You know what I could really go for? Canadian.

I spotted this in downtown Toronto. This just tickled me. How often have you thought of going out for some Canadian comfort food?

He's checking it twice

On my way back to LA, I spotted this gentleman in the Delta Sky Club in Salt Lake City.

I didn't realize that Santa flew commercial during the rest of the year.

Gutsy

Hanging out with cousins at the Pretend City children's museum in Irvine. I particularly like the "Brain" headband.

Old Abe Lincoln

One of Ellen's many construction paper costumes from kindergarten. She performed a rousing "Old Abe Lincoln" song for us. I don't remember this from elementary school. Somehow between the 70s and the 10s, Abe Lincoln earned the "old." I guess we just keep aging -- even after death.

Why don't waiting rooms ever have THIS month's issue?

At the vet. No, really. I'm not sure if this is a real magazine or an (intentional) joke. I'm afraid to Google it to find out.

Toy Story: After Dark

I came home from work and found this scene on the bed. Apparently, I missed a hell of a party.

Creationist Park

Road trip! We decided to take a family vacation across the southwest to visit my cousins in New Mexico, stopping for a few days in Phoenix on the way. Our first stop is the delightful Wheel Inn in Cabazon, California, known for its great homemade food and pies. Adjacent to the Wheel Inn is a classic example of road weirdness -- giant dinosaur replicas. They were originally built back in the 60s to attract tourists.

In the 90s, new owners turned them into a Creationist museum! Not what you expect to find in the belly of a dinosaur.

Winter wonderland

Snow? What's that? Something up in the mountains?

The local mall dumps a few tons of snow on its plaza for a lark. Look, you can wear mittens and throw snowballs and pretend you're freezing to death -- just like up north!

That's not right

This is what Target is selling as "holiday milk." Remember, America has no obesity problem. We might have a vampire problem, though.

Cold cuts

Found this on the cutting board in the morning. WHAT did Rachel make for Ellen's lunch???

Fairies

Guest photo by Ellen. While I was checking us in to the doctor's office, Ellen took a picture of me, then glammed it up with her fairy app.

Flying Trabants!

October 24
I had a half a day between the end of the meeting and my flight home to catch the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Fun museum. I liked the flying Trabants decorating the lobby. I think they were from a U2 tour.

Part of your balanced breakfast

I took Ellen to our local bagel place for breakfast. Her breakfast of choice: a chocolate chip bagel and a basket of bacon. The kid has interesting eating habits.

If you can read this, you're the man for me

The license plate frame says "Are you the" and the plate is "RYT1 4ME."

If the answer is yes, tailgate her until she marries you.

There oughtta be a law

... and in California, there is! This was stuck up on the wall of a normal, run of the mill, chain restaurant. You should see the big warning label they put on new cars. Don't eat the car -- it might be bad for you.

Rough Rider

We're on a "date" at the mall. She likes making silly faces for the camera now.

Laugh until you puke

Alas, time to go home. V Australia likes to put cheeky, humorous notes all over their planes -- everything, including the salt n' pepper packets, is covered with sarcastic little jokes.

Action or Cottons?

From the minibar at the Manly Novotel. What kind of night are YOU going to have?

Femme Fatale

Ever since she worked in Corrections, Rachel's been obsessed with prisons and prisoners. She has a collection of toy prisoners (which she easily added to in Australia, a landed founded as a penal colony). Here at the police and justice museum, she got to indulge her passion.

Lady in Pink

I wish I had been able to get a better shot of this. My shot-from-my-car-in-traffic oeuvre needs further development. This is an outstanding exemplar of a definitely noticeable SoCal subculture ... middle-aged Asian women who "pink out" their rides. You can't see much of the detail, but the entire inside of this off-the-rack Camry was decked out in pink Hello Kitty coverings. Pink leather seats, giant fluffy pink steering wheel cover, the works.