On Fuego

What a strange week. Lost access to my hotmail account for a few days and was shocked to log on Wednesday to several scary "updates" from friends and family in San Diego. just when i think i've managed to ween myself from obsessive checking of cnn.com for what's going on in the world - orange alerts, amber alerts, a new war, britney or lindsey back in rehab etc, this happens to suck me right back in. Mom and Carlos were evacuated from Escondido - first to a local school then to a nearby hotel until last night. Ramona and fam had bags packed and were ready to go but never had to. Friends Jen and Jackie both evacuated but no damage done to the house thank god. Cousins westley and forrest in Ventura didn't go to school since the air quality was so bad they shut down classes for a few days. Good god what is going on?

Tried to catch some of the coverage on BA channels last night on tv. I knew that with Bush and Arnie making a tour of the "disaster zone", it would have to make the news here. It was laughable. Somehow one of the spanish speaking correspondents found a San Diegan willing to attempt explaining his situation to the viewers in what he thought was espanol. After a few words, he blurted out in english "what's the word again for storm? yeah, yeah tormenta, that's it, like a tormenta". Its not like San Diego of all places lacks a spanish speaking populace but I guess the reporter just couldn't pull it together. Well, its the images that tell the story anyway. Here mother nature is in full spring fling. Friend Joni staying with us for two weeks spent the whole day in bed yesterday with a migraine like headache from allergies. Lots of pollen floating around. Last night rain crashed down for a few hours and flooded streets and parks. Today sunny and breezy again but in the past half hour the dark clouds rolled in again and appear to be threatening my friday evening running practice with another downpour.

am grateful all family and friends are safe in socal. i know thats not the case with everyone.