Marriage equality: It's high (court) time

It's good, not only for gays and lesbians, it's good for the kids, as Justice Anthony Kennedy noted.

Sh*t My Deaf Husband Says: March Madness Ed.

After finally figuring out how to hook up speakers to our flat screen TV in the bookcase....

Me:  Good for you! Can you hear better?
Hubs:  Did I clean the gutters?

The refractory life of Harry Reems

I never saw "Deep Throat" with Harry Reems and Linda Lovelace. Not that I wasn't curious, considering the crazy hype surrounding the skin flick in 1972. But, at 16, I wasn't old enough to get in the theater (which was probably a blessing, in hindsight.) Two years later, however, I did participate, as a (clothed) extra, in the filming of "Linda Lovelace for President" on the University of Kansas campus. My then-roommate even had a line, one - to our great "premiere night" delight - was NOT left on the cutting room floor. Except for that line, I remember very little about the movie, but I'm pretty sure Harry wasn't in it. In fact, I haven't thought about Reems at all, until learning of his death this morning. The story in the NYTimes describes his rise and fall (sorry) in show business, his alcoholism and legal woes, and ultimate redemption in Utah, of all places.  What strikes me is Reems' age at death: 65. Lovelace died at 53 after a car accident. At 57, this just gives me pause today.

Hatha or Vinyasa? That is the question.

I returned from Mexico, gung-ho about yoga. Stretching your hamstrings in a palapa overlooking the Pacific Ocean will do that to you. So, I dug out my old yoga DVDs and signed up for membership in a local yoga studio, where I took my first 'vinyasa flow' class the other night. Wow! It was a whole lot different - and more strenuous - than what I did up in that palapa. Turns out, I was doing Hatha yoga in Mexico which is a whole 'nother animal than Vinyasa. Here's a good explanation of the latter.  The hubs says I prefer Hatha because I can show off better in class. (I was born limber and can do freakish things with my limbs...when properly warmed up.) In fact, my jury is still out while I explore both styles - not to mention Bikram, which I might try this weekend.  However, I'm convinced that yoga is the way to go if you want a multi-purpose workout for strength, flexibility and balance training. I'm just sad it's taken me so long to hop on the train. Ommmmm.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Sincerely, Shillelagh O'Bourbon

Nina Conti: Redefining ventriloquism

Need a laugh today? This'll do it.

Montezuma, er, gracias?!?

No sooner had I bragged about escaping the intestinal troubles of my husband on our last night in Mexico, I succumbed to the dreaded "travelers affliction" a day or so after we landed on home soil. There was only one day of real bathroom camping, but the rest of week has been uneasy, at best - little to no appetite and the occasional but fleeting sharp pain in the dead center of my gut. The good news is, I've lost any weight gained on the trip and then some. The bad news is, the jungle-like noises my stomach continues to make at the most inopportune time.  I'm fairly sure I woke the dog this morning without saying a word.

Pope Alarm has no snooze button

Who's got time to sit around watching TV, waiting for the white smoke? I just signed up on Pope Alarm to let someone do the watching and waiting for me. Papal cool.

Me and my stupid first world problems

I was beyond depressed. It was my first day back from vacation - the Monday after daylights savings time kicked in, no less, which meant I woke up in the dark. It was cold and dreary outside. I had to wear a coat and gloves, my shorts and flip-flops a mere memory.  "This sucks," I said to myself as I trudged up the stairs to my dusty office. Then, I saw this...

....246....247....248....(counting blessings)....249...250...251...252....

Color en el dormitorio

Instead of t-shirts and silver jewelry souvenirs, we splurged on this beautiful Mexican blanket made exclusively for our hotel (at least, that's what they told us.) It's the perfect complement to our old pine headboard, and lends a much-needed punch of color en la casa until Spring has officially sprung. (Now, I've got to do something about those dull lamps.)

Going out with a bang

Our last evening started at a bar (naturamente) where we "watched" the home team lose on my iPad via ESPN. In the end, we were happy not to have had to see it.




Then, we moseyed down the lane to this place, rated the Número Uno restaurant in Sayulita on Trip Advisor...












Indeed, it was muy bueno and mucho cheapo.




I got two steak tacos; the hubs got a steak, a chorizo and a fish.




Afterward, we walked down to the beach for a free reggae concert where I came to one of those life-altering revelations you can only get on vacation: I'm not a huge fan of reggae. Back to the hotel we went to pack and get a good night's sleep before the flight home today. One hour after our heads hit the pillow, the hubs sprang from bed and sprinted to el bano. Como se dice Montezuma's Revenge?? I, somehow, was spared. Needless to say, it was a loooong night, but thanks to Imodium AD, mi esposo is muy bueno a hora, and we are now happy to be home in cold and gray Kansas. Adios, Mexico! Hope to see you again soon. But, not too soon.

Making the scene

The big surfing and paddleboard tournament started today, turning our relatively quiet beach into a Happening.


















We go home tomorrow and, I have to say, I won't miss some of the craziness. But, I will miss this...


...the no makeup, wash 'n' wear hair, blissed-out feeling you can only get from a day on the beach.
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Feliz Friday

Friday was Market Day in Sayulita and, more importantly, the hubs' 59th birthday. Shopping and birthdays - a fitting combination. (Remember: Click pics for bigger and more clear images.)












He wanted to buy this car, if only for the cutout in the shotgun seat, but I told him he'd have to drive it home without me.





Finally, a delicious birthday dinner at the gorgeous Villa Amor resort. The end to a perfect Mexican day.

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For medicinal purposes only, mind you.

Last night, as I was readying myself to go out, I slipped on the wet tile of the bathroom step and fell on my patootata (that's Mexican for arse). I'm talking a hard fall, all the way down to the hard floor. (Are you noticing my intentional overuse of the word 'hard'?) I landed on my right hip and somehow managed to involve my right knee and both elbows in the process. Ever the trooper, I immediately swallowed three ibuprofen (don't leave home without it) and went out for the night. There's where the tequila came in. Magical healing properties, that tequila has....especially the two nightcap shots I had from our chef friend Luca's FBB (effing blue bottle). I don't know what it was, but it did the trick. And I feel remarkably fine this morning, too....except for my right kneecap which is clicking like a castanet.

Rule Numero Uno: Ask the locals

One of many reasons we like to chat everyone up when we travel is to get the inside scoop -- like where do the locals go when they want a killer taco?
Yesterday, we found out...





That's Naty in the blue. Her tacos - chicken, beef or pork mole and grilled marlin, among others - sell out by noon most days.


Yep, they're that good. Delicioso!
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Sexy en la esquina

There was a small commotion on our corner yesterday, due to an American Eagle photo shoot...one that took 15 crew members to photograph two models.








The first photo shoot in Sayulita was in the mid 90s when Vogue came to town to shoot models in special black pearls sold at the Pachamama's boutique. Since then, just about everybody's been here. In fact, they just wrapped a reality show about surfers looking for love a few weeks ago. (We're glad to have missed that, I must say.)

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The day we rented the golf cart

(You know you can click on the photos and see them full size, right?)
I took it slow walking back from yoga this morning and enjoyed the view.




I met a horse named Pancho and stopped to chat.




Returning home, I discovered the hubs had rented a golf cart for the day.
This is totally unnecessary in a town this size, but I was happy nonetheless.


However, he was reluctant to let me drive as traffic can get a little loco and my loco-ness on the road back home is legendary. I decided I wouldn't push it....yet. So, we went to breakfast and split some Mexican eggs with chorizo...



Then toured the ritzy neighborhoods and drove to Playa de Los Muertos by the cemetery (I'm obsessed with that place) where we lolled in peaceful seclusion.
















Then it was onto a beachside bar where the hubs had two Pacificos and agreed to let me drive home...




Look how delighted I am. Turns out, these Mexicans have nada on this loco lady from Kansas. Siesta time!

Beachin' is bitchin'

Yesterday was a designated beach day when, armed with my autographed copy of Lawrence's own Laura Moriarty's "The Chaperone," I took to my rented umbrella chair and chillaxed all day.


I took this shot of a surfer's amazing hair, only to later crack up at the wussy guy in the background, tip-toeing into the water. (It's not that cold, fella. Really.)


We managed to say "no gracias" to every beach vendor, except the one selling this little item.


Once in a while, we'd get up and walk to the end of the beach for a change of perspective.


And that was about it, until my massage at 3, which was another story completely.
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1st Annual Sayulita Margarita Contest

Argh! I had a great video from last night, but the Mexican Internet isn't having it.


So, the idea is, you buy a ticket for 18 dollars and get to sample the best efforts of ten local bartenders in a "bottomless" cup while eating delicious snacks and listening to live music with other appreciative locals on a rooftop.
Meanwhile, there are judges giving serious consideration to the margaritas, as there are bragging rights and a good deal of cash involved.





Not to mention a very fancy trophy. In the end, our new friends from the wine bar did not win (that's Luca's "Stargarita" made with star fruit juice in the middle)....


But a good time was had by all, I'm bringing home lots of new recipes, and I'm happy to report I'm no worse for the wear this morning....although a strong cup of java is certainly called for. Buenos dias!

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