Hot Damn!

Yes, it was one of those weekends, a pretty good weekend despite not having real plans. The showcase was probably the San Francisco Red Bull Soapbox Race. It was at Dolores Park in San Francisco on a nice day. The hills were full of families, potheads, and drunks. I think everyone got their kicks in a hormonal, I mean harmonious way. Straights too.

Later, we went into Lil Italy to the Stinking Rose again. This time it was just Jackie and I and we had better seats (see pictures). We also went to Vesuvio Cafe again where we met some nice locals. One of them was a bartender for their sister bar, Specs, where we were welcomed gracefully with our new found friends. It sounds like we have only done certain things in SF by my Blog but it's just the way it falls I guess. I got to start writing on particular smaller events. "Hey mom, I'm pregnant!"

I am still temporary at the Permenante but unsure what I am to do next. No healthcare insurance at a healthcare provider. How ironic can I get? At least I got something for now though... Miss you all. Well probably half of you. I'm tired. Goodnight.

The Palace, The Pied Piper, and The Empress.

...and that was only Friday night while Jackie's parents were visiting. We had a great time and we were sad to see them go so quickly. We were wine'd, dine'd and spoiled. It was tough times from tuesday 09/09 to tuesday 09/16.
Back to the friday night of extravagance, Jackie and I met her parents after work in the city of San Fran for some drinks at the Palace Hotel bar. It was a beautiful and nostalgic place that reminded me of where old Hollywood hung out. The biggest attraction there was the huge Maxwell Parish painting on the wall called "The Pied Piper"(pictured above). The beautiful colors and life-like faces were great to admire with a nice whiskey. Mrs. McClure said the faces of the kids were made up of an ex-girlfriend.

After feeling a lil saucy we walked through China town to get to dinner. We ate at the Empress of China. There was a reason we were brought to this nice high-rise elegant Chinese cuisine. Besides having a nice view and good food, this is where Mr. McClure received a fortune cookie which he would never forget. "Your business will amount to vast proportions." He kept this fortune in his wallet since 1984 and his business did just that. I was anxious through our great dinner to see what fortune I would receive. I was not disappointed when I read it aloud. "You are the pioneer and leader." Not sure what that applies to but only time will tell. Needless to say, I will keep it for awhile.

We had many great nights such as that one even at home. Her mother, the professional cook, made sure we had a gourmet meal every night we came home. From pan seared tuna to french onion soup, we had better meals than most restaurants can dream of. We also got to go to the infamous Fog City Diner & Vesuvio Cafe. For some random pictures you can go to my flickr set.

Escape from Alcatraz

I am glad you are reading this. Yes, I am alive and still in CA. Sorry for the long wait but survival comes first then self loathing on the Internet.

This past weekend was pretty fun. Not only having day off this past Monday, Jackie and I had 2 visitors from home. Meghan and Anthony swung by for the weekend (2 friends of Jackie's from college).

We had the privilege of visiting The Rock. Not the wrestler, not the one that goes around the earth but the one Clint Eastwood & Sean Connery escape from. Yes, Alcatraz.

I took some photos with my iPhone to share and they came out better than I ever thought. You can see them here. You will also see some other randoms like the Vaillancourt fountain.


(Shout out to my Aunt Lynn, I probably wouldn't of done this again if I wasn't called out. Hopefully it keeps coming. Next hopeful post, "Temporary at the Permanente".)

update: I received Anthony's vacation gallery. Mind you the San Fran pics are at the bottom of it.

Moving Day - June 23rd

Hello Everyone... Sorry, it has been awhile since I communicated with all of you but it has been and still is an adventure. I will try to slowly update the blog until it is up to spec to where I am in my life in CA.

June 23rd was moving day. This was a couple days after I moved all my crap to Jackie's house. Her stuff clearly out numbers my stuff 9 to 1. In any picture you can see this. To be nice, all of the furniture & scooter was her's.

It was a tough day with the parents hanging in the cool a/c. I am glad they left us to our bickering though. All in all, No casualties. No serious injuries. Operation fill overpriced van w/ crap succeeded.

Pictures courtesy of the great Mary Rapolas, you can see the full gallery by clicking on the above picture. Enjoy.

Tune in next time to see where we went and where we are going...