The Mandalorian and Grogu

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/45 sec, ISO200
“Mando and Grogu Movie” Austin, 2026

Tonight we saw The Mandalorian and Grogu, and honestly, what a fun movie! I’d recommend it even if you’re not really a Star Wars person. Mariko isn’t a huge fan, but she has a soft spot for Jabba the Hutt. So when more Hutts showed up on the big screen, she was thrilled. It was pretty funny to see her light up like that. 😄

Burgers and a Movie

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/60 sec, ISO1000
“Burgers and a Movie” Cedar Park, 2026

My son requested burgers for dinner today, and that’s one request I’m always happy to fulfill. 🍔 Bacon mixed right into the patties, and Mariko made homemade buns from scratch. We piled them high with pickles, jalapeños, lettuce, and onions. Then we settled in for the night with Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is one of those movies that just never gets old. It was a good holiday evening.

The Road Home

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/3000 sec, ISO50
“Passenger View” New Mexico, 2026

We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We left around 9 this morning and made a beeline for Dutch Bros in Las Cruces. We stopped there last time too, and it’s perfect for a drive-thru pick-me-up. I ordered something called a Caramelizer, which is basically a coffee slushie, and it was really good. Koa thought so too. He probably drank half of it. 😄

Koa drove the morning shift and I took over after lunch. We went through baseball podcasts, music, and at some point Koa fell asleep and I switched to an audiobook. Then we caught the Dodger game the rest of the way home. It was a good trip. ⚾

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 sec, ISO25
“Approaching Las Cruces” New Mexico, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/700 sec, ISO25
“Dust Devil” Texas, 2026

On the Road Again

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/720 sec, ISO80
“On the Road” Arizona, 2026

Koa and I hit the road today. We’re doing the two-day drive back across California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It’s a route we’ve done before, so we know what we’re in for. Tonight we’ll stop at Lordsburg, New Mexico and finish the second half tomorrow.

We’ve got plenty of podcasts lined up, and a baseball game to tune into later. Honestly, not a bad way to spend a day. 🚗⚾

Dinner at La Capilla

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1000
“Carnitas Enchiladas” Torrance, 2026

La Capilla has been one of our go-to Mexican restaurants for decades. It’s a family favorite, and tonight five of us went out for dinner. Every single one of us ordered something with carnitas. Our waitress noticed and said, “you guys sure love carnitas!” Yes we do. Yes we do. 😄

The second photo is me doing what I always do at the start of a Mexican meal. A chip with beans. It’s a silly tradition I have no plans of breaking. 🌮

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/30 sec, ISO2000
“Chip and Beans” Torrance, 2026
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO1600
“Family Dinner” Torrance, 2026

Go Go Curry

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/120 sec, ISO125
“Katsu Curry” Gardena, 2026

I met up with a friend for lunch today at Go Go Curry in the Gardena Tokyo Central. It was my first time trying the chain, and I have to say, it held up pretty well. I’m still a CoCo Ichibanya person at heart, but Go Go Curry is not bad! I’d go back. 🍛