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Yes friends, the billboards in Philadelphia are proclaiming the arrival of Elmo’s World.

THAT is the highlight of my trip to Philadelphia today. I’m assuming the rest of the trip will turn up some interesting stories or photos.

In the meantime…here is the carpet at Philadelphia’s airport! Take that. That’s how I felt about the airport this afternoon.

I mean frankly, there is nothing here to report yet. The flight was normal…no food makes me grumpy but its old news. My hotel room is normal…I’m like a kid that looks forward to Christmas only to get a sweater (a nice sweater…but just a sweater!).

The only item of note today was that I got an email at WORK from a mysterious Elena from Russia. MY Elena is now cheating on my alter ego…with me! How dare she. Here is what she wrote:

Hello!!! I am a 32 year old girl who loves life. I like to stay busy, always doing something. My favorite things ever include the sun, the water and the beach, art and music? I’m looking for someone who loves to have fun. Someone who can not only keep up with me, but who will challenge me. If you want to correspond with me and to learn more about me that write to me on my e-mail. Ok??? I shall wait for your letters. As soon as you will write to me that I shall send you my photos. Ok??? Your friend Elena.

Notice no accent in this one. Sigh. I fear she is gone.

Oh, and happy 100-year anniversary of the Great Quake. (For the record, Jeff and I own a home built on bedrock.)

Jeff and I had a fabulous Easter weekend…although somehow I gave him my cold. Let’s ignore that for now. I bought him tulips to make up 🙂

Easter dinner on Sunday was a scrumptuous mixture of tradition and pantry. Ham plus a yummy mushroom risotto (bought in Siena last May), paired with comfort foods green bean casserole and cornbread muffins. Oh, and Jeff’s favorite German chocolate cake…yum!!

The weekend was full of heavy downpours one minute, followed by blue cloudless skies. We even had some early morning hail Sunday morning. So, we ventured out on Sunday for a walk between showers. We went to a small park in Hunters Point. Heron’s Head Park is a sliver of land that juts out into the Bay as a breakwater. The park is tucked between a PG&E power plant and a Port of San Francisco warehouse.

This park is popular with birders. So here, for my folks, is today’s name-that-bird quiz!

Also, out and about on Sunday, I snapped this photo of the University of San Francisco’s St. Ignatius Church. The sun had popped out and was shining off the gold cross on this spire. That and I liked the wispy clouds.

On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, we awoke to rain showers. So, I decided to take a drive and see what some of my favorite photo spots looked like in the rain. I found a few new areas…and an odd blue camper. You don’t see THAT every day.

Sorry to report that the clouds and light scattered showers returned before I even headed to lunch. Mother Nature is such a tease.

…its an absolutely stunningly beautiful morning in San Francisco.

The downside of my current “yes-iPod, no-magazine” travel habit is that during takeoff and landing, I’m forced to leaf through United’s materials. Well, SkyMall didn’t disappoint this time 🙂

I’ve figured out just why ‘Elena’ wants to visit me from Russia…she knows about the stuff in the in-flight SkyMall catalog. SkyMall is reinforcing the myth that wine (and vodka) flow freely in the streets. At least they do if you have a handy ‘Fire Water Fire Hydrant!’.

Or, need that discrete little nip while you’re golfing? How about the ‘Designated Driver’?

Or, if you just can’t be bothered by gimmicks and gadgets, just wear your booze. Try the fashionable ‘Booze Belt’.

I didn’t know that the average frequent flyer is an alcoholic…

…or a dog owner. Lots of doggy beds (and the aforementioned doggy stairs). But the ‘Doggy Murphy Bed’ wins best in show for this issue of SkyMall.

Oh yeah, the latest from ‘Elena’. Slow news day!

Sorry my dear. I could not write to you the letter because I was on business trip. My chief forced me and some more person to go in the next city. There it was necessary to help with registration of the order for our firm. I had no time to write to you. I am so sorry. I hope you you do not take offence at me. How are you? I hope to see from you the letter.