Randomized aka....

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

5 is faster than the 101. My usual route from San Jose (a little south of Palo Alto) is down the 101 to the Gilroy cutoff, through the Pacheco pass to 5, south on 5 past the Grapevine and I turn inland at the 210, so as to avoid downtown Ellay. The 210 connects to I-10 and in a little bit you come to I-15 and turn south to Sandy Eggo. Take an audio book to play in the car stereo, it'll be a six to seven hour trip, depending on your driving style, central valley weather, and traffic as you skirt the Ellay basin.

Piqaboo's route along the coast is far more scenic but I've found the traffic from Santa Barbara through Ellay and Orange County to be not worth it. The trip up I-5 is faster but includes miles and miles of miles and miles. Google maps is a wonderful resource for general route comparison and planning but you're going to want a dead-tree road atlas with you in the car. Really. A Garmin or TomTom might be a good thing, too.

If you decide to make the trip, PM us for cell numbers and we'll talk you in.

[BigJon@Work]

I was looking more for you input on traffic conditions near the major metros on the weekends. I have driven near LA at 10PM in rush-hour style traffic, so it is proportionally much worse than what I am used to.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

I was looking more for you input on traffic conditions near the major metros on the weekends. I have driven near LA at 10PM in rush-hour style traffic, so it is proportionally much worse than what I am used to.

That's why I prefer the more complicated route that goes around the rim of the Ellay basin. Traffic avoidance.

The San Francisco bay area tends to have worse traffic than Los Angeles does - Angelenos complain about it all the time, and Bay types think they're getting off easy in LA. Sandy Eggo tends to be lighter than either. Like I suggested, pack an audio book or two and a snack. I find that if I'm really looking forward to the audiobook, Murphy's Law is invoked and traffic will be light enough that I reach my destination early in the last CD of the book.

[barfle]

Definitely take the 210. I have a friend (really!) who lives near Magic Mountain, and I made it to Sun City a heck of a lot quicker than if I had gone through the urbs.

And once you're on it, it's a straight shot on to the 15 (just stay on the same highway - only the designations change) and down to within a few miles of Ivor's.

[navneeth]

been away for a couple of weeks....

I've been away for a couple of couple of weeks, or something like that...so I'm just getting to know of the accident. Very sorry to hear that, TM. I hope you recover soon.

[Trumpetmaster]

been away for a couple of weeks....

I've been away for a couple of couple of weeks, or something like that...so I'm just getting to know of the accident. Very sorry to hear that, TM. I hope you recover soon.

Navneeth,

Thanks,
Each day the knee is making progress!
I'll probably get an MRI just to make sure
everything is OK.

Regards,
TM

[piqaboo]

Once again, there will be not-entirely-random activity in the vicinity of Fat Ivor's.

December 26, lunchtime-ish we (OT, Altoid and moi) will be meeting both fle and the lovely bar at Fat Ivor's for a rib reunion.
Once again, fle will admit the excellence of the ribs, and contend that Orange County has a location at least as good. Once again, I will vow to get there to see if he speaks truth or with forked tongue. This time perhaps I will write down the name of the restaurant on something I can find later.

Hop a jet, c'mon on out and join us, y'all.
(or just hop on the Fwy for the locals!)
Selma, bring Fish and friend if they dare!

[GreatCarouser]

He works in Washington DC. Memories from my semi-driving past tell me LA traffic will be 'just like home' for them. The scenery is beautiful....but at a cost. And if one is unfortunate enough to hit the 210 at the wrong time, or the 15 southbound at the wrong time....

I expect to get 'ribbed' along with the rest of you this Boxing Day....

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Lunchish. See why I think Random is a good designator for this lot?

Fish and I have an agenda for the morning but no itinerary. I or we will arrive precisely at Lunchish and if Lunchish arrived earlier for the others and I can't find the table I'll sing out. Someone will either answer or come running over to defend their hearing. Either way, I find the table...

[OperaTenor]

We'll call.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Fish likes Fat Ivor's ribs.

[OperaTenor]

I'm glad to hear someone persevered. Sorry the event busted. Barfle got waylaid by family, and then we got waylaid by the clock.

Next time....

[barfle]

Alas, 'tis true, obligations prevented me from introducing by beloved to the SDBBBLB. But then, she hasn't met but one member of the DCBBBLB (that being yours truly).

Howsomever, the idea of a VACATION to suthuhn California was bandied about. Many things have changed since our residence there expired in Y2K+1, and it would be nice to simply visit someplace without a plethora of forces from various directions causing confusion and unfulfilled intentions.

Yep, next time. I hope.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

The best way to get a vacation when in a state where you also have relatives is to arrive a week before you let the relatives know you're there. This trick is the sole method whereby I actually got to watch the Albuquerque balloon festival, one year. Arrived, got a motel room, watched balloons arise (oh, WOW!) wandered around, enjoyed myself - then let my aunt and cousin know I was in town and was it convenient for me to drop by...

[Trumpetmaster]

Well ... this Friday is when I go get my knee fixed...

Looks like the Tibia and Fibula fractures are now healed.

The plan is to sew up the miniscus... and graft an ACL in my right knee.
The Dr. claims I will only be out from work one week.
It's all arthroscopic..... so hopefully it wont be too long.....

I'm a bit nervous as they will knock me out completely for the surgery.
I thought I'd be awake.... Oh well....

I'm figuring I'll be back rehearsing with my groups in early February.
Fortunately, I did not miss much performing and they said my chair
is waiting for my return!

Just want to get this over with already and back in the swing of things.....

[Shapley]

Good Luck! I'm sure all will go well.

[piqaboo]

Good luck, TM.

Hey Selma - can you post a pic of the new car? We want to admire it!

[jamiebk]

Hey TM...good luck on the repair. I am sure that you'll be up and about in no time. I hope that you can check in on BBB from time to time.

[Trumpetmaster]

Thanks everyone!

I'm going to be fine... just want to get this darn thing over with.... and mobile again!!

There is someone here at work who keeps nagging me to race him....
He said he could not beat me if I were OK so he has to take advantage of invalids...
pretty bad huh....

Anyway, this morning he said we only had until Thursday for him to race me...
My response was even with this bum leg, I could beat him blindfolded....

The look of shock on his face....
He never expected me to say anything like that...
I loved it.....

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Well ... this Friday is when I go get my knee fixed......Just want to get this over with already and back in the swing of things...

Hooray! Fixed is good! I will refrain from saying "break a leg", you already did that.