From Venice to San Diego...

We haven't blogged in a while, so this is going to be a bit of a gong show update.

We spent Saturday in Universal Studios, which was a sea of humanity with a lack of direction. We arrived at the park at about 10:00am after parking in the Curious George park of the lot. Our stomachs had not yet been fed, so we stopped for some breakfast on the CityWalk. After some coffee and food, we faced the lines to purchase our tickets.

Mastercard was doing some promo thing, so we purchased our tickets with the card and recieved $25 on this paypass trial thing; similar to the PetroPass when buying gas, when you just pass the thing across a pad and it charges. Anyway...we got into park, got the $25 thing (to be used for lunch), and head straight for WATERWORLD.

Marc was impressed with this show...complete with water, jet skis, good acting and a plane that lands in front of the crowd. I must admit, it was a favorite for me as well. I caught most of it on video tape so we can share it with you at home. The rest of our day included a visit to Fear Factor LIVE, Horror Effects, BackDraft, Shrek 4-D, and the Backlot Tramway Tour. It was a great day...then we finished our day with HARRY POTTER, the IMAX version. Breanne, you would have loved this experience...with the 3-D glasses for the scene with the battle against Voldemort, with all the crystal balls. It was awesome!

We got back to Paul's and decided not to do Disneyland for two reasons...we were tired of navigating through people and also, we figured that it would be more fun to do Disneyland with kids...we'll wait a few years.

Sunday was a CHILL DAY. We slept in, in our rooftop accomodations a la Venice, packed our stuff up, Marc spent some time reading...and in my defense: I would be reading more, but I don't have my blue overlay, which make reading labourous for me, I don't have a good book with me that I WANT to read, and there is things to see and do all over the place. We loaded up the car...and hit the I-5 to San Diego...to see Sean. I hadn't seen Sean in 14 years, so I was rather anxious to get here. This is also the end of the road for Marc and I. After we leave here, it's homeward bound with a three day pit stop in Vegas.

We arrived at Sean's at about 7:00pm and he had a feast on the grill...garlic hamburgers, chicken and a spectacular salad. He had also gathered some of his close friends to join us in our meal. Marc and I did some singing, shared some laughs and conversation, before heading to bed at about 11:30pm.

This morning Sean took us on a tour on San Diego after his appointments with his clients (he's a personal trainer). We went to the beach, grabbed breakfast at Kono's (cheap and SO GOOD), went to Costco quickly for wine and beer, took a detour for a vanilla shake from In-and-Out, stopped in at Target for mouthwash and toothpaste (VERY IMPORTANT!), then head back to Sean's. He's training someone right now in the living room...Marc is watching and learning...anticipating when Sean whips Marc into shape. This is going to be a good three days. I am very glad to be here.

Tonight is sushi...

Tomorrow is Sea World...

We'll eat 'em raw tonight and see 'em live tomorrow!

...from San Diego; home of the Padres,

Cari and Marc

PS. Sean has the coolest dog...Marcus. He is amazing. Sean managed to get him registered as a 'service dog' and he truly is that. He has been a great companion for Sean and he listens SO WELL.

PSS. ALSO, Paul (our Venice connection) has a website of his photography. Check it out! gpmalone.com