Working Is For Suckers

Yesterday, we celebrated Father’s Day with Leyna and Arlo. We had lunch and then went to the zoo so the kidlets could see the animals “for real”.

Some highlights:
1) Sharing moments with the kidlets, Cath, and Josh
2) Having a tasty Vietnamese lunch
3) One monkey peeing on another monkey
4) Watching Josh and Cath relish in having the kidlets run Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Jon a bit ragged
5) Leyna getting pushed by some little girl, looking perplexed, and then asking Cath over and over, “I’m bigger than her?” The little girl was forced to hug Leyna as an apology. Too good.
6) Arlo’s penguin walk imitation

Here are all my pictures. Here are Lindsay’s.

Some of my favorites from the day:


Leyna making faces over lunch.


Arlo, eating noodles one by one.


That’s pretty much how Lindsay looked afterwards.


Aunt Lindsay’s favorite animal sneaking some snacks.


Enjoying the pretend animals.


My favorite animal of the day. Staring contest. Go!


A bit timid on both sides.


An animal that is in her favorite color. Leyna loved these flamingos.


You can run but you can’t hide.


Yes, those are his balls.


Trying to look creepy on a baby elephant.


The men, at the end of the afternoon. Who looks the most tired?


This is Josh's unique way to keep the kids from running as they are about to be buckled in to the car. "Hold on to the car!" This cracked me up each time.

Labels: Kids, Zoo - 0 comments

Lindsay and I car-camped for two nights on the Lost Coast. We had planned on a relaxing, beach-side campsite but it was a bit more challenging.

We got to Mattole Campground in the late afternoon and set up our tent.



This tent was a backpacking tent built for two. It was not a car camping tent. We were jealous of the circus tents people had. Next time, we bring a new tent.



The campground was pretty and secluded. There were a few people around but not too crowded. We made friends with a couple next to us as we needed a light since my lighter had decided to break.


Dinner the first night. We cook in style.




I forgot a cup so had to drink wine from my soda bottle.


Lindsay took this candid shot as I was cooking.

During the camp set-up, we saw a mountain lion in the mountain near the campsite. The pictures are blurry but we're pretty sure it was a mountain lion. We saw footprints on the way to the river delta that looked like a big cat's paw.








Windswept Lost Coast.


Cold and windy.


Artsy shot.


Something was hungry.


A dead sea lion washed up on the beach.


Tent life with Lindsay.


Smores!

After a restless night of wind slapping the tent around, we broke camp in the morning and tried our luck at another camp. If the weather had been a bit more pleasant, we would have stayed. But, with the wind blowing that hard, it was too uncomfortable to sit outside and just relax.

So, we moved a bit inland to A. W. Way County Park. We saw it on the way and we lucked out. We had a huge space that was right above the river. We could sit outside without everything blowing away. And, for dinner, we could actually start and keep a fire going.

But, an interesting note: The Jonathan Effect is a well established weather phenomenon where the wind will always be blowing in my face, no matter what direction I turn. So, if you are walking with me, watch out.

The same is true with campfires. No matter where I sat, ash and smoke would blow into my face. I must have moved 10 times before I just gave up.


The cutest animals we saw.




Mattole River.


Lindsay dominating me, again.


Mandatory self-portrait.


This fire had something to say.

I ended up driving from the campground to Healdsburg. Evidently, the Ambien I kept in the pill cozy got on some Advil and Lindsay was zonked out by it after I gave her something for her headache. So, for the next four hours, I drove. Lindsay was half drugged so she only freaked out a few times.

Safe and sound in Healdsburg, (after Lindsay pinch parallel parked), we checked in to the Healdsburg Inn. It was a good choice for location but everything else was just ok (the breakfast sucked). You pay for location and for that, it was worth it. Healdsburg is a pretty town and easy to walk around.

During Lindsay's spa day, I hung out in a tasting room (Hauck Cellars) and made friends. I got a bottle and chatted with a woman who claims to be running for Mayor of San Francisco. I agreed with her on most things which means she has no chance to win in SF.

We had a fun time but are glad to be back to celebrate Lindsay's 32nd birthday tomorrow.

Labels: Camping, Lindsay, Travel - 1 comments

It's that time of year when the somewhat clever, the way drunk, and the occasionally witty combine into a mess of humanity called Bay To Breakers.

It started off with real runners (Go Kenyans!) and quickly degenerated into staggering and drunken people wandering aimlessly forward towards the Park. It was very hot for San Francisco and I don't think beer and shots are the best way to keep hydrated.

It was still a bit messy around our building but it did feel and smell a lot less dirty and urine filled. We did take pictures of people peeing on cars and ATM machines near our building, though.

Here are all the pictures. Some may contain nudity and not all the nudity is the good kind. For some bonus pictures, here are Lindsay's.




The eventual winner, Sammy Kitwara.


Go Kenyans!


Yup, I took a picture of you peeing.


One of the more clever themes. You won a million dollars!


For the Arrested Development fans.


The mandatory self-portrait.


Beep beep.


They were a wall and would stop the walkers. Very clever.


Frank Chus.


When you have to go, you go on a van?

Here are some videos.


The Animal House float entering the course. Very clever.


Party Time.

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Today, my brother would have turned 33. I can only imagine what he would be doing now.

I could see him on some commune, herding goats. He always said he wanted to be a shepherd so he wouldn’t have to deal with people. At the time, I figured he was only half kidding. But it makes sense. He would get to wear his silly sweaters and not have to shave. And, hopefully, he would have been happy.

Wherever he would be, I’m sure he would be surrounded by music. He loved Pink Floyd and Rush. And in his memory, here’s a video of one his favorites:



To borrow from his other favorite band: Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Lee. Happy Birthday.

Labels: Lee - 1 comments

This past weekend, we spent a few days in Vegas celebrating Lindsay's Grandma and her sisters. Lindsay’s uncle was generous and got us rooms at the Palazzo.

For the big family event, we had dinner at Hamada of Japan, off the strip. The yakitori chef didn’t hit me with any spatulas or forks, unlike my last time at Benihana.

The highlights for me were:
1. Winning $140 at craps. I think I found my new craps home: Casino Royale (scummy, horrible dealers, but $3 min bets so I can leverage with odds). The don’t pass/don’t come strategy didn’t work for me. I’ll stick to playing with the table.
2. Winning my first 2 sports bets, getting cocky, and then losing the next 2.
3. Enjoying Jonathan-time by drinking ice picks in the sportsbook while watching the Cavs cover.
4. Grandma Geri winning a grand at slots. She has a plan (which machines to play and when) and she executes against it.
5. Mike, my father in law, winning $1500 in all at the slots. This was after Grandma won her money earlier in the day. Mike had the golden touch too.

I’m glad to be home. Vegas is fine in small doses but the smoking, desert air, and sun are too much. I’m delicate.

A picture of Lindsay and her mom:

Labels: Lindsay, Travel, Vegas - 0 comments

I'm 36 years old today. That went quick.

Last night, we went to see Bishop Allen, Miniature Tigers, and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

The opener, Mt. St. Helen Vietnam Band, wore matching vests. They were fun but the songs started to run into each other. 30 minutes was about how long we needed to hear them.

Miniature Tigers was a solid band with catchy songs and strong musicianship. I had bought their album before (yes, I actually paid money) so I knew a bit about them. They were clever, very tight, and clearly enjoyed themselves playing live. I would see them again.

Finally, the reason we were there: Bishop Allen. This was their best performance since the first few times I saw them. The set list ranged from old stuff to new stuff from their latest album to new new stuff I hadn't heard. Finally, the woman in the band, Darby, was there to sing. I enjoy her soft voice and like it when the band slows way down.

My favorites of the night: Things Are What You Make Of Them; Empire City; Ghosts Are Good Company; Click, Click, Click, Click; Penitentiary Bound; Like Castanets; The Monitor. They mixed up the arrangements so it wasn't just like the album versions.

My only complaint about the night was the crowd.

When did concertgoers become rude? Who takes a camera to a show and continues to flash people by taking pictures of their friends? Who talks through every single song, even the ballads? Who texts in the middle of the show? Who acts out the song as in making picture taking gestures during "Click, Click, Click, Click"?

This all happened withing earshot of me and Lindsay.

I got very angry and wanted to say something but Lindsay kept me on a short leash. "No punching anyone in the neck. No!" "No, Jonathan, you can not kick that idiot in the shin." "No, if you tell that girl to shut up she'll just be louder."

In the cab ride home, Lindsay told me how the woman taking pictures was spoken to by one guy and she then turned the camera on him and flashed him in the face. I would hope that I would have been mature enough to only take the camera from her hands and smash it.

What's the etiquette in this? I am just trying to watch the show.

At least we learned a few things:

1) Never go to an all ages show.
2) Figure out a way to correct the behavior of these dinks that doesn't get me in trouble with Lindsay. Or the police.
3) Shows back in my day, even the Metallica shows with mosh pits, were more fan friendly with people there to actually watch and hear. What happened during the last 15 years?
4) The Rickshaw is a good venue that can actually generate decent sound from its system. Yes, I'm talking to you, Independent.

All in all, it was an enjoyable way to start my birthday celebrations.

Happy Birthday to me.

Labels: Birthday, music - 1 comments

We just got back from a long weekend in Mendocino to celebrate my early birthday. I think we experienced all forms of weather in our time up there: hail, rain, wind, sun, fog, haze, and a fleeting rainbow.

Here are the pictures.


My favorite self portrait. I was getting pelted by rain, surf, winds, and salt but still managed to take a goofy picture of myself. My eye was shut from the stinging salt water. Not, as you might think, a Popeye imitation.


The sea lion who helped us look for whales.


That is a whale spout.


Llama tushes, from the farm next door to Stevenswood.


I'm falling.


Lindsay, on the whale watching boat, hiding her camera bag under her jacket and trying not to fall overboard.


Sharing moments at the lighthouse. On the way there, it hailed then turned into a crisp, sunny day. Weather there is freaky.
___

We arrived on Friday at Stevenswood Lodge. The booking was a huge hassle through a site called Luxurylink.com but it all worked out. The room was spacious enough and the package included a couples massage, a welcome champagne, access to a private hot tub, and a welcome gift (which was a bottle of corked wine).

The massage was good. Since it was my second ever, I don't have much to compare it to other than the fact that this one was better than the first one.

I loved how my masseuse asked me if I stretched or did yoga. Lindsay, on the table next to me, laughed. I guess that was her answer.

When the masseuse asked me if I wanted her to work on any area in particular, I told her, "My lower back. Where my tail would be if I had one." Lindsay laughed but my masseuse just said that she had never heard it described that way. I'll be the talk of the staff meetings.

In terms of other activities, we ate, saw whales, and hiked a bit. We saw loads of animals (deer, whales, llamas, sea lions, squirrels, birds..)

The meals, on average, were average.

Ravens Restaurant, a vegetarian only place, had some disgusting food that occasionally met the adequate level. If it wasn't for the good wine, it would have been a total waste. The spinach souffle was mind boggling. I have no idea why it looked or tasted like stringy spinach in a scrambled egg looking mess.

The next night, at La Petite Rive, we experienced the shunning that someone gluten free like Lindsay will occasionally get. They knew about her requirements but instead of being creative, they just subtracted things. Like Ravens where they made her salad gluten free by holding the croutons, Le Petit Rive didn't plan at all, even with the months of notice.

Lindsay's sea scallops, all 3 of them, were bathed in this lemoncello butter sauce that was so sweet that I would have just sent it back. Lindsay choked it down. My dish, the pepper crusted filet mignon, was very good. The standout was the mushroom soup, by far. I enjoyed this meal more than Lindsay but then again, I had more leeway to order.

The highlight for me was whale watching. From the dock where we were met by a sea lion, to the rough seas that sprayed, no hosed, us down, I had a blast.

Last thing: the title of this post is from an ice cream shop in Mendocino where Lindsay was asked: "Would you like your cappuccino dry or with milk?" Lindsay picked with milk, but got a cup of coffee grinds, hot water, and foam. We sipped and poked at it before just walking away.

We're glad to be back in SF.

Labels: Lindsay, Mendocino, Travel - 0 comments

We just got back from a trip down to Half Moon Bay for the day.

I drove back and only made Lindsay scared two times. One was my fault (I cut some guy off while changing lanes) and one was the other guy's fault (he cut me off as I was pulling into the garage).

I am fine with freeway and side road driving but my city driving needs help.

I jinxed it by telling Lindsay that I had been error free. Then, two quick errors. No harm, no foul.

At Half Moon Bay, we walked around the antique stories and bookshops and then had lunch. We just wanted a easy going type of day. No hardcore hiking.

We ate at Flying Fish Grill. The fish tacos were very tasty. Next time we're down there, we're going back.

Afterwords, we walked along the beach. It was a very cool and pretty day. And, I didn't get us hit on the way back. To me, that's all I can ask for.

Update: As we were walking on the beach, we saw cops and paramedics in the parking lot and on the beach itself. We had thought a wind surfer had hurt himself (it was very windy) and they were getting him ready for transport. We saw him on a back board and the cops didn't seem to be in a huge rush. We didn't think it was a big deal. But, it turned out to be much worse. The guy had drowned in the strong rip tides.

Some pictures:

Yes, they are.




Too much detergent.


I still got sunburned.


She attacked me with some kind of sea weed.


A bit windy on the beach.

Labels: Car, Travel - 2 comments

I wasn't going to write about this unless there was a happy ending.

Yesterday, after a lunch with the guys from work, we saw a car run over a Chihuahua.

The dog was off leash and had run into traffic on Second and King, right by the Pac Bell ballpark. Two tires rolled over the dog.

The dog was on his back and he was flailing around. To me, that was a positive sign as he was moving 3 of his paws.

The driver of the car who hit the dog did stop for a bit but then drove away. A co-worker tried to get the license plate but the car was gone.

Another co-worker ran across the street and helped the guy and his dog into a Good Samaritan’s car. It was pretty touching to see some woman in a minivan offer to drive this guy and his dog to a hospital.

Needless to say, we were all shaken.

I decided to email the local pet hospitals to find out more information. I promised myself I would not tell the other guys if the news turned out to be bad. We were that upset by this.

Three places got back to me. One said the dog hadn’t been there. Another said it was a private matter and that they wouldn’t be able to share info if the dog was there. (Doggy privacy issues?) But the third one, at around 7:30 last night, emailed me this news:

Hi Jonathan,

Thank you all for your interest with the little Chihuahua that was hit by a car today. He did indeed come to our hospital, in shock with several abrasions and a laceration from the accident.

I am happy to report we were able to stabilize him and repair the laceration. We discharged the chihuahua this evening which is a good sign. After speaking with the doctor on the case, it sounds like he is expected to recover with a chance of some permanent ligament damage. Overall, they were very lucky considering a 5 pound dog had a tangle with a 2000+ pound vehicle.

I hope this makes all of you feel a little better about what you witnessed today.

Sincerely,
Brian
Practice Manager

That dog is one lucky pup. Keep those dogs on leashes, people.

Labels: Chihuahua - 0 comments

We spent some of Sunday visiting with our nephews, Jack and Christian, at the SF dog show. We all had a fun time even though Lindsay and I realized how much we would love a dog. Nope, not yet. A Newfoundland would never fit in our apartment.

I also ran into a woman I worked with at Petopia who started Woof Report . Check it out.

Here are some pictures. The lighting messed with my camera settings so I'm blaming the camera more than my skill.


Jack and a wiener dog.


Say it with me, Christian, "shnacks!"


Bernese Mountain dog. 10 months old.


A Newfie looking puffy and cute.


This pug also had pink underwear on. I was embarrassed for that dog.


Getting ready for the ring.


You're not Texas.


All the Chessies getting ready to show off.


For my mother.


Cute cute sheltie.


Busted. All dogs like to check out the trash.

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