*This whole once a week to better my writing skills thing only works if the day you want to post does not include a holiday. Therefore I'm posting on the 26th rather than on the 25th when I wrote it.

Merry Christmas all!
I woke up this morning sneezing. Not just any kind of sneeze, but the kind that affects one nostril and causes the corresponding eye to water, annoying the crap out of you and refusing to stop no matter how many times you sneeze or blow your nose..

This is how I opened presents this morning: "It's Aleya's turn!" "Ok, hand me - *ACHOO* that one will you?" "Here you go." "ACHOO! Thank you. *Sniff*" "Aww, you really like it don't you?" "*Sniff sniff* Yep!" Getting choked up about socks is not uncommon for me, but in this case it wasn't tears, just snot.

*Note: So I'm going to try and do one post a week, due on Fridays. You should check back on Friday next and see if I did, and if I didn't, harass me.

This trip's adventure took me to Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Sea Shore, with a friend I made on my last visit to San Francisco. The trail is the farthest one north on the seashore, and runs right to the tip of the point along the San Andreas Fault! (#NerdGasm). I love earthquakes, so this was a big deal - Not that I'd ever want to be in one, I'm just saying that I love the idea of the earth shaking.

Note: This post is a continuation of a discussion between someone I can’t quite remember and myself, started by a post that person (she) wrote on the same topic, inspired by personal experience. If it was you, please speak up.

This week I’m back in San Francisco on travel for work. I’m using my free time to wander the city and explore stuff. Today I walked from Pier 39 to the hotel via Chinatown and a few historical sites. On that trip I encountered some of the most foul places of “rest” I have ever seen. Ok that’s a lie, but they did rank up there with my worst encounters, one of which involved banana spiders.

As I passed though these establishments, I couldn’t help but think… “Man, I wish I could pee like a man. My thighs would be so much less sore and I wouldn’t have the urge to take a culture of everything I brought into the bathroom with me.” Then I remembered: There is help!