By The Wiz
I’m supposed to be in Utah right now. I’m supposed to be packing up the remains of the house, selling off a bunch of crap priceless heirlooms, and generally seeing people I don’t get to see as often as I’d like.
I’m not there, obviously. Monday I had a big pity party for myself, but ever since then I’ve been all right. I’m trying to remember (and mostly succeeding) that not always being in control is in the plan, and there’s not a whole lot I can do at the moment, other than hope another buyer shows up soon.
However, I still reserve the right to be completely irrational, and I’ve decided to throw my family in the car and go to San Diego over the fourth of July weekend. SeaWorld, here we come! The news of this trip assauged my children’s sadness that the Utah trip was cancelled.
Actually, I really think a lot of it was the fact that school is starting up again in a couple of weeks (let’s hear it for a year-round schedule! Can I get a woot-woot!) and my oldest knew she was going to be faced with the question “What did you do over the Summer Break?” and she would have to answer with “Nothing.” (Unless you count going to the local skating rink, which I have TOTALLY DONE, which is progress for me, even if I didn’t actually strap on any skates.)
And now she can tell people she went to California and saw Shamu, although I can’t possibly believe it’s the same Shamu as the one I used to go see when I was little. I can’t be positive on that, not being completely “up” on my knowledge of the Orca and its life span, but I’m willing to bet there have been several “Shamu”s over the years.
So now I have replaced my fear with something concrete and fun to look forward to. Please don’t rob my house while I’m gone.




oOoh! i happen to be a big fan of san diego! where are you guys staying? i expect you to post a specific hotel address and room number right here for all of the internet to read (and thus stalk). make sure to take the kids by the temple! it’s the only one that’s all disneyland-space-ship-looking. and if you need a list of other fun things to do while here, just ask! i’m a san diego native, recently returned “home.” our last pitstop was two years in los angeles and shamu (in all of his incarnations) has done much to soothe my girls’ hurt over no longer maxing out their disneyland passes.
Comment #1 by makakonaJune 27th, 2008 at 5:42 pmNow if I remember right, you aren’t allowed on skates…? Or correct me if I’m wrong.
San Diego rules- or at least it does when it’s not burning.
Comment #2 by Tracy MJune 27th, 2008 at 6:20 pmMake sure you visit Mt. Soledad in the evening and see the entire area lit up - especially the temple. It’s a gorgeous sight.
Comment #3 by RayJune 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pmah! love sea world SD. we went there 3 days after our wedding and did a dolphin adventure thing. Great fun…Shamu Rocks!
Comment #4 by rebekahJune 27th, 2008 at 6:57 pmIf you are into Church History, check out Old Town where they have a great Visitors’ Center and can give you all kinds of coolio info on the Mormon Battalion (longest on foot trek by any US military, women and chillin’ came along too, LDS helped settle SD…stuff like that!) Also the Mission in SD where again, you can get coolio Mormon facts like they took over the chapel and used it for a horse barn for a while.
I also dig the views and info out at the Point Loma Light house, cool military grave yard along the way and the light house is awesome.
Comment #5 by s'meeJune 27th, 2008 at 7:16 pmI’ve always wondered how Shamu could exist in the both the SeaWorld in Cali AND in Florida. He must be some Super Whale!
Comment #6 by SherrieJune 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pmWe also see Shamu at SeaWorld San Antonio. That whale gets around. Be warned that the new Shamu show “Believe” will make you cry. It is total emotional manipulation.
Comment #7 by FairchildJune 27th, 2008 at 8:37 pmAhhh San Diego on the 4th of July…just be prepared for crowded beaches and especially Sea World. (I live in San Diego) But seriously there are some dang good fireworks shows down by the bay. If you get in the right spot usually you can see 3 or 4 at a time. Have fun!
Comment #8 by Jamie JJune 27th, 2008 at 10:40 pmI was going to suggest you go see a “movie on the mast” at the Star of India, except apparently they’ve all been postponed until 2009.
Have a great time!!
Comment #9 by SallyGirlJune 27th, 2008 at 11:53 pm“…that not always being in control is in the plan…”
The suckiest part of the plan, as far as I’m concerned. ;>
San Diego is nice, breezy balm for the stressed out soul. I hope you have a really wonderful, relaxing time. And that lots and lots of people get into a gigantic bidding ward over your house while you’re gone.
Comment #10 by SueJune 28th, 2008 at 1:51 amSan Diego Rocks! there are some really cool surfer suburbs if you get a chance to take a mini road trip while you’re there. Oh! Don’t forget the zoo! It’s pretty great! Have a good time, and I hope everything works out for the best with selling your house.
Comment #11 by mellocelloJune 28th, 2008 at 6:15 amWow s’mee, I need to get down there and check that stuff out.
Have fun Wiz.
Comment #12 by Susan MJune 28th, 2008 at 7:28 amWoohoo! San Diego rocks. Balboa park rocks! Make sure to grab some taquitos or mordaditas at El Indios. And then grab a sandwich at ConPane and head down to the lighthouse and Cabrillo monument. You’ll drive through the memorial cemetary on the way and it’s free to go to the monument. Enjoy the sandwiches, at the corner of Cajon and Rosecrans, in Pt.Loma. Then head south to the memorial.
We’re heading to SLO for the holiday or I’d say s’mee and I would meet ya for a day!
Comment #13 by chroniclerJune 28th, 2008 at 8:39 amchronicler, my mouth is watering… what I miss most about California, hands down, is the food. MMmmmmmmm.
Comment #14 by Tracy MJune 28th, 2008 at 9:57 amYou’re allowed to do something completly irrational… but, Sea World doesn’t sound that crazy, it sounds fun!
Skating Rink? Ah, the things I have to look forward to.
Have a good time.
Comment #15 by AndiJune 28th, 2008 at 9:58 amNope, different Shamu.
Comment #16 by Alison WonderlandJune 28th, 2008 at 9:33 pmEnjoy your pity party.
Have fun in San Diego!
But I HATE, HATE, HATE year round school!!! You just get settled in to a nice routine, and wham! you have to switch to a different routine. HATE it.
Comment #17 by StrollerbladerJune 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pmGive us some news about the SSM or reaction from Californians about this stuff. I’ve read some members are encourage to walk-out by their gay-lesbian member families..
Comment #18 by ThoughtskotoJune 29th, 2008 at 5:05 amSince there was one vote for, I vote against SSM debates on MMW. End of threadjack.
San Diego’s fun. What we didn’t expect when we moved there was the chilly summer evenings. The thing we don’t miss about SD is the housing.
Comment #19 by ResearcherJune 29th, 2008 at 5:13 amHow weird. We’re taking a road trip to San Diego July 14-17. We’re going to the zoo, Balboa Park, and Mission SD. Thanks for the tips on where to eat!! Mmm. Mexican food!
Comment #20 by meemsJune 29th, 2008 at 12:12 pmI have an aunt who lives on Coronado in those really tall condos - the best place to watch fire works. You can see 4 to 5 different shows.
Hit Sea Port Village while you’re there - great, great shops. I had the chance once to be in the Shamu show with my dad once. Got to hug baby Shamu. Good times.
Have fun!!
Comment #21 by AmyJune 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pmHave a wonderful time! We are still keeping you guys in our prayers for a quick home sale! And we can’t wait until you get to stop by and hang out for awhile.
Comment #22 by Tammy and ParkerJune 30th, 2008 at 10:12 amUmm, just to FYI you, the Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center in Old Town is closedfor remodeling.
I would go visit Coronado–just across the bay from San Diego. They have an amazing beach and the best ice cream ever at Moo Time. Just ask for Brownie Batter.
Comment #23 by NancyJuly 1st, 2008 at 12:16 am