What’s better than spending Christmas in Canada when there’s not enough snow to go sledding? Spending Christmas in Arizona when it has above average “winter” temperatures.
Since you don’t come to this blog to read about unicorns (unless some catastrophe has befallen them – say, a guillotine), here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of our 15 days in Arizona, the state whose motto is “God Enriches” (as in “God Enriches Us So Border Patrol Guards May Check Every Car To See If the Driver and Passengers Look White Enough”).
Memory 1: Travel Days
The Good: No one vomited this time, which is always a bonus on any trip. It is even better when the new-car smell of the rental car is not replaced by Eau d’Acid Chunks.
The Bad: Just after we arrived home in Calgary, Vivian had a migraine and slept for 14 hours, including sleepwalking episodes where she was non-responsive.
The Ugly: Me. After a day of traveling and a night of checking on my daughter to ensure she was doing what she’s supposed to (i.e. breathing), I was rockin’ the zombie look.
Memory 2: The View
- The Colorado River
The Good: This was the sunset every night from where we stayed.
The Bad: The sunset happened too quickly. Grumble, grumble.
The Ugly: The glass of wine also happened too quickly.
Memory 3: Christmas Morning
The Good: I loved spending the day with my my mom and dad and watching the kids squeal about their presents, including Gramma-Jammas,” Lego Ninjago, slippers, puzzles, games, and underwear that was not too small.
The Bad: After I made pancakes outside on the lefse maker, William played on the beach. He buried two of his Lego Ninjagos, left the scene to go to the bathroom, and returned to permanently lost treasures.
The Ugly: My husband, who worked as an archeologist for a few years (including time at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump), spent hours raking the beach, to no avail. Those Ninjas were stealthy. So were the bison evidently, because he didn’t find any skulls along the Colorado River.
Memory 4: Seeing my First NBA Game
- Note the random rock picture, to fill in the collage
The Good: I’ve played my share of hoops but have never seen an NBA game. My husband and I are Steve Nash fans, so we bought ourselves Phoenix Suns tickets. Prior to the game, we ate at a yummy place called The Arrogant Butcher.
The Bad: The wine I had with dinner was lousy, but I’m Canadian so I didn’t send it back. Steve Nash played like his hands and feet were frostbitten; he’s Canadian and he wasn’t sent back (out) either.
The Ugly: The final score.
Memory 5: Going to San Diego
The Good: We went to the San Diego Zoo, we got a great deal on a hotel, and I met with my agent, which was inspiring, rejuvenating and gave me lots to think about.
The Bad: We tried to eat at a busy fish market in La Jolla, but William couldn’t deal with the smell of recently dead marine life.
The Ugly: You could get a seat sale that costs less than the price of food at the zoo. And they wouldn’t even let me deep fry any animals, likely due to the strength of the environmental movement in SoCal.
Memory 6: Visiting the 67-Year-Old Naked Bookseller in Quartzsite
It’s up to you to decide if this is the good, the bad, or the ugly. Prior to opening a used bookstore, Paul Winer was an exotic dancer.
There’s nothing quite like the untamed wild West.
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What’s the good, the bad, and the ugly in your life?
I think the “ugly” in my life was just worsened by clicking on the link above with Mr. Weiner. No more bookstores for me! What kind of bookstore was this anyway?
It was a used bookstore. He knows his collection well, IYKWIM.
The Good: I’m moving along with my WIP.
The Bad: I’m blogging less and missing everyone.
The Ugly: who would think planning the after-party to a bar mitzvah could be so miserable. Thank goodness my son is holding up his end of things.
Ugh. I can’t imagine planning a bar mitzvah. I sub-letted the planning for my wedding to proxy brides.
Was it way too weird for a Canadian to spend a warm Christmas? I live in Chicago, and never got into the “Christmas spirit” due to 50 degree weather…
It is odd, though I had 8 hot Christmases when I lived overseas. But for me, Christmas = snow.
Having a son who baptized more than one hotel room with barf, I could totally relate to your first memory. Overall I’d say the good outweighed the other two on your trip….although the nekkid dude at the end might tip the scales.
Thanks!
Amy
Oh. A hotel room. So not good, Amy.
What’s the good, the bad, and the ugly in your life?
You know…
Great post! I enjoyed reading about a cool vacationing family – for once!
I think I do know!
The Good: my closet is getting remodeled for better storage. (this is also bad at the moment because the bowels of the closet are all in my bedroom)
The Bad: I pulled my back out moving furniture and my 3-year-old has croupy-cough-fever-thing
The Ugly: That award probably still has to go to my naked big toe. 5 months and counting…
Your poor toe and your poor 3-year-old. I hope everyone is healthy soon. Perhaps you can have a time out in your closet?
Ew… we had the croupy-cough-fever thing just before Christmas. I how they get better and take care of your back!
Sounds like a fabulous vacation. There always seems to be a little bad and ugly mixed in…..
So true…
The Good: I was also in Quartzsite 2 years ago with eager anticipation of shopping at this unique little book store.
The Bad: the shop was temporarily closed the day I was there,denying me the pleasure of checking out two of my favorite things…..books and naked old men.
The Ugly: In hind site ( no pun intended), seeing pictures of the famous ex-stripper, possibly I’ve been spared a site my feeble old heart is not quite ready for.
“In hind sight” – bwahaha. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you my Godmom and my auntie. Same gene pool as my mom. 🙂
The Good: I loved my postcard! Yeah!
The Bad: You used “Spurfle” incorrectly (in the postcard) but got extra points for your correct usage of “Grungly” (in the postcard).
The Ugly: I’m pretty sure my invitation to nanny the twins and the Things while you were on vacation was lost in the mail. I mean, I could have really used a vacation, er, job in Arizona and California…
Side Note: THanks for not posting the photos of naked guy on the blog; it was thoughtful. 🙂
Glad you got the postcard. And spurfle…sigh.
Well hey, you have to take the good with the ugly 🙂 sounds like an awesome adventure!!
I did. Thanks for the comment, RNP!
I just have to comment that you mentioned unicorns and guillotines in one sentence. That is amazing. (One of my guilty pleasures is that I heart guillotines. And occasionally I like to say that things make unicorns cry.)
Of course, the rest of the post cracked me up, too! 🙂
Best comment ever. I think we need to meet someday.
every day has some good bad and ugly, today the ugly is me with a cold, the bad is the cough and the good staying home.
I hope you’re almost better!
LOVE me some Steve Nash. Yum. Sorry he played like shite, but at least you got to watch him live, right?
My grandparents moved to Arizona when I was a kid and I got to spend a Christmas there when I was about 12. I was not impressed with the 75 degree weather during that time of year. It just felt . . . wrong. Plus, sand and rocks everywhere, instead of evergreens and snow. Nope. Not having it.
True, it is different. But Steve Nash. Yes.
Good: Steve Nash … usually. Like, a lot!
– Crazy California and Arizona … usually
– ironicmom posts
– me winning the ironicmom avatar contest
Bad: Um, naked ex-strippers!
– not eating seafood in La Jolla – one of my favorite places on earth!!
Ugly: Me in cold weather!
– Me losing the ironicmom avatar contest
Ha. Your entry to the avatar contest is fab. And yes, not eating seafood in La Jolla. It just means we’ll have to go back.
#1. This was great!
#2. I SERIOUSLY love your blog’s tagline.
I’m a little late but enjoyed the recap nevertheless. I hope I don’t get sent back. Good thing you’re Canadian.