After dropping off the required paperwork in Sacramento on Friday I had time for dinner and a movie before flying home.

Dinner was at On the Border Mexican Grill which, for a chain restaurant, was excellent. I'd eaten at this location once before, but I'd forgotten how good it is. I'll be going back.

In keeping with the theme, I saw "No Country for Old Men," the Coen Brothers modern western. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. Tommie Lee Jones is perfect as a west Texas Sheriff and Javier Bardem is as creepy as can be as a psychotic murderer.

And some of the side characters -- motel manager, gas station owner, etc -- are so pitch perfect it's amazing.

A view of San Francisco from my hotel room Friday morning with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. About an hour after taking this picture I crossed the bridge.

Thanksgiving Bounty in Coalinga

My friends like to kid me about my employer's generous vacation policy. (And it is generous.)

But now and then there are times when I feel like I really EARN that time off.

Today -- Thanksgiving Day -- was an excellent example.

I spent today driving from Southern California to Northern California gathering ballot argument rebuttal signatures along the way. Our arguments against Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97 -- which go in the Voter Pamphlet mailed to every voter in the state -- were due yesterday afternoon. And our rebuttal to the proponent's argument is due tomorrow -- 48 hours later, with Thanksgiving stuck right in the middle.

That meant the only way to get the three signatures we wanted was for me to hit the road and go get them. Fortunately, our signors were all very gracious when I called and said I wanted to drop by their houses on Thanksgiving Day.

It didn't help, however, when I realized after driving an hour and a half north after getting my first signature that I hadn't done the paperwork right. Time to double back before continuing on north.

As luck would have it I passed by the Harris Ranch in Coalinga right about time for Thanksgiving Dinner. The photo above is from their buffet, but I didn't eat there. I ate in the coffee shop. I didn't notice the Thanksgiving Buffet until I was on my way out. The traditional Thanksgiving Dinner in the Harris Ranch Coffee Shop was excellent. But the buffet looked really lavish.

But most importantly -- when I take that major block of time off at the end of next year or the beginning of 2009, let's all remember my very-non-traditional Thanksgiving 2007.

Of course I brought flowers with me today. I wasn't about to knock on someone's door empty handed on Thanksgiving Day to ask them to fill out some paperwork.

Calgone, Take Me Away

After spending all weekend duking it out at the California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting I wanted to do something completely different once it was over on Sunday.

And since no visit to Anaheim is complete without some Disney activity, off I went.

I spent the afternoon and part of the evening at Downtown Disney, a souped-up shopping mall outside the main gate to Disneyland.

All I could think of when this bomb-sniffing dog went by was, "so that's why they call it 'Downtown' Disney."

This guy was playing his piano so fast it started to smoke. That's fast.

Caught a screening of "American Gangster" at the movieplex in Downtown Disney. An excellent, gripping movie. But it seemed a little subversive to be watching such a violent movie in the middle of The Happiest Place on Earth.

I had dinner Sunday night at Paul Brennan's Jazz Kitchen -- a New Orleans themed restaurant at Downtown Disney. Like all Disney restaurants it was over-priced and a bit mass-produced. But all in all, I thought the food was very good.

A fanciful sculpture in the central courtyard of Paul Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

Which Meeting is Next?

Spent a long day at the California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting attending various caucus meetings.

These young men from South Los Angeles brought the African-American Caucus to their feet by reciting what it means to be a man in both English and Spanish.

The Resolutions Committee meeting room was completely packed.

I never did find out what was going on with these folks I spotted in the hotel lobby.

North to South

Had a good lunch on Thursday at a Mimi's Cafe in Sacramento. Normally I don't eat at chain restaurants. But the only other Mimi's Cafe I've been to is in Fresno. I like their eclectic interior and French bistro menu.

Now I'm in Anaheim for the California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting this weekend. I'm staying in a Sheraton surrounded by other hotels -- all adjacent to Disneyland.

The Sheraton is across the street from Fujishige Farms -- the future home of the third Disney theme park in Anaheim. I always think of by old friend, Beth Fujishige, when I see those strawberry fields.

The Farmer in the Dell

Having driven by a zillion times, I finally stopped off for dinner Monday night at The Farm House Restaurant in Beaumont off the I-10.

Turns out the food is pretty good American fare (no surprise there).

I liked the restaurant's homey interior.

A giant chicken in the parking lot -- always a good sign.

Insert Elephant Pun Here

Had a pretty good lunch today at the Elephant Bar and Grill in Sacramento before heading home.

I like the chain's jungle theme and huge menu. Anytime you have a six page menu there's something there for everyone.