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I discovered a new stress reliever today after an email sent me into a tizzy. I simply picked up a pack of Post-Its, peeled them off one-by-one, and threw them at my computer monitor until the screen (and the offending email) was hidden from view.

Very theraputic…I highly recommend it.

It occurred to me that after all of my postings on London, Paris, the Loire Valley, and Venice, that I never did post any photos from our overnight stay in Milan. Well, this vomiting fountain from the front of the main train station (Milano Centrale) pretty much sums up my love of Milan 🙂 [You have to remember that Milan has always been our stop before or after tiny, romantic Venice…an unfair comparison.]

Now, I’m sure that Milan has many charming features, but on our third trip trough the city, the charm still escaped me. But Milan is a big city, brimming with life. We happened upon Milan right at the beginning of the World Cup, and got to witness the shared experience of watching soccer on the big screen with a thousand of your closest friends.

Still, at its heart, there is no doubt that Milan exudes style and design. The shopping is a laundry list of famous labels. Even the subway is decked out in Italian style.

And of course, you can’t visit Milan without stopping to see its most famous structure: the gothic Duomo di Milano. On our last visit to Milan (with Curt and Cheryl), we toured the maze-like roof, where you can walk among the spires. On this visit, we ventured inside the Duomo. It is truly breathtaking.

Today is the 1st birthday for Travel and tribulations…, and I thought I might reflect back on what I’ve seen and done over the past 365 days in the World of Blogger. I began the year with this photo of Old Crooked Head and have posted 243 entries since!

Looking back, I fumbled around for a few weeks trying to figure out what would hold my interest. I quickly settled into a groove of posting photos from day trips, business trips, and holidays. If you read back, you’ll see pictures from Venice, Paris, London, New York, LA, Las Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, DC, Richmond, San Antonio, Muskegon, St. Michaels, Colorado Springs, Anaheim, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, San Simeon and the Loire Valley.

You’ve seen our garden–the product of Jeff and my sweat and passion. You’ve seen RAIN (lots of rain) and fog and sun and snow and hail. You saw Yoda.

I’ve shared tasty treats. Chili dogs and deep fried twinkies. Ricciarelli from Siena. Sweet potato biscuits. Hamburgers and mojitos. Clementines. BLTs. French crepes. Whippi Dip. Tiramisu. U.S. 31 BBQ. Fresh blue crabs. Homemade Christmas cookies. Smoked turkey, bacon, and monterey jack paninis. Huevos rancheros. And who can forget the Red Velvet Bingles!!

We said goodbye to dear friends and family. Revisiting the photos I posted for Louise, Sallie, and Nancy just remind me how much I still miss them.

I shared an odd string of unrelated poop stories.

But let’s not forget the most popular storyline of the past year: Elena and the spam of the decade. In February, we all met my love-struck Russian pen-pal Elena, who took us all on a two month whirlwind ride of emotion and intrigue. By May, the “relationship” went south, since I wouldn’t profess my love, purchase Elena a visa, and send her cash to meet me in the U.S.

What a blog year!

I’m a sensible man, otherwise I would NOT have blurred out this guy’s license plate. This guy ticked me off when he raced by me this morning while his passenger tossed his paper coffee cup out of the window to the curb. What an ass. BUT, I can show restraint. Sometimes the best justice is just ranting to the world. (Of course, since I just helped to pick up trash on the beach yesterday, its more than a BIT infuriating to see someone perpetuating the cycle.)

But, so that James won’t ask me when my blog turned sour, I’ll close this rant with a happy photo of freaky sheep keychains. 🙂

This morning, I led a hearty group from work to Muir Beach, a cozy cove that is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area just north of SF. Our cool coastal clouds have been hanging on much longer lately, so the morning was cool and misty…perfect weather to help the Park Service to clear the way for native vegetation. Digging, pulling, lifting, and hauling…with many laughs along the way. Jeff and Chris were the heroes of the day when they arrived with fresh sandwiches from Freddie’s in North Beach.

But while it does feel like summer has packed up its bags, I surely know that we’re not ready to leap to Christmas. So, it is with trepidation that I announce my first Christmas sighting of the year: Macy’s in Union Square has their Christmas section of the store all assembled and twinkling. No fair skipping fall…MY favorite season of the year.

Anyhow, here are a couple of photos from my Bayview series. I liked the color and composition of these. And not a mistletoe to be seen (yet)…but some freaky angels, to be sure.