Friday Randomness

Quick one this week, for whatever reason. Mostly because it’s Thursday afternoon as I write this and we have a reservation for dinner in a couple of hours and I need to get ready.

New Skin

We’re getting a facelift around here, and our unit’s turn begins on Monday. It will be loud and dirty as they remove the shingles, then a couple of weeks of mess and noise as they install the new siding. Here’s the before on the left (our unit) and the after on the right (a neighbor’s unit). Wish us luck.

Wisteria Season is Fleeting but Beautiful

The wisteria is blooming and turning to leaves before my eyes. Such a fleeting season.

Every Season is Bullshit Season

Serious bullshit. We were as upset as everyone else to read about Chavez and his abuse bullshit. It reminds me (again, again) of 2018 and the #metoo phenomenon, when men I knew and respected were surprised that every woman they knew had at least one #metoo moment. Not all assaulted, but all had stories to tell of bullshit they’d had to deal with, at work, or at home, or walking down the fucking street, or whatever. I was shocked that they were shocked.

Also in the bullshit category, I am thankful that we don’t use much cash these days, since Trump’s signature is set to be on U.S. Currency. Will it just be the dollar bill, or all paper cash? I don’t know. I don’t want it in my wallet though.

War in Iran = High Prices

I’m hoping to take a big trip this fall. My dream is Paris at least, perhaps more. We’re worried that Trump and Iran are going to make that unaffordable, but we’re not giving up hope yet. Get your shit together, assholes. (As if.)

Birthday Dinner

Maya turns 30 on Sunday, and we have begun celebrating. Last night was dinner at Chez Panisse Cafe. The chef, Alice Waters, is the founder of the farm to table movement in the US, and we’ve always kind of wanted to go, but never quite pulled the trigger. The main restaurant downstairs is one meal, everyone gets the same thing, with exceptions made for vegetarians (meaning they have a vegetarian option, but every vegetarian gets the same thing). You make your reservation a month ahead of time, and find out the week of your reservation what the meal will be. That sounded risky to us with all of the dietary restrictions around here. The Cafe upstairs has a menu you can pick from, and it’s less expensive, so we decided to go there. Luckily we were able to get a reservation on relatively short notice. I’m happy to report now, writing after we got home, that it was absolutely delicious.

Ted has to work today, and Maya and I are going to Berkeley to sell come clothes at a consignment store, and have a nice lunch and ogle books. Tomorrow is a family party, a joint party with Maya and her 4 year old cousin Sloan, whose birthday was last week. We’re having a brunch theme this year. Sunday is her actual birthday, and we’re not sure what’s on the agenda yet. Lazy day? Busy day? Time with friends? No idea. Hopefully it won’t be like her 2020 Covid birthday where she forced us to watch Twilight movies.