My cousin came in from New York the week of the 18th for her winter break, she's a teacher for special education. She didn't do to much during the week because most of us had to work however I figured to giver her a day to remember I offered to take her wine tasting with R and I because we were supposed to go to the Wine Blending competition at Mount Palomar, well we missed that because of traffic and I was feeling sick (to much wine the day before). Anyhow we went to about 3 wineries and drank as much as we could stand.  We went to Briar Rose winery where you had to make an appointment to have a tasting, the ambiance was excellent and you were sort of inside a secret room which was modeled after a room in Hemingway's house. There was an in-house Sommelier that served you and would tell you some of the history of their wines. This was by far was a very interesting way to taste and I really like it, however the wine good but not great, they specialize in reds. The second winery was my home turf, Mount Palomar. I adore this place, we actually scored some swell seats around a fire pit and snaked on pizza and brie while we did our wine tasting. We were able to venture up to the bar at our leisure and taste. They have an excellent 2005 Merlot.

I must say if you want to get the full experience at this winery you're probably better going on a Sunday rather than a Saturday like we did, everyone in Southern California was probably tasting that day.  Finally we ended our wine tryst at Stuart Cellars, which was a place R and I have seen but have never tasted at. They are situated in a hill directly across from Mount Palomar. You could see the mountains and they have a little picnik area you can sit at. The inside was very nice, in was amber/neutral colored and bottles of wine on racks everywhere. Literally reminded you of a cellar. Someone R worked with (she retired from the Marine Corps) whom I've met a few times actually works there, we scored because she hooked us up with the goods. They had plenty of bold reds which were not my thing however not bad at all. We even got to taste from a 10 year old bottle of wine. R will probably be dumping South Coast Winery's membership for Stuart Cellars, I could just tell he was smitten with the reds. All and all we had a good time and I hope my cousin did too.

Ok I heard there was an "Overheard in San Diego" blog somewhere however searching on the great one Google you'll practically find something more worthy then your initial search every time. I found this post about hallucinogens and trust me you just have to read it and will someone please find me this book.

I dreamed up the design I have here now. I took a nap and I can recall three vivid images from my short siesta, the OM symbol, a Buddha statue and the sky. Some already know my beliefs on Buddhist principles but I don't see those images frequently. I know that when I do that means something is going to change, I never know what  it is but something in my life is going to happen. In the past they have usually been good things, so in anticipation I decided to have the three symbols here to remind me that something good is bound to happen anytime. And of course there is always the color black incorporated somewhere.

I was at Starbucks a.k.a "Axis of Evil:Deux" pissed me off royally. I waltzed in like I do every single day ordering the same coffee I have for the past 5 YEARS and I was snubbed...by another coffee drinker. See here's what happened. I ordered way before this woman even entered my caffinated sanctuary and she hoarded the pick-up counter having the audacity to shoot me a look of disgust as I waited in a chair, like smart regulars do. I see her wipe her nose (with her hand) and touch the counter, yeah gross. My coffee comes up and the retarded barista hands my coffee to her and she grabs it and hovers over the counter talking to the barista, asking him where he was from because of his accent...blah, blah, blah. The manager noticed the look on my face and points out the correction that needs to be made. She unhands my coffee and says sorry, and shot me a look. I hand the coffee back to the barista and say "I would like a coffee that has not been manhandled, talked over and probably spit in...", she shot me a look. Right about now I'm feeling like a gun slinger at the OK Corral.

The manager says "No problem Char, I'll make it." The barista tries to apologize and I stare and him and the gross manhandling nurse, saying absolutely nothing. I'm sure she mouthed "bitch" as I left. However I could care less because my honey is on his way back home and I am happy =)