Visiting friends at the ole stomping ground…Davis 2009
Hi everyone, I hope yer all hopped up on aloha. I am doing real well these days.
Two weeks ago I went up for my annual pilgrimage to UC Davis. I missed last year because there was way too much going on and was bummed to miss my friends who I always get to see so this year, at last minute I booked a flight and made it happen. Not the cheapest route (I heard a flight to Germany would have only been another 100 bucks) but well worth it. I flew up to San Jose and got to hang with Coel Mitooka, the toddler result of when you combine a Carrie and a Joel Mitooka (I love word combos and naming your child with one is about as cool as it gets)! My Bay area trio were great hosts as we trekked up into the Davis Valley and hung out for Friday night. The following day was spent wandering around the UCD campus for the 100th Annual Picnic Day celebration. For those who are not familiar with this festivity, its a day of sun, music, cows, weener dog races, fashion shows and reuniting with friends, faculty and alumni. And of course seeing lots of bikes everywhere you look. 
Halfway through the morning, my other friend Joel Burton, his wife Angela, and their canine-child Zoey (an adorable Springer Spaniel who could fan the whole town with her friendly and enthusiastic butt-wagging) joined us. Together we roamed the event, rehashing old times and talking about what we had going on in our lives. The following day, after crashing at Casa de Joel y Angela and eating great sushi and food with lots of Garlic for several meals, I headed back home to San Diego.
Looking back on this trip and all my treks to D-town, I have to note how our get togethers have evolved over the years. The first 2 or 3 annual treks up there, we’d still party like rock stars, hit the clubs we used to frequent, and party in downtown davis. Headaches and foggy vision usually followed the next day or two. The next few annual visits, we’d slowed things down a tad. We would still party it up, but usually stay in at someone’s house. Catch up, enjoy a BUNCH of Guniness, but not really go too crazy out of our comfortable confines at night. Talk of past girlfriends and raging nights of debouchery, was replaced with talk of fiance’s, wives and houses. The most recent of visits, while just as fun as any of the previous, our conversations center around beloved dogs, raising kids, and gulp…drinking a beer over sushi instead of pizza. One great night was spent sipping a lemon zinger flavored concoction and playing Pinochle (which I am now obsessed with and so grateful to have learned!!!!). I wouldn’t change a thing about the progression. I love this visit as much as any…I just felt it was worthy to point out how getting old changes a night out on the town….10 years removed from college. Yikes!
Thank you to my wonderful friends up in NorCal and their respective families who hosted me. You are why I go up. Picnic Day is just an excuse to see you…and to grow a little older (and wiser) together.
June 10th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Clark,
We had so much fun With you, the Limoncello, cards, carrie and Joel. You and your wife are welcome anytime.