Banged Up the Truck

Date: April 2, 2005

      I didn't sleep much - so I was a bit loopy - and I got lost - I followed Yahoo maps - I didn't have the name of the inn.
      Drove right by it - ended up on the golf course - lovely $$$$ houses.
      Way over in Santa Cruz - in the area where I took John camping with the Boy Scouts on many occasions.
      I was early - and I do not hesitate to ask directions.
     
      He was very cute, polite and helpful ----.
      I was tempted to get out of the truck and move right in.
     
      I went back the way he said and veered left instead of up the hill.
      So I drove and drove and drove (almost turned around - ignored the niggle - I was enjoying the hilly drive, trees and view).
      Reached a gate---- and people were waving me thru - I said no - I spun around --- and backed right up into a mailbox (I could not see).
      Built like a tank (how many times has it been hit?).
      I jumped out - my truck has two gouges up at the top of the tailgate.
      I said - - oh well, it's a truck and drove back over the hilly route.
      Turned left 0 - ended up at the club house - asked a woman parking lot attendant - she sent me up the hill.
      I went - walked around a very closed bar and grill.
      Then drove back down - she flagged me down - sent me to the Inn (where I belonged) - and gave me proper directions.
      I got there - right place.
     
      Now mind you, I hit something on every single outing I made out there - Slid into a tree once, into a garbage can pole, etc etc.
      So Santa Cruz and I don't like each other.
   
      Not sure if it was worth $50.
      But ---- The clocks were a riot - every 5 minutes one went off - playing Disney music - moving parts - chimes - $$$$ music boxes with incredible movements.
      The faces split open and things spun, rotated, a round one unfolded into a flow with winged children spinning inside - another had figures jumping up and down on the notes - another had a see-saw- another had Mickey and Pluto - and so forth - one clock was honest to God running backward.
      It was interesting - the class - met new people.
      Got another naked housewife story.
      And started another novel ---- we did Collages - as an inspiration point.
      We did a first-person exercise for the heroine (repeat for the hero).
      Got references (again - Steven King's book on writing).
      Got out ear;y - drove home like a bat out of hell.
      Realized 100+ miles driving a 2-lane road at 70 and sitting all day after no sleep - I am tired.
     
      So --- cooking some French Onion soup from Trader Joe's (400 degrees).
      Will set buzzer.
      Soup in the oven - frozen - 400 degrees - 40 minutes.
     
      Need 12 stories ----.
     
      Will write it - or type it - have it jotted down.
      Hint ---- house painting in the nude------.