A Few Favorite Things

Have you finished your shopping yet? Won’t start for a couple weeks?

It seems so much during the holidays revolves around all the giving and getting. And no doubt, stuff can be nice. 

But as the Grinch learned and we all know, what really makes the holidays memorable is the time together with friends and family. Getting to know each other a little better is what brings us closer.

So I wanted to take a little inspiration from the My Favorite Things shows Oprah used to do during the holidays. But I didn’t want to just rattle off a bunch of items as gift ideas.

I’m more interested in finding out a few favorites from some of the people you and I work with. It’s just nice to learn more about them by letting them share the things they enjoy. Maybe some of the things will in fact wind up sparking an idea for a present. Some, like watching a sunset, you can’t put in a box – and they don’t cost a dime.

I’ll chime in, but let’s hear first from several department heads on their favorite things.    

Michael Vu, Registrar of Voters

Favorite movie, this year: "The Martian" – best since "Braveheart!"

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Without kids it would be Pacific Coast Grill.  With kids it would probably be Sammy’s.

Favorite album, all time: "Tracy Chapman," Tracy Chapman

Favorite book, all time: "No Ordinary Time," Doris Kearns Goodwin

Favorite place to watch sunset:  Ponto Beach, Carlsbad

Favorite County park: Lake Morena

Favorite charity: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Favorite sports team: University of Utah Football.  Go Utes!!!

Favorite way to spend day off: Soccer with the boys, beach, movie

Favorite magazine:  They still produce magazines? Runner’s World

Favorite radio station: Spotify…My own playlist

Favorite TV show: "The Good Wife" or "Suits" - it’s a toss-up. They are so well-scripted.

(Note from Helen here. Michael, this must be the only toss-up the Registrar likes!)

GizmoPalSusan Brazeau, Human Resources Director

Favorite TV show: "Impractical Jokers" 

Favorite tech gadget: GizmoPal

Favorite place to watch sunset: Carlsbad Beach

Favorite sports team:  Michigan State Spartans

Favorite way to spend day off: Walk at the beach with my daughter and BFF

Favorite radio station:  92.5

Favorite websites: Amazon

Heritage ParkEbony Shelton, Director, Office of Financial Planning

Favorite movie: Best movie ever “Labyrinth” with David Bowie. I never watch movies twice. I’ve seen this one about 100 times. J

Favorite album: Jill Scott “Who is Jill Scott”

Favorite book, this year: “Minutes to Kill,” Scarlet Falls

Favorite County park: Heritage Park. I got married there in November of 2000

Favorite tech gadget – Kindle Fire

Favorite way to spend day off: My perfect Saturday includes: Reformer Pilates, Starbucks and lounging by the pool (in that exact order).

Favorite magazine: Harvard Business Review

Favorite flower: Orchid (a new hobby I picked up about a year ago)

Favorite doughnut: Anything with pink frosting

Rhodesian ridgeback (not Chuck's)Chuck Matthews, Deputy Director, Health and Human Services Agency, North Inland and North Coastal Regions

Favorite charity: Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue (My family fosters Ridgeback shelter dogs in our home)

Favorite radio station: Pandora: "Sunday Funday Brunch Radio" station (on any day)  

Favorite daily drink: Trenta Green Iced Tea Unsweetened 

Favorite movies: The entire Bourne Series (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum and Legacy)

Favorite place for sunset: Brief time: Crossing west on Coronado Bridge. More time: End of Santa Cruz Ave. in Ocean Beach

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Parma Cucina Italiana in Hillcrest

Favorite TV show: "Big Bang Theory"

Favorite Book:  "Oh, the Places You'll Go," Dr. Suess

Favorite Sports Teams:  Die-hard Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. "Wait till next year!"

Jose Aponte, County Library Director

Favorite sports team: University of Arizona basketball

Favorite way to spend day off: Cycling the coast 3-4 hours

Favorite movie, all time: "The Fog of War"

Last Week Tonight with John OliverFavorite TV show: "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver"

Favorite album: Flaco Jiménez & Max Baca Perform Best Of The Conjunto

Favorite book, this year: "In the Kingdom of Ice," Hampton Sides

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Indigo Grill

Favorite place to watch sunset: Swami’s, Encinitas  

Favorite County park: Sweetwater Reservoir

Favorite tech gadget: Garmin Forerunner

Favorite charity: Habitat for Humanity

Ha Dang, Agriculture, Weights and Measures Director

Favorite TV show: "Everybody Loves Raymond"

Favorite place to watch sunset: Mission Bay

Favorite book, all time: "Walden," Henry David Thoreau

Favorite way to spend day off: Hang out with family, gardening

Favorite websites: PBS Nova, Nature

Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving

 Sunset at Mission Bay

Glenn Wagner, Medical Examiner

Favorite way to spend day off: Working with my search and rescue K-9s

Favorite magazine: Bon Appetit

Favorite charity: Cancer Society

Favorite sports team: Chargers (most of the time)

Favorite movie, current: "James Bond: Spectre"

Favorite album: "Sinatra: Nothing but the Best (2008)," Frank Sinatra

Favorite book, current: Bill O’Reilly’s “Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault that changed a Presidency" (I was personally involved in that investigation)

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Fillippi’s in Little Italy

Favorite radio station: Sirius, Blend and Pulse formats

Favorite TV show: NCIS series

OK, good lists. I know I had a few “Who knew?” moments. Here are mine:

Favorite movie, this year: "Bridge of Spies"

Favorite TV show: "Shark Tank"

Favorite album, all time: "Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen

Favorite book, all time: "Pillars of the Earth," Ken Follett

Favorite San Diego restaurant: Brooklyn Girl

Favorite place to watch sunset:  La Jolla Cove

Favorite County park: Waterfront Park, of course!

Favorite tech gadget:  GoPro

Favorite charity: CECO

Favorite sports team: Oregon Ducks Football

Favorite way to spend day off: Beach

Favorite magazine: Economist

Favorite radio station: Sirius

Favorite website: Politico

Now my main point here was just to have a little fun. But there is a little message you can take away, too.

Every one of us in the County would come up with a different list. We all have different things that make us tick, and they give us each different perspectives. That goes right to the heart of the Diversity & Inclusion initiative we kicked off recently. It starts with the desire to learn about and from each other. Maybe something as simple as a favorite TV show or restaurant. With time, more about someone’s background and life experiences. The more we know, the stronger we’ll be as a team.

Your dedication to excellent service all year long is the best gift I could ever wish for. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you’ll have many chances over the next few weeks to share good times with co-workers, friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

See more InTouch columns, including last month's Thank You from the Boss (That's Not Me!)