For a long time, I've been using Yahoo maps, which as far as I know, is a layer on top of MapQuest. I like it. It works well. When Google came out with their version, I resisted. But, I kept trying it once in a while to compare. I just discovered a new feature, though, that now puts Google on top: you can customize your route. You can drag that blue line around to find alternate routes. For example, it had me taking the 55 to the 91 from Irvine to a place I had to go, and so I moved it over to the toll road, knowing that the 55 has horrible traffic. Great stuff.

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There's time when a picture really is worth a thousand words.

That's just a sidewalk painting. Ok, now go see more of this.

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For all of those who are registered as non-partisan, or independent, or more formally "Decline to State", I have some good news. The Democratic party is allowing you to vote in their Presidential primary this February. At your polling place, you may request a Democratic party ballot. OTOH, the Republican party is not allowing you to vote in their presidential primary.

Please note: the American Independent Party is not the same thing as being "independent". The AI party is actually a far-right party.

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Back on Oct 19, my wife and I attended the Democratic Party of Orange County's (DPOC) 13th annual Truman dinner. I hosted a table, and I had a few other Democrats from Ladera Ranch there, as well as some from the South Orange County Democratic club. There were around 1100 people in attendance, which was double the previous year. As I've said to some friends of mine, we are now witnessing the renaissance of the Democratic Party in Orange County. It was a pretty good night. I had heard Edwards before, at the California Democrats convention in April, and he again gave a rousing speech. Dennis Kucinich came in at the end of the long night, and unfortunately, over half of the guests had left by that time. That was a shame. Even though he's not my first choice, he is a presidential candidate and deserves more respect from everyone, although I understand that after three hours, people are wanting to get home. I wish the best of luck to all of the Democratic candidates, although I do favor Edwards right now. Here's some articles on the night from the OC Register and the LIberal OC.

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Two weekends ago, Laura and I went up to Pacific Grove to see the monarch butterflies. We were there last month, but apparently it was too early. We did end up knowing the layout of Pacific Grove pretty darned well, though. This time, there were at least a few monarchs to see, but still not a lot. We solidified our knowledge of where the butterfly center is and where in George Washington park the other half is.

On Saturday night, we had dinner with a friend, who suggested the Davenport Roadhouse at the Cash Store in Davenport. Pretty good place, although we have now learned NOT to trust the GPS to get us there. This was the second time within the last few months we had been in the area. The first time, we went to go eat at Ciao! Bella!! in Ben Lomond. From Gilroy, the GPS told us to take the 101N to the 85 to the 17S and then take a tiny, twisty road up and over a mountain to get us to our destination. We realized about half way up the second time that it was that same damned tiny road, much to our chagrin. We're not going on that road again. We now know a better path.

Ciao!Bella!!, by the way, is an...um...interesting place. The food (Italian) is good, and so is the service. The decorations were different, but cool. We ate out in a patio area, which was basically a clearing in a redwood tree grove. It was really neat to look up from our table and see the redwood trees stretch up past the lighting and disappear into the night. All was good until the entertainment started. They list that as the "cabaret". Well, yeah, I guess so, but I just wasn't prepared to see the owner, Tad Morgan, come out cross-dressed for the dancing. As they say on the website:

Tad Morgan, who turns out to be a vigorous gay guy in shiny black pants, 3-inch storm stompers and a chest full of chains... On a stage with brass poles under a strobe light, doing a high-kick dance routine to a Prince funk number accompanied by two waitresses trying their best to keep up.

Yeah. Let's just say that it wasn't my idea of entertainment.

On the way back home, we stopped off at F. McLintock's in Pismo Beach. Good steak place. I recommend it. Ask, and they'll refill your water glass on your head while blindfolded.

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