Oh christ, those four days in Cabo San Lucas were amazing. I mean, yes, just getting out of the county, but more than that. So much more.  The entire summer has been one long period of anticipation, of one trip after another. So, I'm glad that after those months of wait, the DDYC guy trip finally came about, and came about in such a way that will remain embedded in my mind for a long time to come (despite the efforts of over-drinking to erase many of those memories).

As my mother drove me to San Jose International, she commented (as did Jon and James) on my mode of appearance. With a sharp looking tie and nice pants, I looked as if I was on a business trip to maybe the midwest or the east coast, and not to sunny sunny Mexico. As I told my friends, it was because of Donald Draper more than anything else, although they didn't seem to sense my apprehension of them mentioning the show's name throughout the airport. At this point, it's still a very minor but loud-spoken group that has become fans of the show. And I do my best to promote it to men at the same time as discouraging women to see it. I mean, seriously, how can any of us compare to Jon Hamm or John Slattery in a suit?  The smoking and excessive drinking only add to their appeal, only one of which I will choose to do. Let's not mention their affluence and impeccable sense of style and manners.

Whoa, that was a tangent. Enough about Mad Men. We had an amazing time. Krishna and Navang met us later the same day we had landed in Cabo, after we had made arrangements to put our rooms next to each others'. Best for everyone, really. There's so much to write down, actually. I know probably should (for posterity's sake), but I'm really not in any kind of sentimental or nostalgic mood quite yet. Between the Infinity Pool at Riu Santa Fe, to the town's Pink Kitty, to the bachelorette party at Nikki beach, it was a wild and amazing time. Even our star run-in with Ice-T wasn't a real highlight.  Suffice to say that I may make another effort at the Cabo trip in a later, and perhaps differently placed, entry at a later date, but I can say that was the most awesome trip I have taken anywhere.

Classes at the Academy started the same week I returned from Mexico. I've done all of my transfers for my classes, to consolidate the number of days I have to commute into the city. Now, instead of hours and hours and extra money for the Caltrain ride I would've had to have sacrificed for a 4-day-a-week schedule to SF, it's now down to a manageable 2 days a week. Just Mondays and Tuesdays. Which means I better not let the 5-day weekends distract me from the very real amount of work I have laid out for me, laid out for myself. Also, I've contacted and connected with Vera and Diana after a long period of silence. Vera is of course doing better, despite the many trials in her life right now, and I'm glad she's amiable to the idea of keeping contact with each other. Struggles will only build character and fortitude, and I know she's going to strengthen from all of this. Doctor Diana has let me know that she's now a "real doctor", even as I told her that whatever that means, I always thought she was one anyways. I mean, not just any Jane can run the Oakland's Children's Hospital now. It's good to hear that things have been getting better for her, and less busy maybe, now that she's on her next stage of her career. I haven't seen her in so long, but it's good to hear she's doing well. And then there's SpicyKabob. For a social salamander, I've become quite the revealed specimen. All of my meandering and defenses won't avail me if internally, I want to be helpless.  And believe me, I never want to be helpless. I don't think wallz will help. Not that I could build any significant kind of blockade, even if I wanted to. When someone slips underneath the surface, making fences atop the turf isn't going to do me any good.

All in all, it's been a funny and strangely touching transition between summer and fall. Work calls, and I have drawings to attend to. I just figured I'd get some down in paper, instead of letting it sit heavily on the head. Can't draw with a sore neck, now can we?