Sunday, January 25, 2009
Time Management
Greetings...
I'm still here.
It has been 20 days since my last post. As it turns out, my first day back into a routine after time off was the beginning of a much busier period than I realized.
With free time at my disposal, I was able to kick off the blog with a very good start. I even started a list of blog topics that I wanted to cover, the first of which was a piece on Time Management. Great lessons that I've learned would be the subtext.
But then, the routine started. Up at 5:15 to go work out, off to the office at 8:15, at the office until at least 6:30, then home to throw together a little dinner, check emails and guess what...it's time to hit the sack.
Day after day, that has been the rough outline of my day. Weekends have been very busy as well. I enjoy being busy, don't get me wrong, but I have not been able to keep up the daily posting updates that I see on so many other blogs.
I have yet to figure out how everyone does it.
Until I do, I can't possibly write about time management, at least not until I can actually figure out how to better manage it myself.
In the meantime, I'll keep up my routine, check in on the expert bloggers and post when I can.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The first day back...
Today was the first day back...
The first day back in the office after 13 days off. The first day back to the dreaded 6 AM outdoor bootcamp class after 13 days off. The first day back to reality after so many terrific days off. Days filled with good food, great drinks and fun times spent with friends & family. The first day back after so many lazy & carefree afternoons.
It was a tough day...I need sleep.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Bernal Heights
Found ourselves cutting through Bernal Heights on our way across town yesterday and decided to stop in and have brunch at a local haunt. I do not recommend this place. It was very busy, but the food isn't great.
We speculated on why so many people would stop in there, because the atmosphere isn't that great, the food seemed so-so, and it doesn't appear to be a popular joint for the laptop crowd...
That led me to ponder Bernal Heights in general. There aren't that many places there to go. I can't really put my finger on it, but Bernal never seems to resonate with me for some reason. It has all the right makings of a cool neighborhood on paper. A main street lined with shops, well kept homes in "most" areas, despite a couple of shabby pockets, and a few downright cool tree lined streets. There's a fair amount of interesting architecture, a beautiful hilltop park at the crest of the main hill with great 360 views, and finally, the weather is not bad at all, which is a major factor for San Francisco neighborhoods. And yet, it's still just Bernal. The plain jane cousin that you would invite to a family dinner, but you would never call her up to join you for bar hopping on a Saturday night.
I'm sure there are locals who love the character, and are possibly quite happy that throngs of visitors from other neighborhoods stay away in droves. After all, that makes for an easier time of it when trying to park your car, but the feeling of the place just doesn't seem to sell very much sizzle. Other commercial areas like Noe Valley & West Portal seem to be destinations for folks to shop, dine or just hang out - myself included, but for the life of me I can't find Bernal's soul.
It's like that one burner on the stove that never really gets very hot. It looks like all the others, but for some reason, it just doesn't fire up. It's never anything more than just lukewarm. It's good for keeping a plate warm, but it will never make anything sizzle.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Farmer's Market
Today was a quick spin over to the Farmer's Market. It was my idea, and I'm not sure why, because I hate crowds, and this place is notorious for rude patrons and mindless parents who push their baby carriages into the crowd first...then look.
But despite the warm sunny weather, the crowds weren't so bad. I guess we got there after the rush. Some of the stalls were already vacated by the time we got there.
Great stuff.
Onward with Blogging
Well the first part is done.
The primary goal was to "start" the blog, which very quickly led to a secondary goal of somehow documenting the past year with a few highlights. I have no idea where that came from.
For some reason I suddenly felt compelled to post a few pics of my 2008 weekend getaways. I also feel compelled to ride that new train in Phoenix and for the life of me I don't know why. This too shall pass.
Now for the next step, to figure out what happens next. I honestly spend so much time reading other blogs I haven't put much thought into how this one is going to get created, so I'll play it all by ear and just make things happen.
Not just with the blog itself, but with everything else that matters.
Home, career and personal development. Its time for a complete overhaul. I feel it, so 2009 is the year.
I enjoy change for the most part. It rejuvenates me - provided that the change itself was my idea. That's the key, you see. The change has to be your idea if you're going to enjoy it at all - just remember that.
More later...
Friday, January 2, 2009
The First Supper of 2009
I'm not sure from where this custom originates, but for years I've eaten black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes on New Year's Day. It's supposed to bring good luck. I threw in some baked chicken & eggplant with red peppers to round out the dish.
Happy New Year!
The Last Supper of 2008
Orie's office party this year was very cool. They hauled the entire staff (and significant others) into the industrial kitchen of a large country club for a cooking class / holiday dinner. Each team was divided up into groups to work on various aspects of a seven course meal. They offered a brief demo, gave us a few cocktails and some very sharp knives, and off we went. No injuries were sustained, but we did end up with some terrific food. I was on the lamb team. The food was great, and it was a great ice breaker too for a room full of folks filled with new faces.
Since the lamb turned out so well, I duplicated the dish for the last meal of 2008. I give you roasted lamb chops with wild berry glaze, mushroom risotto, spinach salad & snow peas. I think the presentation could've used a third color food item, besides the two green dishes, but we ate it anyway.
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica has great weather and beautiful scenery. Another stop on our spin through Southern California.
San Jose, California
I got a tip there's a good place for auto body work in San Jose, so we drove the car down to get some minor scrapes repaired. For those of you who plan to be in the area, there's a huge Rose Garden (the photo here doesn't do it justice) and you should also stop by Santana Row. It's by far the best take on new age urban design that I've seen so far. Do not, however, attempt to tour San Jose by foot. It's a huge sprawl, and taxis are few and far between. Either take your own car...or rent one.
The Winchester Mystery House was a bit of a disappointment, primarily because I believe I set my expectations too high, but if you're there, you may as well go.
Shopping in West Hollywood
Wine Blending
If you find yourself in Sonoma, California with a group of people and nothing to do, try wine blending. Two internationally recognized wine judges (not sure how that's verified) will divide you up into groups, instruct you on the finer points of wine tasting, and allow you to mix & match blends. You even get a souvenir bottle to bring home, complete with the label you designed yourself.
Everyone has a good time, and the judging is quite clinical, hence the white smocks. Just makes sure you're in walking distance from your hotel, because no one should drive after this event.
Madonna
As you may be able to tell, the chronology of this blog is off kilter. I began with holiday pics but then decided to do a year in review while I'm at the keyboard. This is a pic of the Madonna concert we attended in Oakland this year. Of the 100+ pics I took with my phone camera, this is about as good as it gets. I like Madonna. I'm not a rabid fan, as so many are, and I don't even like all of her work, but for the most part, she has been with me thru college and into middle age so her music does bring back memories of bygone eras regardless of which track emerges on the radio. So when a good friend offered to help with tickets, I thought why not. May as well check it out. There were folks of all ages, from young hip teens to aging boomers like myself. The show itself was an incredible production. So many moving parts, giant booms and rotating giant screens. The stage went up, it went down, there were hot dancers everywhere all glistening with sweat. It was quite a scene. I enjoyed it. I don't think I would fly to another city to see this show, but if she ever shows up in your town, it's definitely worth a visit.
Love
Orie snapped this pic on the way to the No on Prop 8 rally in San Francisco.It's one of my favorites.
Marie Antoinette Christmas
If you're looking for a great party idea,have a Marie Antoinette Christmas.
No one seems to do costume parties
any more - except at Halloween.
This is a great way to get folks to
step out of the drudgery of daily
reality and try something new.
Adventures in Virginia
A quick spin by Monticello. I went there on a field trip when I was in the fourth grade...or maybe fifth, but haven't been since.I remembered the bed that straddles two rooms, and vaguely remember the customized contraptions such as the wine dumbwaiter and the clock that uses weights that descend into the basement, but that was about it.
Although Thomas Jefferson was an outspoken critic of slavery in early America, he stopped short of setting most of his servants free. In fact, of the 110 that he owned, only two were set free during his lifetime, and three in his will. The rest were sold to pay the bills of the estate.
Now this is a resident who takes holiday lighting very seriously, although there's a poignant twist on this one. It's dedicated to their lost son, who no doubt loved Christmas, so this one appears to be somewhat of a tribute. It's festive, outrageous and sad, all at the same time.
Virginians are very proud of Monticello. After all, it does appear on the nickel so it's one of the most recognizable structures in the nation. I was pleased that the tour guide acknowledged the inter-racial affairs and documented offspring that occurred between the storied master of the manor and his servants. I wasn't really sure they would mention it.
Although Thomas Jefferson was an outspoken critic of slavery in early America, he stopped short of setting most of his servants free. In fact, of the 110 that he owned, only two were set free during his lifetime, and three in his will. The rest were sold to pay the bills of the estate.Apparently, there were other means available to resolve a mortgage crisis in the 1830's.
Speaking of Jefferson, this is the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.
A grand old lady. Here you see how they've tarted the place up to celebrate the holidays. You needn't book a room to enjoy it. Just stop by the lobby, take in their mini-museum with great old photos of Richmond, and have a cocktail at the bar. Folks seem like hanging out in the lobby.
Richmond is known for it's tacky lights parade. Here you see authentic townhouses that have been dolled up in a group effort. This is actually one of the contest entries. I love it when a community can come together for a common cause, whatever the occasion. These neighborhoods are great. You don't find character like these old homes in that sea of tract housing sprawl that virtually every city seems to promote. Communities that were named after the very thing they replaced...you know those places. They have names like Turkey Run, Green Meadows or Whistling Pines.
Now this is a resident who takes holiday lighting very seriously, although there's a poignant twist on this one. It's dedicated to their lost son, who no doubt loved Christmas, so this one appears to be somewhat of a tribute. It's festive, outrageous and sad, all at the same time.Three of my favorite people enjoying holiday lights. Bill, Orie & Steve.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Southern Food
Each time I'm in Virginia, I always stop at my favorite southern cuisine roadhouse off of Highway 360.Fried Chicken
Baked Chicken
BBQ Ribs
Green Peas
Cabbage
Greens
Mac & Cheese
Corn Pudding
Sweet Iced Tea
...I made two trips.
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