The Sun Is Always Warmer When You Can Feel It - Pt. 6

It seemed fitting that just before the candle of our time together was blown out entirely, we should have one last, brilliantly beautiful day on which to part. 

If you spend enough time in the real world, you'll understand that there was never a night or a problem that could defeat a sunrise. 

Because a day without sunshine is like, you know, night. 

Breakfast Republic was good enough to make it on the return trip list. 

I still think somebody should have gotten the Mr. Presley. 

(Peanut Butter Stuffed French Toast topped with Bananas Foster and Bacon)

Just like we were in the 70's.

I kept hearing about Sunset Cliffs, but nothing prepared me for this. 

Goodbyes are easier when you have acai in your belly. 

Seeing that there are a few mountains that we haven't climbed, and it's just a matter of time before we learn how to fly, I've got to know something.

When can we do this again?

@sdfriends

Let me know.

✌️

P.S.

Thanks for the gas, Mike Jr.

The Sun Is Always Warmer When You Can Feel It - Pt. 5

For me, running is about keeping myself entertained long enough to rack in some miles. 

The more bored I am, the shorter my run will be. 

The lack of running buddies has made me turn to solutions like Miller Woods. 

You don't even need music. The scenery is so capturing, coupled with the twists and turns of the trail. 

Just like my favorite organic breakfast cereal, no additives needed. 

I'm always looking for new places to run. New paths to try. 

So when I talked with my scheduler and found an opening Sunday morning at 7am in a city I had limited working geographical knowledge of, I took the chase.

My mother's rental car.

My goal was the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge that we had visited 2 days before. 

Several miles to the southwest of me, I decided to blaze my own trail using only my inferior understanding of maps, and my internal compass. 

The structure of the neighbourhood presented several problems with my plan. 

Heading in the general direction of the bridge worked well until all the dead-end cul-de-sacs popped up.

Not wanting to retrace my steps (Hebrews 10:39), I had to make a decision. 

It's California, right? So if I get caught running in someone's backyard, scaling up their fence, there's a good chance they won't shoot me, cause they're a left-wing gun-hating liberal wacko. 

No offence. 

But I figured I was safe. 

One foot on the step-stool, up over the fence. Dodge the plastic toys strewn about, one arm braced on the tree, I'm out. 

Now I just have a mountain to descend. 

One more mountain to cross, one more backyard to run through.

Finally hit the street.

After admitting to myself that my chances of stumbling across the Spruce Street Bridge were about as high as a crocheted bathtub being successful, I resorted to my GPS. 

Such a pro at this.

The assassin in black was waiting for me on the bridge. 

I advanced cautiously, and suddenly she spoke. 

"Umm... I hardly ever use Arora. It's possible, but I'm pretty sure. Into the fire! Do it again. Why not? WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGERRRRR. 

By the way, you probably.....my riddle."

Oooooook. 

The best way to throw an assassin off is by taking a different route home than the way you came. 

Which meant new backyards. 

It was a vacation. I'm pretty sure at any distance I would have felt accomplished. 

Powerful Sunday morning service, Frutas and Better Buzz.

Megan joined us on FaceTime.

These girls. Won't even let you fluff their hair.

You'll get attacked. 

When Bae calls at the restaurant...

The Sun Is Always Warmer When You Can Feel It - Pt. 4

A glass clinked. 

People scooted in closer to make room at the table for the ones that had just walked in the door. 

It went like it always goes when gathered around a table with those you haven't met yet. 

Introductions were offered by mutual friends, initial reactions were gauged for future reference, and opinions based on first impressions were born. 

We looked at our menus between talking, and when the waitress walked up, a voice from the group spoke out. 

"I am cool," I said. 


"You certainly are," replied the waitress as she rushed off. 


Soon, claims of "I am grateful", "I am thriving", and "I am gracious" rang out, and the waitress affirmed each one.


Because that's how you order at Cafe Gratitude. 

When I was younger, I was hesitant to try new or gourmet style restaurants, because "I don't have one meal to waste on food I don't like."

I still believe that, I've just added something to the end. 

"I don't have one meal to waste on food I don't like. 

I also don't have one meal to waste on food I already know I like, when there are good options for food I haven't tried yet."

So when Cherie mentioned this place, I was all for it. 

If it hadn't been vegan, I would have liked it better, but in my books, a meal without meat that tastes really good, is very impressive. 

Beverly Hills. 

And I was with the real celebrities. 

Laduree, Beverly Hills. 

Stephanie says they get their macarons flown in from Paris. 

But who knows. 

I didn't even see a landing strip or anything. 

Yes, I ran around taking pictures of cars. 

But if I hadn't, I wouldn't have these sweet pictures. 

It's like worship on a Sunday night. 

You won't get anywhere until you start looking a little ridiculous. 

On top of Brooks Brothers.

"You want to go to the beach?"

"Sure!"

"Let's go!"

...............

.....................

"Alright, let's go!"

.................

.........................

"Let's GO."

"OK LETS GO!"

Amen.

Always wanted to do this. 

I couldn't see my name, but they promised it was on there. 

I came to California hoping on beautiful weather. 

It seemed like the very ocean was smiling at us.

And...

"It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like the morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living."

Guess what. 

No more car pictures. 

Just Angela's first time to Chipotle. 

Ok, only one more. 

Remember this place from an earlier post?

Yep. 

The only set of wings they have.

I needed some hot chocolate before we started the drive back to San Diego, so we stopped into this place to grab some.

I won't list the name of the place cause I don't like to rag on a restaurant just because of one bad experience. 

And our barista meant well. 

But that wasn't hot chocolate.

It was water with some brown stuff in it. 

I ended up pouring it out. 

It would've been my 3rd cup that day, so I probably didn't need it anyway.