Flutterbys and Monster Seals

Usually I am the one that makes the journey home to visit my family, but this past weekend my mom and dad came down to visit me.

While I have made San Luis my home for almost 5 years now, I am no expert on the sights and sensations that are available here.  However I have still managed to see some pretty awesome things during my stay here.  This weekend however, I was lucky enough to encounter two adventures that are opportunities that many never get the chance to experience.

Our first expedition took us to a small beach close to Pismo Beach and at this beach there is a small grove of  eucalyptus trees.  During the month November through February, if you make a trip to this grove, you may think you have stepped into a National Geographic magazine.  When you gaze up into the treetops you see a cluster of what looks to be beehives.  At a closer glance however, you see these hives shaking.  That's when you realize....

It's......ALIIIIIIVE!

Swarms of vicious, man-eating monarch butterflies!  They fly all around your head, and bring smiles to those I thought would never share a toothy grin....I barely escaped with my life!  In all seriousness though they are quite a sight to see.  The masses are at their peak in mid January.  They stop at this grove on their migration to the Great Valley...wait, maybe that was that dinosaur kid....

This year, I was informed that a record number of butterflies graced us with their presence. Twenty eight thousand stopped at this particular spot, that's seven thousand more than last year.  Impressive.  I have gone to see them for the past 4 years now and the sight never gets old.  Plus if you dabble in photography like I do, you couldn't ask for a better photo op!

I have dubbed this display "The Butterhive"

One, two, three, four....no wait I think I counted that one already...

Beware! They're vicious!

The next day of my parents visitation, our travels took us north on Highway one (BEAUTIFUL drive along the ocean side) up past Hearst Castle (also BEAUTIFUL if you ever get the chance to see it).  After passing the zebras on the side of the road and feasting my eyes on the glorious mansion on the hill, we pulled of the road (side note: Mr. Hearst used to have a menagerie of animals at his private zoo and some of the descendants remain on the vast Hearst property today.  That's where the zebras came from.)

One of the first thing noticeable at this location is the....unique.....smell.  It is not overpowering yet it smells similar to a port-a-potty trying to be masked by febreze ocean scented spray.  When you make your way over to the guard rail, at first it looks like an odd rock formation has taken over the beach.  Then this face looks up at you...

Look how happy he is to see you!

Almost 5,000 pounds of blubber making some of the oddest noises and producing fragrances that might make big money in some french perfume shop is gazing back at your face.  Seeing a schnoz like this, it is no wonder this animal was dubbed with the name of elephant seal.  I must say, the shear size of these animals was more than I expected.  The males grow to be anywhere from 2-5 THOUSAND pounds and the females (which are exponentially cuter than the males) grow to be anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 pounds.

This is one of the females.  She could be Brodies relative....

These two were gossiping..."SHE SAID WHAT?!?!"

The various snorts, gurgles, chirps, roars, chortles, and belches these guys made was another experience to hear.  I couldn't get my video to load but here is one that displays their vocal abilities...

Overall it was a really fun weekend.  I saw things I have seen before but I also got the chance to discover something new with my family.  

Anyways, it's past my bedtime, and it's my birthday so I am going to give myself the gift of sleep.  Sweet dreams bloggers!

Kassidy who?

The Honorary Man Card

By no means am I an alcoholic, but upon occasion I will frequent the bars of SLO for a little social drinking.  Never do I drink to the point of inebriation, but I don't see anything wrong with one or two drinks every so often.  More often than not, I volunteer to be the D.D. just so I have a reason to cut myself off.

On this particular evening however, I hadn't touched a drop of alcohol.

It was the weekend of my roommates 23rd birthday.  He had decided that he wanted to go downtown for a little bit to shoot some pool and have a drink or two at a popular little bar called SLO Brew.  Originally, I declined the invite because I did not want to be the only girl stuck with two guys (our mutual friend came to visit for the weekend) but decided what the hell.  I had nothing better to do anyways.  

As we settled into the routine of patiently waiting for a pool table to become available, the two boys grabbed a beer while I sipped on the ever so deadly dihydrogen monoxide (you might know it better as H2O).  We crowded ourselves in the doorway that went from the pool room to a small corridor that lead to the mens and womens restroom.  We people watched, observing those just beginning their evening of alcohol consumption and those who were well past their limit, stumbling about like weeble wobbles yet managing to stay on their feet.

Being Saturday night I had decided to dress up a little by wearing a shiny electric purple top that I had recently purchased but hadn't had the chance to wear (this is important, I promise).

So I wanted to be a little fancy - sue me.

Now, I am just meandering in the doorway, minding my own, the two boys off to my left lost and lost in their own conversation, when suddenly I feel a somewhat belligerent tap on my shoulder.  Expecting it to be someone who is trying to get by, I grapevine my way out of the doorway.  Then, I look over and to my surprise, a girl around my age (and past her alcoholic boundaries) is looking at me with a wide eyed look of shock and excitement.

"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD I HAVE TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING!"

My first thought is one of concern, thinking she had a friend that was not doing so well in the nearby lavatory.  Thinking to be sympathetic, I was prepared to help in any fashion I could.

It was then that she lowered her hands to her shirt and slowly started to lift up the hem. 

My second thought was also one of concern, though not for some helpless, sloshed individual, but for my sanity.  No. No, no, no, no.  I'm fairly certain my face showed my shock, and horror (maybe not horror so much as embarrassment) as I realized what was happening.  It is then that I look back to my two male cohorts, who have suddenly given me their complete attention.  

You could almost see them beginning to foam at the mouth, hoping for a peek. 

At this point, I am pretty much aware that it's inevitable.  This girl is going to flash me. Fate accepted.  Finally, she lifted her shirt the rest of the way revealing not bare breasts, but an electric purple black lace-trimmed bra.

"MY BRA MATCHES YOUR SHIRT!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!"

This disappointment of my companions was almost tangible as she lowered her shirt back down and walked away without so much as a backward glance.  After the fact, a toast was raised in my honor and those two gentlemen I was tagging along with that night, proceeded to award me with a Honorary Man Card and their approval.  Glasses clinked and high-fives were given.  

Never have I been more excited to be a honorary man.

Cheers!

I Could So Be A Ninja...

Sure I may be a little klutzy....ok a LOT klutzy but I have my ninja moments.

Today for example at the local Target.  Here I am minding my own, deciding which minty gum would be a better waste of my money and picking up my caffeinated drink of choice (the ever so delicious Mountain Dew) when this wild animal careens across my path, crashing into my legs as it tries to get by.  Exaggerating?  Yes, for it was not a wild animal, only a small child, but I was still afraid for my life.

There was no stopping it.  I was going down like the Titanic after it hit the iceberg.

Too soon?

I had two options.  I could land on the kid and look like a total jerk for crushing a tiny human (even if it was the little brutes fault).  Yea, like that was going to happen.

ACTIVATE NINJA MODE.

Never have I been known for my Stretch Armstrong flexibility, but somehow I managed to propel myself  over this miniature being and proceed to execute the finest "tuck, roll back onto feet, and keep walking" maneuver I ever remember myself doing.  Pint-sized mortal spared.  No colossal cheer from the onlooking crowd, just some nods of approval.  Hey, works for me.  Especially when my real ninja abilities more resemble an estranged version of the hokey pokey.  

Yea. Something like that.

Over and Out.

My Humor Quest

So try hard as I may, I fail with humor of the written word.

I'll work on it. Promise.

A German Shepard, a Boxer, and a Pomeranian go for a walk....

Yea... that's all I got.  Here is a funny cat video to make up for it.

Peace out home skillets.

Dogs vs. Cats

So my roommate got a cat a few weeks ago.

An old, orange and white tabby cat.

 Sitting in his usual spot atop the couch.

I don't have anything against cats.  I guess some of them can be pretty cool.  Like my cat back home, Sass-a-Frass (Sassy for short).  She's a pretty cool cat.  She lives outside - unless I am home and then she sleeps in my room at night because I kinda like her a lot more than I let on.  She does this cute little thing where she jumps up and grabs my hand with her front paws to bring it down on her head to get me to pet her.  My only quarrel with this cat is when she leaves paw prints on my windshield of my pick-up.  She does this especially well right after I have washed it.  But other than that she's alright in my book.

Dogs.

Now there is a sensible animal companion.

I think I am about to die from the cuteness levels of this picture.

See what I mean?  A dog is always happy to see you.  A dog will always greet you at the door with a wagging tail and slobbery kisses.  I suppose what it comes down to is that while cats are ok,  I would much rather snuggle up with a dog.  I miss my dogs (and cat) a lot being away from home.  It's a void that can't be filled because in their own special way, each holds a special place in my heart.

I am still trying to get the hang of this blogging thing but I am running out of things to say for now.  

My babies: Sassy on the right, Ben on the left, and Brodie in the back. 

Ben as a puppy, hogging a KING size bed all to himself.  Brat.

Sassy and Brodie with his usual odd sock (it's a fetish of his)

Good Ol' Tipper.  1996-2011  R.I.P

I'm Not Perfect...But Who Is?

I am not perfect.  I am only human.  

Dear Diary,

Eww.  Ok forget the diary.  That sounds so 7 years old.  

Dear...Blog?

Nope.... Guess I'll have to work on these intro things.

I guess this post is meant to be a "Hello this is me" type of thing so here are some of the basics.  I hail from the no-longer-tiny-town of Elk Grove, Cali-forn-i-a, but currently reside in the happiest town in the nation, San Luis Obispo (not to be confused with the happiest place known as Disneyland).  Even if this is the happiest town in the nation, I would not say I am happy to be here.  I mean, I am happy that I am bettering my education and looking forward to graduating (hopefully in the very near future), but I am not happy about living here.  

I come from a very close knit family.  My dad, a recently retired fire captain, has always inspired me to strive for more than I thought possible.  My mom, a librarian (I know, how cliche for a Fire Fighter and School figure to be married), is my inspiration to fight with all you have for what you want out of life.  Last year in September, during the week of her birthday (the same week my dad retired from the fire service), we were hit with the grim news that she had stage two breast cancer.  She has since undergone surgery, is currently receiving chemo treatments, and is recovering very well.  Then there is my little sister.  These simple words can describe her: classy, sassy, and a bit smart-assy.  Truthfully, I have always envied my little sister in some way.  She has always been able to express herself, she is funny (most of the time), she has the bod to rock almost any style (although I will admit, she was a bit of a pudge-muffin in her early years), and she has the big group of friends that she is close with.  

Now I am not saying my friends aren't cream of the crop, but there are those who stand out above others.  Over the years I have lost touch with some of those I thought I was close with, but I have also gained friends that are irreplaceable.  Some date back to my high school days, others are more recent.  In the end, I know who I can call if I ever end up in a pickle (inside joke. Bazinga.) or I can just throw up a Bat signal to the sky. Ha. Keep trying Kiki.

I am a hopeless romantic at heart.  Romantic movies, love stories, cute old couples walking down the sidewalk together, the whole nine yards.  That being said, I don't love easily and one person knows that better than anyone else.  Even from 300 miles away, my boyfriend of (3 years in august) still finds ways around my defenses every day.  One thing I love most about him is his determination.  Without it, we probably wouldn't be together today.  In my eyes, our story is one that you think you would watch in one of those cheesy, gooey romantic comedy movies.  It started a little over 4 years ago with my best friend Pickle (aka Joannie).  Pickle has an older brother...well two actually but who's counting.  Her brother had a best friend, who happens to be my current romantic interest.  His name is Richard.  I'll spare you the explicit details and shorten the story to this:  after Richard being called a stalker, my dating a total mistake, him dating a psychotic fruit basket, his asking me out over and over and my many variations of saying maybe later (all of this over the course of 2 years or so) and I am now the happiest I have ever been.  I could not have asked for a more amazing, wonderful, sweet guy to totally sweep me off my feet.  The funny part is he is totally opposite of who I ever pictured myself with (country boy in wrangler jeans and cowboy boots riding off into the sunset together) but we are 150% compatible.  He makes me laugh and totally happy.  

For those of you who have stuck through this (I am sure very boring) post and are interested in reading more, I will try to make writing a regular habit.  For the rest of you, I won't be hurt if you never read another word I write again.  I have a lot more about myself to say, but we will leave that for other posts on other days.  So to end this post of a funny note, here is a comical for pic for you fellow Disney Junkies.

  

Peace out until next time.