Advantage: Tran...AND Goodman

The long awaited showdown between me and Ross finally materialized today. It started out with a scramble in the morning to get to the courts on time. There was a moment, while waiting for my non-existent BART to the East Bay, where I thought our tennis game might have to be canceled yet again.

Luckily, everything went smoothly. We even stopped off for me to get a sandwich and Ross to get a present for a birthday party. Apparently not too many people like to play tennis on a nice day in Berkeley, so we got a pretty prime spot right away.

Now, just let me say that Ross has been very humble about his expertise in tennis. For someone who hasn't played in years, he had me on the defensive constantly. Don't mess with his backhand. I've found a worthy opponent in my co-worker and look forward to learning from him on the courts. After all, he is a little older than me.



Ross: Ready to rock and roll.

Lucie does geriatric drag

Chatting with Audrey is unpleasant

Mitchell's ice cream is good on a hot day

After an exhausting short game of tennis today (note: don't ever play tennis in your Chuck Taylors or you will suffer), we went to Mitchell's for ice cream. It was a take-a-number-and-wait place. I was #72 and they were at #8. The wait reminded me of my good friend Ross' account of his pizza adventure in Arizona. It was a good 45 minute wait, but I finally got two scoops on a cone. Surprisingly, I got sherbert (sorbet?) because I wanted something light. I couldn't tell if I was bloated from all the water I downed after tennis or extremely dehydrated from the sun, so something not too creamy was in order.



Photo by Audrey

Looking for loafers

I'm at the Sketchers store in the Mission and Andrew W.K. is rockin' on the store PA system.

Also, there were about a million people at Dolores Park today. It makes me happy to see everyone out.

Audrey stole the camera I was going to buy...

...that Charlie bought first. Audrey is a known compulsive camera buyer. She owns about 6 digital and 50 film cameras. When I told her how awesome and spectacular the Canon Powershot SD1000 was with it's super boxy, super sexy body with matte finish was, she knew it was too good to pass up. So she bought it today; it's like getting salt rubbed really hard into my broke ass wounds. I'm setting up the Give Young Money So He Can Buy A Newer, Sexier Camera Fund. There are no bank accounts set up to send money to, so just give me cash when you see me. I need it now!


Make this mine!

Lazy day, getting cold again

Waking up late on a Sunday is as right as rain. Crawled out of bed and made myself breakfast/brunch for one. Two pancakes and two eggs (I tried to make them over medium, but it didn't turn out that way). There's something very rewarding about cooking for yourself. Baby Char called and wanted to play tennis, so we met at the courts in Dolores Park. We played our shortest game yet, and I already forgot who won...it was a close one, though. Afterwards we stopped by the new Bi-Rite creamery and got a banana split each. The caramelized bananas in it were fantastic! Also, all the hot boys hang out around 18th and Dolores on sunny days.


Pancakes and eggs.


Banana split with caramelized bananas.

Best YouTube clip ever

Peugeot love

Went to dinner at Puerte Alegro on Valencia (famous for their margaritas and infamous for the long waits) tonight with Mark, Pam, Tom, and a few other people from the neighborhood. It was the first time that I locked my bike on the street for more than 20 minutes, and of all places by 16th Street, so needless to say I was a bit paranoid about it's safety. Luckily, it had a friend to keep it company for the three and half hours we were there...another old Peugeot. I don't even mind the ugly bandage-colored bar tape anymore.

Ross gets surprised

Ross' awesome wife Nicole organized a surprised birthday dinner at Benihana's tonight for his 34th. I was the lookout at the window and felt like a dyslexic Peeping Tom, looking out instead of in. Ross met us with many girlish shrieks, his way of saying "Thanks for all showing up on time to surprise me on my birthday."

The meal was fun, the food was good, and Ross got drunk. See for yourself.




Happy birthday, my bald friend.


(Look for Joe Sparks walking across the screen)