spring break

Sounds like yours truly is being roped into chaperoning the boys again for spring break. Jules is dead set on going back to 30A to be with all his friends for an endless beach party. No other parents are willing to do it. And I can’t say I blame them. It’s creating a ton of stress for the kids and with only two weeks to go, most everything is already booked. Any form of planning and coordination has been abysmal. Leave it to Steph to come in right at the last minute and say she’d go with me. So that may be just the ticket.

AI octopus

weird little contest my department is running. Use Microsoft AI to generate the funniest G rated image as voted on by your peers. Winner gets an Amazon gift card. Must be a single prompt only using the following words:

banana, umbrella, phlox, elation, socks, octopus

here’s what i wrote and Ai envisioned

a surreal painting of a vast field of phlox on a sunny day, with an elated octopus tiptoeing in socks, while holding an umbrella and eating a banana

new driveway

We bit the bullet and went large on a backyard makeover. Since the very beginning we knew we needed to create a buffer somehow between us and our neighbors. Our sight line stared straight into their ugly solar roof. And ever since we put in the pool, the need to create separation and a courtyard feel became top of mind. That and our two tone gravel driveway made of 57 stone and some decomposing slate chips was turning into a total mess. We came THIS close to going down the wrong path but right as we were about to execute, Steph found us a great designer who helped us envision an economically viable yet completely transformative approach. A 6 man crew has been out here for three days now. Steph and I have been on cloud 9 watching it all take shape.

sAt

Jules has his SAT first thing in the morning. He’s doing a little last minute cramming and practice exercises at home right now. I don’t know who’s more nervous or excited to take the test. Him or me. I’m leaning over his shoulder trying to answer the questions like my own score depends on it. I need to back off. Poor kid has enough pressure on himself

renting our house

I got an Airbnb inquiry for our Thompson Place house today. Her note said they were being reloed to the area and would commit to at least a 3 month stay whist they house hunted. She had great reviews and her bio said she lived in Redondo Beach. So we spoke on the phone and lo and behold, we went to the same high school back in the day at Manhattan Beach. She was a senior while I was a freshman. Her husband was also in the car but didn’t do much talking. Got around to asking what range they wanted to be in to which he piped up and said 5k. I was gunning for more like 7. I’d settle for 6 though. It’s still an awful lot of money and I want to make a deal. We’ll see…

friday

well… we made it! The week is over. House is clean and the dogs have been cared for. Steph and Sophia both land tomorrow! Each arriving separately but reuniting together after monumental trips. Hard to believe Sophia hasn’t been back in over a year. It’s bound to be one of those loving airport scenes you see in the movies. I can’t wait to have my family all together again. I think I’ll make tacos and brighten up the place with a bouquet of fresh flowers.