How People Eat Pizza

Posted on June 4, 2014 by TheJessicaness
Caleb and Piggy sleeping

Caleb and Piggy sleeping

We stayed at the house, so Caleb and Piggy could sleep in, and had leftover pizza and hobnobs for breakfast to celebrate my blog’s third anniversary. In that time, I’ve done a lot. I could do a recollection post, but I’m focusing on what I’m going to fill this white space with for the next three years. And maybe a future post will hold a comparison of my writing from when I started until now, though I doubt there will be any difference in my ability to use the correct participle, or maintain a present or past pattern in one paragraph.

Dad took Caroline to work and then himself to the office. I worked on my May 10th post, and then we met Dad for lunch at 12:30. He drove us to Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar – a 20-tabled restaurant with ten seats at the bar on one of the many corners in Biltmore Fashion Park. I took a picture of the construction across the street and of the waitress’ face as it blurred in front of the photo I was trying to take of the place – the cows – the black and white animals on the wall, not the people chewing cud in their seats. 

construction in Scottsdale

construction in Scottsdale

Dad was telling me to take pictures of the fast and convenient service. I thought he might be referring to the food, but two girls walk in and one has offered me a view of half of her ass – literally, and she’s not the only one mistaken for wearing her underwear in public. I’m guessing where I’m going soon the food and sex aren’t so quick to be at your table. I’ve heard other countries have a more relaxed sense of pace, and religion in the Middle East demands a certain level of modesty, especially from Muslim women. 

All the employees wear red converse shoes, the girls wear large gray shirts with elastic in the middle, and the guys wear gray shirts and jeans. Most of the customers looked the same too – multi-blonde dyed hair, flip-flops with fancy straps, and an air of entitlement or purpose (like watching the Kardashians). We enjoyed our burgers – chile relleno for Dad, ahi for Caleb, and the veggie burger for me of course.

because everyone needs another burger photo in their life - you're welcome!

because everyone needs another burger photo in their life – you’re welcome!

Dad ordered the double truffle fries, Caleb the green chili fries, and me the salted caramel milkshake. The food was excellent, but yet again we had ordered too much and leftover fries are never as good. We left early when the conversation behind us got too ‘plastic’ – mirrored lifestyles from reality TV and other media. We thought the shopping plaza had hired parking lot prostitutes when a lady walked by wearing pasties and lace panties – and with a car full of married people all we did was stare, too shy to ask any questions related to work or fashion.

Back at the office and all the employees have coffees, so Caleb and I drive to the nearest Starbucks at 2:45pm to pick something up for the boss. Inside this café it’s quiet minus the hum of the espresso machine, the register, and the electrical currents flowing through plugged in laptops, phones, and tablets. There is one guy reading a newspaper, but the rest of the people are drones to the light coming from their screens. I felt like starting a one-person flash mob to see if anything would happen, but I grabbed the cup and left.

just a peek of what's to come

just a peek of what’s to come

We drop off the beverage and leave him to get some work done. Sparky is taking advantage of the sun coming through the window and on the bed and Piggy is passed out on the floor when we get back to the house. I’m able to publish May 10th after lots of editing but still have to go back and delete extra spaces between words and photos afterwards. Caroline gets home and we hang out until Dad gets home two hours later so we can go to dinner at Mellow Mushroom.

We ordered three small vegetarian pizzas and what started out as an ordinary dinner quickly led to an unforgettable experience. I started to play with my food – chewed some up and showed it to Caleb on my tongue, who was sitting across from me next to Caroline.  Dad was next to me and thought this was a great photo opportunity to try to take the piece of food out of my mouth. My reflex reaction sent a piece of pizza to the seat behind me.

this is how Caroline eats her pizza

this is how Caroline eats her pizza – snozza style!

I chewed up another piece then let it fall on my plate. Dad picked it up with his mouth and then I took it from there. Caleb was able to capture this all on video. I laughed and chewed it up, but if that wasn’t funny enough watching the video did the trick. I lost it seeing Dad trying to hide his laughter and his eyes from catching with ours and allowing the restaurant in on the sound of our laughter. I couldn’t contain myself and let the laughs go. We left with no room for dessert. As we chatted at home, Caleb began to get sleepy-eyed and Dad suggested sleep. It came easier than I thought it would.

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When In Phoenix

Posted on June 3, 2014 by TheJessicaness
Phoenix flora

Phoenix flora

Woke at 6:30 and walked the dogs while Dad made Caroline oatmeal. We accompanied her in the car to work, then went to open the office for Brinn and Dani who were waiting in the parking lot. We went to breakfast at U.S. Egg, then went back to work so Joe could show us what roller coaster rides feel like while wearing an Oculus. Caleb had to sit down for fear he would fall over and experienced a different type of motion sickness – your eyes and brain comprehend one thing, but your body is sending another message.

We peeked over Brinn’s shoulder as we watched him make facades, then we looked through an expensive magazine, Robb Report, that advertises $40k to $200k watches and $286k cars. If we never traveled, or ate, again we could easily afford one of these at the end of our lifetimes. But for those lucky few who become billionaires in their twenties, or later in life, this is a great way for them to spend all those Benjamins and show off all the wealth they’ve earned, and fly into space, fund technology, and donate to charity.

supporting bros and their mustaches at Indo-Euro Foods

supporting bros and their moustaches at Indo-Euro Foods – by Caleb

After being there for two hours I started to bug my dad, while he talked business with Dani, so we could get out of the office and be less of a distraction to his employees. We went back to the house to walk the dogs, upload some more of his Yampa River trip to Flickr, then go to lunch around 2pm. We were going to eat at Gil’s but they were closed for a catering event. We went by Sonal’s, who I love visiting for her kindness, accent, and food.

Dad picked up some Hobnobs for the office and we drove across the street to Spinato’s Pizzeria for lunch. My dad has meant to bring me here for months and we finally get the chance and the furnishings have been redone. The place isn’t packed and the waiter is all ours, or so we pretend as we keep him in conversation – something about baklava and Saba’s and I’m transported mentally to a land of nuts, flames, and flaky goodness.

patiently waiting

patiently waiting – by Caleb

Dad ordered a caprese salad stack, to share (there’s never enough balsamic), and a meat pizza. We got a medium Greek salad pizza, a combination of two of Caleb’s favorite things. Dad tries it and rates it as one of his top five favorites and wants the wife to try it. Lucky for her there are leftovers, but for all of us at the table that ate a slice too many we’re wishing we would’ve saved more for later.

From there we split ways – Dad back to work and us to the house to get puppy paperwork in order, pay bills, and update the blog. We decide first to take a shower. With less smell on our bodies we should be more productive, but that’s not always the case. We end up driving to Banfield close to the house to get their paperwork reprinted with updated shots, then to the Banfield where their appointment will be Friday with the USDA certified vet.

We drove back to the house and are surprised by Caroline sitting at her desk at 6pm. Caleb scanned all the paperwork and emailed it. We waited for Dad to get home at 8:30 so that we could decide on Cheesecake Factory for dinner – lookout warm asparagus salad! We all ate too much and then we shared dessert – two slices and four people. The only fighting was getting someone to stop ourselves from taking that ‘last’ bite (that could’ve just been in my head). Back at the house we were up for another hour before going to bed to catch up on sleep that we lost the night before in the excitement of us showing up early to visit.

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A Detour in Utah

Posted on June 2, 2014 by TheJessicaness
place

US-50 E near Scipio, UT

Before we left, Jessi suggested we go see Goblin Valley State Park. From where we slept we will have to go back north 14 miles to go over the mountains where the view along the drive is worth it alone. We make it to the park around 8:30, stop in the visitor center to pay our $8.00 fee, and look at books by Marc Reisner and Craig Childs. We might not find any uranium today, but the tools used from the beginning of the 20th century to the 70s are on display – there are so many uses for black lights.

formations at Goblin Valley SP

formations at Goblin Valley SP

There is a short road with many trail heads. We go to the left, bringing the dogs with us towards Carmel Canyon and Goblin’s Lair trails – both 1.5 miles, one with camping, but we’re not sure if that’s one-way or roundtrip. We don’t stop at state parks often, but we are thankful for the recommendation. There are colourful flowers, informational signs, wispy clouds, awesome sandstone formations, and a history older than our neighbour – all on a uncrowded dirt path.

me and Piggy in Goblin Valley

me and Piggy in Goblin Valley – by Caleb

We make it down the rock steps, around the bend, and into the hot sand (high of 90 degrees) before Sparky starts to limp. I look for a sticker, splinter, or blister and when nothing is found Caleb picks him up, bit not for long. It’s not much further before we decide to turn around too. I don’t feel like carrying the dogs back to the car, but they make the return trip via paws. Given time gone, we might’ve hiked just over a mile – a good glimpse into this vast landscape.

Caleb and Sparky hiking in Goblin Valley

Caleb and Sparky hiking in Goblin Valley

I remember Robert talking about postcards when the girls received some while we were there and thought it would be neat to send some their way. We stopped at the visitor center on the way out and Caleb picked out one for Jessi since she recommended the place. If I had a Polaroid camera I could’ve taped one of my pictures to it, but a lovely handwritten message, and small drawing, will have to do.

Caleb carrying Sparky through the desert

Caleb carrying Sparky through the desert

We thought about Vermillion Cliffs and St. George, but remember that by the time we get there the temperature will be unbearable after 15 minutes for the dogs in or out of the car. We continue south and find ourselves in Capitol Reef around 11am. We’ve been here before – our passport book is stamped from 2009 and 2012, but that doesn’t stop us from seeing something new.

the goblins in their valley

the goblins in their valley

We stop by the Fremont River so the dogs can cool down and Caleb steps in to assist Sparky in swimming in the current – maybe not whitewater, but enough force to make us laugh at his doggy paddling. He lets the water carry his body downstream until I remind Caleb that he will have to fetch him if he gets too tired to come back. Caleb calls him and he drags something out of the water before deciding not to get back in. We laugh as he climbs the embankment and jumps over grass and rock and tree branch to return.

Fremont River, Capitol Reef NP

Fremont River, Capitol Reef NP

Piggy is content with getting her belly wet and fumbling among the rocks waiting to leave. I had carried her through some sticker bushes and pricked my finger on the way to the river, but we had the sad misfortune of having to remove all the stickers from our socks, shoes, and my pants before getting back in the car. Some came off easily and others had to draw blood from my fingers before leaving. Now that the dogs have had some time out of the car their thirst and hunger return down the road and we wait while they eat brunch.

Sparky swimming!

Sparky swimming!

I finish reading ’Tis. Frank McCourt suffered through his childhood and lived poorly as a young adult who sometimes chose the pint over making other decisions. We noticed the book is dedicated to a wife not described in the book and Caleb asked me how I would feel to be the wife reading about his escapades with other women. I would’ve been a different woman in the 1990s, but as me today I would appreciate the honesty. I’d be more focused on the quality of his relationships than his sexual promiscuity.

a page from 'Tis

a page from ‘Tis

I start reading A Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and the story seems to resemble Frank’s but from a girls point-of-view. I text Caroline to let her know we are coming to town, entering Arizona at 4pm, and she gives me my dad’s office address so I can surprise him at work. We get there around 9pm after dropping the dogs off at the house, getting gas, and surprising Brinn in the parking lot on his way home after a long day and meeting his girlfriend Dani – Caleb’s first time meeting them both.

89 S near Humphrey's Peak, Flagstaff, AZ

89 S near Humphrey’s Peak, Flagstaff, AZ

When I got out of the car I thought it was Brinn and Rainy getting something from a backseat and yelled, “Freeze!” and then noticed it wasn’t Rainy and was scared that Brinn might use some kung-fu on me if he didn’t recognize my voice. I quickly stepped into what light was available and he smiled at me as he introduced me to a new creative spirit in his life. She might be young, small, and have tattoos, but she’s smart and goal-oriented – qualities my dad wished I would pursue. It’s nice to meet her.

sunset 7:37

sunset 7:37

I was under the impression (from photos and texts) that the office would be down some long corridor that I may have trouble finding, but Caroline’s “stick to the right” means that you could go left past the other office, bathroom, and kitchen area before reaching their office on the other side – not hard at all to navigate. We invited Caroline along, but she had too much Facebook, Skype, and YouTube on her schedule, so we left the dogs with her instead of in the hot car.

sunset 7:46

sunset 7:46

Inside is Dad and Joe – Caleb’s second time meeting Joe before he too goes home. We chat for an hour and a half about the condition of the business and about our northern trip and time in Missoula. I saw personally built computers, subscriptions to smart magazines, Dad’s green storage clipboard filled past capacity, and long lists of notes on the whiteboards. I was sworn into secrecy about the awesomeness he’s creating, but you can check out his progress (when he has time to update the websites) on PSOIH.com and Timefirevr.com.

sunset 7:55

sunset 7:55

I drive slowly back to the house to give the couple some time to make out and let Sparky and Dad play. Of course the dogs need to be walked in the heat after their relaxation period in the cool of the apartment. Then we can bring the rest of our things up from the car. We stay up for another two hours (into the next day) before the boss decides it’s time for bed. He knows us youngins like to sleep in, but he’s still got to take the wife to work in the morning – and we will be joining them.

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Holden Up Cheesy Potatoes

Posted on June 1, 2014 by TheJessicaness
Hwy 12 (I-90) south, near Drummond, MT

Hwy 12 (I-90 E) near Drummond, MT

Caleb and Jessi go to Robert’s to clean his place for two hours while I shower and then converse with Robert and Jake. We all eat something at the table – eggs, garlic bread, mango with cottage cheese. The girls pick tiny strawberries from the garden, some must have turned red an hour ago as they still aren’t ripe, but the girls aren’t ones to discriminate between red, yellow, and green – but my tastebuds are.

I-15 south near Silver Star, MT

I-15 S near Silver Star, MT

Jessi packs us some snacks – graham crackers, fruit leather, and peanut butter – for the road and Jake goes to Bernice’s Bakery with the girls to get some croissants – plain, almond, and raspberry cream cheese – for the adults and a cinnamon roll for the girls to share. A lot of work goes into their fluffy, flaky goodness and I’m grateful for the introduction. I gift Jessi with two partially eaten chocolate bars and pieces are handed out as we wave and drive away after 11:30 – so much for an early start, but it still counts as a morning departure.

I-15 south near Pocatello, ID

I-15 S near Pocatello, ID

I set the cruise control at 75mph and watch as the Montana mountains and clouds go by. We stop at what is left of a gas station to let the dogs out. We are quickly in Idaho and would’ve stopped at the Potato or Idaho Museum but they are closed on Sundays, so it’s a repeat process – check scenery, check road, dream of being in scenery, remember you are driving a 1.5 ton vehicle at high speeds, but reason with yourself that there are very few other cars on the interstate – but you want to live to see more and are starting to scare your husband… eyes on the road.

Wasatch Range, I-15 south near Clearfield, UT

Wasatch Range, I-15 S near Clearfield, UT

We are just as fast getting into Utah and stops are on the hour to un-hydrate, and then Caleb gets pulled over for doing 78 in a 65. I stopped at some point to let him drive, so I could read and we would make better time if I couldn’t see what I was missing, but didn’t realize the speed limit was restrictive to the county surrounding Salt Lake City and thought it was constrained to the construction zone – otherwise I would’ve told him to slow down.

I-15 south near Nephi, UT

I-15 S near Nephi, UT

The cop is kind and Sparky loud. We sit for a few minutes on the shoulder of an exit ramp before we are given a warning. Caleb resets the cruise control until we are clearly one of five cars heading south and there is another speed limit sign giving us permission to go 75. I hadn’t planned on driving for so long today, but the rain kept us in the car in Montana, I drove us through Idaho with closed museums, and then read us into sunset in Utah. We are stopped in Holden for the night – the most light seen for miles besides the Milky Way lighting up the sky.

night sky in Holden, UT

colourful night sky in Holden, UT

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The Last Night in Missoula

Posted on May 31, 2014 by TheJessicaness
Jessi making waffles!

Jessi making waffles!

Caleb woke up before I did at 6:30 to start making waffles. He went to get Robert while Jessi and I finished cooking them at 7:30. Jessi wasn’t sure of the cooking time or of their filling ability, but she became a believer today. We each had one, Jessi went to work, and then we started getting the girls ready for the farmer’s market. Both girls got to wear pink things in their hair and a necklace. They gave me a headband too, but I didn’t want it falling off because of my sunglasses – and they do take priority.

manik

Gamelan Manik Harum

We walked the two blocks to the bus stop and the farmer’s market bus was not running today so we caught a ride downtown on the city bus for free. Robert had his bag ready for plants and veggies and wondered why Jake stopped to teach the girls about Gamelan Manik Harum – a local chapter that plays Balinese angklung music using bronze metallophone instruments to form a percussion orchestra. I only wish we could’ve heard them play. Maybe next time, or if I ever make it to Bali!

surfer in the Clark-Fork River

surfer in the Clark-Fork River

We walked through the market – past carrots, soaps, flowers, and tomato plants – to the large bronze fish on the other side of the park so the girls could ride his back to faraway places. They even talked Jake into joining them – regardless of the stares from kids and adults from other fish, the surrounding rocks, and picnic tables nearby. While they did that, I went up the sidewalk to see a surfer on a wave in the river caused by a large obstacle spanning the width of the riverbed. It’s a good spot for practicing how to ride as this wave doesn’t go anywhere – a constant trough and crest.

IMG_9947

park, market, and downtown Missoula

Lots of bikes tied to trees and poles or being walked through the market while the owners ate savoury meats and big sweet treats (like the cinnamon roll that I saw – and that Caleb scared the lady when asking her where she got it), and signed local entreaties. I stopped by the mobile library and its Web on Wheels to see what they had on offer – lots of great books for children, and especially people who live here as most libraries prefer quick returns and not waiting on the mail to arrive from Bahrain.

cup o' creepy

cup o’ creepy

We continued to walk past oven baked pizzas, jams and vinegars, face painting, and lilac wine, but it was the pastries that caught the girls attention. They got a pink one to share and then Jake took them to look for a more healthful lunch option. For $20, Robert was able to buy the pastry, rhubarb for tonight’s pie, and some veggies to eat and grow. I found a small bowl of free candy and grabbed a blue raspberry dum-dum – my favorite as a kid when I would go to the bank with Mom.

yellow and/or delicious

yellow and/or delicious for $1.00

We found Robert a spot in the shade while we waited for the girls to return from their short trek in the forest – a small trail in the park. Jake bought a breakfast burrito sans tortilla to share and we ate while the girls jumped from rock to rock and fought over who would sit on the front of the fish and who would have to sit behind the fin. Had it been me, the argument would’ve been over quickly. I touched the fish and he’d picked up some heat in the hour that we’d been there, but the girls didn’t seem to mind – and neither did the other kids, some just learning to walk, that came into a hazard zone near other kids jumping and kicking and falling about.

face painting a sad princess

face painting a sad princess

Too much fun was being had and it was time to go. We rode the bus back, passing another market that looked full of amazing things, and then dropped Robert off at home for medications and a nap. We got ‘home’ to some happy and playful dogs. Caleb chased Sparky around the backyard while Piggy rolled in the grass. Then Caleb treated himself to a stuffed jalapeño wrapped in bacon (leftovers from last night’s date) before going to the store for dinner ingredients for us and the dogs. We picked up Brie, two loaves of bread, strawberries, an onion, etc. at The Good Food Store; then went to Pattee Creek Market for chips and dog food.

dum-dum dye on my tongue

dum-dum dye on my tongue – by Caleb

Jessi picked up Robert on her way home from a half-day at work. We arrived in time for Jake’s guacamole and Jessi decided to go for a run. Piggy found part of a carrot and ate that while we devoured a large bowl of avocado and a bag of Cajun chips. Lyra was having a snotty moment while making animal sounds with her See N Say toy and when she left the chair to find Sammi I sat down and coloured a Hello Kitty picture with markers included in the little pad kit.

the girls on a fish, and Jake

the girls on a fish, and Jake

At 2:30 the girls decided it was time for fun and sun and water hose. An hour of this would leave the youngest passed out in the comfy chair for two hours while the eldest sat on the couch and watched “How to Train Your Dragon” for the 40th time. This would work out perfectly as Colleen, Jessi’s friend from work and her husband, Stephen, came over two seconds before Jessi returned from her run. She found free starter tomato plants and Caleb and Robert went to pick some up.

Caleb eating bacon

Caleb eating a jalapeño popper wrapped in bacon

The couple had stopped by just to drop off some finds from their latest travels south, including the Grand Circle in Utah, and were going to do laundry, but sat with us for an hour of conversation, swapping beers, chips (we started out with three bags), guacamole (Jake had saved a bowl for Jessi), and a chocolate bar that Jake had bought earlier and Jessi found. During this time Jake had a pie in the oven – strawberry rhubarb – with two planes cut into the crust – one for Caleb and I, and the other one for the dogs. Jake is sweet and creative.

Lyra being sour, but still sweet

Lyra being sour, but still sweet

The cute, nice, and funny couple left with a slice of pie each (after Jake snuck it into their panniers) and rode their bikes into the sunset… well, it wasn’t that dark yet, but it sounds romantic. Jessi took Robert home so he could rest and took her friend some tomato plants. We all had homemade warm brie salad – mixed greens and grilled veggies with basil and brie on top, leftover Italian spaghetti, and two loaves of parmesan-garlic bread (because we thought Robert would be joining us).

Lyra drooling

Lyra drooling

We started talking about movies and decided on Life of Pi. Jake dished out dessert and we settled in for a long show. We were half way through when Lyra was messing with the remote and set us back to the beginning – nothing a minute or two of fast forwarding wouldn’t fix. And I hadn’t thought of the animal eating scenes (since I’d already seen the movie) when asked if it was ok for young children. They made it through, as most is edited out, and Jessi used it as a learning experience.

Jake's girls watching Life of Pi

Jake’s girls watching Life of Pi

Sammi had two cups of mandarin oranges and might’ve had more if Jessi hadn’t put a limit on them. Alone they can be healthy, but I don’t know how much the syrup offsets that factor. The girls sit all over the place in weird positions – on daddy’s lap, behind mommy on the back of the chair, and on the floor. Jessi gets a bit of knitting done. I know it helps me with movie guilt if I can feel accomplished at the end. The girls brushed their teeth and getting them into bed after 10:30 was no problem. We are all tired.

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