what if cameras followed you around

and documented your life and its mundane routines, simple joys, disappointments, awkward and tender moments? i recently picked up the complete office (series 1 & 2 + special + all the other extras geeks love) and cannot stop watching. i don't know what it is exactly about the office that makes it what it is; its simplicity? how it's shot documentary style so all the characters seem that much more authentic? ricky gervais being a fucking genius? i have no idea, but this show is perhaps the most moving, refreshing, and absolutely hysterical i have ever seen. that's not saying much because i don't really watch television. regardless, if you haven't already you must get on the free-love freeway and watch this show. forget the 2nd-rate american version. i loves me some bbc.

for a moment i forgot where i was going with that but now i remember. last weekend my coworkers and i went on a staff retreat to lovely lancaster, california. i don't recall ever actually visiting lancaster prior to this, yet i must say that i was surprised how pretty it was up there. yeah, lancaster has 6 walmarts, 2 of which are 24 hours, and walmart is frightening in itself. anyhow i've been watching the office so much that i couldn't help thinking how it would be to have cameras following us around; granted, it wasn't a work day, and we don't work in an office. but still, how crazy would it be if cameras watched us

hike through the vasquez rocks


eat dinner


play games


tie a few down


and go to 7-11.


we stayed at jennifer's parents' hotel, the essex house. the place was quite nice, it had this victorian-charm about it, which now that i think about is appropriate given that it's called the essex house. i'm used to budget lodging, days inn and cecil hotel style.



there was a wedding going on that afternoon, and the bridesmaids happened to be staying in the room next to me and brian's. we wanted to check out the reception, but never got to it. wedding parties are fun. especially ones with open bars.



at the end of the office tim mentions that the only thing you really share in common with your workmates is that you walk around the same bit of carpet for several hours of the day. on that note i think it's interesting how a change of scene can allow you to have fun with a group of people with whom you don't normally hang out.

so what becomes of you, my love,

when they have finally stripped you of

the handbags and the gladrags that your grandad had to sweat so you could buy?