San Fran Shuffle

Ahhh, the city by the Bay. Spent a great 4 days in San Francisco as I prepare to launch the next phase of my life up there. Got to "test drive" the apartment in the Marina I'll be living in. The pictures depict scenes literally footsteps from the apartment -- Fort Mason, the Marina Green, and views of the Golden Gate. I've been to San Francisco many times but each visit amazes me with new discoveries of quaint corners and unique neighborhoods. It's no wonder that it draws more tourists than any other American city. One concern, in late July the city was COLD!! I had heard about the summer fog that layers the city in cool temps. But damn, I hope this weekend was NOT indicative of most summer days. Don't fancy a summer wardrobe of fleeces and down jackets!

Real Superheroes

It's been awhile since I've updated my personal blog -- guess I was waiting for inspiration and today I got it. In this summer of IronMan, Hancock, et al, I would like to introduce you to some real superheroes. Many of you know that last summer I did a triathlon in honor of Kiki Castro, a 12-year-old Leukemia patient at Childrens' Hospital in Seattle. Kiki seemingly kicked the disease to the curb last year as the cancer appeared in full remission. But in April of this year, routine tests showed the cancer had returned and a marrow transplant was the only option. Kiki is currently at Duke Hospital recovering from the transplant. The donor? Her younger brother, Llewellin, also pictured here. A week after the transplant, she is dealing with something called mucositis which is extremely painful, causes nausea, and makes sleep difficult to come by. Please read the daily journal by Kiki and her mom at the following site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kiki_gurl. It will break your heart. But if you are going through some tough times it will remind you how lucky we all are. And it will make you believe in superheroes. Real ones!

Huntington Beach Do-Over

I used to live in Huntington Beach shortly after I graduated UC Irvine. Went back there for lunch with my friend Denis today. WOW. This is not the HB I remember. Yes, like 20 years ago there's a great beachfront and pier scene, with young hotties running around in limited attire. And also just like 20 years ago they were setting up for a major beach volleyball event. But the old "downtown" has been completely transformed with hip stores, varied restaurants and bars, and new condos for the HB elite. Around this downtown core are great little tree-lined, residential streets with cute, well maintained homes. Okay, I say cute in a probably $2 million dollar price tag for a little bungalow kind of way, but still cute. Denis and I ate outside at the No ka oi restaurant pictured here. The cute-as-a-button waitress, on her first day on the job, fumbled over our orders and plates, but it added to the charm. We watched as beautiful people cascaded by us and we reminisced about the days when we were part of the "young" set. Walked down to the pier where we saw a hundred more perfect bodies playing volleyball or sprawled out on the perfectly clean sandy beach (don't these people work?). Even picked up a few surf Ts and shorts at 50% off to at least dress young and hip. Overall, a very nice afternoon. Thanks Denis for reintroducing me to my old friend, HB!

Toto we're not in Kansas anymore

After my first week working with my parents in the OC, I ventured up to LA for the weekend to see some friends. On the way I got to experience full blown LA traffic via the parking lot known as the 101 Freeway. First stop for the weekend, lunch in the East LA/Silverlake area with Theo's sister, Yvonne aka Christine. Not sure why people in Theo's family like to confuse people with various aliases. Anyway Y/C took me to a local Mexican joint where we got to add our BYOB tequila to their delicious Agua Frescos. I think we ate too, but I can't remember:) Good times.

After lunch, and because I'm a masochist, I got back on the 101 freeway and headed to the Valley to meet my friend Jinah. Jinah had tickets to a charity production of Vagina Monologues. Originally I was not super excited to see this dated production I had seen already 8 years ago. But have to say, it was well done in an intimate setting. And I got to meet the cast which included the gal who played Ralph Maccio's love interest in the 3rd Karate Kid and the woman who played the daycare owner in the Pursuit of Happyness. Yes, I'm rubbing elbows with the stars. We continued our evening at a yummy noodle house in Little Tokyo where we had more "star sightings." This time the star was in my own dinner group. Jinah is an on-air journalist, and her co-worker, Elizabeth who does an LA morning show was recognized by an adoring fan/designer shoe rep who asked if she could send her shoes to wear on air. LA ... you gotta love it. Toto, this ain't Kansas anymore.

The Road to Cali

On February 29, with my car loaded to the point of inability to add a golf ball, I began my journey southward to California. Spent the first weekend in Portland, where I "competed" in the Urban Iditarod. Just like the real Idiatarod but with no dogs, no snow, and shopping carts instead of sleds. But also just like the Arctic Iditarod, hydration is key, and we stopped at many watering holes to maintain our liquid balance. Our Greek gods and goddesses, were one of the last place finishers, but hey, the peasants always wait on the Gods.

After a fun-filled P-town weekend, I bid adieu to Amy and Alli, and began my way to California. Sunday evening I bedded down in Ashland, Oregon, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Festival is listed in the book as one of 10001 things to see before you die. And while the festival was not in progress, the town was full of quaint charm and fun to walk around. If you stay at the Best Western, make sure you ask for the AAA discount.

On Monday I entered California and after a lunch detour to Dottie's Diner in Etna, California (home of Kara Wilson whom I met in Honduras), I descended on the Bay Area and my cousins' apartment in Oakland. Have to say, I was surprised that there is a "nice" part of Oakland. The area where my cousins live near Lake Merritt is cute with lots of restaurants and bars. And just a long stone throw across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco proper. Apparently Lake Merritt area residents also have problem nails because the 'hood boasts about 100 manicure/pedicure salons per square mile.

My week in and around the Bay Area was great. Got to connect with my cousins, see old friends, some of whom had moved from Seattle, and wander around charming San Francisco. I was also blessed with picture perfect weather the whole time. On a sad note, I also found out that a friend back in Seattle had had a sudden aneurysm and passed away. Reminded me how precious life can be and how we need to maximize every day and not wait to tell our friends and family how much they mean to us. Ally Thrift, wish I got to know you better, but you will be missed.

Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight

Just finished this intriguing book about an English girl growing up in southern Africa during the 70s and 80s. There is a passage near the end in which she describes the taste of a meal:

There is a taste in African meat sometimes that is strong, like the smell of sun-blown carcass. It is the taste of fright-and-flight and then the sweat that has come off the hands and brows of the butchers who have cut the beast into pieces. It makes the meat taste tough and chewy and it jags in my throat when I swallow.

This sounds horrendous but I would love to be able to have this distinct, colorful a memory of what something tastes like, good or nauseating:)

The man at Zoka

There is a man at Zoka, my neighborhood coffee shop that I frequent in my currently unemployed life, whom I will call the Rope Guy. Each time I'm there I've seen him spend a significant amount of time twisting various sizes of rope into braided strands. I'm really not sure what the purpose of this seemingly endless project is. Maybe he's a rope artisan. But I also notice that the man seems infinitely satisfied in what he does. Never wistful, never zoned out, never down, just completely focused on the project at hand. Makes me wonder if I've ever had that satisfied a look in my eyes about a day-day activity.

The stunning Lake Atitlan

In the western highlands of Guatemala is a lake that is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Surrounded by volcanic mountains and plush forest, dotted with picturesque Maya villages where inhabitants sport different colors based on their birth town, windy roads, colored buses and water taxis move people from town to town -- Lake Atitlan definitely earns high marks for serenity and charm. Outside of getting robbed, we enjoyed a peaceful, fun and CHEAP few days in San Pedro Laguna on the southwestern shore of the lake. Did I mention cheap? Great hotel rooms for $10 a night, rum and cokes in bars for 75 cents, great dining for around $5 a person. Okay, it's a little heavy on the hippie lifestyle and incense. But you can't beat the area for low cost relaxation. We were hosted by JJ, Karen's mom's Dutch friend who is a doctor and volunteer runs the local clinic. A very impressive woman indeed!

First time for everything

So for the first time in all my travels, I had the exciting but anguishing experience of being robbed at gunpoint yesterday. Our car which included two locals, was ambushed on a dirt road outside San Pedro Laguna, Guatemala. Two strategically placed rocks blocked our passage and before we knew it 3 hooded guys waving guns and knives ran at the car. Since I wasn't able to get a picture of the banditos, I snapped a picture of this dog. Imagine a 2-legged versions of this guy running up to our car with handguns waving and you get the idea. The driver kept his cool and we all refused the urging of the thieves to exit the car. They seemed young and were probably as scared as us but given that at least one of the guns were real, and the knives were definitely real, we did not want to test who had more courage. Luckily I was able to hide my camera so I ended up giving up about $15 in Guatemalan currency and a cheap watch. The gals in the back lost about $100. But in the end we all escaped unscathed. First time for everything but one I'd like to not repeat anytime soon.

Antigua -- Impossibly Cute

"Impossibly cute," is how the guide books describe Antigua, Guatemala and
it's a perfect description. As you are wandering the cobblestone streets, picturesque architecture, semi-ruined earthquake structures, hearing a myriad of languages, and seeing picture-perfect volcanic mountains dot the surrounding landscape, you can't help but think you are in Disney's latest theme park, "Guatemala-land." But the town is a great central base to explore the stunning lakes, mountains, Maya ruins, and forests that Guatemala has. Antigua has a little bit for everyone -- Spanish schools galore, open air markets, exclusive art galleries, bars of every style and type, great restaurants, beautiful churches, and photo opp's around every corner. I was lucky to be enjoying the town in the company of my three lovely friends Karen, Lisanna and Allison. At the Black Cat hostel, Matt our roommate was so impressed by my "clan," that he kept asking for my secret. Well Matt, it's just how I roll baby!