Blog

For the past week, Jeff and I have been hosting my folks…and we have certainly filled our days and nights with interesting excursions…and quiet evenings in front of the fire. Yesterday, we waved sadly as Mom and Dad passed through the security checkpoint at SFO, knowing that our home would be quiet that evening.

Mother Nature certainly did not cooperate with their visit, but we adapted quite well. We had planned on a weekend driving trip north or south along the coast…or even east to the mountains…but steady rain storms kept us close to home. No problem there…we adapted well…and created a fantastic list of local activities.

On Saturday, we started off with a Saturday tradition…the Ferry Building Farmers Market, including fresh bread from Acme, cheese from the folks at Cowgirl Creamery, and an unexpected citrus tasting event.

We drove from the historic Ferry Building to San Francisco’s oldest building…the Mission Delores. We toured the sparse Mission, its attached Basilica, and the drizzle-enhanced graveyard.

Next, we took our folks to the always-impressive observation tower at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. No visit to the de Young would be complete without a scrumptious burger at the museum café.

The historic Conservatory of Flowers was a repeat favorite for all of us, but with new exhibits.

On Sunday, we took advantage of an early break in the rain to view the City from Twin Peaks. Returning showers ushered us back into our car and sent us north into Sonoma.

We toured two close-by wineries (Viansa and Jacuzzi), bordered by rain-soaked fields. Wine tasting and hearty Italian foods helped us forget the morning rains.

In the afternoon, we drove home for a fantastic make-shift Super Bowl party. My dad made his wonderful fried chicken, and we drank wine. My personal favorite Super Bowl commercials? The two from e-trade with the baby web-cam…I’ve watched them multiple times since, and they still crack me up…something about a sarcastic, talking baby 🙂

FYI, Buster misses my parents too…he is still not sure where the extra warm laps have disappeared to.

A break in our winter storms brought out this gaggle of gulls (and various other sea birds) at a cove along the Bay shore. It was like a scene right out of Hitchcock. Imagine the droppings.

Speaking of crap…we got our San Francisco voter’s guide, which details the City propositions on the ballot during the upcoming California presidential primaries. There is always one City proposition that just makes me roll my eyes in disbelief.

This ballot is no exception.

How about this gem: “Adopting a policy that they City acquire Alcatraz Island to make it a global peace center.” Seriously…we vote on shit like this all the time!! It seems that a niche party rounded up enough signatures (over 10,000!!…who are these people!!) for this non-binding statement of City policy. Its amazing the amount of free time people have on their hands.

I’m used to the annual blow to my ego called the Oscars. Each year, I eagerly review the nominations with fingers crossed…hoping to find a couple of films to root for amongst the list of movies I have never even heard of.

Well, I am sad to say that this year I have seen NONE of the films in the big categories. In fact, you have to drop all the way to “sound mixing”, “sound editing”, and “visual effects” to see the only nominated films that I have seen: Transformers and The Bourne Ultimatum.

That’s it. Two films.

Oscar is looking down from his lofty golden pedestal at me.

We celebrated Jeff’s birthday this weekend in grand style. Dinner at Pres a Vi in the Presidio on Saturday night with friends Chris and Brad, followed by drinks into the wee hours of the morning at Matrix on Fillmore. Sunday, we viewed the special Marie Antoinette exhibit at the Legion of Honor. Sunday dinner was a very yummy homemade cilantro-lime shrimp and German chocolate birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, my dear!!

From each of our past three trips to Paris, I’ve posted shots of either Jeff or me sticking our head up the behind of a rhino statue at the Musee d’Orsay. This tradition goes back over a decade, with Jeff’s first trip to Paris with his dear friend Matt.

Well, now Matt has started to assemble these photos and some of rhino lore into his own rhino blog…the Global Rhino Project. As a featured rhino butt-plugger, I just HAD to share this link with the world 🙂

And if YOU visit Paris…be sure to take a photo and send it to Matt!!