Sunday

Yesterday, we got a great deal. The California Academy of Science has 'free neighborhood days' a few times per year. Our day was this past weekend. We went yesterday and it felt great, getting in for FREE. The regular admission is $25!! It was packed of course, for a Sunday, but it was free so we didn't care!


Our official photo from when you walk into the museum. Man I have a round head.






View of Golden Gate Park



Giant Turtle

Albino crocodile

Saturday

This weekend was so much fun. We did a lot but had a great time. On Saturday, we went to the North Beach Festival. It was hot & sunny out and crowded. I knew I was not going to last long there. I hate crowds and being pushed and its hot, etc. So, we left and went to a near by bar, NorthStar. I love that place. That is where I had my TNT fundraiser & where we went a few weeks ago for another one. It's small and they play 80's and have blue Moon on Tap. What more could you want??


The bar offers 'Obamarama' shots. Look how happy we are. Yeah! Shots! At 3pm!


Ok everyone. Bottoms up!


ILK!!! That tasted like Robitussin!!


Cool mural on our walk back to the car.

Friday

Well, we went to Carvel on Friday. It was not that far away - maybe 40 min, no traffic. I got a cup of part b-day cake and part choc chip cookie dough. I also left with a package of saucers.

Crazy of the Day

[ Saturday, June 13; 12:00 pm; ] For five years in a row now bikers have protested against America's dependence on fossil fuel by riding their bikes across San Francisco... Naked!

Carvel

So, last night, I watched Unwrapped on Food Network. It was all about summer treats from how they make cotton candy to the world's largest ice cream cake made by Carvel.

Carvel. I love Carvel. We don't really have Carvel in N. CA. There used to be one in Berkeley but it's closed. So, I found one about 45 min away. And, I am going.

Amy and I are going to drive down there tonight. Thankfully, they close at 10pm. I am going to get a LARGE cup with bday cake and choc chip ice cream, and get a milkshake for Erik, and get saucers for the house. I will leave there with a stomachace but I don't care!!

Carvel, here we come!

Ear

I don't think Evie has an ear infection. I think it was just irritated because it is back to normal now.

Mady calls Kate Mean

Watch Kate deny Mady water and then take a drink herself. Mady says she is really really mean.

Your Highness

Check out Your Highness this morning in bed. I left her there while I went out for a run. Then, I had to beg her to get up at 730, like usual.

Taylor Swift

I downloaded the Taylor Swift CD. It's good! I can't believe she is only 19. I saw her on a talk show and she writes her songs, plays them, and directs her tour. At 19. Anyway, her CD, Fearless, is good.

Thursday

Hello Thursday. Yesterday, Evie and I spent over an hour outside. She was lucky enough to see Wasabii and then met a new dog, Marley. Marley is a 9 mo old bulldog who is full of energy and so adorable. I did chores last night like ALL of the laundry and dishes. Evie was so tired that at 10pm, she put herself to bed. So, I went to bed to read and was out by 1030. It was so easy getting up to run today since I went to bed early.

I am currently reading, Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld. She wrote Prep, which I loved. MOMD is pretty similar. The main character is excruciatingly socially inept. She has low self esteem, grew up with an angry father whom she no longer speaks to but finds that she is turning out to be just like him. She is a late bloomer in terms of boys & pines for her cousin's boyfriend. She doesnt' feel good enough for any guy. I am about 75% done with the book so I want to see what will happen to her. Will she change!? If you liked Prep, I recommend this one. It's a fast read - 3 or 4 days & I am done.

Weekend Weather

Ilk. Look at this weekend weather forecast for SF.

Shake

Evie has been shaking her head today and one ear is sort of red inside. I am going to watch it but presume we will end up at the vet with an ear infection or something!!

Squished

This is how Evie insists we sit when I work from home. Her squished between the couch & me.

Food, Inc.

Have you heard of this movie that is coming out? Not sure if I want to see it b/c Im sure afterwards, I will be a picky picky eater.


In "Food, Inc.," filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that's been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, insecticide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of e coli--the harmful bacteria that cause illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield Farms' Gary Hirschberg and Polyface Farms' Joe Salatin, "Food, Inc." reveals surprising--and often shocking truths--about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

Good week

This week is a good one so far. On Monday, Betsy came over for tacos. I looooove taco night. I tried to watch Bachelorette but I really cannot stand this season. It's so ridiculous. Not that every season of this show isn't, but this one is just sort of slow & boring. Plus, the guys are whiners.

Anyway, last night, Erik had an 8pm hockey game. Betsy went too and we watched one of his teammates kids during the game. The kids are 2 and 4 and very cute. Actually here is a pic of them.


After that, we went out for a few drinks. I am glad I am working from home today b/c I got to sleep in! It's Wednesday & I am already thinking about the weekend. I saw on Jimmy Fallon last night - he was like, well Tuesday is over so what's up for the weekend? I guess I am not the only one who thinks like that!

Crazy of the Day

It seems a scared horse attached to a carriage, which is mean and unnecessary in this post-industrialized era of ours, went on a rampage through North Beach and The Embarcadero, "hospitalizing its handler and knocking at least two people off bicycles," according to SF Examiner. The incident, happening around 6 p.m. on Saturday, occurred as "the horse was being prepared for work when it was apparently spooked." The frightening horse, according to SFPD, also 'knocked down its handler and trampled over him." Yikes. Then, after that, the equine darted down The Embarcadero, "tracing a course through Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach, before finally being corralled by a Good Samaritan." But the horse's will proved too strong, because it busted free and galloped down The Embarcadero, "knocking down at least two bicyclists." Finally, two bystanders managed to subdue to horse, who has since been taken to a veterinarian in Novato.

Zack Attack

Win a Trip to Tahoe

Enter HERE

SO ANNOYED

As you know, the girls here were let go a few mos ago. I am stuck with this AE down in Dallas who knows nothing, writes nothing down, takes him 10 tries to get something right, and can't remember anything. I cannot take it anymore.

Horrible

Have you heard about how Lisa Ling's sister & friend were caught by North Korea? Well, they were sentenced. To 12 years in a labor camp. How horrible is that. One of the women have a 4 year old daughter!!

From CNN -
Two U.S. journalists, who were detained in North Korea while covering the plight of defectors living along the China-North Korea border, have been sentenced to 12 years hard labor in prison, the country's state-run media said Monday.

Demonstrators in South Korea last week hold pictures of Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

The Central Court of North Korea sentenced Laura Ling and Euna Lee for the "grave crime they committed against the Korean nation and their illegal border crossing," the Korean Central News Agency said.

As a result, the court sentenced the women to "12 years of reform through labor."

They are going to try to send Gov Richardson over there because he was an ambassador to N. Korea in the past - Richardson served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary during the Clinton administration and has maintained contacts with North Korea. He took several trips there as ambassador, and he has worked for the release of people held by the North Koreans in the past.

So horrible!

WIN

I bite pillows

Evie does a new thing. She bites blankets & pillows. She doesn't chew on it like a piece of meat, she sort of nibbles it with her front teeth. She likes to chew on your hands when you play and I guess if she can't do that, she bites the blankets. It's so weird. I tried to get a pic of her doing it today.

Sunday

Today was so busy. Since I basically went to bed at 730 last night, I was wide awake at 7am. So, I got up. I was organizing and made dinner for the night. Then, I went down to the gym and did 4 parties. It was so hot down there. Plus, all those sweaty kids touching me - I was dying for a shower when I got home.

First though, I went to the Safeway right near the gym to pick up some groceries. Then, I had to stop at Kohls' to return 2 things. Then, I went to Petco for dog food. Then, to Target for rawhides because you can get 4 for $6 rather than 1 for $5 at Petco. Then, I went home.

I took Evie out where she saw her friends Fred, Ollie & Texas. Fred's mom has a chucker and was throwing the ball for Evie. Of course, she was fetching the ball. If I was holding that thing, she would ignore me. We also saw a 5 mo old Frenchie. I adore frenchies & so does Evie. No matter how small they are, she just loves them. She looked like that dog in the picture.

And, so now I am closing out the weekend with Gilmore, dinner, and a glass of wine. And, here we go again.

Books

Does anyone have the books - My Sister's Keeper or 3 Cups of Tea? Can I borrow them?

Saturday

Yesterday, we went to a picnic hosted by one of the hockey players on Erik's team. It was north of the city, sunny & warm out. They prepared amazing food - grilled jerk chicken, salmon, grilled vegetables, salad, etc. They had quite a spread. Everyone on the team is so nice & just good people. They brought their wives/gf/kids. It was a fun day. We didn't get home until 730. I got home, and promptly fell asleep for the night! It was a good time!

My Mother's a Lesbian

I watched the funniest episode of Gilmore last night. Luke got roped into helping with the sets for the school play. He shows up to build and one of the kids he is working with says, My mother's a lesbian! Then proceeds to ask Luke, Do you know any lesbians? When the kid doesn't know what a Phillips head screwdriver is, the kid says - how am I supposed to know, My mother's a lesbian!

I can't find it online but it is Season 5, episode 15.

Friday

Today, I took Evie to Buena Vista AND Alamo. We were outside for like 1.5 hours. She loved it.

































































Evie was hoping to see John Stamos doing research for the Full House movie, but didn't see him.

You've been served

I went to court today after work & asked the Clerk to mail the claims forms to the Dog Bite #1. If he doesn't return the certified mail card, he is considered 'not served'. So, lets hope he checks his damn mail & sends in the card. However, I did see him today. I followed him. I sprinted up a hill to find him. I saw him going into a house up the street. However, not sure if it is his or his lady friends. Plus, its an apt bldg and I have no clue what one they are in. No names on the mailboxes. Oh and I am trying to find out where he lives in case he doesn't check his mail & get served. Our other option is to get Erik to serve him. We saw him and his friend across the street last week. If we see them again, Erik is going to run out there and hand him the papers. Dramatic!

Crazy of the Day

At 11:30AM a blast near Polk and O'Farrell streets resulted in flames coming out of a manhole and 8,600 PG&E customers without power. The fire couldn't be contained for more than two hours. No injuries reported yet, although fire fighters did respond to some folks being stuck in elevators. Police immediately closed off a two-block radius, and advised residents to stay indoors with the windows shut to avoid inhaling any of the fumes. They still don't know what caused the fire, mostly because they can't get down to the source. "Firefighters at first used foam to fight the blaze, but backed off when PG&E officials asked them to let the fire burn out. Once they stopped, the black plume was replaced with roaring orange flame, reaching 30 feet at one point." The fire drew such a crowd, that Mayor Gavin Newsom and Police Chief Heather Fong showed up.

John Stamos

My other boyfriend, John Stamos, is in the news. He is coming to Broadway and doing some stuff on TV. There might be a FUll House Movie!!! HERE is the article.

Quote

"Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos."
—Don Kardong

Thursday

It is Thursday and I am so tired. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday. This week went fast. Tomorrow, we'll get out early. I got more pictures in the mail to do my scrapbook. Then, I THINK 07 will be done. I would like to get 2008 done by July but man, this hobby is expensive. Pages, paper, stickers, adhesives, printing the freaking pictures.....it adds up quick.

Anyway, I hope this weekend is nice. We are going to a BBQ that is at one of Erik's hockey friends homes outside the city. I am also doing gymnastics parties on Sunday. I haven't been there in a month. That will be fun. Those kids are nuts and will make me laugh.

Love her hair!!

Fun

SF Muni will host the 47th annual Muni Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest Tuesday, June 9, at noon in Union Square. The contest will feature two competitions, one for local media and community representatives and another for cable car Gripmen and Conductors. Cable car crew members will face-off for the chance to be the World Champion Cable Car Bell Ringer. Defending champion Leonard Oats will compete against six challengers.

Crazy of the Day

On Wednesday afternoon, San Francisco police identified the body of a woman found inside a vehicle at Ocean Beach as Mauvreen Zalaya, 38, of San Francisco. According to reports, "Police are calling Zalaya's death suspicious, but are waiting for the results of a medical examiner's report. Her body was found around 5:30 a.m. near Balboa Street." No signs of trauma or any weapons, according to police, were found inside the car.

New Blog Background

Well, if you don't read my blog via Google Reader, you will notice a new background. I looooove it. I got it here, at CutestBlogOnTheBlock.com

Wednesday

I am watching Devil Wears Prada. It is so funny how she has a Sidekick. When this movie came out, that phone was hot. Now, it seems old & clunky. The movie only came out in 2006!

Doesn't it suck how the first part of the week, you have energy and are organized. Then, Thursday comes. You are like - oh well, its almost the weekend. I stay up later, don't want to make my lunch at night, make the coffee at night, pack my bag at night, etc. Then, on Thurs AM, I am mad!

Got up & ran again this AM. Tomorrow will be tough because it's...Thursday!

SO ANNOYED

Because that dumbass put a mailbox, etc address on his biz card, the sheriff could not hand deliver the small claims papers to him. Now, the small claims office says I have to hire a Process server to serve him the papers via mail. For $59. Are you f-ing kidding me? I already paid $30 to file the claims and $30 for this dumbass sheriff to NOT deliver anything!!!

this is really ridiculous.

'Watermelon Cupcakes'

OMG. I really want to make these cuuuuute watermelon cupcakes. I saw these on cupcake blog, here. Looks like the recipe is from Martha Stewart.

Free Parks

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer with three fee-free weekends at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees*.

Mark your calendars for fee-free weekends this summer:

• June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend)
• July 18-19, 2009
• August 15-16, 2009

And to make the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors on this summer’s fee free weekends with the their own special offers.

Here’s a tip – many national parks never charge an entrance fee, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round!

2 Fun Theatre Events

I love Shakespeare in the Park. I love going with friends and eating and drinking while watching. This year, in SF, the show they are doing is:


Tickets also went on pre-sale for:


Yippee!

Long Hair

I want long hair again. While I was going through old photos for the scrapbook, I saw me with long hair and want it long. I wanted it short, now long. The thing is here - it is foggy in the summer. Fog = nasty hair. When you have long hair, you just pull it back. When you have short hair, it is a hot mess. What I really should do is cut my hair in Sept when it is nice here, let it grow allllllll year, so its long in the 'summer' months.

Also, I have curly hair. Although I am in this phase of wanting straight hair, it is not natural. I am meant to have long, curly hair.

How

How can I have a great dinner of sole, quinoa, & brussel sprouts only to be hungry again at 10pm??

9:53

It is only 9:53 and I am tired. I got up at 630 and went for a run. Now, I'm ready for a nap! Evie and I have been doing our 30 min of walking every day and its going well. I always walk her but sometimes we just stand in the park while she plays with her friends. Now, I force her to walk for 30 & then she can play, too.

Kate

Did anyone watch J&K+8 last night. That episode is from March. Why was Kate wearing a tank top? You know it was like 35 and drizzling out!

We got it!

We got our rent reduced another $100. WHOOOOHoooooo!!!

Rent Update

Heard back - they are looking into lowering ours $100. woohooo

Rent

I am not sure if I told you all this but a few months ago, we got a rent reduction. WE got one because I found an apt in our building on craigslist for like $300 cheaper than our rent. The rental company said we were good tenants and instead of us moving into that cheaper apt, they lowered our rent.

Well, guess what. There is another apt available in the building for $150 cheaper than our currently reduced rent! WTF. So, I emailed the property co to see what they can do - can we move in there or can they match the rent?? I don't get how they can pick and choose what rent to offer. Plus, this apt has a pantry. We don't have a pantry!

I'll keep you posted.

Weekend

This weekend, we really didn't do much. I guess we didn't do much in terms of like going out & doing something interesting. On Saturday, I worked on my scrapbook in the morning, ran with Evie, Erik cleaned, and we watched hockey. We tried a new place on Saturday for dinner - Patxi.


It is Chicago Style Pizza. We got a deep dish pizza and it was DEEP. I could only eat one piece. It was huge.



We did go out on Saturday for a few drinks and I could barely drink a beer I was so full!

Sunday, I made Garden Harvest Soup. It was really good. It is cold here. Cold, foggy, gray 55 degrees. Not summerlike. However, we do get our 'summer' weather in December so I can't complain too much. It is windy though!

Here is the recipe for the soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 quarts (8 cups) low salt vegetable or chicken stock or broth
1 can (28 ounces) whole, crushed or diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups water
1 small head cabbage thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add oil, then onion; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in carrot, garlic, and bell pepper; cook until tender. Add stock, tomatoes, water and cabbage; simmer uncovered 20 minutes. Season to taste with hot sauce, salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with parsley or cilantro, if desired.