Domo Does Turkey

Domo here! Domo hasn't blogged in a while! Domo's last post was way back in July when he went to Paris! (Read more here at  5 Days of Family Fun in France!) Wow, Domo has been lazy. Domo has traveled since then but has been taking time off from writing. Domo apologizes. He knows that you are probably tired about Monika's dribble about running. You are in luck! Domo does not talk about running! Oh wait, he will for this post. Sorry.

The Drive Up

Last year Domo drove home from San Diego to San Francisco and left around noon. Domo hit traffic in San Diego, Orange County, LA, THROUGH the Grapevine, and wasn't able to drive above 25mph until he got near Bakersfield. It was horrible. Domo was not happy. In total it took Domo 12 1/2 hours to get home last year. H-E double hockey sticks! (For more about last year's trip, read "Home for the Holidays".)

Mika Enjoying the Drive North

This year Domo was smart, he left earlier! The original plan was to leave at 5am, but Domo couldn't resist getting a run in that morning; so he got up, had breakfast, ran, and then left. Domo and dogs left around 9am and anticipated making the 500 miles in 8 hours, getting into San Francisco around 5pm. Domo had smoooooth sailing through San Diego, Orange County, into LA ... and then traffic hit. Domo had nightmares from last year and decided to give up on the 5 and to head over to the 101 to take the coast route up. Domo was exited by the thought that he'd be in Santa Barbara in a couple hours! You know, Santa Barbara .. UCSB ... Go Gauchos! Domo's alma matter!

Domo's House in IV

Domo got into Santa Barbara around 1pm - perfect time for lunch! Domo had his heart on stopping at Silver Greens, his favorite place to eat in Isla Vista. This place was a close runner-up to Freebirds, and was a hands-down favorite among his household. He and his roommates ate masses of Silvergreens over the years. Mmmm.... Silver Greens. :o) Domo ordered his usual favorite at Silver Greens, the half and half combo with the half Chicken Ranch Sandwich and the half Mandarin Chicken Salad. Something that has changed since Domo was in college is that this meal now comes with a chocolate chip cookie. Don't want the cookie? Well you can substitute it for a fruit salad (in a sauce sized container) for 50 cents more. Um seriously? Domo has to pay you 50 cents more to eat healthy? Ugh, Domo so annoyed.

Domo Loves Silvergreens

Domo got his lunch to go and ate it on the drive up. Oh yeah - Domo ate a salad while driving. Mad skills! Domo didn't hit traffic on the rest of the drive and sailed from Santa Barbara up to San Francisco, arriving around 6pm. Just in time to eat dinner! Domo and his dad... errr Monika's dad walked down the street to a local Vietnamese restaurant called Hanoi Bistro and had a whole crab (omg so yummy!! and only $16.95!!), a chicken salad, and spring rolls for dinner. Mmm ... Domo was happy.

The Turkey Trot

The next morning Domo got up early to get ready for a turkey trot race. Domo's friend Christina had talked him into running the Nitro Turkey Trot in Pinole. Where is Pinole? Domo had no idea and actually had to Google Maps it before the weekend. Domo, Cristina, and her friend Sheila all headed over to Pinole Thursday morning to run the 10K race. Domo and Christina got into the Thanksgiving spirit by donning costumes. Christina was the turkey and Domo was the Indian. Last year Christina and Domo ran a turkey trot in Golden Gate Park in SF and about 25% of the runners were in costume. Domo was really taken aback to see that aside from himself and Christina, there were only three other people in costume out of 200 people. Scrooges!

Monika Slays a Turkey

 Monika Befriends Another Turkey

Domo had a decent race (first 10K in YEARS!) and finished in 53:26. Not his best time, but not terrible. Domo placed 5th in his division out of 35, and was bummed to see that 4th place was only 9 seconds ahead of him, and 3rd place was 1:20 ahead of him. :o( Domo has a 10K PR of 49:02 and wishes he had come in around 3rd place. Oh well .. there's always a next race.

Domo's Turkey Trot Medal 

Turkey Lunch

After the race Domo came home and showered and got ready for lunch. For lunch Domo and his .. er Monika's dad would be continuing their tradition from last year by going to Max's Opera Cafe for lunch before heading out to a movie. For lunch Domo ordered the Thanksgiving ham, and dad ordered the salmon. YUMMY! The post-lunch movie was Burlesque. Domo loved it! Domo loves musicals and this movie didn't disappoint. Go see it!

Domo's Lunch at Max's 

Turkey Dinner

Domo came home around 4pm after the movie and was already looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately when he made reservations at McCormick & Kuleto's they only had an 8pm reservation available. Domo was hungry. Luckily there were a few good snacks in his turkey trot goodie bag that he could munch on in the mean time. While waiting for dinner Domo started reading a book he got about a month ago about the Ironman Championship. The book is titled "25 Year of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship". The book is a coffee table type book with photos and stories about each year of the race. Domo would like to do a half-Ironman next year and really enjoyed the book. Its amazing and inspiring to see what happens out on the course. The dreams, the struggles, the failures and the accomplishments are so moving. *sniff* Domo wiped away a couple tears while reading this book.

But let's stop talking about Domo being a softie.. let's talk about turkey! It was finally time for dinner and Domo and Dad headed down to Ghiradelli Square for dinner. The reservation was at 8pm...but we weren't seated until 8:20pm ... orders taken at 8:40pm .. no food seen until 9:20pm. Domo was miserable. Domo was tired and hungry. Domo hated everyone around him. Especially the 10 year old boy at the table behind him playing jingle bells with his spoon on his parents' water glasses. Seriously!?! Domo wanted to throw a spoon at that boy. Domo isn't usually so violent... Domo was hungry.

Monika & Dad

Finally! Our food arrived! Domo ordered the Thanksgiving turkey dinner and Dad ordered the Mahi Mahi. Domo is embarrassed to say that he also ordered dessert ... espresso creme brulee!! Domo isn't really a dessert person but really does favor creme brulee, and loves coffee. The dessert was great (as was the rest of the food) and Domo and Dad left happy.

Black Friday

The next morning was Black Friday! Domo had never participated in Black Friday until a few years ago when he was visiting his BFF Garley in New York. Garley and her husband left to shop at 5am (leaving Domo home alone with her dogs) and out of curiosity Domo ventured out to hit a few stores. Domo ended up getting a great deal on a camera and was also able to get a few gifts for others.

This year Domo wanted to go to the mall to shop for a few gifts he had in mind for people. Domo won't disclose where he went or what he bought, but he thinks he did pretty good! By the time Domo came home at 9am after 3 hours of shopping, he was exhausted and ended up napping for three hours! After Domo's nap he met up with Christina to see the movie Love and Other Drugs. OMG.. so funny! And sweet. Domo might have cried during the movie. Domo wants all of his friends in pharma/device sales to go watch the movie. It is hilarious!

Ikea & Jeopardy

The next day Domo and dad got up early to head to IKEA so Dad could buy a Poang chair to replace a big, old leathe chair he's had forever. Luckily for Dad, Monika's friend Danny was coming over and would be able to help her carry the chair downstairs to the garage to make room for the new chair.

After hauling the chair downstairs Domo and Danny picked up sandwiches at the Sub Center went back to his house to play some Jeopardy! Domo feels that he is quite good at Jeopardy! Well, only at some categories. The last time Domo was in SF they played three games and Domo was winning! This time (even cumulatively) Domo was losing. Shoot. Doom hates losing. Domo wanted to play a third game to get his score up but needed to head back to SD. Domo went home to load up his car, get the dogs, and then hit the road. On the way back it was a bit easier, and only took 9 hours. "Only 9 hours". Ha!

Awesome SF View from Danny's House

Domo is happy that he got to go home again for Thanksgiving, had great time with Dad and his friends, and loves that this weekend starts off the holidays for 2010. Happy holidays to everyone!