Pickled liver

So of course I did more than drive around San Francisco taking photos for the previous and futures posts. I ended my tour of San Francisco in North Beach with a few drinks. Then it was home to feed the kittens. Next stop was my real parents's house. I realized that the last few years I had missed my requisite black eyed peas and collard greens. No wonder things didn't quite work out. Dinner there also meant my choice of wine.

On my way home I decided the night was young so I may as well stop at the bar. It was the same bartender as on Thursday night and he had only improved slightly. I did end up meeting these two guys -- one works for a travel publication, the other -- well, I don't know what he does but he had that cute Aussie accent. At the end of the evening, they rightfully declared that I was in no condition to drive my car the seven blocks home. I left my car at the metered space. Thank goodness yesterday was a holiday so no meter enforcement. I then walked home with a guy on either side of me. What a great way to start the year!


Natasha insisted that I take her photo before I headed out on Sunday.

What you have been waiting for

I was going to put off doing this post a little longer because the weather here sucks and I needed to go out take photos. Then I read Jen's post and knew it was time to get off my lazy ass. (Oh, and Daniel, you are going to have to scoll again. Sorry.)

I know you have been eagerly perched on the edge of your seats awaiting the much-promised posts. The wait is over. Before I dive in, I'd just like to explain what inspired this series of posts.

First of all, I have been feeling rather nostalgic of late. I received that email from a co-worker. The next day while driving to work, the first song I heard on the radio was My Best Friend's Girl. I know that may be a bit early for some of you but it was a must-play at almost all the parties I went to in high school. Add all of this up with the fact that I have about six months to go to 40... You get the point.

Then there is the whole photo thing. I visit other blogs that always have fab photos. Some of these blogs even contain photos of my home area. I thought to myself that it's silly that I don't post photos of the places around here that I love so much. I also thought it was time for me to document all of this before I kill of the braincells in which these memories reside.

Being nostalgic and all I thought it would be best to start with bars and clubs. I was quite the partygirl after all.

The first club I ever went to was the Palladium. It's not around anymore. Instead we have this in its place. (I meant to take a photo but then I left my carefully prepared list at home. I was, therefore, stuck working from memory.)

The Palladium was great because it was 18 and up (Those 21 and over would receive a special hand stamp.) and it stayed open until 6 a.m. My friends and I would only go there on Thursday and Sunday nights though. The other nights were not our kind of scene. We didn't have fake i.d.'s so we would find a nearby alley and consume lots of vodka and o.j. before entering the club. Once inside it was key to have just the right look so that you could receive a club card. It was the mid-80s and anyone with any modicum of cool did not want to only be seen at a place that advertised on the radio.

Another fave from those days was a weekly thing called the Kno Club. It was held in this theater in Japantown. Now the place is a multiplex and home to the San Francisco International Film Festival.



The biggest thing on the club scene in the 80s was Das. Das is legendary in the San Francisco club scene. It is a word said with utter awe. The place is no longer called Das. In fact, it hasn't been Das since sometime around 1990. The building is still a club and goes by its address these days. Also now you enter on Folsom.



Back then you entered on the alley.



Das also had an 18 and up policy. Fortunately they let you check bags and there was an elementary school nearby.



I am sure I made quite a sight hopping the fence in a lycra mini. We found that once on the grounds, we could go the courtyard in the middle of the buildings and drink undisturbed. If we had anything left, we would just put it in my friend's tote bag that she checked in the club.


I also found it quite disturbing to see that the school is currently being demolished. Then again there is no need to worry about drinking in elsewhere as 1015 is now 21 and up.

Das has so many memories but my fave is probably meeting the Navy nurses. Jade's older sister was driving us to the club one night. She wanted the car to go see her boyfriend and lied to her mother saying that she was going to the club with us. There was heavy traffic on the bridge. (By the way, although I grew up in the East Bay, I have never considered myself to be "bridge and tunnel." I was always a San Franciscan in my mind. I absolutely hate suburbia.) My friend was upset because she was going to be late getting to her boyfriend's. We had been laughing at these guys in the next lane who had been dancing in their cars to whatever was on the radio.

My friend said, "I bet those guys are going to Das. It's a shame you can't get a ride with them."

Next thing I know, Jade, my best friend and sister of the driver, was telling her sister to pull up next to the guys. (Unfortunately Jade was riding shotgun.) Jade rolled down her window and asked, "Are you guys going to Das?"

When they said that they were, Jade then asked, "Can we get a ride?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

"OK."

Next thing I know, Jade is hopping out of the car and getting into the car with these random guys. (We were at the toll plaza at the time. Right before the last exit that Jade's sister was able to take to head back to Berkeley.) I couldn't let my friend go alone, so I went along with our other friend. We ended up becoming friends with these guys and hung out with them and their friends for the entire summer.

Enough about the 80s. There were a lot of other clubs. There was a lot of alcohol and drugs. (I didn't do drugs but most of my friends did.) I think we were all a little out of control back then.

On a side note -- On my way home, I suddenly realized that I had had way to much tea to drink. I was forced to stop at one of my favorite bars. I told myself that I was just going to have one drink and to use the facilities. Then of course I ran into a former bartender from the place who insisted on getting my drink for me. Well I had to stay around. I left after three drinks, only one of which I paid for. (The bartender who was working picked up my last drink.) Still glad to see I've got it. But more about this place in a future post.

Happy New Year's to you all!

Bah friggin humbug

Usually this time of year you would find me skipping around singing some tune that nobody else knows. (Yes, I like to hum nonsense.) Not this year though. Some of this can be directly traced back to my lack of a trust fund.

I was happy to realize that I was going to be off work for four consecutive days. Then I looked at my bank balance. I had to call my stylist to cancel my appointment because I just didn't have the funds to go. My hair is tolerable currently but is not cute. Nothing puts me in a foul mood like having uncute hair. Uncute hair means that I cannot go out and flirt like I really should. Fortunately there are berets that are almost as cute as having cute hair. Although with the boots, jeans, and leather jacket, I start to think that I am some stylish 60s radical. Power to the people and all that.

The beret worked for me on Monday. Monday I decided to show up at this get together that people from my high school were having. I don't know why I went. Morbid curiousity? Most of these people were not my friends back then. In fact, I think that most thought that they were too cool for me. Little did they know. The surprising thing is that most of the women did not seem to remember by name but the guys did. Maybe that isn't that surprising actually. Back then I had more male friends than female ones. No, these were not boyfriends. I had three, count them three, dates in high school. Boys did not appreciate me until I turned 18 when I promptly began dating guys five to ten years older than myself.

Back to Monday. What make me think it was ok to have four large glasses of Bombay Sapphire and tonic? On an empty stomach, no less. The high school folks, being the old farts that they are, left as I was starting on my fourth. That gave me time to meet the other boys in the bar. I guess the guy was cute because I gave him my phone number. I know I gave him my phone number because he called three times after I left the bar to make sure I got home ok. I did -- eventually. On my way home I was inspired to stop at my fave bar. Ummm, didn't I realize that I had already had enough to drink? Apparently not. The bartender that night is the guy who I previously thought was an ass. Perhaps I was wrong. He came and sat next to me at the bar to chat. He didn't seem that bad after all. But I was drunk. What do I know?

I was supposed to head out on Tuesday with my old buddies, Jade and Emerald. (I didn't pick the names. They did long ago. Like guys were going to believe those were really their names. No one ever doubted my choice of Alex.) I had spent most of the morning dreaming of duck tacos. Then I called Jade at lunch to verify the time we were meeting.

"Oh yeah. I spoke with Emerald last week. I guess we forgot to call you. We're not going."

What??? Thanks for the phone call, ladies. I had already had a minor meltdown at work that morning and was looking forward to going out. It's just as well. I was too tired and hungover by the end of the day to go anywhere.

Yesterday was spent arguing with the Benefits department at work. I received a letter on Tuesday saying that my health coverage was being cancelled effective Janaury 1. Huh? Obviously these people did not realize how crucial having health insurance is when one is trying to drink one's self into oblivion. I mean that is one of the reasons why I have a grown-up job. That and the joke of a paycheck I receive. (It used to be good but now the bonuses are totally sucking.) They said that during open enrollment I had waived medical coverage. No, I didn't. Then they tried to tell me that because open enrollment had ended, they might not be able to change this situation. Why was I suddenly having "Take this job and shove it" going through my head? This morning they admitted it was a computer error. Apparently I was not the only one to whom this had happened and the situation had been corrected. Damn skippy it's been corrected. Otherwise, I'd have to get on the next flight to Baltimore...

Today I am feeling a little better. My dad is hoping to receive a bonus check next week from the partnership business he is involved in. Basically they sell stuff to utility companies. I would tell you more but it would bore you to tears. I cannot wait until he receives this check because I know that I will be receiving a portion of it in turn. I have also decided to go to the movies tonight. I cannot believe that I have not been to a movie since seeing Elizabethtown. Damn job is interfering with my movie viewing. Then I will probably head over for a few drinks. Not too many though. I do have to be at work at 9 tomorrow. Nothing is worse than dealing with small children in the early morning hours (anything before 11 is early) when one is hungover.

Seasons greetings!

I finally got around to my holiday baking on Saturday afternoon. Now, about 12 hours later, I am finally finishing up.



There is something about my use of the oven that draws the kittens to the kitchen. I have learned to leave the oven light on for them so that they do not burn their paws on the door.



Natasha had been napping but she was awakened by the sound of the camera when I took Boris's picture.



The main thing that I have to bake each year are teacakes using my grandmother's recipe. I realized as I was taking the dough out of the refrigerator that I had only put in half the amount of baking powder that is required. I guess that's what happens when you try to rely on your memory. And no, I had not had anything to drink prior to mixing the dough. My relatives won't care though. It's been two years since I have baked for Christmas. They will just be thrilled that I actually baked.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakuh, a belated Happy Yule, and Happy Kwanzaa. (If I have forgotten a celebration that falls around this time of year, please let me know so that I can add it to my list in the future.)

Vienna Boys' Choir

Boris had to go today for the last of his vaccines. It is given in the form of nasal drops so I am looking forward to a lot more sneezing.




He just had to check out the exam room thoroughly. I guess there were a lot of interesting smells there.

Before we left the vet, I made the appointment for Boris's surgery. He is being optimistic about it and is hoping to make a career as one of the castrati. I tried to tell him that they no longer do that, but he rarely listens to me.