CHARGE !

Yesterday evening we hit our very first American football game EVER together with Rob and Sandra (Go Chargers !).  Professionals that we are, we made sure to be kitted out with the appropriate attire; the lads opting for the more generic, non-committal, shirts sporting the Chargers logo, while Alma decided to buy me a "proper" shirt with number 71 on the back and the "I'm not quite sure how to pronounce it, so I'll keep quiet" name "GARAY".

Game on I say!  Veteran that I am, I spent the first couple of minutes bringing the lads up to speed on how it all works after which I start scanning around for number 71.  Number 17 (the Quarterback) is of course getting the appropriate level of attention - right numbers, but the wrong sequence.  So where oh where is number 71.  In fact, why doesn't anyone else in the whole stadium (and there were 53000+ people there despite the poor attendance) have a number 71 on.  At this stage I'm starting to think that maybe there was a reason my shirt was on sale for $17 at Walmart.

So, it turns out anyway that Antonio (we're on first name terms now after me googling him to death) was injured - hence the "no show" at the game, but my only guess as regards his overwhelming popularity is that he needs a new agent.  For instance, why would you do a promotion like this ?!?!? ...

My guy - Tony, showing us what his wife uses to get her around from one room to another back at the house.

The game itself was great.  Dallas were up 10-0 after the second quarter, and still ahead 13-7 after the third, only to see the Chargers romp back in the fourth to win a convincing 28-20.

Our view !

Despite the fact that the total event took almost 3.5 hours, the time really flew by - touchdown; high fives with people you don't even know - AWESOME !

Spiderman

Yesterday morning we headed downtown (cue a very tired Petula Clark at this stage) to watch one of the guys from work rappeling (or abseiling) down the side of a hotel building.  While it might all sound a little strange, it was actually an organised event for the charity KIT (Kids Included Together).  Each team had to raise a certain minimum amount of money before they could participate.  The hilarious thing was that the first time he had ever tried it before was the previous Wednesday in a GYM !

Turns out anyway that our fearless fund raising Spiderman didn't show any fear of heights.  Rather, he took his time; smiling and waving the whole way down (some people will do anything for a little attention).  Of course where there's one superhero, you're always going to find another trying to catch a bit of the limelight ! (Before going "huh" - check the photo). 

A budding Spiderman makes his way down the side of a rather tall building.  Meanwhile Batman - suspiciously close to his best bud Robin, can't resist the urge to simply walk past the dangling ropes.

They're Gone !

Well actually they're gone quite a while - two weeks in fact, but who could forget all those memorable moments like ... the most interesting thing at the world famous San Diego zoo - the hula hoop !

... or waiting for Jody to finish a meal / snack AGAIN !  It's no wonder that chap doesn't put on any weight - he burns it off as he's putting it on.

It's 17:30.  Though it may not look like it, we're already about 5 minutes into gorging the nachos and cheese.

15 minutes later and with a lot of help from bemused onlookers, we're entering the final 100m.  Only another 10 minutes to go !

... or cracking up laughing at Karl as he took on Ribh during the X-box dance championships.

Credit where credit is due though; for a big guy he sure can move !!!  Good times people - good times !

Stingray Stingray !

Solana Beach - our favorite beach destination, a beautiful secluded beach, magical cliffs, golden sand, fantastic waves and their very own STINGRAYS!! 

Poor Ribh fell victim to one of their nasty stings while having fun in the fabulous waves.  Karl came to her rescue and carried her heroically from the crashing waves.  His muscles glistened in the Californian sunshine as mothers gaped in admiration, gasping at....... Ok enough !!! Sorry I've just finished reading a trashy novel....  Can't you tell!!! 

Anyway back to reality .... foot gushing with blood Karl takes her over to the lifeguards.  Verdict was immediately reached...... STINGRAY!!!  She was then taken to the main lifeguard house for treatment.  This consisted of keeping her foot in hot water (as hot as she could take) for a couple of hours.  This was to stop the venom from traveling up her leg...... Pretty serious stuff eh?   Me, the loving Auntie was first of all thinking, "thank God it wasn't me" as poor Ribh trembled with pain & shock.......is that wrong?  Then as the hunky lifeguard was explaining how painful it can be, my only concern was trying to breath while struggling to keep my stomach in (why on earth did I not think to cover up before going to check on Ribh?).  I really wanted to take a photo for the blog but now that would have been BAD!! 

After about 1.5 hours, Ribh was free to go but not before she was shown a stuffed stingray and allowed to beat the crap out of it for stinging her.  I'm proud to say, she really did beat the crap out of it.... I wonder should we buy them a new one???

Just to prove I'm not really a bad Auntie, I did promise her a huge ice-cream for being such a brave little girl.  As you can see, this went down well !!!