Beth

The last time I saw Beth Orton was almost two years ago at the Fillmore when she announced she was pregnant. She went on hiatus, gave birth and stayed home. While she said she was thrilled to be out last night, having forgotten she was a woman who wrote and sang songs for a living, she suffered from horrible nerves and "new mom brain." She couldn't remember the lyrics, she couldn't remember the chords. It was heart-wrenching. She offered to give the audience free tickets to her next performance, which she promised would be great. After a very long hour, she left the stage to shed more than a few tears, I'm sure.

Rooftop Bar in SF

Beth and I soaked up some serious sunshine yesterday. First, we spent a couple hours at Zeitgeist (yes, it was my THIRD Sunday in a row!) then we walked over to Medjool, a place that's generally too yuppie for my tastes, but the spectacular views from their rooftop bar/restaurant (and Beth's uncanny ability to snag the best table in the place!) made it all worthwhile.

Check it out here

Steve

I've probably seen Steve Earle in concert six or eight times, but last night had to be one of his best performances ever. It certainly was my favorite. He filled two hours and 15 minutes with great song after song after song. The Palace of Fine Arts also is a great venue. Thanks to Tod and Linda for the ticket!

Tagged!

Linda tagged me. I think that means I have to answer this list of questions. Here goes:

What were you doing 10 yrs ago?
In March 1998, I was living in Columbia, South Carolina, working for the AP, waiting for my next job opportunity. I moved to SF in June.

Snacks I enjoy:
If I paid no attention to fat content, I'd love to chow down on chips and guacamole, those super-thick dipper potato chips and sour cream and onion dip, salt and vinegar chips. Basically, anything wonderfully salty and greasy.

Five things on my to-do list today:
Preparing for major event at work.
Confirming photographer.
Confirming videographer in Oakland and Sacramento.
Rewriting press release over and over and over again.
Writing newsletter copy.

Things I would do if I became a billionaire:
Sock most of it away, so I can live the rest of my life doing only what I want to do. I would probably buy a house in Cole Valley. Travel lots and stay in super-swanky places. Write a book. On the do-gooder side, I'd donate a bunch of money to organizations that work with poor, young, black men. I feel like we've lost a generation of these kids already and it must stop ... but that's another post.

3 bad habits
Drinking too much.
Eating too much.
Speaking before I think.

5 places I have lived: (in reverse order)
San Francisco
Columbia, South Carolina
Phoenix, Arizona
Anchorage, Alaska
Omaha, Nebraska

Jobs I have had: (in reverse order; and, yes, this is all of them)Public relations specialist
Reporter
Communications Analyst for the U.S. Air Force
Receptionist
Ice cream scooper

Things people don’t know about me:
I'm legally blind.
I've finished two marathons and four triathlons.
In high school, I wanted to attend West Point.

I've tagged Mike.

Furry Fun

On Friday, I learned that one of my colleagues doesn't like animals. Nothing with fur, she said. While I used to consider myself one of those people, now that I live with furry things, I can't imagine ever living without them.


Gin and I had a great time at Fort Fun on Sunday.


Later, I came home to this scene. Have you ever seen anything so adorable?

Child of the Seventies

If ever there was a doubt, I am truly a child of the 70s. My name proves it. In the 1970s, Kimberly ranked #5 in popularity. In 2006, it was #58.

http://www.babynamewizard.com/namevoyager/lnv0105


(Thanks to David and Ann for pointing out this groovy site.)

The Dark Side

Yes. I have gone to the dark side. I'm reading this book. It includes chapters like "Media Dos and Don'ts," "Media Crisis Management" and "Staging Media Events." Sigh.

Fun in the Sun

It was one of those weekends that makes you appreciate what you spend to live here. As is our habit, Georgia and I went in search of maximum sun exposure. We drank margaritas and played Scrabble at Zeitgeist, then Finnegan's. Oh, and, yes, we celebrated my bangs.

Seafood Extravaganza

One of the many highlights of Mike's trip here was an amazing pile o' seafood he got at the Old Clam House in SF's Bayview district. It didn't occur to me that his meal might need a camera! Luckily, Mike had his phone.



On a historical note, the restaurant is one of the oldest in SF. It opened in 1861.

Bangs?

I've got a VERY important question for you, my friends.

I've grown weary of my hairstyle and I'm seeking a change. No, I'm not going to cut it all off (again!) or bleach it white-blonde (again!), but I am thinking of getting bangs. Or a fringe, as our friends across the pond would say. Where does 'bangs' come from anyway?

What say you?


(Yes, this is a dorky work photo.)

Oak-town

Against my will, I'm discovering Oakland. It's not that I hold a particular grudge against this city, it's just that I never saw the need for it ... with San Francisco right across the bay, what's the point?

Anyway, this rooftop garden is a short walk from my new office.

Dillon Beach

Spent a lovely and long weekend at Dillon Beach with Mike and a group of friends.


On Saturday night, we suddenly decided it was a goood idea to line up in age order -- from 29 to Tod.

French Laundry

Yes, it was everything it was meant to be. I've never in my life had food like this. It was artful -- every detail of the nine courses perfect and yummy and wonderful.


This was a heavenly cheese wrapped in a paper-thin pastry, topped with asparagus and greens.


One of my favorites was this insanely rich goat cheese made in nearby Petaluma.


The birthday girls and her guests satisfied after a four-hour lunch.