Indian Canyons Golf Course

Saturday night I met some friends for dinner at a local joint called Leon's Bar & Grill, in Palm Springs. Amazingly, it was one of the few restaurants I had not been to in Palm Springs. Recently relocated to the new clubhouse at the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, Leon's boasts a stunning view of the pristine greens. The photos below are the exact view we enjoyed during dinner. It was so peaceful and calming. Our beautiful San Jacinto (pronounced "San Ha-Sin-Toe") mountains majestically surround the course. Meanwhile, back inside, at the table seated next to us was a party of five well heeled, mature guests enjoying cocktails before dinner. One of the women was wearing a giant floppy hat, with giant glasses and a tight pink t-shirt. The other woman also wore over-sized glasses, and had on a casual blouse with bodice type strings (someone help me out with what it's called) the strings were tied tight to show off her recently enhanced breasts. Both women had enormous lips, which must have been freshly inflated with a heavy dose of collagen. These women were easily in their early 70's and were not letting their age catch up with them. Later I found out that one of their husbands owns the Rolls Royce dealership in Beverly Hills, and they have a home in Palm Springs as a get away. They certainly held my attention...

Above: Photos I took from the restaurant as I gazed onto the course, sipping my Bombay Sapphire and Tonic, with two limes.

Above: Nothing special here, just some Indian water fountain nestled between two palm trees.

-Rick Rockhill

Relaxing at the Beach in La Jolla

Last Thursday I met some friends at the La Jolla Shores Hotel for an after work drink. This hotel is literally on the beach, with a fantastic view of the La Jolla beach cliffs that curve around the coast (see photo below). The Pacific Ocean looked so inviting at this time of day, the waves lapped up on the shore, as if teasing and tantilizing the sand. The late afternoon sun was warm, and produced a happy orange hue on the water and sand. It was nothing short of spectacular. My two friends were already seated on the restaurant patio when I arrived (late). I had to first run home, walk the dog and change into shorts and sandals. When I arrived, we ordered some champagne, and a variety of appetizer type things, which hit the spot. Jumbo shrimp cocktail, Mini Fish Tacos, a cheese and fruit plate, Chicken Quesidillas, and a basket of fresh baked bread. It was a perfect way to unwind after work and catch up with friends. If only I could do this everyday...but oh that's right, that pesky job of mine gets in the way of doing things like this more often.

Above: The cliffs overlooking La Jolla beach are so beautiful...


Above: My camera did not do this justice at all, but the beach was so inviting and calming.
-Rick Rockhill

Creative Blogger Awards

On Saturday I discovered that my blog was the recipient of the Creative Blogger Award, thanks to HoosierGirl5. It came as a complete and total surprise to me, but I am grateful for the recognition. I enjoy blogging, it's a hobby and an outlet for me. I suppose it could be time for a "Sally Field speech" (You like me, you REALLY LIKE ME") but I'll spare you that nonsense. I'd prefer to get on with the tradition and bestow the Creative Blogger Awards as follows:

Palm Springs Savant Nominations and Recipients:

1. Tea and Margaritas in My Garden is a delightful blog. Her blog coveys the wonderful life in her cozy English cottage with her husband, a very cool dog named Elvis, and kitties Teddy, Angus and Theodore. This is a very thoughtful blog, with day to day experiences, hobbies and interesting personal life stories.

2. Canadian Flake: This "frosted flake" is one busy blogger. She posts regularly, and is a voracious blog reader. I have been impressed with her ability to entertain others and also engage in other's blogs. Her profile is quite modest, but she has a fun blog, with entertaining material.

3. Naomi's Diary From England: Naomi is one of the sweetest bloggers I've had the pleasure to meet in the blogosphere. She blogs tirelessly and is quite social as well. I first ran into Naomi from Blog Village, where she loyally supports fellow bloggers. If you are interested in a first hand perspective on life in England, check out Naomi's blog.

4. Empress Bee of the High Sea Muffin 53: Bee is well known throughout blogland. She has a really good blog and has been a regular blog reader and friend. I especially appreciate Bee's support for friends kids joining the service. Her blog is funny, entertaining and creative.

5. Spirit of Saint Lewis captures the essence of life from Lewis' perspective. He has a terrific outlook on life, and spreads cheer across the blogosphere. His blog covers friendships, social issues, travels and local stuff from Portland, it is always a fun read.

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Tradition dictates that each of you has to pass this award along. Enjoy~

-Rick Rockhill

The Saturday Seven: Memorable TV Characters from Way Back

Living in Palm Springs, I am frequently reminded of Hollywood celebrities or actors who have retired to Palm Springs or just come here to visit and get away. In fact, there is a certain "special" Hollywood movie actor who lives just a block away from my home. I have seen him out and about in his golf cart-but since this is not a gossip site I am hesitant to name drop....although Barry Manilow is practically my neighbor...but anyway I digress...

Last night I was contemplating this post and had a case of writer's block; so I went outside for a midnight swim. While standing in the moonlight I had an inspiration for today's Saturday Seven post. Perhaps it was someone I saw...but I'll never disclose those details, I am however, happy to share another scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Memorable TV Characters from Way Back.
This is a list of characters who for whatever reason remain etched in my mind. I'm not suggesting they are good or bad, but that I just remember them clearly from this role.
#1 J. R. Ewing- Dallas (Larry Hagman)

#2 Samantha Stevens- Bewitched (Elizabeth Montgomery)

#3 Steve Austin: The Six Million Dollar Man (Lee Majors)

#4 Jeannie: I Dream of Jeannie (Barbara Eden)

#5 Benny Hill: The Benny Hill Show

#5 John Steed: The Avengers (Patrick Macnee)

#7 Chrissy Snow: Three's Company (Suzanne Somers- she's practically my neighbor)

Bonus entry: Tattoo and Mr Rourke: Fantasy Island (Herve V. and Ricardo Monteblan)

Do YOU have any memorable TV characters that remain in your mind? Go ahead, leave a comments, it's totally FREE TODAY!
-Rick Rockhill

An Intimate Portrait of the Desert, Part III

Today is the final segment in my three-part series of up-close and personal photos of desert plants and things found in my yard in Palm Springs. I've received lots of e-mails from the first two installments, I'm glad everyone is enjoying these photos. I hope that you find some joy in this final group of desert photos. Enjoy!

Thanks for following along and joining me in this photograhic journey of the desert. Happy Friday!

-Rick Rockhill

An Intimate Portrait of the Desert, Part II

Today is the second installment in my three-part series of up-close and personal photos of desert plants found in my yard in Palm Springs. It is my hope that these photos will stimulate your mind and convey the unique beauty of desert plant life.

Enjoy!





-Rick Rockhill

Wisdom Wednesdays: Featuring Dr Wang

This week’s letter is from Darlene in Windsor, Canada. Darlene writes:

Dear Dr Wang,

My boyfriend of 6 years just asked me to marry him. I am excited because I do love him. However he has a few skeletons in his closet that keep me awake at night. Before we met, he started modeling nude for extra money. Eventually it led to him working as a nude dancer at a ladies nightclub. He makes very good money at it and still works at the club a few nights a week. I’ve seen him dance and he is very popular at the club. I’m not a jealous person but I must admit that it makes me a little uncomfortable. I’ve asked him how long he plans to continue with his nude dancing, and he says he likes the extra money, but also enjoys being nude on stage. I’ve never told my family about his part-time job, but if we are going to be married I think he should stop working at the club before my family finds out. Am I overreacting? Should I let him continue dancing or will it lead to bad things down the road.

Feeling exposed,

Darlene

Dr Wang responds: Dear Darlene,

First of all, congratulations on your engagement. This is indeed an interesting situation you present. I of course, am nude all the time, swimming quite happily in the buff in my deluxe tank...but I digress...

I have consulted The Great Bubble Wall to see what your future holds. You must not force your fiance to quit his nude dancing job at this time. Accept him for who he is and allow him to enjoy his hobby. I suggest that you open a joint savings account for his tip money from nude dancing. Set a financial goal to help pay for your wedding, and when he has saved enough he could potentially quit his nude dancing then.

However, as the bubbles in my tank clear I see that there is an unveiling in the works. A member of your family is about to see more of your fiance than you intended. Someone with blonde hair and low-set ears is planning to visit the very same nightclub where your fiance works. It will be a scandal because this person from your family is a man. Regardless, your secret will be out to the entire family within ten days time. You must brace yourself for this unveiling, grin and bare it.


In the meantime, keep swimming upstream,


-Dr Wang

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"Wisdom Wednesdays" features the sage advice of our resident oracle, Dr Sidney Wang. Believed to be a reincarnated descendant of King Rama II of Siam, Dr Wang responds to e-mail submissions with advice, predictions of the future and conveys ancient proverbs to provide guidance and support. Dr Sidney Wang's 24 Hour Wisdom, Advice and Inspiration service is also available from the left side navigation for this feature.

An Intimate Portrait of the Desert, Part I

I'm pleased to present a three-part series of up-close and personal photos of desert plants found in my yard in Palm Springs. It is my hope that these photos will stimulate your mind and convey the unique beauty of desert plantlife.
Enjoy!




Stay tuned...more photos on Thursday and Friday~
-Rick Rockhill

Natural Marketplace Show

For those of you who followed "Rick's Roadshow" over the past five days know that I was in Las Vegas for three of the five days. I was attending the Natural Marketplace 2007, a trade show and conference sponsored by The Natural Products Association.
It was not an especially large trade show, but there was a wide variety of vendors and products in attendance. My company carries a huge selection of natural and eco-friendly pet products, including natural and organic dog and cat food, so I attended this event to learn more about the trends in the marketplace.

As with any trade show, there are always a variety of interesting sights. I tried to snap a few photos to capture the atmosphere and cast of characters. Here I am (at left) posing with a skeleton who has an iPhone in his hand. The vendor was raffling off iPhones as their gimmick to attract passers-by. After taking this photo, the vendor proceeded to "scan" the bar code on my name badge, no doubt with the intention of sending me piles of junk mail in days to come. It seemed a small price to pay for the photo op with a skeleton using a cell phone.
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Shortly thereafter I ran into a booth with a pair of women wearing fresh orchids on their heads. Like a moth to a flame, I was instantly drawn in to this spectacle. As I approached the booth, I discovered it was none other than The Amazing Aloha Linda, who is an entertainer extraordinaire. She hosts a TV show from Hawaii and series of inspirational videos for fitness and self affirmations. In this photo, Aloha Linda is on the left, (the TV screen has her TV show playing). I enjoyed chatting with her- as it turns out, she lived in Palm Springs with her family for a number of years. I started to explain that I am The Palm Springs Savant, but I decided it could be dangerous. What if she wanted me to hawk her videos on my blog??? But then again, maybe I could guest star on one of her TV episodes? Hmmmm.
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A Few Other Interesting sights...

Above: Yoga Lady

Above: The Xango juice booth...it looked like a nightclub lounge inside the booth

Above: Celebrity Chef Organic cooking show...I wonder how he would have done on "Hells Kitchen"?

Above: There's always one in the bunch. Here is Dr Wacky. He was in his booth pitching his products and holistic approach to skin care. Actually his stuff looks pretty good, but I just couldn't get past the name. All in all, it was a fun show
-Rick Rockhill