For those hardy souls prepared to brave the intolerable 70˚ weather on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (that would be November 25, 2006), trundle on down to downtown San Diego (on the train or the trolley or bus or rickshaw) between 10am and 7pm and take the ferry over to Coronado and check out the festivities (such as they are) at Scottish Treasures located in the Coronado Ferry Landing.

They promise live music ("Native American Flute" and "Bagpipes") and book signings by authors Shara McKerrigan, Laurel Royal and T.E. Watson.

Food will be sumptuously laid out. Prepare your culinary instincts for "Hot Dog, Drink & a Snack for $1"! Ooohh, how can you resist?

But there will be dancers and children's activities. And perhaps most importantly, Scottish Treasures is a damn fine merchant -- purveyors of Scottish and Irish goods. I've purchased two kilts through them and they have proven to be all around good (Scottish) eggs. All future kilt and kilt-related purchases by your humble scribe shall be through them.

To put this in plain terms, the ferry ride is cheap and enjoyable, it's as good an excuse to wear a kilt as any, it's a great day trip from anywhere in southern California and you have the opportunity to scandalize some uptight semi-rich Coronadans (which is where my lovely wife was born and where I met her ... some time after her birth ... some thirty four years ago) in the bargain. You can get there and back easily by taking the train into town (the train station is two blocks from the ferry landing) and all in all, an anti-climactic time is guaranteed for all!

Your humble servant plans to attend from mid-morning to mid-noon. Look for the X-marks kilt pin upon a Morrison tartan and a stunning countenance graced by the inestimable company of the wife, sporting this stunning smile.


Then ...


... and now.

Do you see thirty-four years between these two pictures? I thought not.

I look forward to seeing any and all that honor us by your visit as much as you look forward to seeing us. (Said with tongue-not-in-cheek ... kind of.)

.