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September 28, 2006

The Dude Abides

Brett, who is always up to something interesting, should really have his own blog. Since he doesn't, it's up to me to report on his upcoming appearance on KQED-TV's Check, Please! (air date TBA). I've never seen the show -- actually, neither has he -- but the idea is that every week 3 regular people each pick a favorite restaurant, they all go to each other's picks, and then gather in the studio and give their reviews.

Brett's choice was the snack bar at Presidio Bowl, and he asked me, Darlene, Rebecca and Ruby to go there with him on Sunday for research purposes. I think we are the only people ever to go there specifically for the food (I can only vouch for the grilled cheese sandwich and onion rings, but both were good). While we were there we bowled the lamest game ever. I got a 75 and came in second.

Posted by emily at 5:09 PM | Comments (3)

September 25, 2006

4th Steakiversary

Last week James, John, Hunter, Daniel and I commemorated our 4 years (and counting) of monthly steak dinners. In celebration and appreciation, or maybe just because the kitchen spaced on our salad course, the owner comped us hot chocolates and desserts. Ai!!

Posted by emily at 11:40 AM

September 21, 2006

Fly, Segway, Fly!

My upstairs neighbors, who are so nice that I feel guilty writing about them, just bought a Segway. A Segway! I was truly stunned into silence when I saw it. Eventually I recovered, but only enough to say, "Have you guys seen 'Arrested Development'?" Of course they haven't, and now let's hope they never do. A Segway!!

Posted by emily at 2:53 PM

September 19, 2006

Baby can I hold you

Last week was a good one for me and babies. I finally met Jenny's niece Yohana, and little Ruby is cuter than ever.

Not a baby anymore: Isabel started school last week. How is that possible? Pre-school, but still.

Posted by emily at 12:43 PM | Comments (2)

September 15, 2006

Le Retour

Bonjour! Yes, I'm back from France, poor but happy. Here's my report.

Paris:

When I arrived, I met up with Steve and Nhadine for a late night dinner followed by early morning farmer's market, then they travelled south and I was on my own for a couple of days.

Best parts: wandering with my pals around the Quartier Latin, drinking the most delicious cafe au laits, long sidewalk dinners with Paris' newest resident, Joe S.

Worst parts: bad jet lag, a rainy day, a mediocre meal (in Paris! I know!!)

St. Remy de Provence:

Audrey, Daryn, Felicia, John, Kamar, Nhadine, Steve, Tom, Ziva and I rented this villa for a wonderful week. The place was amazing -- a 6-bedroom 18th century farmhouse with grapes, olives, figs and walnuts growing on the large estate. The laziest among us spent most of our time lounging by the pool, eating baguettes and cheeses and drinking delicious local rose wine.

Best: a whole week with Steve and Nhadine, a day trip to the Mediterranean Sea, lots of time to read, eating almost every meal outside, witnessing John's signature dive, The Flying Squirrel.

Worst: hmmm. Well, the pool wasn't heated. I think that's about it.

Burgundy region:

When the villa week was over I got on a train for a bike tour of Burgundy. Me and my fellow riders (Alan, Alice, David, Harriet, Jean, Leslie, Lynn, 2 Mikas, Paul, Phil, and Stephen from England, Scotland, Canada, Finland, South Africa and New York) rode 25 miles a day along canals and through vineyards from Montbard to Beaune.

Best: liking the other people, good exercise, great weather, beautiful scenery, and outrageous 5-course French dinners every single night.

Worst: believe it or not, by the end of the week I was getting a little weary of all the culinary decadence. I think that's my only complaint. Except that it wasn't longer...

My flight back was cancelled and it ended up taking me 26 hours to get home. It's always hard to come back from vacation but Ted and Naomi helped a lot by throwing a small welcome home dinner on my behalf, and drawing this on their front steps:

More Paris/Provence and Burgundy pictures, if you're interested.

Posted by emily at 4:42 PM | Comments (2)

September 14, 2006

Don't call him stupid

At tonight's Dolores Park showing of "A Fish Called Wanda," Sean asked me to run the vote for next month's movie. It was the classic battle of class ("The Graduate") vs. trash ("Barbarella"), and therefore no contest.

Get out your skimpiest animal skins, see you in the park on Oct. 12.

Posted by emily at 11:00 PM | Comments (1)