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December 25, 2006

Christmas time is here, by golly

Does anyone remember, about 5 years ago or so, when I was the only one sending out holiday cards? I hope so, because now it seems like I'm the only one who's not.

But I hope everyone is having a very very merry Christmas.

Posted by emily at 12:21 PM

December 21, 2006

Away in a ______

Over the years, Smuin Ballet's "Christmas Ballet" has become a must-see part of the holidays for me. Tuesday night's performance was as wonderful as ever, especially the classical first half of the program, featuring traditional music from Spain and the U.K., Bach's Magnificat and "For Unto Us a Child is Born."

I thought that Riyad, who had never heard of a manger before(!), might enjoy the more secular second half better. What's not to like about tap-dancing Christmas trees? (That was a rhetorical question, James.)

Posted by emily at 9:01 AM

December 19, 2006

Marathon

Last weekend was an eating marathon, and I'm pretty sure I won. Prime rib and mashed potatoes at Bill's house, scallops and quail at Boulevard, shrimp cocktail and brie at Chris G.'s photo show, matzoh ball soup and cupcakes at Isabel's 3rd birthday party. (Whew.)

Posted by emily at 12:29 PM

December 14, 2006

Spot the Grinch

One of the attendees at last night's Emergency Meeting was not in the Christmas spirit. Can you guess which one? (Hint: it's not Bruce Lee.)

Posted by emily at 11:57 AM | Comments (3)

December 12, 2006

Air America

Last night Harold, Molly, Jon and I went to see former "The State" and "Stella"-ites Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black do stand-up at The Independent. The last time Harold and I were at The Independent, it was to see the U.S. Air Guitar Championships, so we were feeling déjà vu when Showalter did some air guitar in his act. He even upped the ante with air tambourine! Other funny bits included a Mortified-esque reading of a painfully earnest poem he wrote for his high school literary journal and a vivid imagining of how Starbucks came to be selling DVDs of "Akeelah and the Bee."

Black, whom I adore from his ubiquitous presence on VH1's "I Love the (insert decade here)," was a disappointment. He was unfocused and just not that amusing. Though I will say that he didn't insult anyone in the audience with a racist tirade, which is something these days.

Posted by emily at 2:43 PM | Comments (1)

December 11, 2006

'Tis the season for tough decisions

There is always a day in December when too many things are happening, and tough decisions must be made. This year it was last Saturday, when I regretfully chose to skip Santacide in favor of getting some errands done during the day, and being awake and alert for evening events.

Kyle and Christopher's party (above) was my second favorite kind of party -- the kind with tons of good food and a cute professional bartender. Carrie's party, which I went to afterwards, was my first favorite kind, with beer in coolers and lots of dancing. Both were great, but I regret I have to save the homemade Santa skirt that Nicole gave me for next year.

Posted by emily at 2:53 PM | Comments (1)

December 8, 2006

One club too many?

On Saturday night Harold and I formed an impromptu cookie club in the middle of watching "West Side Story" with Jenny. Everything was going great until the pan unexpectedly mutated, sending some of our poor cookies to burn on the floor of the oven. The undercooked, smoky results were less than delicious.

Hal could have saved the day, I'm sure. At his house a couple of weeks ago, he whipped up a spur-of-the-moment chocolate soufflé for me, Holly, and a nice out-of-towner whose name I don't remember. I remember the soufflé though! Like everything that Hal makes -- yum.

Posted by emily at 1:49 PM | Comments (2)

December 5, 2006

Winterfest 06

I look forward to the SFBC big annual party, Winterfest, all year. When I'm actually there, though, I tend to get a little overwhelmed by seeing every local bicyclist I've ever met, and hundreds that I haven't, in one place.

On Sunday I hid from the crowds in two places -- behind the bar (Pam and I were volunteer bartenders for half the night) and in Mark J.'s photo booth. My favorites are below... all of them are here.

Posted by emily at 2:14 PM