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Uncle Markie out and about.

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Sat
21
Mar '09

Happy Birthday, Alicia.

What started out as a calm morning… with Raf and his girlfriend showing up to paint, at noon turned a little crazy.

As I’m trying  to pack to leave at one, a knock comes on the door from the neighbor — over spray on their cars. Shit. At least Raf was there to deal with his mess before Jeremy got home to discover his pride and joy with over spray on it. Maybe I should give him the cover to my Jag.

Finished packing with Raf cleaning up the mess, or so I hope. I’ll need to drop MaryAnn a note on my return. Oy Vey. Just what I need.

Left on schedule for the airport and by 1:30 was sipping a drink in the Board Room. And worrying. Detailing for two cars… let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Three drinks later it’s off to the North Concourse. Alaska Airlines has outgrown it’s space in C and D terminals and is now encroaching on United’s N Terminal.

Flight left a couple of minutes early — and could have been more than that considering we started boarding 45 minutes prior and it’s only a 737-700.

My seatmate in 1A was travelling with a baby less than a year old — she looked relieved when I pulled out my Bose noise cancelling headphones, though in general the kid (Nash, as in the automobile) was a pretty good flier. I’ve had worse adults next to me.

Flight landed on time (amazing with the head winds) and by 6 I was at Mark and Onyx’s place unpacking dinner. Yes, I packed dinner in my carryon:

  • two containers filled with shrimp stuffed with crab rolled in Procuitto (6 each)
  • one container of croutons
  • one container with seven baby orange bell peppers (which I then stuffed with goat cheese and broiled with the seafood bombs)
  • one bag of romaine hearts, 3 heads, two for tonight, one for tomorrow

From Mark and Onyx came the salad dressing from my last visit, and cocktails (scotch for the Marx and Devon when he arrived, pomegranate margarita for Onyx and the girls, Birthday Alicia and Devon’s daughter Maggie). From Alicia and Devon, a couple of bottles of red wine.

The only thing missing? A picture of the before and after:

  • in the container
  • on the broiler pan
  • done
  • served

Oh well. It was a stunning dinner. Not bad for a 50th birthday dinner. The birthday guests left around 10 to head back over the bay, and Mark and I chatted away until well past midnight. Onyx had the sense to go to bed at a more normal time.

Happy Birthday, Alicia.

[216.4]

Thu
31
Jan '13

Dinner With Devon & Alicia.

A lazy day around the daylight basement. I made a run to the Powell Street Plaza to hit BevMo and Trader Joes. Rest of the afternoon was listening to one sided conference calls that Lunetta had booked back-to-back.

I’m the chef for dinner tonight and they were out of salad, wine, and whiskey. The latter one was my fault.

The plan for dinner (which was arranged at the last minute last night) is a bed of greens with Pear Gorgonzola dressing topped with tail on shrimp, sea scallops, and sautéed bacon bits. It turned out stunningly.

A great evening of eating cross-legged on the floor on the coffee table – it’s the only place that seats 5.

Who knows – they might even buy my mother’s Miata since Alicia’s even older one has 175,000 miles on it – double what my mother’s has. Anyone else interested? Here are the details: https://blog.unclemarkie.com/2012/10/17/back-home-and-time-to-sell-a-car/

Another late night – but now I’m a little worried because my throat is scratchy – can we blame it on the Trader Joe’s Meatball samples?

[?? ?]

Sun
10
Feb '08

The Small World Of Art.

Today’s digression is all about a piece of art — a piece of art that I own. Who cares that I spent the day on Vashon for a brunch with friends.

My collection of art runs to the works of artist friends of mine. It is not a collection meant for profit, it is a collection meant for my (and hopefully my circle of friends) enjoyment.

Our story starts in 1990 at a Butterfields Auction in San Francisco where my friend Alicia is philandering with a married man and bids a low price (as recommended by said married man) on a piece of artwork in the AIDS Benefit portion of the auction.

By some stroke of luck in this silent auction, she, in fact, buys this piece of art called “The Legs of Christ”.

David Best, Legs of Christ

Luckily, the Butterfields auction warehouse is a couple of blocks from her SRO (single room occupancy) apartment in the South of Market (SOMO) area of San Francisco. She presents herself (and her check) at the desk to pick up the piece of art.

“Where is your truck so we can load it?”

“I only live a few blocks from here, I can carry it home.”

Quizzical looks by the Butterfield’s people.

“Ah, do you know how big it is?”

Alicia uses her hand to measure out what is about two by three feet.

“Ah, maybe you better come an take a look at it again.”

This piece is 30″ x 48″ and weighs in at around 100+ pounds. It is so heavy that it has to use a French Hanger to mount it to the wall.

The staff takes pity and several of them walk the piece to her apartment, which is on the third floor of a walk-up building. The set it against the only wall, where it blocks most of the light coming in from the window. Alicia follows with the box of pieces that have already fallen off the piece.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story in tomorrow adventure… Art On The Move.

Sun
15
Nov '09

All About Black Corduroy.

And Food.

It seems this week has all been about black corduroy pants.

  • Early in the week I was thinking of shopping for some
  • The flight tuesday had a hot guy in the back of the plane wearing some
  • Thursday I went to Ross to look for some for myself
  • And at yesterday’s dinner, Justin was wearing some — at least while they were on.

But enough about corduroy, let’s move onto tonight’s feast:

  • Salad with fresh garden tomotoes, goat cheese and Goddes dressing
  • Asparagus off the grill
  • Last night’s brussel sprouts and onion flash fried
  • BBQ’d country style boneless pork ribs off the grill
  • Link cod picatta (mostly for Alicia, the fish-a-terian)
  • Apple almond torte (made by Alicia)

The attendees:

  • Mark
  • Onyx
  • Alicia
  • Devon
  • Maggy
  • Me

Got my upgrade to First Class for tomorrow’s flight — think I was the last one upgraded from my seat location (1F) and printed out my boarding pass.

Off to bed.

[? ? ?]

Mon
11
Feb '08

Art On The Move.

So, here we are with the second installment of the saga of “The Legs of Christ“.

So, Alicia buys piece of art. Art is too big for her apartment. Alicia gives piece of work to me, storing under a friends house in Benecia until a pickup truck brings it north. More pieces fall off, crack, fracture. Box of pieces grows.

Two years after the auction, the piece is finally mounted in Uncle Markie’s Home For Wayward Tourists on Capital Hill in Seattle. It’s long trek has slowed, and it is on display to what seems like the thousands of people who have dinner at Uncle Markie’s.

For ten years it (The Legs of Christ) hangs on the wall and gathers many comments about the frame, and the art that it frames. The artist of this piece is known, but not known. We have a name, but don’t know the history. It is loved and revered.

Many years later, Uncle Markie buys a church (which is for sale if you’d like one), and the Legs of Christ are moved to the ex-Episcopal church on Lopez Island in the lovely San Juans.

P1010007

The Legs of Christ now hang over a custom made 3’x11′ cedar last supper table with pews on either side.

For five years the Legs and her pieces are in the privy of wooded bliss, fewer guests, but still admired. And then the change. Stay tuned for the saga, tomorrow.

Tue
29
Oct '13

Dinner In The Bay Area.

Up and out the door lugging a 6-pack of wine for the boys.

Got upgraded on the flight down – still no word on the return flight which means it doesn’t look good.

This isn’t my plane, but it is one of the newest in the Alaska fleet – dedicated to their employees:

Uneventful flight down (just how we like them), easy transition to BART into the city. Stopped for a dog at the dog stand at the Ashby station – damn those are good dogs – before walking the ten blocks are so to Mark and Onyx’s place. Normally I would have gotten picked up since I have the wine with me but Mark was on a conference call and, well, business does come first.

For our dinner tonight with Alicia (no Devon, he has a colonoscopy planned for the morning) I brought down some smoked black cod from the Port Chatham Smokery, now part of Trident Seafoods in Ballard.

Because Alicia has clients up until 8 – we ate a little later than usual… and started with a lovely Sparkling Rosé Cremant that I brought down on a previous trip. In addition to the cod, some fingerling potatoes (also from a previous trip) and a huge mixed green salad rounded out the meal service.

Needless to say I didn’t get to bed early.

[208.0]

Thu
14
Mar '13

18 Hours In The Air for Dinner At Swandas.

Hong Kong to Seattle via Tokyo. That’s today. Up at 6:30am, checkout and check-in at the desk… which didn’t open for 15 minutes after I got there. The good news? My boarding pass now says Star Alliance Gold (on the way out it said Silver) which gets me into the Club Lounge.

Picked up some cheap Chinese cigarettes for the freezer at duty free – have to wait for booze until Tokyo where I won’t have a connecting flight.

As I’ve said, the Chinese are wild about buffets. I’ve never seen a lounge buffet with shumai (little dumplings), spring rolls, sausage, sushi, all those breakfast pastry type things, cereal, all which morphed into lunch items including hot dogs (odd choice), curry chicken, more sushi.

Lucked out on the flight to Tokyo – exit row with reclining seats with the middle seat empty after the window seat didn’t show up. Sweet.

The Club Lounge at Narita was huge and packed, and the food not nearly as good. Maybe I should have tried the ANA lounge.

The one thing the United lounge did have was a shower:

Nice to have a break, get out of painful socks – never again will I wear tight socks on long flights.

Watched one movie, washed down an Ambien with Chivas (out of a real bottle, not a mini), the joys of flying another nation’s carrier slept for four hours or so, woke up had another meal, watched another movie.

Global Entry made it easy to get back into the US, but Sparky the USDA dog got a scent off my bag so I was off to ag (agricultural) inspection – the guess by the officer was that it was the scent from the sandwiches I grabbed in Hong Kong that I disposed on the flight from Tokyo to Seattle. Hopefully this won’t affect my status.

Even with the delay out of Tokyo, we were almost on time getting back which is good since I’m meeting Alicia at baggage claim. She’s going to see her father in Idaho, and leaving in an hour or so, so it’s a quick visit.

Alicia leaves, I take a quick nap, and Patrick is knocking on the door – he’s in town for two nights for a green building conference… no rest for me. Well, yes, rest for both of us – he hadn’t slept last night (flew in from DC) and I could use a little more sleep for dinner at Swandas, well, dinner and package delivery.

Dinner, oddly enough was sushi from downstairs – how much sushi in two days….

And for our last picture… shadows on Swandas wall.

Long damn day.

[? ? ?]

Tue
17
Oct '23

The End

When I got the diagnosis of colon cancer that had spread to the liver on April 22. 2022 it was a shock, but it had taken weeks to get to that point, and I got to this Zen place. I’ve lived an amazing life. I haven’t worked a desk job since I was 43. I’ve traveled the world. My heart goes out to those people who put that off until they are 65, and then they get my diagnosis. Also, VERY glad I took social security at 62!

Handed a statement to my doctor to that effect and his response was, “fine, you are at peace, let’s talk treatment”. I love you, Doctor Gold. I couldn’t have wished for a better oncologist, and after a year and a half I feel that we have become friends and I see your pain in my decline. You used every tool in your belt, but my disease was a willy one, changing courses, blowing out colon, ballooning my liver tumor.

Eighteen months later I still have that Zen feeling, albeit they are more intense on hospice meds. Today we received that last piece we need for me to get the prescription from Death With Dignity. Those who need to know the date will know. Not making it public incase that nutcase from Topeka wants to turn up and protest.

This is the last formal photo from the boat — getting dressed up and ready cost me that day’s energy, sending me to my stateroom for the remainder of the trip, but it is a great one to remember me by.

This is what I was able to complete in the 18 months of cancer and chemo:

18-Months Chemo Travel
146,253 Total Travel Miles

Air: 124,834          Drive: 3,289          Boat: 12,645         Train: 5,485

I started this blog in August 10th, 2008 after a trip to China with The Colonels – our first trip together since the 5-week Lisbon to Antarctica trip in 2004-05.

Saturday, my priest/friend/Solus flew down from Vancouver to perform last rites. While I’m not overly religious, it is an important part of Solus’ life and by extension, of his 40+ year friend. We both needed closure. He started the service with this piece, Kontakion, by Rupert Lang, composed in Vancouver, and this staging was at the main Cathedral where I was last year for The Eucharist with MaryBeth after a train ride across Canada.

Going Forward

Please feel free to comment on this page, which I will monitor while I’m still here, though likely won’t reply due to energy levels. After I’m gone comments will be moderated by someone else to keep out the haters.

Peace

Out

Sat
14
Nov '09

Thanksgiving Comes Early.

Another gorgeous day in Berkeley. When I pulled the weather before this trip it was supposed to be partly cloudy on low 60’s the entire time. Haven’t seen much of those clouds, which I’m not complaining about.

Lots of errand running today. Off to see Margo and Alicia at M. Lowe and Company, who are doing a bangup business when I get there, which unfortunately allows me time to linger around the cases of sparkly bits.

By the time I walk out I’ve ordered (yet another) custom earring  — this one based on a rose-cut brown .57ct diamond set in rose gold, closed back, with the bezel following the irregular contour of the stone. It will be ready in a week, or I can wait and put it up when I’m down here.

Groceries and a stop by Toyota to price out a new front turn signal lenses ($24.95) for Mark’s truck — but alas, they don’t have it in stock. Might have to go to a junk yard for one — it’s always nicer to return a borrowed truck in better shape than it arrived in.

But onto our early Thanksgiving!

  • I did the turkey (breast only, no dark meat) in a Citrus Maple Glaze
  • Mark did the cranberries in Zinfandel, Orange and Cinnamon
  • Onyx did the brussel sprouts sauteed in onions and white wine
  • I did the salad
  • Andonico’s provided a 6″ pumpkin pie
  • Gruett of New Mexico provided the Rose Champagne to start us off
  • And Justin provided the amusement.

What a lovely evening squished around the coffee table. And amazing that we could all work in the kitchen at the same time.

[? ? ?]

Fri
20
Mar '09

London Bound.

Well, before going to the accountant to do taxes, I booked the trip to London. It’s easier that way. Spend money, then find out the tax bill for the year.

What I realized last night is that the 12,000 plus miles I’ll get for that trip will give me enough for a domestic first-class ticket. A bonus. Of course, now I’m wondering if I should go back to London and go for Premier Executive. I think I have a travel disease.

So, because I like my pictures, here is last night’s dinner:

p1070152

Roasted potatoes, lamb, salad, wine. Life is hard.

Tonight it was more about working on tomorrow night’s dinner for Alicia — shrimp stuffed with crab wrapped in prosciutto, asparagus (with Onyx’s hollandaise sauce), salad, and hopefully some wine….

Tomorrow is supposd to be sunny, maybe more painting.

[216.8]

Sat
26
Dec '09

Post Package Day Package Grab.

For the first time in years I’m actually around for the annual Faerie Gift Grab! Rules: everyone brings a wrapped present. They all go on a table in the middle of the room — someone starts by taking a present (this year I foolishly picked my nose which was taken for raising a hand to start) and unwrapping it. The person to the right then has the choice of your present (in this case, a tennis racket) or one of the unopened ones. Gifts can be “stolen” up to three times. There is the usual trading afterwards for pieces and parts — I traded the really long bow off my tennis racket for a Joe Jonas “Shane” briefcase:

p1090607

Won’t I look hot going through the airport with that! So much more subdued than my current laptop bag:

p1090608

I did get one other item as a result of the gift grab… a UtiliKilt that Wonderful found for $5.00 in a thrift store (oddly enough in the women’s section)… brand new — if he’d sold it on e-bay it would have gone for upwards of a hundred. Not my favorite color (military green), but with my kick ass belt/buckle it looks pretty good:

p1090609

Dinner tonight was with Alicia and Deven who are up from the Bay Area. Appetizer was the salmon stuffed backed brie wrapped in puff pastry from last week… saffron rice, broiled black cod (very rich), and stir fried green onions and baby bok choy with lemongrass and chili peppers. Yum. Martinis before, Saké with, Grappa after.

[220.6]

Sun
30
May '10

Dinner For Seven At Six Thirty.

Today was errand day…

  • 3 Thrift Stores
  • 1 Salvage Yard
  • BevMo for wine an Diet Coke
  • Trader Joes for six bottles of booze (yes, I’ll be checking my luggage on the way home)

So, what was my haul from the thrift stores?

One brown trimline rotary dial and one white touch-tone wall phone that needs several years of nicotine cleaned off it.

Dinner tonight is over at Alicia and Devon’s place in the city, with added guests of Dan and Lisa who are in town for an investors meeting. Yummy fresh halibut and chicken sausages, an amazing salad, great bread, great company and lots of wine — with an opening toast of Rose Champagne from Gruett (New Mexico).

Another late night to bed.

[? ? ?]

Sun
16
Jan '11

Of Accordians And Pesto.

Today’s odd adventure starts at 2pm with the monthly meeting of the San Francisco Accordion Club at the Oyster Point Yacht Club. I thought it was going to be a concert with half a dozen performers… which it was, AFTER the business part of the club meeting with introductions of the guests…. Odd. It sort of felt like an AA meeting that had a bar attached to it. Actually I looked at the Yacht Club’s calendar, and sure enough, there is an AA meeting there on Wednesdays. As an aside, from the quantity of booze they pour into their drinks, I don’t wonder why they have that Wednesday meeting – there must have been three shots in my Jack Daniels on the rocks (and only about 4 cubes). The Colonel Eric would like this place.

My friend Skylar sent the invitation to this Accordion Event to here FaceBook friends – which might account for the LARGE turnout for a monthly club meeting, AND for the age range of the audience… 21 to 91. Here is a shot of some of the performers – Sklyer is the one on the ground:

She is also featured in the 2011 Accordion Pin-up Girl Calendar:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say, I bought the calendar… and got three of the woman to autograph their photos.

Next stop was dinner with Alicia and Devon – a wonderful meal of pasta with fresh homemade pesto, some wonderful cheeses, a nice salad, good wine, port and chocolates afterwards – and great conversation throughout…. Not a bad way to live.

Back to Seattle tomorrow.

[? ? ?]

Sat
28
Feb '09

In The Air And On The Ground.

It may be a late morning flight but I’m still feeling knackered. Why, why, why do I have dinner parties the night before flying. Apparently I just don’t learn.

No line at security and I’m from curb to Board Room in fifteen minutes, ten of which is walking. Might be a record.

Easy flight down — person next to me had her nose buried in her book as I had in mine. Tunes on the headphones, drinks on a regular basis, and a little snack plate thrown in as well. Damn, I like First Class.

Lunetta was a the Oakland Airport to meet me and haven gotten voicemail while I was in the air, it is off to M. Lowe and Company to visit with Alicia. This is where I get my custom earrings made — though at the moment I’m wearing a ruby I bought from them, having once again, lost my custom teardrop garnet in a rose gold setting with a 1/4 diamond .

The bad thing about M. Lowe is that I always find something I like. Today’s purchase was a replacement for a Indian (dot, not feather) Brahma bull ring that I lost years ago. The new one is a much more modern interpretation, but still could put an eye out.

digi0004

Amusingly, after my nap and a couple of cocktails the boys and I went out for Indian/Pakistani food here in Berkeley.

Tomorrow is a 112 miles of driving looking at various office possibilities here in the Bay Area. Fun.

[216.7]

Tue
24
Feb '09

Can’t Seem To Stay Home For Long.

Well, I’ve done it again. Gone and booked some more travel. But before I give you the latest, I should tell you what is already on the books:

  • February 28-March 3rd, Bay Area, Visit the boys and do some scouting for E&A
  • March 21-March 23rd, Bay Area, Visit the boys, make dinner for Alicia who turns fifty, and maybe work
  • April 16-19th, Birch Bay 3-Bedroom Penthouse with Marybeth and the Kids
  • May 7-10th, Long Beach 3-Bedroom Presidential with the Poker Boys

And now for what I just completed today:

May 11th-24th, Alaska Cruise Tour with Ross. Starts in Fairbanks, goes through Denali, down to Anchorage and onto the Holland America Line’s Statendam.

img_n_deck_08

And then of course I still need to be in Santa Fe on the 28th of May for my niece’s high school graduation. Guess that means I’m flying, not driving. May isn’t looking good for billable hours. 

Another quiet evening planned at home, hopefully billing some hours.

[218.1]

Mon
4
Aug '08

Odd Day.

Many Distractions.

It’s just an odd day.

Alicia and Devon for breakfast at an unknown quantity — the Salvadorian Bakery — good, probably a little to fat laden for my diet (like the taco wagon which left me pooping fat for days) but the company was good, but not enough time.

Work throughout the day — back and forth on a postcard. Leaves me wishing for a dictator style leadership.

On the good side — looks like we booked a cruise for this November — 7 days in the Western Caribbean. Sorry, no route picture, but it’s basically in and out of Miami, then Honduras (Roatan), then Belize, then Cozumel and onto the Bahamas, then back to Miami. Yes, it’s in a suite. Goodies so far:

  • $75 per cabin booze credit
  • $50 per person discount for past NCL cruise (thanks Wonderful!)

So, it looks like Thanksgiving will be in Seattle this year since I leave that Saturday for Miami. Now I have to figure out how to squeeze a New Mexico visit in. Troubles, troubles.

Drinks and dinner with Swanda, and actually NOT much work talk. I think we are both burnt out at the moment. Nothing like a full blown marketing push to roll over people.

Block party tomorrow late afternoon, and then Jameson and Natalie for dinner — guess I’d better get the office cleaned off — for me.

At least the cover for the summer directory is done. Now I just have to get the rest of the pages on Wednesday, crank out the guts, get it bound and trimmed before I leave town Friday. Who needs sleep.

[219.4]

 

Mon
21
Sep '15

Trip Report: Quick Trip To Berkeley

The travel season is here for Uncle Markie – this week it’s a quick trip to Berkeley to see Lunetta and Onyx. I realized when I got down there it had been a year since I’d been to see they. Didn’t seem like that long since they visited me in Victoria last January.

Three selfies to start the post. Lounge, plane, and BART:

     

It’s wonderful flying into the Bay Area now that both SFO and OAK are connected via BART. No trips to the airport during rush hour – I just get off the plane and BART to Ashby Station – though I might start having them pick me up there as my knee and foot weren’t really happy. Still beat the 30 minutes each way to OAK and 45 to SFO (depending on traffic).

Got there to find them working on their front steps – a project that has stretched for years and should be able to withstand a magnitude 9 earth quake.

Tonight we are holding dinner until 9pm so that Alicia and Devon can come after work – they are stunned to find dinner waiting for them after their group sessions let out (they are both counselors so no pictures). Yum, grilled scallops and a citrus salad – and wine provided by Uncle Markie.

Lots of reorganizing downstairs – one of the reasons I hadn’t visited in a year is they had a roommate who stayed longer than they were expecting – so now my office/bedroom downstairs looks like this:

Which sits atop this wonderful old rail freight cart.

Following day did my booze shopping at BevMo, cashing in a 5% coupon I’d just scored. Made California booze even cheaper!

Tonight’s dinner was equally wonderful grilled chicken breast with a salad with lots of roasted pine nuts in it. I brought a magnum on Scarello with me (a light Italian Red).

Before I knew it – time to go back to Seattle. Two nights passes quickly – but at least I didn’t hit the dreaded three night when fish and houseguests start to turn:

“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.”
Benjamin Franklin

And besides that, the stuffed animals were starting to attack me:

Learning my lesson, Lunetta gave me a ride back to the BART station for my trip to SFO. I went HOURS early because Alaska Airlines in temporarily in the International Terminal and with no lounge they are contracting with Cathay Pacific for lounge services – and Cathay Pacific’s lounge is only for Business and First Class passengers on when flying with them. They really knock it out of the park starting with the cardboard cutout that greets you down a long hallway:

I got there just as they opened up their made-to-order noodle bar featuring Dan Dan Noodles, Won Ton Noodles and one other selection – could have sworn I took a picture of the menu!

And here is the buffet bar…

Pretty comfortable – and my “office” in the lounge:

Did I mention free mix your own drinks and wine. Feeling no pain on the flight home even though I was in 6D.

[217.4]

Fri
22
Jan '16

Trip Report:

Pigletté In Vietnam – First Leg: SEA-SFO

Planned this trip months ago, and as the timing turns out, perfect since my buddy I’m going to visit is returning state side in a month…but first I have to get there.

The bag is packed with 10 short-sleeve Hawaiian-esque shirts, all nicely rolled in a line:

Add cotton bathrobe, shorts, sandals, a few socks, toiletries, beef jerky (request from my buddy) and we are set to go.

The first leg is Seattle to San Francisco for an overnight and dinner with friends. When you redeem miles to get a free ticket in business class, you aren’t picky about the routing. The other request from my buddy, that Pigletté join me for the first time in years (13 to be exact, though I had to look that up), leaving BóBó and Mr. Lobster to hold down the home front:

Pigletté looks pretty comfortable with a Red Baron in the Board Room…

And the plane is here…

Now just the weather needs to clear in San Francisco to get all the backed up planes in safety – add 50 minutes to the departure time.

At least Pigletté and I are in my favorite seat – 1C – doesn’t he look comfortable!

Sadly, the seat next to us does get filled, so Pigletté has to ride as a “lap pig” – think “comfort animal”.

A nice Cobb Salad on the way down – healthy food!

Luckily, Alicia and Devon pick me up at the airport and off to Bernal Heights for Peruvian food (Piqueo’s) with Pigletté in tow.

GREAT COMPANY!



GREAT FOOD!


With a fine meal over (and the pitcher of Sangria – best damn Sangria I’ve had in ages), it time to head up the street to a neighborhood institution – a gay bar called The Wild Side:

It’s a cash-only bar, luckily Pigletté has cash and a desire for a Manhattan or two:

The bartender “warms” to Pigletté when there is money on the bar…

Running low on cash, time to head to the WorldMark San Francisco to tuck in for the night.

I just got the Studio Unit since it was just for one night…

A little tight…maybe I should have sprung for the one-bedroom, two-bath that was only $20 more (studio was $68 which is CHEAP for being just off Union Square).

Up too late, but luckily tomorrow’s flight doesn’t leave until 3:30pm.

[? ? ?]

Sun
30
Oct '16

Trip Report: Bay Area For A Couple Of Nights

It was February the last time that I was in the Bay Area – I travel so much I had to look it up!

This trip I have one night in the city and two nights with The Boys (Lunetta and Onyx).

Overcast, but a nice day to fly – not my plane, but a recent delivery in the Boeing 100th anniversary livery:

Got the lucky upgrade to first on the way down – not aisle, but bulkhead:

Which means food…

And views:

This is Point Reyes coming into SFO:

The first night I’m staying just off Union Square and connecting with my buddy, Moody, who I haven’t see in a year.

This is the place that Salamander has booked for his birthday in the spring – though I booked him on the top floor which doesn’t have elevator access – you have to walk the last flight at the back of the building:

These are two places I’m sure he’ll want to check out since he’s a writer:

But he’ll probably spend all his time here:

Or Chinatown:

All are mere blocks from the condo.

Had dinner with Moody at Cesario Brasserie which had a 10% off discount from the condo. Oddly, they didn’t have a full bar, but they did have a Sochu (24% alcohol by volume Korean) Martini. Yes, a Korean-based drink in an Italian Restaurant. I’m a little surprised that two of the restaurants we looked at going to didn’t have a full bar (neither did the Saloon from my last visit).

Moody had the Lasagna, which was massive and “food coma” worthy – I went with the starter of mussels, sopping up all the juice with the bread. Oddly, no food pictures. Guess we were too engaged to get out phones.

He had an early morning, so alas, no sleepover which meant I stayed up late knowing I could sleep in

Got out of the unit just before noon and headed to my usual lunch spot, Maru Sushi:

And my lunch Bento:

Having left my bags at the front desk, my destination after lunch was a KLM pop-up store front…apparently they have just started SFO-AMS direct service – they even had a babe on the corner with signal lights:

And free coffee drinks (and water, and key chains):

And a working business class demonstration – though no entertainment system:

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A fun way to kill some time before heading back to the condo, picking up the bags and heading to Berkeley on BART.

Tonight’s dinner is a duck/mushroom soup (yum) with a little white wine…nothing fancy, just tasty:

And Lunetta even made me a cruise ship bed:

Today’s agenda involves checking our one of our distributors (North Berkeley Imports), picking up a bottle of bubbles while there.

We actually have a customer that calls and picks up her Wine Club curbside – didn’t know other folks did that as well. Nor have I ever seen such a specific time amount on a parking sign:

Then off to The Berkeley Bowl for tonight’s meal – marinated black cod, salad, bread joined by Devon and Alicia.

But first, the rosé bubbles that I brought.

Luckily the black cod is rich enough to stand up the 2007 Château Nuef du Pape that Devon brought! So much for the magnum of Bonny Doon Vin Gris rosé I’d brought with me.

It was a fun evening – and sadly I have to head to the airport in the morning.

No upgrade to First Class on the way home, I’m 7th down the list – but I do have access to the Singapore Business Class Lounge – I chose my flight specifically to be in the lounge when the noodle bar is open:

Hard not to love this lounge. But alas, I have to fly away – only had an hour to stuff myself before snuggling into Seat 6D.

Maybe next time I’ll get lucky – though the mid-day flight is ALWAYS packed.

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Tue
29
Jun '21

Trip Report: San Francisco!

When you find airfare to San Francisco for $258, roundtrip, in First – book it!

Had the pleasure of seeing one of Alaska’s latest livery in honor of the United Negro College Fund:

Had my usual Caesar, eggs, and yoghurt in the Lounge before heading to the gate. Let me tell you – TRAVEL IS BACK!

But at least I’m in First:

And this was waiting for me at SFO:

Decided to Lyft into the city to save my steps for the hills of San Francisco.

When I booed this trip, I was going to be at the WorldMark San Francisco, but I got a call the Friday before my departure saying that they had moved me to a different Wyndham property several blocks away. Apparently the WorldMark’s elevator hasn’t been signed off on yet. Here are shots of The Canterbury, where I am staying:

Not much of a view since I’m on the second floor…

Overall, think the units are a little larger than WorldMarks.

Threw down the bags and ordered booze to be delivered:

Not sure how they can make any money with a delivery that far, but I’ll take it!

The stuff to the right is stuff I brought with me to give away.

Part of the trip is to see friends, with Alicia and her stepdaughter Maggie (sounds weird to say it that way) for dinner at one of my favorite hole in the wall sushi restaurants – Maru Sushi.

Yes, the rest of the post is mostly food.

Checked out a new place, David’s Delicatessen:

I ordered the Rueben and a split of sparkling and was torn on the potato salad or the cole slaw, so he brought me both. And that split – they were out of the small bottle, so he just kept filling up my glass from the big bottle. I took half of the sandwich and sides home. I’ll be back!

Found this sign walking around:

Dinner was courtesy of some food delivery coupon I had – from L&L Hawaiian. Had the Kalua Pork and Mac Salad with Pork Saimin.

Found some other interesting business in the neighborhood – an Antiquarian Bookstore (Argonaut):

And a decent bodega (Sutter Fine Foods) with a great selection:

Not cheap, but VERY WELL stocked.

Grabbed lunch at another new place (for me) – Honey Honey:

Another dinner at Maru Sushi:

Checked out Chisme Cantina for expensive street tacos (that were way better than standard street tacos):

Finally got together with the boys (Mark and Onyx) who gave me a ride to the airport. Finding a place that had cocktails AND nibbles, AND a parking lot that could handle o big dually pickup truck led us to the Homewood Suites San Francisco Airport (a Hilton property). I was surprised by the herb garden across from the entrance:

All in all, it was a good trip. I had the plane to myself for one hot minute:

And a lovely sunset on the way out of town.

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