Sunset in San Diego...

...and the sky looks as though one of those painters who use pale pink and pale blue oils to represent a sunset just got himself one tall stepladder, climbed up there, and did his thing. One of the most pastel sunsets I've seen here. Of course my favorites are the ones when the sky is flat out a roaring scarlet-red wildfire that's reflecting and setting the harbor, bays, and ocean afire too, as well as the clouds. Man, is that a sight to see.

Last time she emailed, the area around Julian--an old goldmining town amidst the pines in the mountains, northeast of here, about 90 miles--had had 17 lightning strikes. Happily, only one started a fire, which was put out in a hurry.

Have just finished a bowl of Heavenly Hash ice cream. Was nice, since the day has been entirely too warm, but butter pecan remains my favorite. Might could be I shouldn't have broken up one of those little fat marshmallow, chocolate-covered cookies in the bottom of the bowl. A little much, that was.

Horrible thing...Juan, the breakfast cook at Marie's, went off on a month's vacation. Had to eat a Belgian waffle for breakfast instead of the very crisp bacon, hard-fried egg, one slice of cheese, a bit of mayo, on a toasted hamburger bun that Juan always makes for me. Ordered one last Sat and Juan's asst cook, Justino, made it. Two bites were all I could manage. Tasted like the wrath of God and didn't smell good either. Sent it back and had a toasted English muffin instead. Didn't go back for breakfast last Sunday. Went down to the hotel patio. And after today, not returning to Marie's until Juan does. Heading for Denny's tomorrow. And if that's not good, it's the hotel for me, seven days a week, till Juan returns to cook on weekends at Marie's.

Breakfast is my thing. Toxic amounts of coffee and an ashtray handy. And the LA Times and the SD Union-Trib, pitiful though it is. Have to keep an eye on the mayoral election and the pension board scandal. Both city council guys have resigned after being found guilty, and of course the Mayor resigned a week ago. So now a temp runs what's left of the council until they choose somebody to be Mayor. However, the city started voting today and the big day is Tues. Everybody hopes we don't have to have a run-off...in which case we won't have an elected Mayor until Nov 8th.

So we've survived Comic-Con!!! 100,000 people. And on the same day/night, the Padres played, the Summer Pops symphony was on South Embarcadero behind the Conv Ctr, and two more major events downtown. Harbor full of sail and other kinds of water boats, the Over The Line tournament going on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay. The trolleys were packed, hotels full up, the traffic on both streets and freeways horrendous, restaurants and nightclubs overflowed, beaches were maxed out...we all had one great time. SeaWorld and the Zoo going strong as well. Fireworks here and there...and the Marines up at Camp Pendleton firing off major artillary half the night. Hell, I'm surprised the SEALs contained themselves and didn't kick off Hell Week at the same time as well. What a weekend!
Wrap....