strange birds of a feather

I spent the past week in sunny Southern California for work. It might actually sound pretty glamorous, until you realize it's still, well, work. And we were actually in Anaheim - a town I'd been to previously (for this same conference back in 2010, actually) and that I remembered to be actually slightly odd.

all disney signs cropped out haha

You don't realize the strangeness of this town all at once, tho. It kinda creeps up on you. The first natural instinct is to be dazzled by the teeming palms, pristine landscaping, and broad flat avenues.

ditto the above. also are these not the most manicured palms you've ever seen?

Everything is very, very orderly. And tidy. And exactly designed to please the eye. It's quite pretty!

birds of paradise are a common sight

But there's something sinister going on in the home of Disneyland, I'm sure of it. It's a place crawling with tourists and kids, and everything that goes along with that. Endless expanses of parking lots (all hidden from street view tho, natch). Plus tons of tourists and kids = tons of restaurants, cafes, trash and bits of dropped food.

actual birds tho?

Sure, everyone there seems programmed to hyper-level trash clean up mode and the streets are very tidy (tho, uh, why yes that is a homeless man dozing under those shrubberies...). But still. The most striking thing? There's virtually no birds. It's eerie, unnatural.

You don't even necessarily realize it until that one lone sparrow starts scratching around under the al fresco cafe tables. And it dawns on you: "omg where did you come from how have I not seen another single bird before now??"

rare enough to render them interesting photography subjects

Even this pigeon seemed alien hangin out around the parking lot of a 7-Eleven. Bc like... c'mon, where are the rest of you? How does this sunny, pleasant resort town manage to get away without even a single sea gull?? It's a conspiracy. I'm convinced. #soundcannons

charlie did fine without me - he quite likes being herded around by buddy Tip

Anyway, Charlie basically got to spend the weekend relaxing and doing nothing. He had worked something like 10 days straight over the preceding weeks, so some time off was maybe warranted. We hit the trails at his barn the day before my trip - but otherwise he mostly did nothing. And - for once - did not maim or otherwise wreck himself during my absence. Good boy.

snail!

We've been busy tho since I got home. That teaser about a "significant change in our day to day life" finally became reality yesterday, so I'll have more to write there soon.

For now tho, we're enjoying the rest of the weekend as I ease my way through the jet lag. And wonder of wonders - some storms blew through the area, dropping temps back to very reasonable and pleasant 70-80* weather. Ground is a little wet, but otherwise it's pretty perfect riding conditions!

Hope you all have a great rest of your weekend too!