I woke up at 8:58am and laughed when I looked at the clock. I took two sleeping pills last night (Tylenol PM) to be sure I fell asleep at a decent hour, and it was before 1:00am, so I thought that was a pretty good night’s sleep! After I hung up with Eric, I got up, had breakfast, showered, dressed and got ready to put Conrad in his little travel cage for the first time, so I could bring him across the street to the vet.
It was easier than I thought and he didn’t seem to mind being in there too much. I drove across the street, because it was faster and easier than walking all the way there with him bouncing next to me. They checked him in, examined him (as much as you can examine a parakeet) and then clipped his wings and his nails while I waited outside. It was over in less than a half hour and cost me just over $100. Combining that with the price of his “ticket” and you know how much I love this bird!!!! I could probably buy some kind of cockatiel or parrot for $250, but I am SO devoted to Conrad!
When I brought him home he jumped right back into his cage and started eating his treat, so I knew he was okay. An hour later he let me pet him like nothing had happened, so I guess he’s not mad at me, and no worse for wear!
After that, I headed to Starbucks, but not my usual drive-through in Clairemont. I went to the one in Hillcrest, so I could buy some coffee for me and John and it would still be hot when I delivered it to him. He really appreciated it! He touched up my color and then gave me ANOTHER haircut, because the back and sides were still a little too long. I think it’s absolutely PERFECT now, and I want to take some pictures, so I can bring it to Emily back in New Hyde Park, and she’ll be able to recreate this for me.
It is so hard when you find a stylist and colorist who does your hair perfectly. John is that guy. He is SO talented, and he’s also a lot of fun and FULL of interesting facts and information, with stories to last a lifetime. He’s done a lot of traveling, and had many great adventures!
When I got back from my touch-up I just had time to take a shower and get dressed before it was time for my 5:15pm appointment in La Jolla. We had a great talk and I gave her a thank-you card, because this may be my last face-to-face with her. I told the shipping company they could pick up my car starting anytime on the 9th or after, so they may come on Thursday and, if they do, we’ll just do a phone session, which is fine with me (and her).
When I got back, I touched up my make-up, changed my shoes, and got ready for my “date” with John. He took me to a place called VAGABOND KITCHEN in South Park, which is just a few blocks away from THE BIG KITCHEN. I’ve been wanting to go there for a long time, and many people have recommended it, but Eric and I just never had a chance before he left. I’m so glad I got a chance to experience it before I leave!
I wore my red floral dress with a black cardigan, black purse, and my purple satin ankle-strap shoes, which I SO adore. They just make any outfit special! He picked me up at 7:00pm in his black convertible with the big white stripe down the hood. I’m so bad with cars, I don’t know what kind of convertible it was, but it is a real sports car and I felt like a million bucks in it (even though it was 7:00pm and the top was up!).
We drove to South Park and got a spot right in front of the restaurant. It is absolutely beautiful. There are quotes painted on the dark green walls, in different languages, and lots of Moroccan-style lamps and furniture. The artwork was very interesting, too.
We sat at a table for two with a banquette on one side (where John sat) and a high-backed seat on the other. John got a Vodka Gimlet and I got a Cosmopolitan. We shared a salad with goat cheese and an appetizer of deep-fried “beignet” with cheese and seafood inside. Both were delicious.
For our main course, John got salmon, which came in a bowl with a white sauce and new potatoes and other vegetables. I got the Moules Frites, which is something I adored at Waterzooi, the Belgian Bistro we enjoyed in Garden City. I was just telling Eric that I can’t wait to go back there with our friends who first brought us there and here I was having mussels that were just as delicious. They were in a white, creamy sauce with onions and garlic. John and I shared the fries, too.
We were so stuffed we didn’t have any dessert or coffee. We got back into John’s car and he gave me a nice tour of some neighborhoods in San Diego. We drove through South Park, then North Park, and then some neighborhoods that I wasn’t familiar with, including University Heights, which is where he lives. He rents a beautiful Mission style house on a gorgeous block in a neighborhood that has houses right on the edge of a cliff. I could NEVER live in a house on the edge of a cliff. I’d just worry all the time that the house was going to fall right off the edge! His house is on the other side of the street, so it’s much less expensive, and doesn’t have as good a view, but I’d certainly feel safer on that side of the street!
He showed me where he used to work in a salon in Old Town (where I’ve been many times), which was above a Mexican restaurant. We drove around until we reached Clairemont and then he dropped me off at home.
I have SO much to do tonight and tomorrow morning. I have to pack for the weekend, do a load of laundry, and pack the car with all the stuff I’m selling, all before I go to my allergy focus group at noon. They’re paying me $100 to discuss allergy medicines for an hour and a half – and they’re serving lunch! Then, from there, I’ll be driving to Los Angeles.
Tomorrow night I’ll be attending a performance of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Ilene and her family, which is starring the daughter of one of Ilene’s good friends. I met the whole family at Evan’s Bar Mitzvah, so it will be fun to attend -- and I love Beauty and the Beast!
Saturday is the garage sale and we’ll be up at the crack of dawn preparing for a long day of selling, selling, selling!
Sunday, I hope to have brunch with Joe and Miguel, and then drive to Costa Mesa to see Marlene and Buddy for the last time before I leave California. I do not plan to blog until I get back to San Diego, so there will be no entries for Friday, Saturday or Sunday posted until Monday. Try not to miss me too much!