Crunch Time – 21 Days until the return to Puerto Vallarta

In the PNW, Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington, USA – the season has changed. The weather outside my cozy office environment is overcast, wet, and very cool (54 degrees). This is October in the great Pacific Northwest – warm one day, jacket and long pants the next day…or week. Our departure to Puerto Vallarta is in only 21 more days. It’s surprising how many more things there are to get accomplished in such a short time.

Presently Dolores is visiting her oldest daughter, Christine, in San Francisco. Chris has the lead performance with Teatro ZinZanni (Dinner Show) in both Seattle and currently in San Francisco. Set in a turn-of-the-century "spiegeltent," Teatro ZinZanni is a big night out unlike any other - a 3-hour whirlwind of cirque, comedy & cabaret all served up with a 5-course feast. Described as "the Kit Kat club on acid," and "the place where the Moulin Rouge meets Cirque du Soleil," Teatro ZinZanni is an unforgettable experience. We’ve seen the show many times in Seattle; however, this is the first time in San Francisco. She will return in the middle of the week – in the meantime I will be “Fostering” with several friends who have just returned to the local scene from their own late summer holidays.

The main laptop computer we use in Puerto Vallarta has slowed down considerably over the past 2 years, so I took this opportunity (the primary user’s absence) to take it in for a general “tune up” and cleaning – cleaning its internal works of the collection of PV dust. The ad in the local “Computer Source” magazine and newspaper advertised, “It’s like getting a New Computer For $50.” It went on to say “:Let trained technicians tune up your PC for just $49.” This same ad was prominently displayed in the store including the Technical Reception Desk. Can you guess where I’m heading? Happily receiving the Work Order receipt copy and leaving my computer with the store I cheerfully drove home (via several small intermittent stops) with a feeling of really getting something important accomplished. After I arrived home, I took out the W.O. to place next to my work area and just out of curiosity glanced at the contents and “viola”…price $50.00+tax. You think I was the first customer? Now I have to decide how to politely suggest the ad should have been worded so that at least the store staff could understand, or do you think this might already have happened before I return – politely.

Upon saying farewell to my friends at Ivars on Lake Union (U-District, Seattle) I encountered a local in a hurry for I know-not-where/what! He disputed my right-of-way at the first stop sign, stopped in front of me with a excited waving of his arms, and then wished me a “have a good evening, Pop’s.” You know how it is – on the drive home I thought of 50 marvelous responses I could have replied with, but did not. Guess the “Fostering” Gods were on duty watching out for my mouth! Oh well, now you know the rest of the story…lol.
Dolores returned mid-afternoon yesterday, our 31st wedding anniversary, from San Francisco. During my luncheon at Ivars our very close friend, Larry, who owns an antique motor yacht had suggested that we celebrate it with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres on the boat then move on to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Thus the evening was set and a wonderful time was had by all. For once the clouds had disappeared, the sun shone and the only moisture was from the lake. Dolores and I have been arguing about which anniversary year this is, my stated 31 years or her stated 32/33. Larry resolved this (temporarily?) by asserting he had met us the year he purchased the Beverage King a beer/wine/delicatessen that he owned for many years – and it was 1977 or 31 years. Now the search will intensify to relocate our marriage license and finalize this confusion. However, regardless of the specific time it’s been a most wonderful 30+ years!

Here's our host with Dolores and a shot of his beautiful boat.