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| Fort Funston Memorial Day 2007 |
Monday, May 28, 2007
Fort Funston
The Chef & I spent Memorial Day contemplating life (and way too much death) during wartime by ogling dogs and listening to the sound of the sea. It's only a short drive from our house to the edge of the world. Click on the path to the ocean to see the furry friends that made us feel better.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Picked Yesterday!
It's blueberry season! The Chef & I are always happy to see the blueberries make their brief appearance at the farmer's market. Last week they were all gone by the time we got there (dammit!) so Saturday we showed up early and raced DIRECTLY to the blueberry stall. We bought enough to bake with, and some extra to pop directly into our mouths.
Our blueberry bounty (and beer!)
The magic that takes place in the oven.
"Galette" is a fancy name for PIE.
Voila! is a fancy way to say "get a load of this!"
Our blueberry bounty (and beer!)
The magic that takes place in the oven.
"Galette" is a fancy name for PIE.
Voila! is a fancy way to say "get a load of this!"
Monday, May 21, 2007
Me and Dr. Sally at the fun fair
Remember Jerry Lewis backyard carnival fundraisers? Here's an old snapshot of one in our backyard, starring Dr. Sally (costumed nicely in a matching hat and raincoat) her brother Michael (every carnival needs a whistle blower!) and me -- I'm the clown. The plastic margarine tub hanging from a string around my neck was meant to collect donations (was I selling not-very-blown-up balloons?) I borrowed the big tennis shoes from my dad. My sister Susan is in the background with her head sticking out of sheet hung across the garage doorway. I believe there was a fee to throw a sponge at her face.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Close Call Weekend
This weekend was scary, as each time we left the house bad things happened.
Saturday -- someone was stabbed while we were grocery shopping.
Sunday -- we nearly bumped into that idiot Vincent Gallo.
Yesterday we got all fussy about what kind of salmon (wild!) we should have for dinner and drove to an out-of-the-way grocery store. We parked, went in and five minutes later someone ran into the store and yelled "Someone's been stabbed, call 911!" It's in those moments that you realize people have a hard time computing such sentences, because everyone was paralyzed, until someone finally called 911. While waiting for the police to arrive I decided it would be the perfect time to panic shop and proceeded to buy chips, ice cream, chocolate bars and beer! We stalled around and when we were finally brave enough to leave they were loading up an ambulance. They were also wrapping the parking lot with yellow crime scene tape. Our car was inside the scene. One of the officers told us we could leave "in a second" the other police officer told us, "get out of the crime scene!" (strangely, we've heard that one before!) We discussed taking the bus home and wondered if they would let us get the ice cream out of the car first (we managed to put our groceries in the trunk before they told us to leave "the scene".) How to explain to a police officer that your stress purchase is melting in the car and THAT'S why you have to get home immediately. We stood around with the other trapped gawkers (and crime witnesses who had to stick around and give statements) but then the wind took pity on us and broke the police tape! At this same time the woman parked next to us came out and we both made our appeal -- LET US OUT! The tape had broken, the police officers decided they wanted our spots and they (whew) let us take our melting panic ice cream home. We were going to run another errand, but decided it would be best to GO HOME AND STAY THERE. Plus, there was so much panic food to eat. After dinner, the panic ice cream was enjoyed with strawberries and Ms. Stella's delicious pound cake.
On Sunday we took our chances and left the house again. I was still panicked (it involved a work-related "inappropriate" video called "Party With Beer" - don't ask.) I needed to go record shopping (see music/healing/therapy). As we exited Amoeba I nearly bumped into none other than Vincent Gallo. Those of you who know me (which means you read this blog) may know of my hatred for Vincent Gallo. All of a sudden, there were his beady blue eyes and scruffy beard face walking down Haight Street -- After he passed, I whacked the Chef's shoulder and said, BAH! THAT'S VINCENT GALLO!
There are so many people in the world -- why would we stumble upon Vincent Gallo? VG holds a lifetime spot on my short, yet venomous super hater list. I was going to link to his website so you could see what an idiot he is, but I hate him too much. Do not go there and give him the pleasure of one more user count click.
Scary weekend, but not tragic. We remain unharmed, we were not witnesses to a crime scene, we got our car home so we could eat ice cream and we didn't make physical contact with Vincent Gallo.
Close calls, the super scary narrowly avoided. Whew.
Saturday -- someone was stabbed while we were grocery shopping.
Sunday -- we nearly bumped into that idiot Vincent Gallo.
Yesterday we got all fussy about what kind of salmon (wild!) we should have for dinner and drove to an out-of-the-way grocery store. We parked, went in and five minutes later someone ran into the store and yelled "Someone's been stabbed, call 911!" It's in those moments that you realize people have a hard time computing such sentences, because everyone was paralyzed, until someone finally called 911. While waiting for the police to arrive I decided it would be the perfect time to panic shop and proceeded to buy chips, ice cream, chocolate bars and beer! We stalled around and when we were finally brave enough to leave they were loading up an ambulance. They were also wrapping the parking lot with yellow crime scene tape. Our car was inside the scene. One of the officers told us we could leave "in a second" the other police officer told us, "get out of the crime scene!" (strangely, we've heard that one before!) We discussed taking the bus home and wondered if they would let us get the ice cream out of the car first (we managed to put our groceries in the trunk before they told us to leave "the scene".) How to explain to a police officer that your stress purchase is melting in the car and THAT'S why you have to get home immediately. We stood around with the other trapped gawkers (and crime witnesses who had to stick around and give statements) but then the wind took pity on us and broke the police tape! At this same time the woman parked next to us came out and we both made our appeal -- LET US OUT! The tape had broken, the police officers decided they wanted our spots and they (whew) let us take our melting panic ice cream home. We were going to run another errand, but decided it would be best to GO HOME AND STAY THERE. Plus, there was so much panic food to eat. After dinner, the panic ice cream was enjoyed with strawberries and Ms. Stella's delicious pound cake.
On Sunday we took our chances and left the house again. I was still panicked (it involved a work-related "inappropriate" video called "Party With Beer" - don't ask.) I needed to go record shopping (see music/healing/therapy). As we exited Amoeba I nearly bumped into none other than Vincent Gallo. Those of you who know me (which means you read this blog) may know of my hatred for Vincent Gallo. All of a sudden, there were his beady blue eyes and scruffy beard face walking down Haight Street -- After he passed, I whacked the Chef's shoulder and said, BAH! THAT'S VINCENT GALLO!
There are so many people in the world -- why would we stumble upon Vincent Gallo? VG holds a lifetime spot on my short, yet venomous super hater list. I was going to link to his website so you could see what an idiot he is, but I hate him too much. Do not go there and give him the pleasure of one more user count click.
Scary weekend, but not tragic. We remain unharmed, we were not witnesses to a crime scene, we got our car home so we could eat ice cream and we didn't make physical contact with Vincent Gallo.
Close calls, the super scary narrowly avoided. Whew.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
The Monk and Cake
This week was interrupted with a few bright moments of live music.
As you know, it takes a lot to tempt the Chef & I off the couch midweek because of our great passion for kittens, Tivo and sofa sitting. No one but the lovely Ms Stella Sturm could have convinced us to give up our lazy mid-week fun. A rare treat to visit w/ Ms. Sturm! We immediately agreed to join her on Wednesday evening to attend a performance by Meredith Monk. I was a little worried about the concert as it was part of the Jewish Community Center's "Art & Healing Program" which set off a lot of alarms in my head. I admit that I'm sceptical when music is referred to as "art" and then throw in "healing"... (even though I believe with all my music-obsessed self that music serves as both art and a magical form that gives much comfort) whenever things are treated so seriously, well, I don't like it. I would rather use lofty terms like "cool stuff" and "this rocks" and "wow!"
Even more off-putting, there was a section of the concert where Meredith Monk was going to perform music composed for UK hospice patients. As I like to avoid sadness of all kinds I was concerned that with buying a ticket and entering a place where hospice themed music would be performed that I would become incredibly sad. Perhaps weepy. This kind of thing would instinctively be on my list to avoid, but it was a rare opportunity to get together with Ms. Sturm, who is a HUGE Meredith Monk fan, and (with rare exception) usually anything that Ms. Sturm loves, well, I know there is a damn' good reason behind it. That's how we ended up leaving the sofa and kittens mid-week to attend this "Art & Healing" program.
Of course (see above: Ms. Sturm knows her stuff) it was a fantastic, inspiring and JOYFUL evening. Now the Chef & I join Ms. Sturm as full-time members of the MM fan club -- because well, "wow!" and what a disarming, kind, unique and silly 21st Century composer who has no pretensions yet is amazingly talented, and again, I'll just say, um, that I'm so glad I ignored my list of suspicions and the warning bells. Instead of making me feel gloomy about death, it made me happy about life -- especially the two pieces written for hospice patients (called "Impermanence") -- the one about the old lady on the phone talking about all her stuff filled me with belly laughs. There was also another dazzling duet of bird-like noises and gestures that made my mouth hang open. You know how the word awesome is overused? Well, it was awesome. I was IN awe.
A tip of the hat to Stella Sturm -- we knew it would great to spend time with her, but now we thank her for convincing us to witness the magic of Meredith Monk.
If that wasn't enough Art & Healing - the Chef surprised me with tickets to The Sea & Cake. I was introduced to a few of the members ages ago (at a time before Club de Wash burned down when they were still in Shrimpboat) as "This is one of your BIGGEST FANS!" This is not a good way to be introduced to a band. They always look at you as if you are crazy and then politely smile, hoping you'll wander away soon .
Anyway, it sure was good to see some old people play their soothing comfort sounds. Sam Prekop looks and sounds good as an aging indie rock star, and their music is as if someone plugs some kind of peaceful happy murmuring feeling directly into my ears. Ahhhhhhh. The Sea & Cake.
This time we snuck out before anyone could pull me over and reveal that I was * STILL* one of their biggest fans - obviously stalking them *STILL* after all these years. Don't mention the whole plugging the happy into my head description to them, because then they will know that I'm also *STILL* crazy and hope that I wander away.
As you know, it takes a lot to tempt the Chef & I off the couch midweek because of our great passion for kittens, Tivo and sofa sitting. No one but the lovely Ms Stella Sturm could have convinced us to give up our lazy mid-week fun. A rare treat to visit w/ Ms. Sturm! We immediately agreed to join her on Wednesday evening to attend a performance by Meredith Monk. I was a little worried about the concert as it was part of the Jewish Community Center's "Art & Healing Program" which set off a lot of alarms in my head. I admit that I'm sceptical when music is referred to as "art" and then throw in "healing"... (even though I believe with all my music-obsessed self that music serves as both art and a magical form that gives much comfort) whenever things are treated so seriously, well, I don't like it. I would rather use lofty terms like "cool stuff" and "this rocks" and "wow!"
Even more off-putting, there was a section of the concert where Meredith Monk was going to perform music composed for UK hospice patients. As I like to avoid sadness of all kinds I was concerned that with buying a ticket and entering a place where hospice themed music would be performed that I would become incredibly sad. Perhaps weepy. This kind of thing would instinctively be on my list to avoid, but it was a rare opportunity to get together with Ms. Sturm, who is a HUGE Meredith Monk fan, and (with rare exception) usually anything that Ms. Sturm loves, well, I know there is a damn' good reason behind it. That's how we ended up leaving the sofa and kittens mid-week to attend this "Art & Healing" program.
Of course (see above: Ms. Sturm knows her stuff) it was a fantastic, inspiring and JOYFUL evening. Now the Chef & I join Ms. Sturm as full-time members of the MM fan club -- because well, "wow!" and what a disarming, kind, unique and silly 21st Century composer who has no pretensions yet is amazingly talented, and again, I'll just say, um, that I'm so glad I ignored my list of suspicions and the warning bells. Instead of making me feel gloomy about death, it made me happy about life -- especially the two pieces written for hospice patients (called "Impermanence") -- the one about the old lady on the phone talking about all her stuff filled me with belly laughs. There was also another dazzling duet of bird-like noises and gestures that made my mouth hang open. You know how the word awesome is overused? Well, it was awesome. I was IN awe.
A tip of the hat to Stella Sturm -- we knew it would great to spend time with her, but now we thank her for convincing us to witness the magic of Meredith Monk.
If that wasn't enough Art & Healing - the Chef surprised me with tickets to The Sea & Cake. I was introduced to a few of the members ages ago (at a time before Club de Wash burned down when they were still in Shrimpboat) as "This is one of your BIGGEST FANS!" This is not a good way to be introduced to a band. They always look at you as if you are crazy and then politely smile, hoping you'll wander away soon .Anyway, it sure was good to see some old people play their soothing comfort sounds. Sam Prekop looks and sounds good as an aging indie rock star, and their music is as if someone plugs some kind of peaceful happy murmuring feeling directly into my ears. Ahhhhhhh. The Sea & Cake.
This time we snuck out before anyone could pull me over and reveal that I was * STILL* one of their biggest fans - obviously stalking them *STILL* after all these years. Don't mention the whole plugging the happy into my head description to them, because then they will know that I'm also *STILL* crazy and hope that I wander away.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Kaboom Do-Over
This time last year we invited Dr. & Mrs. Virus to join us for dinner in the neighborhood and then walk up to Misson Dolores Park, where we would have a spectacular view of the Kaboom fireworks event. (It's a radio station sponsored thing that equals fireworks in May.) That night we ate dinner with one eye on the clock and then rushed over to the park. No one was there. We wondered if we already missed it. We sat on a bench and talked for a while and nothing happened so then we all walked home. That night I looked up the event on the internet and realized it was actually NEXT weekend. I had gotten the date wrong. Oops.
So last week we made plans with Dr. & Mrs. Virus to go out to eat in the neighborhood. A few days later we realized that it was the same night as the Kaboom fireworks. When I mentioned this to Dr. Virus, he responded with, "Do you mean that it's NEXT weekend?" ho ho ho.
Thus, after dinner at the Velvet Cantina we walked AGAIN up to Dolores Park and AGAIN grabbed a bench at the top of the hill to watch the fireworks display. This year it seemed more promising -- there were other people with blankets and radios who seemed to have the date right. The fog had cleared, the fireworks started exploding and we ooohed and ahhed and sang a long loudly to the"world class rock" soundtrack of some crap songs and some okay songs.
I'm glad we got this Kaboom do-over because it's way more fun to sit on a bench in Dolores Park on a clear (but chilly) evening in San Francisco if there is a well-timed fireworks display.
So last week we made plans with Dr. & Mrs. Virus to go out to eat in the neighborhood. A few days later we realized that it was the same night as the Kaboom fireworks. When I mentioned this to Dr. Virus, he responded with, "Do you mean that it's NEXT weekend?" ho ho ho.
Thus, after dinner at the Velvet Cantina we walked AGAIN up to Dolores Park and AGAIN grabbed a bench at the top of the hill to watch the fireworks display. This year it seemed more promising -- there were other people with blankets and radios who seemed to have the date right. The fog had cleared, the fireworks started exploding and we ooohed and ahhed and sang a long loudly to the"world class rock" soundtrack of some crap songs and some okay songs.
I'm glad we got this Kaboom do-over because it's way more fun to sit on a bench in Dolores Park on a clear (but chilly) evening in San Francisco if there is a well-timed fireworks display.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Trouble With Poppies
...is that they are so fragile that most of the time we can't make it to the garden fast enough before all the petals have blown off in the wind.
Note to self - next year, plant sturdy flowers.Saturday, May 05, 2007
Dr. Sally
Last night the Chef and I had dinner with Dr. Sally, one of my childhood friends who was visiting San Francisco with her husband and college-bound son. Dr. Sally and I grew up next door to each other in Wisconsin. We decided that we've probably known each other since she was two years old and I was only one. Does that count as the start of a friendship? We have unique conversations that begin "Remember that time we hid in the closet from your brother?"
Dr. Sally and her husband are surgeons in a small town in Washington. Surgeons! That means that someone that I spent time with chasing around the backyard, climbing trees, collecting bugs, picking raspberries, riding ponies and singing along to The Jackson Five now operates on people and saves their lives. Sally and I joyfully reconnected around five years ago, but it was the first time we met her husband and her son. The Chef and I were immediately quite taken with both of them. We love the Dr. Sally family!
When we were in middle school, the future Dr. Sally was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and went through the whole horrible roller coaster of treatment. I remember when she explained to me how painful it was to get a spinal tap and being completely in awe of her strength and bravery. That whole period of our friendship seems foggy as it was so stunningly awful and scary that it just left me bewildered. Shortly after that her family moved to Oregon and we lost touch with each other. Her experience with beating cancer when she was young encouraged her to become a doctor and now she specializes in breast cancer surgeries.
I find it amazing that Dr. Sally is still much like she was when we were kids. She is independent, smart, determined and brave. She has a nice laugh too. When I look at her I can see her doctor side and her ten-year-old self in there! I'm so happy that we got back in touch with each other and are able to spend hours discussing Donny Osmond and neighborhood kick-the-can games.
Dr. Sally and her husband are surgeons in a small town in Washington. Surgeons! That means that someone that I spent time with chasing around the backyard, climbing trees, collecting bugs, picking raspberries, riding ponies and singing along to The Jackson Five now operates on people and saves their lives. Sally and I joyfully reconnected around five years ago, but it was the first time we met her husband and her son. The Chef and I were immediately quite taken with both of them. We love the Dr. Sally family!
When we were in middle school, the future Dr. Sally was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease and went through the whole horrible roller coaster of treatment. I remember when she explained to me how painful it was to get a spinal tap and being completely in awe of her strength and bravery. That whole period of our friendship seems foggy as it was so stunningly awful and scary that it just left me bewildered. Shortly after that her family moved to Oregon and we lost touch with each other. Her experience with beating cancer when she was young encouraged her to become a doctor and now she specializes in breast cancer surgeries.
I find it amazing that Dr. Sally is still much like she was when we were kids. She is independent, smart, determined and brave. She has a nice laugh too. When I look at her I can see her doctor side and her ten-year-old self in there! I'm so happy that we got back in touch with each other and are able to spend hours discussing Donny Osmond and neighborhood kick-the-can games.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
I heart blogs!
As my life cascades into a whirlwind of BUSY with the new job (OMG) -- I am really diggin' this blog thing. I came home tonight to discover that Rockmama spent her weekend celebrating birthdays in the sunshine w/ lots of happy faced kiddies and libations, Irish Goddess bought a bunch of cool books that I want to discuss with her, jet lagged DJ Big Cookie has a new neighborhood in Paris (!), Rodeo Queen ventured outside (!) and delivered a "comeback food post" about lemon slushies and chicken pot pies and the librarian's sweetheart got a kick ass haircut! Thumbs up on the haircut -- lookin' good librarian's sweetheart!
Oh yes, and thanks to y'alls for the anniversary wishes -- that sure was a fun day. There were accordions and we ate cake. Some of us avoided the whiskey and scored points for that wise decision. Others drank coffee cups of beer and stayed up all night. I was always opposed to girls who said that their wedding day was the "happiest day of their life" (yawn) but GODDAMMIT, it sure was a good day.
Oh yes, and thanks to y'alls for the anniversary wishes -- that sure was a fun day. There were accordions and we ate cake. Some of us avoided the whiskey and scored points for that wise decision. Others drank coffee cups of beer and stayed up all night. I was always opposed to girls who said that their wedding day was the "happiest day of their life" (yawn) but GODDAMMIT, it sure was a good day.
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