Christmas eve was spent at the San Francisco Unitarian Universalist Church. Rusty is in the choir at this church. he really likes the choir director and enjoys the pageantry of the somewhat traditional church-like services. The messages are very UU but the service reminds me of traditional Episcopal services. Where are the UU hippies I've come to know and love? Rusty and I were very surprised that this was a traditional Christmas service complete with carols, a recreation of the birth of the powerful advocate and rebel, Jesus, (of course all were reminded that really we are celebrating the many holidays based on the change from dark to light the winter brings and the birth of all children), and a candlelight rendition of Silent Night. Christmas day we had fish tacos with Patti and Jaymie in the East Bay, a nice quiet day. Santa was very good to both of us. As you may recall, upon first moving here, my GPS was stolen. Well, Santa replaced my GPS as he was a little tired of me calling in a frantic panic lost on some freeway or in some really scary neighborhood. Thanks Santa!
A few days before New Year's we decided to make the trek down to So Cal. Many of you may not be aware of my love for theme towns. I've made Rusty stop at "South of the Border" so many times, Pedro sayz: Don't Come Back! (for those of you unfamiliar, "South of the Border" is a Mexican themed town just over the NC border into South Carolina...the billboards have been known to be horrifically racist in the past, but begin in Baltimore or Northern Virginia announcing the imminent arrival of this town on I-95. Much like the arrival of Pea Soup Anderson's in Buellton is heralded way too early).
Well, we decided to stop in Solvagn and have lunch. This "Danish" village (or is it Dutch considering the wooden shoes and windmills) is really just a place to stop for shopping and lunch. Rusty and I certainly enjoyed Southern California surly teens in drindle dresses serving sausages and red cabbage to stressed out tourists looking for bargains on cuckoo clocks and tschochkies. 
We ended up at my friend Val's house in Oxnard. She was throwing an early New Year's celebration with her partner, Nora. we spent the day drinking red wine and having a great time talking to buddhist's, always good for interesting conversation. Rusty fell in love with the four dogs Val and Nora have acquired (all small and almost manageable).
The next day we spent with my nephew, David Rae. He is a great kid. He's doing well in school. He's a bit shy but shows signs of a great personality (although there were also signs of the pre-middle school surliness sure to surface full blown next year). We walked the beach and enjoyed lunch at our favorite burrito stand, Joannafino's. Previously we were regulars at this stand before it became an actual restaurant, well things do change...even in Ventura. Later that afternoon we ended up at a bar in LA meeting a great many new friends. After, checking into our hotel sleep came easily and at a reasonable hour. The day before New Year's we spent being tourists in So Cal. First stop, Griffith Observatory to enjoy panoramic view of LA, as well as a great view of the Hollywood sign.
Then on to the Disneyland of shopping centers, very nice, clean and friendly, with extremely high end shops, a place we did not stay very long. Then a quick visit with David Karle, a close friend I have been in contact with since third grade. We kidnapped David to go shopping and then promptly broke down (dead battery). Ugggg. Rusty actually just had our insurance changed over and now we have roadside assistance. What a great Omen for the New Year. A quick dinner with another friend from Ventura now living in Silver Lake (LA), Marc Flores, and then time to get ready for a party. 
We had been invited to a "Trailer Trash" party by our friend Eduardo, a theme easily embraced by Rusty and myself. It was also a masquerade party, so of course we made masks from 22oz. Natural Light beer cans...the rough edges were a bit dangerous and begged the question of when we last had a tetanus shot, but truly is there anything we won't due for our art! The ride home on New Year's day was uneventful and provided some time for quiet reflection. As for New Year's resolutions, I really have decided to just to have a few goals instead. I would like to spend less time watching TV, more time hiking the Northern California natural areas, more time getting exercise, and more time listening to music (live and/or recorded). I would like to go diving more, I would also like to keep in contact with friends and loved ones more often. I would also like to have less outstanding debt, but who wouldn't?
More concrete goals include: a trip to Australia and approval of my dissertation proposal.
Not Earth shattering, nor poetic even, rather on-going goals reflective of my reorganized priorities. This past year has not been easy. My father passing, my job change, the distance between family, friends, and loved ones, and the stress caused by a new location have all made me lower my expectations of 2008 and make no promises to myself. I am not one to dwell on negative experiences, rather I have a habit of working through stress and strife quite effectively in my introverted way, but in saying this it is clear to me that this year would have been damn near impossible without the love and support of all the people in my life. So, as a final reflection for 2007, thanks to each and every one of the people providing support and encouragement. It is easy for me to hermit myself when the going gets tough, even small words of encouragement and gestures of support meant the world to me this past year. Enough of the sappiness, know that each of you has made a difference in my life and I look forward to hearing of your own adventures when you have a moment.
As a small post script: My PTA president from last year in Raleigh has moved to Kenya with her husband and children. They are part of a religious mission and work for an international Christian school as dorm parents. The reports from them are that in their provence, rioting and violence have not occurred and there is very little likelihood that such actions will occur but I do want you to keep them in your thoughts as well as all Kenyans as they go through their democratic process. Also, Mark Zumbach is meant to come in this afternoon, terrible weather and all, wish him Eine Gute Reise! Thanks!
