Christmas Vacation, In a Way

Currently in Eastern Idaho, it is sunny and-2 degrees out.

Negative.  Two.

That's fucking cold, and it's not even technically Winter yet.  It's only going to stay like this, and probably until March.

But I'm not sweating it.  In 5 days, I'll be down in California, where it's nice, even in December.

I'm spending some time visiting my boys, and dropping off Christmas presents a little early.  Since they're 5 and 3, it's still more about Santa Claus than daddy, so about half the gifts will be labeled "From Santa."

I also think this is a good political move.  I don't want them thinking that it's mommy vs daddy in a contest to buy their love.  The 'Santa' clause lets me buy them nice things without trying to take the credit.

The competition still seems to be there.  When I want to buy them a present, odds are mom or grandma has already purchased it for them.  I'm trying to coordinate what we're getting them so we don't overlap, but that's a toughie.

BONUS FOR CALIFORNIA:

Gorgeous weather.

I'm looking forward to temps in the 60's.  That's short-sleeves and shorts for most Idahoans.

And while these trips are mostly about the boys, my time with them is going to be somewhat limited.  I'm seeing them Saturday, and maybe Sunday for breakfast before they go to church and I start driving home.

But I'm going to be getting to Cali sometime mid-Friday afternoon. Lots of time to kill.

I may go see some friends, or I may go take care of some business matters.  Maybe both.  Since I usually don't have a lot of 'free time' when I'm down there, I'm not totally sure.

All I can say is, I'll be doing it in style, with the windows rolled down and enjoying the warmth.

CALIFORNIA HERE I COME!

Summer ain't what it used to be...

It is now early June, and for the majority of the Northern Hemisphere, it means we are firmly planting ourselves into summer.  Time to fire up the grills, get out the frozen treats, and listen for the ice cream man coming down the street.

I currently have 90 cents in change.  I wonder what I could get with that?  If I'm lucky, maybe one of those Ninja Turtle ice cream bars with the gumball eyes...  oh wait, this isn't 1988.

I am used to Summer in southern California.  Down in SoCal, summer would typically run from March until early November.  You could expect temps in the 80's and beyond (like 117 beyond) for most of the year, and I loved it.  Yes, I'm a bit overweight.  Yes, I'm carrying around a little extra insulation.  But still... give me the sun, the heat, and the feelings of a true summer.

One thing I miss about California summers are the beaches.

I lived about 45 minutes away from Huntington Beach, and loved heading out to bake in the sand and surf.  Nothing beats the sound of waves crashing into the sand, the seagulls flying in the air, and the happy laughter from the droves of beachgoers.

I miss taking my two sons to the beach.  My older feared the waves but loved the sand and sun.  My younger loved going out into the ocean with daddy, and crashing into the waves.  I could listen to him go "Here comes... a little one!! ...KWASH...  Here comes... a BIG one!! ...KWASH..." for hours on end.

Being a red-blooded male, I also miss the eye candy.  Scores of women in bikinis.  Tan, toned, and everywhere.  When you grow up around this, you take it for granted.  Now that I am hundreds of miles from any ocean, I miss it.

(It took me long enough, but I now understand why Idaho men were so riled up last fall when a bikini bar opened up in town.  When you're cleavage-deprived, it plays games with your mind...)

Not only do I miss the beach, I miss summer in general.

This is a screenshot of current weather conditions in Eastern Idaho.  This last weekend had *one* good grill-worthy day.  Other than that, we haven't officially started summer.

June or not, 40's and 50's are not summer temperatures.  I want 80's.  90's.  I want to smell sunscreen on people.  I want to feel the a/c blowing in my car.  I want to see kids running through sprinklers in their lawns.

I want to be able to wash my car on Sunday, and not have 'surprise thunderstorms' pop up on Monday.

Can it be summer in Idaho now?  Please?