Michigan Accent » California

Jamba Juice betrayal

bcp — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:42:35 +0000

I was first introduced to Jamba Juice while attending a conference in northern CA many years ago. Since then, the only time I’m usually able to indulge is when we visit Rachel’s family in CA. (We have since discovered a hidden Jamba Juice on the campus of George Washington University in D.C., just off a Metro stop but last I checked it wasn’t open on weekends.)

I have always been a big fan, encouraging others to give it a try. My recent work trip to Santa Clara was no exception. One morning on our way to the day’s meetings, my co-worker and I went on a quick coffee run. Pulling into the parking lot, I was over-joyed to see a Jamba Juice right next to StarBucks. Jay would hear nothing of giving up his beloved Americano (even from SBUX), so I got my favorite Strawberries Wild (with immunity boost) and used the short drive to the office to expound on the virtues of this one-of-a-kind drink.

Upon arriving at the office, the bottom of my cup exploded and left a fruity mess all over me and our rental car. Jamba Juice, you failed me. Jay got a big laugh out of the ordeal, and rightfully so. Needless to say, I wasn’t able to convince him to give it a try later on in the trip. Fortunately, I was able to drink an entire Jamba Juice a day later without incident. Even so, the emotional wounds remain.

invasion of the filk

bcp — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:19:41 +0000

I’m in San Jose on a work trip this week (a few camera phone pics for your enjoyment). On Thursday evening I was in the hotel lobby waiting to go out to dinner with some friends when I couldn’t help but notice an influx of people.

We suspected this group of people was here for a convention of some sort, and that theory was soon confirmed. But seeing a sign about “Open Filking” didn’t exactly answer all our questions. After a weekend of research and observation, I think we’ve learned the basics.

The convention in question is the Consonance 2008 Convention. As the site describes, it is “the San Francisco Bay Area filk convention.” Filk is generally considered folk music, usually with a science fiction or fantasy theme … or about computers or cats. Filkers, then, are the people participating in this musical movement. Furthermore, if our hotel parking lot is any indication, bumper stickers appear to be an important trademark of filker vehicles. Here are some additional resources, if needed. After seeing some names and pictures in my research, I realize I rode the elevator with some famous and influential filkers this weekend.

Now that I’ve laid the foundation, I trust you’ll enjoy some example filking.

my first quake

bcp — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:56:47 +0000

Thank you for all the notes of concern. I want to assure you we are fine. We survived my first earthquake here in CA.

OK, no one really checked in to see how we were doing, and I doubt it made the news anywhere but here. (It was only a 5.0, and barely warranted a few paragraphs on the back page of the paper.)

My major disappointment is that I didn’t notice the earthquake. Rachel and I were enjoying Micah’s nap time by catching up on some TV, and didn’t even notice. Rachel’s parents had to mention they heard the quake. Alas …

pics from CA trip

bcp — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 01:47:44 +0000

Rachel and Micah recently took a trip to Southern California to visit Rachel’s parents. Here are a couple pictures from the trip.

A photo shoot on the beach, at Oceanside:

And my personal favorite. This is Micah on the plane ride home:

That’s my boy.