Had a nice afternoon

Took myself to Santa Cruz. I hatehatehatehate Hwy 17, and it's worse than ever what with potholes everywhere and re-paving about half done in some spots, and the widening of Laurel Curve. And drivers are still as insane as ever.

But the eye candy is worth it. School's out, and the Boardwalk was jammed with scantily-clad nymphettes. It was also flooded with kids in bright solid-color T-shirts with school and camp logos.

Had a lovely shrimp & crab louie at Ideal, which use to be called something Piratical, as I recall, it's the outdoor cafe on the corner by the wharf. I keep confusing it with Zelda's in Capitola.

Walked the beach twice, then went to Pacific Mall and camped out at the Starbucks. Their wi-fi is hosed - I was only able to connect with the pocketPC, and only indoors. The laptop refused to show the connection. I was tempted to go down the street where there's a cafe which has wireless, but by that time I figured I may as well head over the hill.

While I was in transit, my new start date was quasi-confirmed by both the contract company and the hiring manager, but I'll believe it when I have a badge. Also in email and voicemail was a plea from the first company which had interviewed me to call because they really wanted me to hear their offer. It would have to be mind-blowing for me to say yes because:

1. I've already started the other job
2. The other job is a 5-minute bicycle ride from home (as opposed to a 20-minute freeway commute)
3. The other job is in exactly the leading edge product line I've been doing for the past 2 years (as opposed to one I sort of did 7 years ago and is ancient tech)

It was 85 when I left Santa Cruz, which is amazing for evening - usually it fogs in around 1:30. Took a dip in the pool when I got home, that felt good. Water was very warm.

I have Thursday off. Will try to get prescriptions written by the new doctor, so I can mail order. Blue Cross has this funky deal where if you mail order 3 months' worth of meds with their designated online pharmacy, you only pay 2 co-pays. Retail has a limit of one month supply, and the only pharmacy they like in my area is Walgreen's which is decidedly inferior.

Not sure what else I'll do tomorrow. Bike ride? Catch a movie?

Room With a View

Room With a View
Originally uploaded by how3ird.

Chengdu Airport - I've uploaded some of my photos from Sechuan, where I traveled on business during my Thailand vacation. Much photo goodness on Flickr

When the going gets tough...

...the tough go shopping.

Which I did some more of this morning. Checked out the new Bed Bath and Beyond and got some sheets 40% off, which means the same price as online when you factor in shipping. Also picked up a gadget which may solve the problem of cat hair on my clothes after they come out of the dryer. They are advertised as non-chemical fabric softener, and while I'm skeptical about that, they sure look like just the thing to knock the clinging puffballs off of the clothing and into the filter.

Took in a movie - nice to be able to go for the matinée on a work day, lots of empty seats to choose from. You & Me and Dupree not worth a review, except to say it has its moments, despite horrible directing. Owen Wilson does his Jay (as in Jay & Silent Bob) imitation, Matt Dillon apparently won the "Would You Like To Be Adam Sandler for a Day?" contest, and if Kate Hudson loses any more weight, she'll stop reflecting light completely. And Seth Rogan gets the trophy for "most mis-cast actor in an Animal House role".

From the movies to the clinic, where a stack of prescriptions were waiting for me. I have to mail them in to the mail order pharmacy to get the 3 for 2 discount. Blue Cross HMO has this deal where if you order 3 months' of an item, you only pay 2 month's co-pay. For me that's about a $200 savings. Nice surprise is my test strips and lancets are free.

Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed that the stuff will arrive before my vacation.

Stopped at Safeway on the way home for salad makings and such, and to see if they have water softener (they didn't).

The bluetooth keyboard arrived, I just finished setting it up, and it seems they left out a couple of critical keys. There's no way I can see to bring up the menu for an application, and also no way to select any of an app's special keys. But it's great for typing, though a little slow - about a 1/4-second delay.

Also got much email from the contract company confirming I'm back to work tomorrow. So, will do my fasting blood test first thing in the morning, then off to work. And then we have a weekend. Woot!