Benicia

So, Benicia is a lovely cute little town with a cute little town square with a gazebo and everything. Yesterday they were showing a movie in the park and a band was playing and it was just so adorable. Many people walking their dogs, old people on benches, cute little shops...like tea shops and antiques and shit; legit cute little main street town shops...you know. Apparently, according to Matt, who is from there, there is a big ol' meth problem too. So thats good. Head off Main street, which isn't called Main, but it might as well be, and you have creepy old guys slithering about in front of run down old victorians. Don't get me wrong though, the place is totes adorbs, its just no more adorable than anywhere else. So, its a well-rounded cute little place.

It is actually on the bay....like in between San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Although, I had to look it up because after living in the "Bay Area" for two months I just generally assume every body of water is the SF Bay. Its weird to see the water since the town is so far east. And then, the really weird thing is that Benicia used to be the California State Capital from 1853-1854. I took a picture in front of the Capital Building. It's down there, below. You'll see it. Also, there is this old train station which I totally should have taken a picture of, but didn't, and its really cute too, but kind of creepy. Like, right by the water, and you're wondering why the train would run so close to the water. Just doesn't seem right. I get the train running by the ocean up the coast, but this just seems weird. Anyhow...

I like Mexican food. And I saw a place that looked cute (cause Benicia's so cute). So Mimsie and I parked and walked to it and it was not as cute on the inside as it seemed from the outside, but whatevs, we sat outside. AND the menu was kinda weird, like CREATIVE for mexican food, but not in a good way. Cheddar in the Chile Rellenos and in the bean dip, "tomato sauce" on the tostada, and fried shrimp with beans and rice, but not like spiced Mexicany, just fried shrimpy. So, maybe not so creative as lazy? One of the two. But, whatever, still good, its hard to mess up Mexican, even when you mess it up. And the Margaritas tasted weird, but still good, but you're like "is this ACTUALLY a Margarita, or did someone throw like some caramel in here, not that I mind, I just wanna know".

So we're sitting there and we hear the the music from the band and its good, but not that good, and the sun is KINDA in my eyes, but its nice to be outside, so cool, and I'm chillin' with my Margarita which is confusing, but fine, I'll drink it. And then THIS WOMAN. I don't understand THIS WOMAN and PEOPLE LIKE HER. She is quite loud and informs the waiter that the people he is serving chips to should not be getting their chips, because she and her son and her dog were seated first. So, ok, ok, glitch in the plans, they're slow with the service (what did you really expect anyways with cheddar in the rellenos?), maybe kindly and, privately so as not to have to raise your voice, inform them that you are waiting on your chips. I might also mention that she had JUST, and loudly, reminded a different waiter of her drink order, and then not but a minute later, no time for him to get the drinks in the first place, chastised the other waiter. Ok. So, bitch, fine, she is uncomfortably close, but I'll get over it and continue on with my meal.

The owner then comes over to apologize and explain the problem, which bitchy dog/child lady responds to with, "yeah, that's not my problem, ok? (gross, syrupy, sickly fake nice ew ew voice) just bring me my drinks, like you're supposed to, ok?" Owner: "If you're going to give me attitude, you are welcome to leave." Owner walks away. Bitchy dog/child lady calls after her(cause everyone in the restaurant must hear everything she says): "Oh lets just start over, ok hon?" (same voice).

Ok. Fine. Sip margarita. Admire...try to admire, what I can kinda see of Benicia through the sun in my eyes. Check in with bitchy dog/child lady (cause I like watching train wrecks, obvio). AND I SEE HER SLAP HER DOG ACROSS THE FACE. um. Ok. cause it was sniffing the table. AT A RESTAURANT. DOG + FOOD = SNIFFING. DUH.

So, I'm all like, "You shouldn't hit your dog, that isn't right" She says, "I'm not, I'm teaching the animal a lesson" (which is, by the way, the second time I've heard that in a month. The first was from a craze-o at the vet who the lab tech confronted for being overly aggressive with her 'animal') Then, I'm like, "I saw you slap your dog across the face." And then she's all like, "Thank you."

???

My mom thinks its because I was helping her remember what she had learned in anger management or something. Maybe she's not used to people calling her out? I don't know. Maybe the trifecta of meth problem, former state capital, and situation by the bay, but it doesn't seem like it should be by the bay, but it is, makes for crazies in Benicia. Well, certainly the meth would. Or the train station? Taunting all who live there with the possibility of travel without actually coming through with any....that is kinda depressing, but I don't know about crazy making. Or she was just drunk, which the more I think about it, the more it seems kinda likely.

Her poor son! He seemed so sweet and loving of his mommy. She seemed genuinely interested in his conversation when I was spying on them. You know when kids look up to and adore their parents and all they do. You are little, and everything they do is right, and it shapes your view of the world. Then you realize your parent isn't always right, and you don't always agree with them, and the way you shaped your world is wrong for you and you missed out. Hello crisis! And poor dog!

So, moral of the story, make sure to go to Benicia in a good mood, so you're prepped for possible crazies. Defo check out the old state capital and train station. Oh, and go during the day, everything was closing/closed when we went.

<3
Kelly