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July 28, 2005

This has been a tough NPR week for me

First, the NY Times had an article on Sunday about how Ira Glass has resurrected the "This American Life" TV show project. I would love to be wrong about this, but it sounds like a really bad idea. My objections are of the why mess with success/there are plenty of people doing interesting video documentaries already/the lack of focus could really hurt the radio show/remember how bad "Buffy" got when Joss Whedon decided to do "Angel" and "Firefly" at the same time variety. TAL hasn't been that great lately, not to mention all of the reruns this summer -- because Ira & co. were working on the pilot for the TV show, is my guess.

And, Terry Gross is still on vacation. Though Dave Davies, who sounds so square, actually did a really good interview with John Leguizamo last week. No one deserves time off more than Terry, but still I want her back.

On the brighter side, I have to laugh every time I hear the guy who reads the underwriting credits on NPR saying, in his incredibly neutral voice, "Funding for this program from V2 Records, presenting The White Stripes CD 'Get Behind Me Satan.'" Our donations and tax dollars + Satan = Morning Edition. I love it.

Posted by emily at 10:08 AM | Comments (4)

July 25, 2005

Lazy summer weekend

I spent a lot of this past weekend in my backyard watching my plants grow. Beans! I'm getting beans! In the spirit of true laziness, I also managed to watch many DVDs, from the terrible ("Advice From a Caterpillar" and "National Treasure") to the okay ("Buffy" season six) to the wonderful ("Cold Comfort Farm" and "Angel" season five).

I did manage to make it out to a fancy party on Mark and Jen's roof. For the picture below, Teri said to me and Chris, "Let's pretend like we're having a really good time." The funny thing is that we were having a really good time. But maybe not this good.

Posted by emily at 3:03 PM | Comments (1)

July 21, 2005

Mac's last steak

After two and a half lamb-free years, Mr. Miyagi's biggest fan is abandoning San Francisco and, consequently, his seat at the steak club table.

When I asked James and Hunter to bedazzle something to give to Mac for a going-away present they did me one better -- they bedazzled and bejeweled a bottle of Bailey's (the traditional after-steak beverage of choice). We will all miss Mac and Jane, but the good news is that they are moving south to try to build and run a hotel in Mexico -- hopefully the site of many future steak club field trips and reunions.

Adios, amigos.

Posted by emily at 9:47 AM | Comments (2)

July 14, 2005

E.M. al fresco

Well, it seems that all my bitching about the cold and foggy weather this summer actually worked. (But how?)

It has been warm and sunny for almost a week, and the 5-day forecast looks great too. To celebrate, we took the E.M. to the roof of Medjool, a restaurant/bar/youth hostel on Mission Street. There was no happy hour (which we were appropriately not happy about), but thanks to the view, the sun, the booze and the company, it was pretty festive nonetheless.

Posted by emily at 8:55 PM

July 7, 2005

Tomato Watch 2005: Progress

Well, the good news is that a couple of the tomatoes on my best plant have turned red, and are delicious. I thought I'd be so happy, but I seem to only be able to focus on all the green tomatoes I see -- and on the flowers that aren't even tomatoes yet. Now that it's foggy most of the day, I don't know how much they're going to progress. My dad says that you're not a real San Franciscan until you learn to love the fog. I thought I at least liked it, but now my heart sinks every time I wake up to a grey morning. Keeping my fingers crossed for sun, or a miracle.

Posted by emily at 3:20 PM | Comments (1)

July 6, 2005

Is there anything more delightful than a lunch with John Polito?

Not really... which is why I'm so happy that Kyle and I have a weekly lunch date with him while he's working in Civic Center. Too bad it's just for the summer, but we'll take what we can get!

Posted by emily at 1:28 PM | Comments (2)

July 5, 2005

Cake: had, eaten

Faced with the prospect of a 4 day weekend (I took Friday off) I couldn't decide whether celebrate my freedom (and, I guess, America's) by staying in town or going camping. So I decided to do both and try to have my cake and eat it too -- isn't that the American way?

On Friday Ted and Brett were at Steve's bachelor party all night so Rebecca and Maggie invited Naomi, Izzle and me to a girls-only pajama party complete with pizza, pedicures, "Pretty in Pink" and, on Saturday morning, pancakes.

Saturday afternoon I went to Dardn's baby shower. It was super-classy (lemon wedges and raspberries frozen into the ice cubes!) -- I was very impressed. It was really nice to see Dardn and to catch up with Karen, Mikyla, Courtney, Allyson, etc. Dardn warned us she'd be as big as a house, but I think she looked kind of skinny for a pregnant lady.

Sat. evening was the start of a cabin weekend in Bear Valley with Ania, Michael, Morty, Anu, Iran, Jen, Leah, Ted, Vanessa, Passanisi, Maximum Rhinoceros, both Mark J's and the Brothers Gramly. Most of us camped next to the cabin -- with all of the blender drinks, we weren't really roughing it, but I'm never one to turn down electricity (or strawberry margaritas). The campsites were extremely convenient to the sandy beach, hammocks, inflatable swimming pool and firepit constructed specially for the weekend. Best mountain luau ever!

Mark was nice enough to drive me back on Monday early enough for drinks and dinner with Steve, Rebecca and Brett. It was great to get the old gang back together... especially at Hunan Homes Restaurant in Chinatown, with our traditional multiple orders of the Chicken with Spicy Garlic Sauce. So fried, so good.

Weekend: fun! Week: not as much, what with work and all. But it's already Wednesday, so that's something.

Posted by emily at 10:42 PM | Comments (2)