In a Western Place

After exploring a Niña replica over by Pier 9 on Saturday, we were walking toward California and Market Street when a flock of birds with an unfamiliar shrill passed over our heads. I couldn't identify them until another flock swarmed by... green birds with red heads. I racked my brain, Parrots! Wild Parrots were flying excitedly past us, landing on top of street lights, snacking on top of small buildings, and cavorting on treetops throughout the small block of grass on Washington and Drumm. I rubbed my eyes, "Parrots?" Then I remembered that Parrots live up on Telegraph Hill, a short jaunt from where we were standing. I wonder what brought them downtown?

Here's a super, zoomed-in shot. Fearing for my head, it was the best I could do.

One of the roommates and I walked out of our rooms simultaneously this morning. Me, fully dressed and carrying my work tote. She, in her pajamas carrying a jug partially filled with red wine.

"I'm just getting this out of my room, I wasn't drinking it!" She defended.

"That's cool. See you later!" I yelled as I headed out the front door toward work. And during my entire walk, I couldn't help but think that wine should be the new coffee, at least on Friday mornings. I would totally get away with it, too... I'm not flying a plane or performing rocket surgery.

Whoo hoo, happy Friday!

• high ceilings
• very yellow
• minimal furnishings
• 25% mirror coverage
• full of sun light
• perfect, for now...

I was all prepared with a post about my first day back to running until a co-worker sent me this link and I almost choked on my California tortilla shell free burrito with black beans. And mango salsa. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Somebody scrap me off the floor!!!

Now you'll know where I'll be on September 30th. Here's hoping I won't have to resort to violence to get a ticket. I'm not afraid to bite.

Yesterday will forever live in infamy as the day that Matty and I sat on the couch and watched over 5 straight hours of the same hockey game. Yes, the San Jose vs. Dallas game went into its 4th overtime before Dallas finally scored the tie breaking goal. Big Shame. We’re Sabres fans, but we’ve adopted the Sharks as our West Coast team. Since the Sabres graciously disappointed us by missing the Cup playoffs by a hair, we were pretty upset that San Jose lost. I almost cried because the team really tried and the look of disappointment on tired faces tugged at my heart strings. Ah well, time to find another team to root for and it's not gonna be the Stars.

The weekend was a bit chilly compared to previous ones, which hindered project: wear flip flops all the time. Matty had a small carnival at his school on Saturday to help raise funds for the art program, so I tagged along. I’ve been to his school before, but this was my first time there while some of his students were present. Apparently, a few of his girl students were eying me from afar. I'll bet they're bombarding him questions today: Mr. ___ do you kiss that girl?

On Saturday night we headed up to Berkley to see Iron Man with some friends. My interest in the film was low – mostly because I’ve grown to loathe watching films in the theatre, and how good of a super hero could a Robert Downy Jr. make? Uh, a GREAT one! I'm glad we saw it, very entertaining, very silly, and Mr. Audi that new R8 is sweet! Too bad I have no place to put it, even if I could afford one. Did you catch the Avengers bit at the very end?

Add some delicious Buckwheat crepes from that French place on 16th and Valencia and I'd say yet another perfect weekend has passed. Back to the cut and paste.

As of May 1st, I became a fully insured human being again. Yup, I can now get sick, injured, or both without facing serious financial ruin (I'm looking in your direction, Kidney Infection bill!) Ah, it feels so good to be living a life of danger again! Now, I can resume some of my favorite physical activities, such as:

Skipping down the hills
Climbing trees
Learning how to ride Matty's skateboard
Binge drinking
Log hurling

And more importantly:

Running

Yes, I can be a runner again! Just in time for my first race since I completed the 2006 Chicago Marathon, Bay to Breakers.

I only have 3 er 2 weeks to train, which sounds pretty grueling — but I did effortlessly climb up Jones street from Geary yesterday morning carrying a tote full of heavy items. I'm not too worried. 7.46 miles isn't 26.2, that's for sure. It's all in the mind, man.

Now the cutting down on wine consumption, that'll be challenging.

Like I haven't spent enough time on a computer this week... why not more?

The previous, temporary design needed to go and I guess work has inspired me somewhat to just sit down and get it done. I have a new design in my head... but here's an old stylesheet of mine to hold this thing over. I hope to have something up by the end of Thursday (my day off) -- in between spring cleaning and the laundry. Oh, my eyes.

I normally refrain from taking my work day home with me in the evening, but I'm still not over the fact that it took forever many minutes of staring into the bowels of my start file, bleary eyed, trying to figure out why the CD-ROM I created for one of my classes in Digital Imaging functioned properly on my PC, but gave me a file not found error on my Apple. Turns out my javascript was calling a file titled m16_s04.html, when the actual filename was m16_S04.html. s, S? Blink blink, are you kidding me? Bloody Apples, you're too sensitive... and lucky for you I figured it out in time to meet my deadline. Maybe I'm a little too burned out for my own site? Bah, nothing a little Gewürztraminer couldn't fix.

Random imagery shot between Monterey and Cambria — along the Central California coastline.

Work is busy. Busy busy. Really busy. Busy clippers. Oh, hairdresser on fire.

More later. In the meantime, sun!