Summer 2007, so far.
Aloha brah from Santa Cruz,
It’s been a bitchin’ summer here in the Cruz. First full of lots of work, then it was Bammerwee and now we have the gilide. Obviously, I’m working on my surfer lingo. I don’t want the locals to get all aggro when I don’t talk like them, or even worse, think I’m a kook or a barnyard.
So, what’s been happening in the Cruz this summer you may ask. Of course, it was my plan to be a beach bunny, sitting in the sun all day sipping coffee and reading the entire Proust collection. However, work piled up for me and it was bogus. Even Pranav was cactus juiced because of the quarter system and was working in the beginning as the spring quarter ended. We became chargers got through it and now we’re chillaxing. That’s right, chillaxing…heading to Irie.
Movies: I think we’ve seen almost every summer blockbuster there was. In a tourist town like ours, when a blockbuster comes, everyone yells cowabunga and starts to lineup…because there’s not much else to do. They weren’t epic, not foul, just cooleo. We saw Pirates III, Harry Potter, Simpsons and Spider Man. We could not bring ourselves to see silver surfer and I promised a friend I would see transformers, and when I make a promise it’s practically dunzo.
We’ve done better than summer blockbusters with our netflix selections and most of them were full on. Favorites include kinky boots, Ran, Ek Jind Ek Jaan, Legend of the Drunken Master, Russian Ark, Salaam Bombay!. Salaam Bombay was very touching, highly recommend it. It was acted out by actual street children and so sad, but worth seeing. Then we (should say I) went through a reality t.v. phase, PBS/BBC style and saw 1940s house, 1900 house, and Regency House…not bad, I thought they were hella good. Finally, in honor of Bergman’s recent death, we watched Scenes from a Marriage. It was extremely hard to watch at points because it was so sad and made me really want to cry, but beautifully acted and worth seeing if you don’t mind feeling like you want to cry. It has only two characters and takes place in almost one room entirely, very zipload.
Books: I have not had a chance to read that much for pleasure this summer unfortunately. However, reading Playboy of the Western World by Synge soon because we’re seeing it next week. I read a book on Motya a punic archaeological site, one of the last known left not completely excavated. I also have cracked open my Spanish books again. P read Adam Bede by G. Elliot, latest Harry Potter (on-line, don’t tell) and currently reading Possession by Byatt.
Trips: We have gone finally to the Monterey aquarium and it was beautiful, they have a huge collection of jelly fish that I will post the photos of soon. Plus, the sea otters are so fun to watch. They generally have dedicated the entire place to local wildlife, so it was fun to learn about what is happening right outside in our bay.
We went to the garlic festival in Gilroy. Gilroy claims to be the garlic captial of the world and I believe it because no matter where you are in the town you smell garlic, don’t see it, just smell it. I love garlic, thought it would be fun but it was narbs. Expensive, hot, hundreds of people, nothing to do but buy meat and stand in line. I was interested in trying the garlic ice cream but did not want to wait in line, so we left early and hit the local outlet stores where I found a nice pair of pants and Pranav got a searsucker suit for under $50.00.
Our latest concert was a collection of new music at the local contemporary music festival. We thought the highlight would be Mark O’Connor’s varriations on the Appalachia Waltz, but it was not and instead we both loved the Saprano Sax Concerto with sax played by Timothy McAllister. This was the first time we were at the S.C. civic center, actually a very nice location and looking forward to going back.
Next week, going to see Playboy of the Western World by the Shakespeare Santa Cruz company here, claims to be one of the top 10 in the country. Looking forward to it and will let you know how it is.
P got to go to Six Flags for the first time and went on every rollercoaster there and had a righteous time with the scam man.
Other trips included dinner in San Jose, dinner in Oakland/Berkely, dinner in Carmel, going to Big Sur soon, and hiking in local parks.
Visits: We’ve had a wonderful visit from Pranav’s parents in June!
Projects: We have a small garden on our porch and harvested our first crop of tomatoes, made a schweet sauce.
We’re now working on reducing plastic output in our home. So far, first step was using only reuseable bags for all of our shopping, food and other. Next, the kitchen we’ve started using more wax paper and biodegradable plastic bags for food storage, made from corn. Trying to use soap and hair products not in plastic containers, this is hard but it gives me an excuse to do all my shopping at Lush because they sell a lot of not in plastic soap and shampoo. Switched to recycled plastic tooth brush and razors and they can be recycled too. Switching to laundry detergent in a cardboard box. I even found pads that are non-plastic and normal and work. Still a long way to go though, plastic is always in our trash. Will keep you posted, don’t want to be labeled a skeep.
P and I have been playing a lot of Settlers of Catan (he beat me twice, but was really sad about it so I forgive him) and badminton. We had a run-away-dog visit us at the park while playing badminton and would steal our shuttlecock and run away with it if we let it drop. We played Conan style, the game was solid and I think the dog won.
Hobbes: Swami Hobbes is good and happy. He was in the vet and sick for a bit but all better and is on prescription food, soft canned food. He is so happy because we took it away from him at one point because the vet said it was bad for his teeth, now apparently it is not. He spends most of his time on the deck in our garden/jungle and watches the birds. He also has been trying to sneak out of the apartment which has led to us sneaking in and out as fast as we can. I understand, to him, sometimes the apartment is a taco stand but outside is not wik.
So, that’s all I can say about our VayCay. The cruz is full of slocals but we’re not wiggin out. I am looking forward to coming to Boston in a couple weeks to say hi to everyone. Feel free to dial us up on your broladex any time.
Back to Zimzala,
N.
