San Diego
Back home to South Beach, after returning from a weekend in San Diego, that I can only describe as enlightening! I got to meet and get to know a little better some clients of THE AMERICAN CHIROPRACTOR MAGAZINE...met them, and their entire team...got to see them on their turf which was amazing!!
I didn't want to pass up the invitation, when the Founder and CEO of one of these companies,
Cash Practice, invited me to his 50th birthday celebration! First, what an honor! And, second...well, I'd never been to San Diego, and have heard how amazing this California city is...
I wasn't disappointed!!
Miles recommended that I stay in the Hyatt Grand Manchester, which was just beautiful, and the people were so nice! His wife told me that they knew this first hand, as they had stayed there before! Checked in Thursday night at 11pm their time, which was 2am, mine, but I woke up the next morning early, and ready and excited to meet the entire team of 2 of my favorite companies to work with...took all day because one meeting was a lunch that turned into Happy Hour! (I work with fun people!)
Then, that night I returned to the hotel, and a friend had invited me to see the Gaslamp district for dinner, which was surprisingly reminiscent of New Orleans to me! Really, though, I was pretty tired from the long day and trip...I just enjoyed walking around a bit, and we shared a light dinner at the Andaz Hotel.
Saturday, then, I found the "Marilyn Monroe" spa in the hotel to get a gift, which I had decided was going to be a couples massage for the birthday boy and his beautiful wife! They have been married 20+ years, and I feel the best gift would be something they can enjoy together, as they'd already told me they loved staying at this hotel...maybe this would encourage another get-a-way for them!!
Then I met up with one of my local Miami Beach best friend, Nesti's brother, who I had only known from Facebook! Raymond, "Moon" (as they call him)'s wife was unable to come with us, but I enjoyed him so much because he is a lot like Nesti, whom I adore! Pictured above he is enjoying my "Cape" that he had only seen on facebook until now. Moon seemed to be very current on my life and activities that he had read about on facebook!! It was a blast being with him...like an old friend!! He never wanted me to leave my Cape behind my whole visit, and even offered to carry it if I ever considered leaving it behind!
Moon wanted to show me all around the San Diego he loves, and take my picture in all of the different locations we visited!! FUN!! We met at a place called Fast Times, where they filmed the movie(!)...he bought me a Bloody Mary, but then asked if I would mind letting him go home to change clothes for our afternoon together...he just had to get some better shoes, he said!! LOL
We laughed when I told him that he and Nesti are both funny, but Nesti is just like funny without thinking about it, where Raymond, "Moon" puts a lot of thought into his humor...like funny jokes!! Jokes aren't always funny, but his, I'll tell you, ARE!! Moon has followed me on facebook for about a year or so, because he said that he realized that it is a great way of keeping up with Nesti, as I always post photos of us!
This first day after we met, he wanted to take me to Valencia (pictured below), just beautiful, where I could get a bite to eat (the ceviche was amazing) for lunch and then the Coronado Beach club for a beer and an ahi tuna app.(also delicious)
Finally, the birthday party that was the reason for my trip was amazing, with all of Miles' friends from all throughout his life, family and employees, who I realized are also a very big part of his life. The party was all around his pool with full bar, servers, food buffet, music and it was a casino theme, so
also Black jack, Roulette, Poker (I think), but honestly after I found what seemed to be the best dealer at the Black Jack table, (she was funny, kind, fun and a little helpful), I really started to have fun, and didn't even try any of the other games!! We won paper play money which could be turned in for chances to win bigger gifts like uber rides, (I won a $25 cheesecake factory gift card!!) And someone else won a 40 inch flat screen TV!! (I was secretly hoping that I wouldn't win this, because I wouldn't
have been able to leave it behind, and how was I going to get it back on
the plane!!??)
I was home by mid-night, keeping in line, with getting in early and getting out early to have another great day tomorrow, tho, noting it was 3am my time!! But I couldn't leave the birthday party until after the cake was served, and the prizes were given!! So 11 or 11:30pm I still was among the first to leave!!
The next morning I woke early again, my last day, but I wasn't supposed to leave until 10pm flight out! No plans, but then I checked my phone, which had intermittent service while I was there, (Sprint...gonna change soon..."I can't live like this!!" I recently told Sprint) and the night before a new "friend" had sent me a picture of his yacht, and asked if I wanted to go for what I understood to be a boat ride...now honestly didn't know the guy very well, but it was a beautiful boat, and sounded like the perfect end to my awesome trip to San Diego!
My new rule: always make sure the boat is scheduled to leave dock before committing myself...something similar to this happened to me once when I lived in Panama! I don't understand these guys who have these amazing boats, but think it is just enough and impressive to have them, but have no plans to actually MOVE them!!
So, packed up my things, and checked out, and then went about a mile away to where his boat was docked...initially had a little trouble finding the boat...then came upon some friendly local guys who said if I showed them the picture of it, they could help me find it. Which I did, and they recognized it, and pointed it out as the "largest boat there"... I made friends with these guys, since I didn't know the colonel very well, asked what they thought of this guy, who they told me was a retired colonel, "bad ass," but seemed nice. One of the guys offered to take me out to his big sailboat, the "Boston Whaler." I exchanged contact information with him, and even facebook info, so I would have a friend, if I needed any help out on the boat with this new friend of mine, the "bad ass" colonel. I was thinking "bad ass" might be my "type!?"
The colonel had told me he was on the boat making coffee, and would come get me from the dock, but if this guy that new of him wanted to bring me, that was great.
So, got on the sailboat, sat down and the colonel offered me coffee, but then I noticed him pouring something into mine...I asked what that was, and he said just Kahlua..."um, ok, a little early, but I like Kahlua"...but then I started getting worried, realizing I hadn't watched him MAKE the coffee, nor was I sure what he put in it...and after about 3 sips, I was feeling very strange. He had been asking about me, (seemed nice, friendly) and then I stopped talking and just FELT what I was feeling...had he drugged me??
I wasn't sure, but I had started feeling really strange. He asked why I had stopped talking all of the sudden. I told him that I was afraid that he had drugged me. He said, no, and told me of all of his attributes and that he wouldn't do that..maybe it was from the rocking boat. Maybe, but still, I stopped drinking my coffee...he offered to take me back to the beach...I told him that I had been hoping that we were going to go BOATING...was that an option or did he just want to sit here on his big boat. He said that was his plan for today. I apologized, but let him know that I was looking to actually DO something.
So, he was a gentleman, and said he understood...gave me some advice about interesting places to go, and then took me back to the shore in his smaller boat that was attached to the bigger boat.
I walked along the shore, and the marina, then met a nice handsome fireman/musician
who invited me to lunch!
Cool this is what I wanted to do...SOMETHING...see more of San Diego!
So we drove thru Little Italy, not able to find a parking space seemed to be a big deal in San Diego, (no one wants to pay for parking), which I thought was funny, because in Miami, I think, most people DO pay for parking!!(if they drive) So, unable to find a parking place, we drove onto Ocean Beach, and found a fun new place with a band and the football game on, so I got a beer, and an Ahi Tuna sandwich, and we watched the football game! Talked about this firefighter's recent divorce, after a 25yr marriage, and what he has been going thru getting back in the dating scene, how the San Diego "pro-football team" is now non-existent, and that he can retire in just 4 years, but is now just working 2 days a week! There seemed to be attraction on both sides, (I was surprised...never had been attracted to a firefighter!!), and he had been talking about getting his guitar out of the car, and then playing with the band!
Suddenly, Moon called and invited me to come over and meet his wife at their home in La Jolla. The firefighter heard me get this invitation, and it seemed to stop any
further plans that we'd had for the afternoon...we both agreed...what is the
BEST possible thing that can happen here?? We can have a great
afternoon together, and then what?? I will return to Miami's South Beach, where I am
happy, and he will be in San Diego!
We decided together, that the firefighter would drive me to Raymond "Moon's" house, and continue on with his plans and dinner with someone local. I still was feeling a little weird from the "coffee" on the boat...told Moon and his wife about my adventures already today, (Carmen, Moon's wife, said it was good that I listened to my intuition, and got off the boat!). She was so sweet and invited me to share a bottle of wine with them...red, my favorite!! (although, felt more of what I needed was water to wash out whatever still had me feeling weird from the coffee on the boat...they gave me that too).
Still, told them that sharing red wine is what I love doing with Nesti! They told me all kinds of wonderful stories about my handsome gay friend, Nesti, and when he was the big man in NYC photographer, with lots of models and a whole "troop" of people working for him (now the only client he has kept from that past is Raquel Welch), and now Nesti is a realtor extraordinaire!!
Afterward, Carmen, had plans with a girlfriend to see a comic, so she told Moon where he should take me for dinner...a place called Tower 23 on Pacific Beach. So, first Moon wanted me to see the pier, and then he took me to Baja Beach Cafe, and recommended we get vodka Martinis, and then we walked down the beach to Tower 23 for dinner!
After dinner, it started getting very chilly on the beach! I wrapped my cape fully around me!
Moon called us an uber, and we returned to his house, the driver waited while I ran in, and got my bag and then headed straight to the airport for my 10pm flight out!
I didn't want to pass up the invitation, when the Founder and CEO of one of these companies,
I wasn't disappointed!!
Miles recommended that I stay in the Hyatt Grand Manchester, which was just beautiful, and the people were so nice! His wife told me that they knew this first hand, as they had stayed there before! Checked in Thursday night at 11pm their time, which was 2am, mine, but I woke up the next morning early, and ready and excited to meet the entire team of 2 of my favorite companies to work with...took all day because one meeting was a lunch that turned into Happy Hour! (I work with fun people!)
Then, that night I returned to the hotel, and a friend had invited me to see the Gaslamp district for dinner, which was surprisingly reminiscent of New Orleans to me! Really, though, I was pretty tired from the long day and trip...I just enjoyed walking around a bit, and we shared a light dinner at the Andaz Hotel.
Saturday, then, I found the "Marilyn Monroe" spa in the hotel to get a gift, which I had decided was going to be a couples massage for the birthday boy and his beautiful wife! They have been married 20+ years, and I feel the best gift would be something they can enjoy together, as they'd already told me they loved staying at this hotel...maybe this would encourage another get-a-way for them!!
We laughed when I told him that he and Nesti are both funny, but Nesti is just like funny without thinking about it, where Raymond, "Moon" puts a lot of thought into his humor...like funny jokes!! Jokes aren't always funny, but his, I'll tell you, ARE!! Moon has followed me on facebook for about a year or so, because he said that he realized that it is a great way of keeping up with Nesti, as I always post photos of us!
Finally, the birthday party that was the reason for my trip was amazing, with all of Miles' friends from all throughout his life, family and employees, who I realized are also a very big part of his life. The party was all around his pool with full bar, servers, food buffet, music and it was a casino theme, so
I was home by mid-night, keeping in line, with getting in early and getting out early to have another great day tomorrow, tho, noting it was 3am my time!! But I couldn't leave the birthday party until after the cake was served, and the prizes were given!! So 11 or 11:30pm I still was among the first to leave!!
My new rule: always make sure the boat is scheduled to leave dock before committing myself...something similar to this happened to me once when I lived in Panama! I don't understand these guys who have these amazing boats, but think it is just enough and impressive to have them, but have no plans to actually MOVE them!!
So, packed up my things, and checked out, and then went about a mile away to where his boat was docked...initially had a little trouble finding the boat...then came upon some friendly local guys who said if I showed them the picture of it, they could help me find it. Which I did, and they recognized it, and pointed it out as the "largest boat there"... I made friends with these guys, since I didn't know the colonel very well, asked what they thought of this guy, who they told me was a retired colonel, "bad ass," but seemed nice. One of the guys offered to take me out to his big sailboat, the "Boston Whaler." I exchanged contact information with him, and even facebook info, so I would have a friend, if I needed any help out on the boat with this new friend of mine, the "bad ass" colonel. I was thinking "bad ass" might be my "type!?"
The colonel had told me he was on the boat making coffee, and would come get me from the dock, but if this guy that new of him wanted to bring me, that was great.
So, got on the sailboat, sat down and the colonel offered me coffee, but then I noticed him pouring something into mine...I asked what that was, and he said just Kahlua..."um, ok, a little early, but I like Kahlua"...but then I started getting worried, realizing I hadn't watched him MAKE the coffee, nor was I sure what he put in it...and after about 3 sips, I was feeling very strange. He had been asking about me, (seemed nice, friendly) and then I stopped talking and just FELT what I was feeling...had he drugged me??
I wasn't sure, but I had started feeling really strange. He asked why I had stopped talking all of the sudden. I told him that I was afraid that he had drugged me. He said, no, and told me of all of his attributes and that he wouldn't do that..maybe it was from the rocking boat. Maybe, but still, I stopped drinking my coffee...he offered to take me back to the beach...I told him that I had been hoping that we were going to go BOATING...was that an option or did he just want to sit here on his big boat. He said that was his plan for today. I apologized, but let him know that I was looking to actually DO something.
So, he was a gentleman, and said he understood...gave me some advice about interesting places to go, and then took me back to the shore in his smaller boat that was attached to the bigger boat.
I walked along the shore, and the marina, then met a nice handsome fireman/musician
who invited me to lunch!
Cool this is what I wanted to do...SOMETHING...see more of San Diego!
So we drove thru Little Italy, not able to find a parking space seemed to be a big deal in San Diego, (no one wants to pay for parking), which I thought was funny, because in Miami, I think, most people DO pay for parking!!(if they drive) So, unable to find a parking place, we drove onto Ocean Beach, and found a fun new place with a band and the football game on, so I got a beer, and an Ahi Tuna sandwich, and we watched the football game! Talked about this firefighter's recent divorce, after a 25yr marriage, and what he has been going thru getting back in the dating scene, how the San Diego "pro-football team" is now non-existent, and that he can retire in just 4 years, but is now just working 2 days a week! There seemed to be attraction on both sides, (I was surprised...never had been attracted to a firefighter!!), and he had been talking about getting his guitar out of the car, and then playing with the band!
We decided together, that the firefighter would drive me to Raymond "Moon's" house, and continue on with his plans and dinner with someone local. I still was feeling a little weird from the "coffee" on the boat...told Moon and his wife about my adventures already today, (Carmen, Moon's wife, said it was good that I listened to my intuition, and got off the boat!). She was so sweet and invited me to share a bottle of wine with them...red, my favorite!! (although, felt more of what I needed was water to wash out whatever still had me feeling weird from the coffee on the boat...they gave me that too).
Still, told them that sharing red wine is what I love doing with Nesti! They told me all kinds of wonderful stories about my handsome gay friend, Nesti, and when he was the big man in NYC photographer, with lots of models and a whole "troop" of people working for him (now the only client he has kept from that past is Raquel Welch), and now Nesti is a realtor extraordinaire!!
Moon called us an uber, and we returned to his house, the driver waited while I ran in, and got my bag and then headed straight to the airport for my 10pm flight out!
And so that is how my first trip to San Diego went!! Loved it...loved the people there, would love to visit again, but was ever so happy to return back to my home on South Beach!!
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