterday my wife and I took a day trip out to the desert town of Indio California out east of Palm Springs. It was an ideal day with temps in the sixties and partly cloudy skies. Somewhere it was raining, but it never touched us all day.
We spent several hours in the Agua Caliente Casino meandering to watch the players and just absorb the atmosphere. It's a top quality establishment with a lot of machines and other places to lose money. I lost $27 that I really don't like to lose plus an additional $10 of free cash the casino gave me for signing up to their players club.
Also for signing up we got a coupon for a free appetizer with one ordered entree in one of the casino restaurants. The restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Since I haven't been eating all that much lately I let my wife order an entree (she got bacon-wrapped meatloaf that was simply amazing with a savory fall vegetable medley and garlic mashed potatoes--all for a very fair price of $15). For my appetizer I got skewers of filet medallions marinated Korean style on a bed of kimchi which was about as perfect of a meal as I've had in a long time. I ate every single bite of mine.
On the way home we stopped at Cabazon to visit the touristy Hadley's Market and Deli where my wife and I got an assortment of date delicacies and two date shakes for a dinner in the car to help us better endure sitting in the traffic heading back to L.A. The myriad of car lights were a bit tedious though dazzling to look at, but still it was a nice drive home.
Life is looking up. That's fine with me. One nice thing about being down is that you don't have much other place to look other than up. And really I don't mind being down as long as I'm peaceful. A valley is as good as a mountaintop. It's just a matter of perspective...
Battle of the Bands Results
This was another tough one. I kept going back and forth listening to them until I realized that I kept deciding that my favorite was whichever one I was listening to at the moment. Both artists are winners and the voting reflected that.
Still, having to pick one as my own favorite I decided to go with the majority of voters. I really dug on the cool smooth vocals and lush orchestration of Lauren White so that's where my vote goes...
Final Vote Tally
Lauren White 11 votes
Pat Dinizio 7 votes
Next Battle on Sunday December 1st
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week whatever you decide to do. I think we're just going to be going out to dinner just my wife and I. Probably not as good as the dinner I'd fix, but a whole lot easier.
Do you ever go to casinos just to wander and watch? Where is your favorite place to get in from the cold or elements and just watch other people or enjoy the indoor environment? What are you going to do this Thanksgiving?
I wouldn't drive your LA traffic for anything in the world. It's bad enough around here, I don't even like to leave the house.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving.
Alex, since I don't have to commute or be in traffic that much then it doesn't affect me all that much when I do end up in it. I don't have many places I have to be these days and my schedule is pretty lax.
DeleteEnjoy your Thanksgiving Day!
Lee
A 4-point spread in the final voting tally translates to "Good Battle!", Lee.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back BOTBing again on December 1st.
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
STMcC, I was happy with this outcome and it made sense when looked at from the perspective of how voters usually trend.
DeleteSee you on the 1st!
Lee
I had no idea which side of the coin this would fall. All totaled, yours was a fine tussle.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are enjoying a memorable holiday season, Sir.
Michael, yes, it was a decent Battle.
DeleteThings are pretty laid back these days and that is good. All the best to you as well.
Lee
It is all about the little things in life.
ReplyDeletePTM, yes, all the little stuff adds up to what life is all about.
DeleteLee
Glad that you had an enjoyable trip, good Sir...
ReplyDeleteHello from Marshville
DR, hope life is treating you well (or at least better).
DeleteLee
Our Thanksgiving will be quiet with no guests and no travel because I'm just two weeks out of knee replacement surgery. I prepared all the food ahead of time and put it in the freezer so our dinner will be turkey and all the trimmings and very little work. The microwave will get a workout though. :D
ReplyDeletePatricia, quiet and non-stressful sounds like an ideal time.
DeleteLee
Enjoy your thanksgiving Lee. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne, Thank you. You have a good Christmas season and treat yourself to good things.
DeleteLee
Will do Lee.
DeleteThanks.
Yvonne.
Good times had by you two. We have been in Indio and Palm Springs, but it was stinkin' hot. Maybe it is time to go now instead of June.
ReplyDeleteSusan K, now's a great time to go out desert way. June can get mighty uncomfortable from a heat standpoint.
DeleteLee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your latest BoTB results. I was on the losing side this time. Now to answer your questions!
Do you ever go to casinos just to wander and watch? I have not been inside a casino but it would be interesting to see what one's like. As you know there is one in Cherokee, North Carolina. It'sa big place, too. We might have to take the time to check it out just for the experience of it all. That would be fun.
Where is your favorite place to get in from the cold or elements and just watch other people or enjoy the indoor environment? That's easy, the mall. West Town Mall has evolved over the past 40 years into a nice place to waste your time, except for the more recent remodeling/decorating which looks too contemporary and cold. Unfortunately it doesn't look special as it did before the transformation. In my opinion, that was a waste of money the SHOPPERS money because you know we are the ones who pay for ite everytime we buy something at the mall.
What are you going to do this Thanksgiving? Nothing special, just stay home. The kids or at least some of them have to work until very late so it's thrown a wrench in the bucket for a good time to get together but we have plans in the works to do something early in December, so that will be fun.
I hope you and your wife have a good Thanksgiving, no matter what you do. When I count my blessing on Thursday, I will count you as one, dear friend. Thanks for your friendship and may God bless you always!
Cathy, we went to Cherokee a few years ago with my sibs after a pleasant trip to Blue Ridge GA and a visit to Fields of the Woods. It was a nice casino and we had a fun time.
DeleteI used to go to West Town a lot when I lived in TN. Out of desperation I think, a lot of malls have been making changes--good and bad--to try to keep people coming in. I don't like a lot of updated changes, but I guess they have their reasons for taking the approach they take, but sometimes I think they get misguided advice.
Staying home is about as fine a time as I can think of for the most part. Celebrating can take place any day that is most convenient for us. Have a wonderful holiday season! Thank you for you kind words.
Lee
What a wonderful, peaceful day trip! Wishing you many more.
ReplyDelete