Palm Springs, Part 3

Our trip to Palm Springs was brought to you by the Worldmark-Indio.

We stayed in a three bedroom, two bath suite,
with a full size kitchen and washer/dryer.

It was basically a fully furnished apartment. Holla!!!!

We spent a bit of time in the lazy river. Good times!

Palm Springs, Part 2

Sunday we decided to take a ride
on the Palms Springs Aerial Tram.

Here's a view of the desert known as Palm Springs
from the top of Mt. San Jacinto.

I ran across these gals in the gift shop
having a fashion show of their own...

Here is Susie making sure we don't forget the name
of the joint in which we had lunch.

Our friend Kristie came down from Riverside
to play with us that day.

Palm Springs, Part 1

A few of us drove down to Palm Springs last Friday. Yes, I said "drive". No, that drive will probably never happen again! The weather was perfect for being Palm Springs. Not sure if you're aware of this but it gets windy down there which explains the 5,000 windmills throughout the desert.

• There are 5,000 windmills.
• The blades are about 60 ft in length.
• Windmills are privately owned on Federal land, leased for 50-100 years.
• Cost: $1 million each, two paid off each month.

We took a dune buggy tour to learn all of this. Very fun!


Also amongst the desert are these trail posts lining what is referred to as the Pacific Crest Trail. If goes from Mexico to Canada. If you ever get bored, there's something for you to do! Just follow the posts!

Saturday, we came across this dinosaur exhibit. It reminded me of that place seen in Pee Wee's Big Adventure. As you can see, the dinosaurs tried to eat me.

"No! Not my new shoes!"

Dad wasn't so lucky either...

After we had been eaten, the dinosaurs spit us out
and we got a bit to eat at a little dine called Ruby's.

Stupid people at work...

Check it -
I was dragged on to be part of the "Holiday Party Committee" here at work (don't you DARE call it a Christmas party). There's a group of seven of us having to make decisions such as where to have the party, the date and time, how to pay for it, etc. Given that 1) we paid $20 to eat at Vallejo's last year (what a rip) and 2) working downtown, we State employees eat at the local restaurants within the grid ALL THE TIME, it was decided that venturing outside of the grid and Mexican fare for the occasion would be kind of nice. Unfortunately, beginning to plan such a festivity in late September does not allow much time to find a place AT the right price and AT the right time. The committee came up with BJ's Brewery. For those of you that have been to BJ's, I'm sure you'll agree that their typical menu includes quite the variety of tasty items and treats. Unfortunately, they only offer a limited menu for parties of a bajillion. This translates to pizza, salad, pasta, and appetizers. Their pizza is BOMB so we don't really have an issue with that. HOWEVER, after sending out the party information to The People, we received a response from one of the doctors:

Committee members:
Thank you for your efforts to organize the Winter Extravaganza. With regards to the menu, I would like to register my protest.

We are employees of the Department of Health Care Services. There is an ongoing effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle within our department and this is supported by Director Shewry. There is a national epidemic of obesity that is only getting worse. A healthy lifestyle is both eating healthy and exercising. The menu for the Winter Extravaganza is unbelievably unhealthy. The three dishes in GREAT BEGINNINGS are all ultra high fat loaded appetizers. Of the two pizzas listed under SPECIALTY PIZZAS, two of the four are ultra high fat and two (chicken and vegetarian) are less than that but nonetheless not particularly healthy.

It is my opinion that we should have a dramatic change in our menu so that we can accommodate the masses and allow for a wider selection of food to choose from. If people want to eat unhealthy food, that is their choice but those of us that wish to eat healthy at least should have the option of doing so.

I look forward to your response.

WTH?!

1. Buddy, I don't care who you are or what/who you do, if you want your voice to be heard, you should read your e-mail because I do believe your e-mail address was included in the note our Division Chief sent out to The People asking for volunteers to be on the Holiday Committee. I don't think I've ever seen you at one of our planning meetings...STUFF IT!
2. Really?! I don't know who YOU hang out with but the people I know take diet breathers during the holiday season. I don't really think that consuming a less than healthy food fare one time at a holiday function is going to make or break a person. This is supposed to be fun. You're not supposed to be thinking of eating healthy crap between the months of October, November and December anyway! Get real!!
3. You really want to go there? Are you aware that at any given time you will find a huddle of smokers standing in front of the Department of Health Care Services sign? Yeah, because THAT sure gives us credibility! SERIOUSLY?!

Buddy, you can take your little e-mail to the committee, crumple it up and shove it up your...

Peace out!

J-HUD!

Jennifer Hudson is out and she is HOT! Her first full CD was released on Tuesday, LONG over due, if you ax me. It's FANTASTIC! Don't worry, she's included "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from the movie "Dreamgirls"...for those of you who haven't had the privilege of seeing that movie. P.S. Shame on you!

My girl "J-Hud" was a contestant on Season 3 of American Idol and was wrongfully voted off the island before she should have been. How that girl Diana Degarmo made it to the top two is BEYOND me. George HuWHA? La Toya London Paris France who?? Fantasia Lifetime movie huh???? Anywho, America can stuff it because my girl went on to star in "Dreamgirls" and won an Oscar. THAT'S RIGHT! Best Supporting Actress! Girl even gots a song on the soundtrack to "Sex in the City", right along with the likes of Fergilicious Fergie and India Arie. Never saw the movie but the soundtrack is pretty fun.

Here's my shout out to J-Hud! I'm here to report that her CD is bomb and my girl is FINALLY in da house!!

Two guys, a girl and a zoo

Ashley NY was in town this weekend for a very quick trip. I was lucky enough to make it into her itinerary and spend some time with her.

Saturday morning we picked up Kebs as I've wanted to take him to the zoo forever! He quickly took to Ashley. He LOVED the zoo. I think the monkey's were his favorite. Unfortunately this zoo did not have any elephants. However, it did have a "train" (that tried to steal my camera but that's another scary and stressful story)!

Kebs was in charge of the mappage situation.

We came across a scary crocodile!
Okay, it wasn't so scary.
It just didn't have any personality!

We came across some funny looking marsupials...

And here we are in front of the flamingos...really, they're there!

Grandma turns 80!

Grandma turned 80 a few weeks ago. The night of her birthday, we celebrated "Alice in Wonderland: An Evening of Enchantment and Whimsy". Everybody who was able to be there, including family and friends, was there. She had asked for performances. She got performances. They were really entertaining too!

Here is one of the signs that Mom and Rausse made:

Here's Grandma with her cake.

Here are the BINGO cards that Mom Turner made.
The front had glitter and items such as buttons,
along with side stiching.

The back had a summary of the attendees and information regarding the festivities. These were used as party favors.

AND because this is MY blog,
here is a picture of Grandma and I at her party.

And me, Amanda and Loren.

For tons more photos, visit my Flickr site here and
click "Slideshow" towards the upper right hand corner:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnryan1978/sets/72157607422734181/

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

Birthday Festivities

My 30th birthday has been fantastic! The day of my birthday, J2, L2 and Rausse went to Mikuni's for a celebration with Nemo! It was really fun AND tasty! Here are some snaps from the evening (if the slideshow has not started, click the "x" in the upper right hand corner of the box below):

The family party came the following Saturday. It was an International Cruise sensation, involving a variety of foods from all parts of the world. Everything was REALLY good.

Here are some pictures from the occasion-

Aunt Penny

Aunt Pam

Aunt Susie

PH
(Isn't he adorable when he's not working for his sister!)

Kebs!

Grandpa and my feisty Grandmother!
She was teasing Gramps with that cane
and cracking up while doing so!

September 11

It's been seven years since this tragic event occurred. It still makes me sick to my stomach at the thought of it all. I think we all know someone effected by this. Let us all stop for a moment and thank our men and women fighting for our freedoms.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

For tributes and more of images such as these, please visit http://www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm.

Thirty years of...ME!

Well, it's here! The day I turn 30. I can't say I'm excited about turning 30. It means I'm done with my twenties. While there are a few things that I would have liked to have accomplished by now, I must recognize everything I HAVE accomplished thus far. Please bear with me as I praise myself because if I don't recognize these things, you might find me in tears lying in the fetal position on the floor!

• I FINALLY received my degree.
• I own my own home(s).
• My State career has flourished into something I've come to really appreciate. Virtually 8 1/2 years with the same Department!
• I've had people enter my life who have each influenced and helped me grow into the person I am today.
• I've seen 90210 come and go...and COME BACK AGAIN!!!!! Ack!

It's been thirty years of ME! Here's to a bajillion more!

Tessa, the TSX

As you know, Fatiqua has been looking for a new home for quite awhile now. She's been sitting in the garage for the past few months as I have been driving Ava, my Avalon. While Ava was asked to sit on the sidelines until her front brakes were replaced, I got to drive Fatiqua for a few days. While driving her, the SRS light came on. Fortunately, a few months back, I had received a notice in the mail from Acura regarding the warranty extension on parts potentially affected by this issue. I took Fatiqua out to Lasher in EG last Tuesday. The good news is that thhey found the part to be covered under warranty. The bad news was they couldn't get it until Thursday. Additionally, Faitqua had been deemed unsafe to drive. Not gonna lie, for a minute there I was in panick mode. He continued to ask if it would be okay that I drive a loaner care until the part came in. HELLO!!!!! Where do I sign?!?!?!?! He first came out with with an RDX-

...and I was good. I then asked if he had a TL in the back I could drive. I've only been drooling over that stupid car since it was introduced back in 2004! Unfortunately he did not have a TL but he had a 2009 TSX. I told him it's no TL but close enough!

Meet Tessa, the TSX...

...Only 1800 miles on it...

I had it from Tuesday to Thursday.

Here's what the inside looked like, except it was all black interior.

Bluetooth built into the car, DVD navigation, and everything else you could think of.

It was fun to drive for the few days that I had it. Would I want to buy one??? I think I'll wait for my TL, but it was fun nonetheless! Was it hard to go back to Ava? OF COURSE!

I'll leave you with an image of a TL...