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self-portrait.netDecember 2003
My Merry Christmas
Letter What follows is the electronic version of the Christmas
letter I included in the Christmas cards sent to far away family and friends.
Enjoy!
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
Well, another year has flown by, and what a year it was! Good times and not-so-good
times - a year like any other, I guess. This past year I did quite a bit of vacationing,
though I stayed mostly close to home. Some were first-time visits, others were return
trips, but all were lots of fun, fun, fun!!
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
In June I attended the annual California Paralegal Conference, held this year
at the historic Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Blvd! The last time I was anywhere near
Hollywood was back in '74, and I don't remember it very well, so it was like the very first
time there for me. All the things you see on TV are there: the Walk of Fame, the
footprints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater, the famous Hollywood sign up on the
hillside, and all kinds of tourists and unique people. The Conference had a Hollywood
theme, and there were even some star impersonators on hand to entertain us: Charlie
Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and Groucho Marx, just to name a few! It was interesting and
educational, as well as a great deal of fun!
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
I was originally going to participate in the annual Wharf to Wharf race this past July, but in the
end decided I really just needed a vacation! Mom and I drove up for the weekend, and had
a great time exploring beautiful downtown Santa Cruz, the Boardwalk and the Wharf. The
weather was beautiful, and it was very relaxing to lounge by the pool at the hotel, or walk
along the beach, or watch the people go by while dining at a sidewalk cafe. The race went
on without me, however, but we had a front row view from the balcony of our hotel!
AVALON, CALIFORNIA
My friend Jewel has been telling me that Catalina Island was an awesome place to visit, so I
decided I'd better go check it out. One weekend in October, the two of us took the
Catalina Express over to the Island, which is located about an hour off the coast of
California, and stayed at the Catherine Hotel in Avalon. My friend was right: Catalina is
awesome! We toured around the island via golf cart (just about the only mode of
transportation on the island; there's a two year wait to bring a car onto the island.),
and spent a lot of time browsing the quaint little shops and sipping cappuccinos
watching the people go by.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
I have never been to Texas, so when the opportunity to attend
the 2003 JournalCon at the end of
October came up, I jumped at it! Not only would I have the chance to once again enjoy the
company of many of the journallers I met in San Francisco at last year's convention, and
meet many new people, I would also be visiting a state I've never stepped foot in before.
Austin is a wonderful city! The local people are very friendly and accommodating - not at
all what you'd expect in such a large city. The conference was wonderful, too, with
interesting panels, great entertainment, and the company of some truly awesome
people!
So, there you have it: My 2003 Travelogue! I hope that 2003 was a wonderful,
exciting and joyous year for you, and wish you an equally fantastic 2004! Cheers!
Wishing you love, peace and happiness,
Hez 
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