I recently decided that it was time for me to take a little alone time. I had been working on a few extra projects for <strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> and had also been involved with a few charity events while maintaining my usual day-to-day schedule. Handling it all was workable, but at one point I went into overload. You know the feeling when you are trying to do literally four things at one time and then cannot find your cell phone? <strong>The</strong>n I have to search for it while doing so is delaying me from doing the other things. After an hour of frustration and calling the cell from the landline to try to locate it, I finally hear it very faintly and eventually find it under some files I had put in a closet. Well, it was about that time I decided to head for Southern California. I rearranged some meetings and deadlines, and I just did it. I spent the first night in San Luis Obispo and had a great dinner with my niece Casey and her fiancé, Ian. It just so happens we ate at a restaurant called Fireside Grill. When I arrived, about 20 minutes before they did, there were dozens of San Francisco Giants fans cheering the team in a playoff game, and many were proud to be wearing orange and black to show their support. Felt right at home. After a great night with them and a good night’s sleep, I was on my way to Palm Desert. I had gotten a new Samsung Galaxy 4G phone and was still getting used to all the features. I became fast friends with the voice navigation system that guided me everywhere with accuracy. I was in no hurry, so I took my time and stopped many times along the way. My favorite stop was Pepperdine University in Malibu. <strong>The</strong> view from the football field is amazing! Once closer to Palm Desert, I stopped for a beverage break and noticed an all-you-can-eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. Needless to say, I got my beverage and left that town as soon as I could. If not, I might have spent the night in KFC. I followed my navigation voice, arrived at the Marriott Villas in what seemed like no time and began my five-day stay. I checked in and almost before I knew it, I was unpacked and lying by the pool area with an ice-cold beverage. I have to admit that is mostly what I did the entire time I was there. Wake up, eat, go to the pool area, eat, afternoon nap, pool area, eat, beverages, back to the pool area until closing and then eat and sleep. I did, however, work out on three days, so it did not feel like an absolute waste. On the second night, I realized there was a presidential debate. I felt like watching it with others, so I contacted the local Democratic Club, found out where they were having a “watching” party and joined them. It was fun and interesting. <strong>The</strong>y are the same as the Demos here, but they are in a bloodbath battle of a congressional race between incumbent Republican Mary Bono Mack and Democrat Raul Ruiz. <strong>The</strong> www.<strong>Spectrum</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.net As I Was Saying… Publisher television ads and the debates (which are actual debates) were the nastiest and most competitive I have ever seen. <strong>The</strong> rhetoric was simply amazing to watch, even for the limited time I did. <strong>The</strong> entire stay there was enjoyable and very self-reflective. <strong>The</strong> last night I was there, I met a woman at the pool/bar area who was from San Mateo and was glued to the Giants playoff game on one television and the 49ers game on the other. Life is good! We had a nice conversation — we found we even had some friends in common — and soon went our separate ways. After a great night’s sleep, I was on my way to Southern California’s Venice Beach for a five-day stay. Navigation got me there just fine. I checked into the Erwin Hotel and rested before meeting my nephew Nick for dinner. He had just relocated and got a job in Santa Monica, so we were near each other and had a great time catching up and watching the now World Series Giants game at a local bar and grill. Life is good. I have fallen in love with Beverly Hills. I feel so relaxed and comfortable there, like very few places outside of <strong>Redwood</strong> City make me feel. <strong>The</strong> streets are clean, people are happy, friendly and enthusiastic, business diversity is plentiful and the weather is always great. <strong>The</strong> last time I had been down there, I met and became friends with a few people, and I met up with them over the next couple of days for art fairs, parties, events and dinners. <strong>The</strong>re is always something going on in the Hills and I love it all. I am not the type of person to be impressed by “celebrities” of any sort, be they athletes, actors, entertainers or politicians. I think that is why I count many as my friends. In fact, half of the time, when I am first around some “celebrity,” I don’t even know who they are or who they think they are. I am just interested in the person, not the name. I recall one time when I had first become friends with a national television journalist and on-air personality. She was telling me about a gift she got from a “fan,” and my response was, “You have fans?” She laughed and just said it was “so you.” <strong>The</strong> last night I was in the Hills I had dinner with some friends and then returned to Santa Monica to spend some “self” time at a local pub, watching the Giants destroy the Detroit Tigers. <strong>The</strong>n I went back to my hotel room for a quiet night, preparing for the return home in the morning. <strong>The</strong>n it was, “Navigator, take me home!” Seven hours later, I rolled up to the Farm Hill exit on Highway 280 and felt both calm and excited. Once back in <strong>Redwood</strong> City, I went to a friend’s house to watch the Giants win another game. One of the qualities of being single is that we depend on friends much more to fill that “companion” role, and I am fortunate to have many I call true friends. | Steve Penna So dropping by a friend’s or family member’s home before returning to my own home is natural for me. I finally arrived at home to a cat who seemed not to have missed me, or perhaps she wanted to let me know she did not appreciate being left in the care of someone who does not let her sleep in their bed. Next day, back to work and the same routine. I found myself feeling bitter about being back. I was jealous of the guy who had carelessly spent the past <strong>11</strong> days in what can only be described as completely spontaneous adventures. I already missed him, admired him and wanted to be him again. That is, until Thursday arrived. I attended an event sponsored by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. <strong>The</strong> anti-bullying event was honoring a friend of mine, Paula Uccelli. To be honest, I did not really want to go and would not have gone had it not been her being honored or someone just as deserving or special to me. I arrived late because I had picked up my godsons from school and had our usual Thursday “adventure” time together. It ran longer than expected but was exactly what I needed as an attitude adjustment. When I arrived at the event, I immediately saw faces I was really happy to see, which is not always the case at events like this. But, let’s face it, everyone was there to do something extremely special. I was honored to be seated at a table that included Assemblyman Jerry Hill (the master of ceremonies), keynote speaker Greg Louganis and attorney Ted Hannig, who introduced Louganis. I mean, really, I was sitting next to the most successful Olympic diver of all time and honoring a great friend, surrounded by a roomful of people I admire and respect. That’s when I was reminded of the obvious. <strong>The</strong>re are things that connect us all in one way or another. It could be supporting a local sports team, loving a particular city or town, enjoying a good debate, meeting a “celebrity” (whether it be Katie Couric or Angel Gonzalez-Prado), being single or, yes, even following the navigation systems that guide you. But when it comes down to it, I always want to be guided back home: the place where I get inspired, loved, entertained, frustrated, annoyed and completely fulfilled. So the next time I start feeling like I just might want to move to a different area, or I admire something I don’t have, all I need to do is click the heels of my size 15 Air Jordan sneakers and say, “<strong>The</strong>re’s no place like home!” <strong>Redwood</strong> City, California! As I was saying… .…
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Spectrum</strong> 7
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