My Home for the Holidays

Admittedly, I'm pretty excited I don't have to travel anywhere for the holidays. This year, the family is coming to me. Mike's on a train and my folks fly out tomorrow -- assuming the weather cooperates.

Black Crowes

I absolutely love the Black Crowes' latest CD, Warpaint. Brian and I went to see them at the Fillmore last night and they put on a really good show. I would've liked to hear more of the new stuff, but I'm sure Brian would disagree.

Beretta

I should've taken pictures of the food. It was super-duper yummy. David, Brian and I shared sardines, Brussels sprouts, an arugula salad, squash risotto and an incredible potato, rosemary, radicchio & gorgonzola pizza.

Then, we headed to our CD group's holiday party where we enjoyed a left-over cheese ball from Liz and Mark's party, as well as, a rousing version of the musical name game!

Alamo Square

Laura and I had dinner last night at Alamo Square Seafood Grill. Laura had the bouillabaise shellfish soup and I had the vegetable risotto, which was phenomenal. Neither of us had been there in years, so it was a reminder of what a cozy place it is.

Gin's Best Friend

Need I say more?

Christmas Downtown

I love Christmas decorations -- especially those downtown.

Work Party

Last night, my colleagues and I celebrated with a holiday party. We started with drinks and appetizers (very yummy!) at Bix, a super-swanky bar/restaurant/lounge in an alley just around the corner from our office. It used to be a speakeasy where women swung from trapezes and it's still awfully cool.


We had dinner at Delancey Street, which is better known for its cause than its food. The restaurant is completely staffed by formerly troubled kids - addicts, criminals, etc. - who are turning their lives around.

Ahi

I love ahi. I met Terry yesterday for lunch at Seller's Market and enjoyed this super-tasty salad. I thought a salad might counteract all the weekend parties I'll be attending and the holiday food I'll be eating.

Open Mic + Thai

Brian gave another great performance at Amnesia last night. This time it was a Bruce Springsteen cover and one of Brian's originals, "Hold Me, I'm Lonely." You could've heard a pin drop.

Next, we headed next door for a yummy selection of appetizers - spring rolls, salmon sticks, Thai samosas, fish cakes and ahi - at Osha Thai Restaurant.

Netflix

Netflix has been letting me down lately. I've been suffering through a spate of crappy movies. Last night was a bit of an exception. I watched "Smart People" with Dennis Quaid, Sarah Jessica Parker and pre-Juno Ellen Page. It was a schlocky story, but I enjoyed it.

Bachelorette Party

On Saturday night, Kate regaled us with the story of her romance with Sean. The wedding is the week before Christmas. She assured us this would be the only time we'd see her in a veil.

Lunch with Linda and Holden

Linda, Holden and I met for lunch in the Mission on Saturday. It was warm and sunny and the food was fantastic! And someone behaved like a perfect angel.

Brian's Birthday

Amanda, Brian and five of his new SF friends celebrated his birthday last night at a great Mexican restaurant in the Mission. He said it was better than his annual Chi Chi's trek when he was a kid, although he did miss the fried ice cream.

Alembic

Brian, Amanda and I celebrated Amanda's arrival in SF with drinks and "nibbles" at Alembic, one of my favorite places. It's swanky, but comfortable and expensive enough to keep out the "riff raff."

Sunset at Ocean Beach

Have I mentioned lately how much I love San Francisco?

More Packers

It's distressing that the Packer games are never on regular TV. On Sunday, Brian and I trekked over to Kezar ... again at 10:30 a.m. to watch the home team lose ... again.


We did meet a new friend and fellow Wisconsinite, Tracy.


Then, because it was in the mid 70s and sunny, we went to Golden Gate Park to play Scrabble and abuse Ginger.

Birthday Fun

After enjoying the morning in Oroville, aka Small Piece of Paradise, Brian and I headed back to SF to get ready for my birthday party. The guests were good sports about the gaming, the champagne cocktails were yummy and the fondue didn't ... but it was a lovely time for all.

Thanksgiving Part Two

On Friday, Brian and I went up to Oroville to have a second Thanksgiving dinner with Beth and her parents. How lucky are we??