September 2004 Archives

I've never been very political and never discussed my opinions in public. It's just not who I am. But I am nervous about November. And watching the debates, I am starkly aware of the stakes. I can't believe how many "um" silences, twisted logic that doesn't answer questions, and automated set responses I'm hearing from the current guy in position (I can't even call him by the position he currently occupies since I still think he didn't win it, and he is the most inarticulate and unintelligent U.S. leader I can imagine).

Dav had earlier bought a John Kerry sign and placed in our bedroom window. It fell down. I replaced it. That is, for the first time in my life, a huge statement from me about whom I will vote for. Because this time, I can't bear to think that John Kerry wouldn't win.

At Manisha's, for a home-cooked Indian dinner. To die for. Plus good friends. Don't need anything else...

May as well use my time doing something while I wait at this rather quiet corner of town. However, I found out I was waiting in the wrong direction! Now I'm on the right bus...Whew!

	Click to see video.

A fantastic show!

	Click to see video.
Click to see video.

At Berkeley's Greek Theater. The Distillers, the opening band, just finished and the Pixies will be next. I really liked this band, especially the lead's voice.

After some warm-up dart games, we played for serious. I can't believe how bad I am! Out of everyone, there was a sad point when I had 217 and the winner had 7! Note: our game was to score high to minus from the starting 301 points. When you got zero exactly, you'd win. Toni, my fabulous only other female housemate graciously teamed up with me on our last game against Emerick and Dav, betting on a 3 course dinner as a winning prize. Toni rocks at this and we were so close at winning, but the guys got lucky. So we owe them a gorgeous dinner...which Toni and I love cooking anyway. : )

Fun night that is still continuing, so allow me to go back to the merriment!

We're all Potrero Hill housemates having fun living together and now we're out for Emerick's special day! I love our family household!

This is the most touching blog entry. I am so lucky and very much in love!

Mango mojito, sake lemon-drop, godzilla roll, blowfish eye, mènage a trois, and of course natto maki! Yum! And scenes from Tonari no totoro. Perfect

A few more pics...It was so much fun to run around the streets of Little Italy, dressed wacky, swinging our golf clubs trying to hit the designated golf hole without bothering too many people passing by. I lost Kuri-chan for a while as he went to the next golf hole (and bar) than where we were. When we finally caught up, he had already befriended folks in the next "heat" so I had nothing to worry about. Everyone had a great time!

Transcription by holly.mmdc.net:
Today is Urban Golf. So Dav (dressed as Godzilla), Kuri-chan (with Domo-kun hat), and me are here in Little Italy, uh, golfing. I think the pictures describe this amusing event best. It's fun! Plaid, crazy golf clubs, friendly cheering, and confused + bemused pedestrian observers. What a great way to show what SF is about!

Legitimized by a SF Chronicle reporter who keeps taking pics of Dav, so look for his photo soon! Also bumped into my high school classmate...He sure caught me red-handed! But he's a Burning Man folk too, so actually, I am sure he'll be joining us next time!

At our Potreo Hill neighborhood walk-in theater. We're sitting at an empty lot, watching a movie shown against an open wall of a house. Popcorn is even provided! Tonight is Pee Wee's Big Adventure...I've never seen his stuff and he is funny!

Got off the train at Hayward Park to walk towards work and see what I found? The most beautiful red car with the perfect driver. The dog had a perfect look of boredom with a hint of irritation. As I stopped to get a shot of her, her big eyes followed me suspiciously. It was as if she couldn't decide whether to get grouchy or pose her best side for me.

So freaking cute! I want to live with a dog so much! (Dav?...he he he)

And I'm sure glad I got to capture this scene!

So I went to the bathroom in the Limon restaurant, and when I was using the sink, I noticed I could only see the top of my head in the facing mirror. Did a Mr. Giant place the mirror ? (...as in "Gianto Baba"...only those from Japan will get this.) I may be short, but by god, I'm not that short!

This reminded me of the first time I went to the American embassy in Tokyo. I can't remember why I was there; probably to get some paperwork done so I could live in the country that was my heart-felt home (Japan). Anyway, I remember distinctly going to the restroom there and being surprised at how big the entire set-up was. The stalls were huge, my feet dangled like a little kid as I sat on the seat, and yes, like tonight, I couldn't see my face in the mirror. I remember thinking, "my gosh, what kind of a country is the USA?" I was planning to go to college there, but the whole bathroom incident made me feel like I wouldn't fit...which was true for many years (culturally)...but that's another story.

Our Six Apart engineer from our Tokyo office is visiting on vacation and staying with Dav and I. Now we're in the Mission at Limon for a Peruvian dinner. Sangria and ceviche. Yum!

Remember that cute car I found earlier? Well, the deal is the owner is getting all these FOO techie folks to sign it. I passed by and found Dav's name and couldn't resist adding myself next to his...even though, mind you, I'm kinda like an imposter (I'm by no means claiming to be more than just me here, but still, I feel like an unregistered student attending classes at a university for free!). I figured if I signed in Japanese, no one will know who made the scribbles.

...although by blogging this, I guess the cat is out of the bag...

Taken by a gadget as well!

Click to see video.

Click to see video.

It's almost cute how excited these guys are to show and debate about their cool toys. I'm the only girl here...

At the Passionate Users session.

Sticking a foamhead figurine in your mouth for a minute for money. And all taking pics of it eagerly with glee.

Click to see video.

Here is Tim Bray from Sun giving a 'war story' example during a discussion about corporate blog policies.

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Sat. FOO sessions begin. People checking the organically created schedule which is quite packed, Aaron from Toronto Montreal, and an oh-so-cute car...yes, I recognize it's not just cute, and that says a lot about the symbol and about who I hang with these days...

A box full of free Google T-shirts and a worn T-shirt that I like!

Click to see video.

A transcription has been entered below by Anonymous. You may update or lock it here

Yes, we're back! Covered in dust, our skin cracking from the dry weather, and exhausted from all the work that goes into creating a home in the desert. We unloaded the truck just last night for all our personal things, but still today, 4 very generous and dedicated men of our camp have to put all our communal stuff in storage, return the mountain of water jugs we used, and wash our truck from top to bottom.

This year our camp rocked and a core group of people put in much time and energy. Thank you! We had quite a few newbies too and they were awesome in taking up dish duty, tidying up our "living room" and making sure our camp ran well.

I brought my cellphone, hoping I could moblog at least once from Black Rock City. Dav brought his laptop and we tried connecting to the wifi there, but were unsuccessful. So here are my cell phone pics.

They show a snippet of Dav and my huge tent (yes, it was definitely a bonus to have all our stuff in our tent and to be able to stand up inside) and parts of our communal camp (living room, newly added hammock, Dav's dome). Then there are pics of central camp. I find the message board quite fascinating and took some pics of examples too. Wonder what all those messages led to.

This year, Dav and I did some volunteering. We collated papers (in an air-conditioned trailer so that was actually more like a nice break for us) and we did the city's lamp lighting. We washed and prepped 100s of lamps, Dav carried the lamps, and I was a support person who relit lamps and passed lamps to be lifted to the super high wooden lamp posts. It was very dusty at the time, so I protected myself with my bug goggles and dust mask. And see my life-saving camel pack water pipe thingy sticking out by my neck?

Oh yeah, there are more pics from our other camp folks posted on our Campalicious site.