Salsa Sunday at El Rio

Salsa Sunday has returned to El Rio! To be truthful, they returned a while ago it was merely making an effort to get there which was lacking. What a beautiful day for a salsa lesson with a beautiful gal, excellent music, and a chance to partake in truly one of the most San Franciscan scenes around.

The day started with sleeping in until 9:30am. This rarely happens anymore on Sundays. Miss B and I either go to east bay yoga or the cats won't allow us to sleep that close to 10am without being fed. (Although I must admit compared to other cats they are very cordial about it. No ghastly meowing or whining, just a skillfull way of letting everyone around know they are hungry and it's time to eat.) We lazily crawled out of bed, got ready, hit the coffee shop, and were on our way to Home in the Castro to meet A's mom as well as Aunt for some brunch. What we didn't know about was the fact that Carnival was being celebrated thus causing the traffic jam of the century. The usual lean and efficient traffic of Valencia street was no where to be found and it turned into one big cluster once passing 25th street. Once Miss B and I rerouted ourselves we were on our way to a yummy mushroom scramble and cococnut french toast. Who knew those two things would go so well together? Not me. Upon arriving we met A's relatives and the usual suspects around the table drinking bloody mary's and mimosas. I had a coffee to set myself up right for the day. After many giggles and stories of A's youth, we were off to go to Salsa Sunday at El Rio.

Miss B and I thought it to be wise to partake in the free salsa lesson offered up by the bar. It was decided that I would lead seeing as this is the natural role I usually take on anyway in terms of the dance floor. Leading really isn't that hard as long as it's agreed that the lead is truly the lead, something we both need to work on if we are going to become the next professional white girl salsa duo. (Don't hold your breath!) After a few go-rounds we got the basics down and it was off to the real dance floor to see what we learned!

5 margaritas later, Miss B really had the hang of it! We spent the day dancing, hanging with A's mom, Gay Jose and Matty, and just soaking in the summer sun and music of the band. It was great and it's so much more fun to go to now that I have a partner to dance with on a consistent basis. After the day of dancing we went to Taqueria Cancun to eat a little nosh and for me to sober up from my two beers for the day. Lightweight? Yes I think so! Can't wait to go again. Should be super duper fun now that we have the basics down.

Much of the rest of the weekend was spent cleaning the apartment. We have a 4th cat which we call "Pam". When Pam takes over it's clear that a good scrub of the apartment is in order. We even dusted and did a full on clearing of everything which annoyed us. Place shines like a little beacon. Hooray for cleaning!

Progress?

Reorg madness continues at the jelly doughnut factory. A few years ago prior to going on sabbatical we had a major one which threw everything around like a snow globe. Well it's happening again. One of my co-supervisors whom I really enjoy working with has received a "promotional placement" starting immediately. He has been "asked" to return to the operations floor as a supervisor, something he never desired to do but can't really say no without damaging his chance for promotion in the future. It's like that. So off he goes. I fear that our other co-supervisor is on his way as well except in a manager position. I have done a good job communicating that I have no desire to work in operations again so here I sit in the support role and feel like as though it's going to be this way forever. At this point all bets are off and anyone could end up anywhere. Guess it won't do any good to fight it so might as well roll with the changes and note the fact that there will be more on the way. What can ya do. The corporation has a mind of it's own. Nothing is going to get in the way of progress. Er something.

Speaking of which, there was an interesting interview on NPR the other night when I was making dinner. It was all about the Green MBA program and the degree at which "progress is still progress". Their point being that at some period as progress is made, it isn't progress anymore. Things actually start moving backwards because there is no place left to go and what was seen as progress is now more appropriately termed hindrance. The specific examples used in the discussion were those of environmental policies and the "advancements" made in dealing with the repair of damage already done. So what is progress really? Guess it depends on who is defining it and what motivates them in the first place. Progress schmogress.

The boat cruise was interesting. Folks didn't get as wasted as years past which was good. No one got pushed over and sent to sea. There was a lot of shit talking and inappropriate grabbing and dancing as the drinks were kicked back. There's just something which feels wrong about being surrounding by a whole bunch of drunk coworkers. Several situations where "TMI" came into play. Let's just say many people have been moving really slowly here today, if they have showed up at all. I'm just glad it's over. And it's almost the holiday weekend so I can get the hell out of here and hang out with Miss B.

Little Green (the insane kitty) update. Last night I purchased a wedding gift for my friend Rob. It's a swanky juicer and came in a cardboard box. Left it in the parlor room thinking I would wrap it at some point this weekend and then deliver it to Rob next week. Throughout the night I kept hearing odd noises thinking it was the cats playing with toys or something of that nature. When I awoke this morning the nutso cat had eaten though the box shredding it leaving the juicer rather naked. It will look pretty funny when they open it, that is for sure. Damn cat.

Best thing I can see right now: a construction working with a harness and bungy chord on as he is way up on scaffolding unloading air duct pieces. He's a little bear with a hard hat and cute little carhart jeans. Harnesses are hot!

Extreme vs. Balance

Balance. Finding it is a daily task. What to focus on today? What is important? What do I want to do compared to what I have to do? Is there really such a thing as a "have to do" or is that merely something we thrust upon ourselves to create frustration? Balance is not something this society projects as important.

Think about it. Extreme sports. Big gulps. All you can eat buffets. Blackberrys which enable "connectiveness" at any given moment. Cribs marathons on MTV. Working at least 10 hours a day. 24 hour fitness. A two hour commute. Checking work email from home on the weekends. Marathons. Hummers posing as functional SUV's which will never see an ounce of off road capability. None of these things produce a sense of balance. It all needs to be taken to the maximum and when is it ok to say enough is enough? I understand that some people thrive on constantly pushing it to the limit. But then complain when their lives are too "full of things they have to do". How can balanced be achieved when no time is taken to ground the body and stay put, even if just for a little bit. What I do know is that since taking steps in the direction of slowing down and making an effort to balance (and still struggling with achieving balance) it makes my life less complicated and much more manageable and fufilling. Too much of anything just can't be good.

Where I struggle to most recently is with work. I just really don't like what I do. Have been with the same company for soon to be nine years and in the current job function for four. Over this time it has gone from small company to large corporation. It just doesn't seem to suit me anymore and I feel restless. I like what is done here but am sick of what my exact role is. There have been several reorganizations lately too which is always unsettling. Guess the thing to do is either start looking for a new job or figure out what keeps me here and make it redeeming. Just feeling a little lost with my contribution to society and what I am going to do to make the world a better place. I don't think my version of "fart noises" is really going to change the world. Tomorrow they are taking all of manufacturing and putting us on a boat to cruise around the bay. A bunch of drunk employees all trapped in the same spot. I am trying to figure out how not to get pushed overboard as well as avoid those whom annoy me most. Good luck with that.

Erasure and Bears

Beautiful weather returned to the bay area over the weekend. Saturday morning produced sunny skies and warm temperatures as opposed to the dreary rain and darkness of the weekends past. What else better to do on a sunny Saturday than stand in front of the Tower Records store on 16th/Market awaiting the chance to see the gayest of gay, Erasure. When I was a teenager, reading between the lines of their lyrics was not even a possibility. It appeared to be the routine unrequited love songs which made sense to any kid that age. Gay, straight, or otherwise. No access to MTV at that time probably kept me in even more denial of the gay themed videos and costumes worn while performing. Erasure was in San Francisco for a 5 night gig at the Independent. Hollysan wanted to check out the free show being put on at Tower for her birthday so off we went. Turns out it was an album signing, no show so we opted to go to Cafe Flore instead. Talk about the center of gayville. That place is off the hook. Felt kind of good to be in the middle of it. Bernal is as well but not quite like the Castro. We had some italian sodas and then off to go plant shopping.

Our cats LOVE to eat the plants in our house. Since moving in together, several have been taken out due to either being chewed or dug up and then paraded around the house. This in turn always makes them barf which isn't pretty nor fun to clean up. We were on a mission to find ones which they wouldn't want to consume as appetizers. Large waxy leaves that they can't get their jaws around seem to be best. Anything which somewhat looks like grass is a goner. My spider plant didn't make it a minute. Hadn't really encountered this problem previously because Sammy really isn't into jumping up on tables where the plants are kept. The only time he did this was as a kitten and he decided to attack Derek's pineapple plant. A little tinfoil around the base of the plant took care of that and he was over it. We managed to find a bunch of great plants, some potting soil, and some decorative planters on sale. Got them all situated in their new homes on Sunday and our place is on it's way to looking like a jungle. Between Miss B and I perhaps there will be luck in getting them to survive.

Saturday afternoon was spent at The Eagle, part II of Hollysan's birthday extravaganza. A very random mix of folks as the days events were a beer bust to benefit the PAWS group, an agency that places animals with terminally ill folks, particularity HIV. There were puppies everywhere as well as bears! Prior to heading over Miss B popped some decongestant and ibuprofen. She caught a cold from one of her students last week. Once we arrived the meds had kicked in and she wanted a gin and tonic. In no time flat she was feeling fantastic! Derek eventually joined us and it was a fun afternoon south of market. Miss B had a few more G&T's and the next thing you know it was time to go check out the BAGeL radio presents night. We didn't last long at that seeing as we were wiped out from a long day of activity starting with yoga at 9AM. Just can't do the late night thing like I used to in my twenties.

The rest of the weekend was spent being relatively mellow and enjoying our time together. Oh, and thanks to Lori, we have become all cracked out on season one of the L Word. Terrible lesbian drama which is so bad, we have to keep watching! Although I'm not so sure what all the fuss is about Shane. She looks like Leather Tuscadero from Happy Days.

Marina People--EEEEWWWW

The 5K has come and gone! It was fun to train for and just as fun seeing that I can still actually run 3.1 miles. We arrived at the race site way early and did a warm up walk around the track with Derek. It was his first race too! For the event he had purchased some snappy gay socks. As more and more people turned up it truly became a Marina Mother's race with baby strollers and dogs to boot. They were all in their ultra streamlined runner's wear, ponytails and baseball caps, pushing their screaming children in off-road strollers. The SUV's of the baby world I guess. Accompanying them were the Marina Husbands who were all too cool for school and were shocked at the sight of these three gay people in front of them. Miss B really confused the heck out of them as she isn't quite as gay looking as myself (shocking, I know!) and they just didn't get it. No one said hi or wanted to make any sort of effort to lighten up the mood. There was one, maybe two other lesbians and no bears for Derek to chase after. Oh well, the next run we choose will have to be a gay race. I guess living in a neighborhood like Bernal where it's lots of gay folks and the straights are so used to it, in fact many times the minority, just don't seem uncomfortable. Going over to the alternate universe of the Marina it reminds me of just how odd the suburban straight world is and that I don't get subjected to it very often. Perhaps they feel the same way in Gayville.

The course started at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. It was a loop through Eucalyptus trees and lots of blooming bushes. Pollen pollen everywhere! The air was thick with humidity which is very odd in the bay area and also made it difficult to breathe. The park is tricky in that it has a gradual uphill that you don't really notice until your lungs are bleeding and can't figure out why it's so hard. At the 1 mile mark we made our first turn and it was downhill for a while. It was also different than running on pavement. Many more things to be weary of and not twist an ankle or the likes of a race wipeout. It did feel a bit more cushy on the knees which was nice. We then hit the 2 mile mark to which I replied "What, you mean to tell me this is ONLY two miles!". Kept plodding along with Miss B at my side. We do share the convenience of running at the same pace. Lost sight of Derek soon on as he made the first turn much more quickly than we did. After the next turn we had to head up a rather steep and slow incline with students yelling, screaming, and cheering us on as we did so. One little fella was pushing me a long saying "You aren't running, you are jogging! Go! Go! Go!". To tell you the truth, if the little sprites wouldn't have been placed along the way I probably would have been tempted to stop however due to their encouragement and need to avoid embarrassment, I didn't. The finish was now in sight and as we made our way around the Polo Field we heard Derek's name called over the loud speaker at the finish. YAY for Derek and his gay socks! Miss B and I finally made it around the last bend and across the finish line at the exact same time. I swear the paramedics were following me because they thought I was going to pass out. 3.1 miles completed!

Afterwards there was a reception at the Marina Sportsbasement with pizza and beer. I had soda. Beer was the last thing I needed. We were completely invisible to the Marina straighties and didn't feel like placing any bids on the silent auction items. I did find an nice pair of yoga pants and purchased them ASAP. We were all ready to bail so it was time for Muffy's 5K to be over. On the way home Derek asked when the next run will be to which both Miss B and I got excited! Looks like the San Francisco PRIDE run the end of June. Hooray! Perhaps by that time the three of us will have gay headbands to show our unity. Looks like we have done our community service for the gay community this month by reaching out to those Marina Moms and Dads.

Fish Number Dos

Last Sunday A and I went fish shopping. She needed so equipment to warm her beta up (her abode is so cold and Percy just doesn't swim around a whole lot due to the temperature seeing as they like it between 70-76 degrees) and venturing to Megapet was the thing to do. First off, any sort of shopping on a Sunday afternoon where the weather is gross and doing so in Daly City is just a bad idea. (Once again I am amazed with my ability to see 20/20 after the situation.) There were loads of littles with their parents (I heard one kid sing a song to his sister which went "What do you say when you see Maria? She's ugly, she's ugly!") as well as fish geeks discussing their latest fish traumas with the clerks in the aquatic area. The one rather scary dude with a mullet and ponytail went into great detail of how one fish killed the other with a line of 6 deep behind him. Maybe he was lonely? Or just plain weird. Perhaps. After a long wait, A finally got someone to help her and I picked out a new beta. He was rather redish pink and seemed pretty happy/healthy in his little display cup. Off we went to the hardware store to obtain a light for A's new fish bowl lamp and mesh wire for the top of my desktop bowl. (To avoid another mishap with Little Green and fish hijinx.

Brought the fish home. Set up the new bowl. He was happy in there, playing with the Wizard and adapting to his new surroundings. The kitchen table seemed like it suited him. He hung out with Miss B and I as we ate dinner. Tossed a bunch of different names around and settled on Willie. Made me think of the movie "Free Willy" and also allowed us to walk into the kitchen and say "Ques con di Willie?". (This means "Wha chu talkin' about Willis" in French.) Wha-la. New fish, new day, new start.

Came home from work and Willie was stiff as a board dead at the bottom of the bowl. Perhaps I am not meant to be a fish owner. Or the heat was too much in the morning sun at the kitchen table. Not sure. It may be a while before I try this again. I flushed him this time seeing as Willie really wasn't around long enough to establish a in depth relationship. The bowl is sitting empty and the Wizard stands alone waiting for company. Sigh.

Tomorrow is the big 5K race. If you would like to see the route and what it benefits, go here: http://www.muffysrun.org/ Last night we had to do 2 miles and it was a piece of cake compared to the 4 miles from Sunday. Running again has been fun and hopefully will still be able to maintain the discipline to do this without a pending race. Either that or find another race to keep the momentum. Yoga is still happening 3 times a week and it's good stuff.

Went to the doctor last week to get my shoulder checked out. Have been having significant pain between my head and neck area. After a series of tests it was confirmed that she thought I had arthritis which just didn't seem right. Left the office with some documentation for exercises and advice to take more ibuprofen and somewhat disappointed because I wanted to feel better. After that it was off to get a haircut. Have been going to the same lady for the past 9 years. She give a great cut for an even better price plus head rubs! When she was finishing up it was noticed that the area between my head an shoulder on the right side was as stiff as a over stretched cable. She performed what is called "Cranial Sacral Therapy" on my head and it totally worked! The pain is gone and I had a huge energy rush afterwards. She went on to explain that it gets all the fluid moving around again in my head and sent it to the places where I was "stuck". I would try that again in a minute!

R.I.P. Little B, Thieves Invade

On my 36th birthday I received a beta fish from Miss B. He was the first fish I have ever owned. It was fun setting up the bowl, rocks, and wizard figurine. The gift was inspired by our trip to Hawaii and my passion for scuba diving and snorkeling while there. I liked having a fish much more than I anticipated. There was something therapeutic about watching something swim around and float in a small bowl. I named him Little B because he was a little beta and due to the fact that Miss B gave him to me.

Saturday morning it was noticed that the fish bowl was a bit murky and it would be in the best interest of our aquatic life to clean it up and make his home presentable again. Ran some errands, came home, unloaded groceries and cleaned the bowl. Seemed everything was in order and the transition to the new water was going well. Every time the cleaning cycle happens I get freaked out thinking the water will be too warm or cold, in turn sending Little B to the aquarium in the sky. His post is on the kitchen table getting morning sun and this day was no different as he was swimming feverently around in his clean abode happy as any fish could be. Little B likes lots of sunshine and warmth and this day was giving him all that and then some so I thought it would be a good idea to top the bowl off with extra water. Keep on swimming, keep on swimming, just like Dorie in Finding Nemo. This was the last time I saw Little B happy in the bowl. I got dressed for a run and off I went thinking nothing of what I would find upon the return to the kitchen.

There are two theories as to what may have happened. The world's most mischievous cat, Little Green, either climbed up on the table and scooped him out of the bowl for entertainment or he decided to make a break for it and jump out of the bowl himself. At this point I have no idea what to suspect and I guess it doesn't really matter. When I got back in the house Little Green was tossing him from side to side with her paw and he was covered in cat hair. I quickly scooped him up from the floor, rinsed him off and attempted fish CPR. He came back to life and began quick, shallow breaths sporadically. I placed him back in the bowl and he struggled at the bottom of it holding on for dear life. Thought it might be a good idea to place him in a confined space so I prepared a special glass for him but it was too late. A few hours after the whole ordeal, his insides became his outsides and Miss B flushed him. I said goodbye and thanked him for being a good fish.

Now the bowl is sitting empty on our kitchen table. Perhaps I will get a new one sometime soon and I never thought I would get so attached to a fish. It was difficult this morning to bypass the feeding of the fish routine seeing as there was no fish to be found. Thanks for hanging in there while you could Little B and hope you didn't have to suffer for very long.

On another note, I am sharp as a marble today. Went to the Thievery Corporation concert last night at the Wharfield. At first when tickets were purchased I was a bit upset that we were stuck in the balcony with the seats. However, after the marathon of Cochella and it being a Sunday night and all, the seats were a welcomed treat where Miss B and I did our fair share of chair dancing which fit the bill. All sorts of white folks were getting down all around us in the same fashion. This was seriously the whitest concert I have ever been to. No people of color whatsoever which was rather shocking as the Thieves are considered world music. At any rate, they tore the place up and it was a fantastic show. Would see them again in a heartbeat! Funny thing was there were all these announcements about how there was "no smoking" in the venue however as soon as lights when out the weed was broken out and everyone got hhhhiiiigggghhh sooooo hhhiiiiggghhhh! Contact buzz? Perhaps!

On one more note, it was a year ago today that I met Miss B in Dolores Park. I was being shy gal as was she and asked me to be her "Friendster" that evening. It's all history from there....

Music Fest for the ADD

Blogolians! It's been a while. Cochella has come and gone and my oh my what fun we had. So many good bands with outstanding performances! My body is aching and sore from all the dancing and standing in the sun. Very well worth it to attend the music festival for the ADD. With 5 stages and 12 hours of music, there is always something on to see. Didn't powerfest it so much this year. Took time getting there and left a bit early both nights. In years past it was all about getting there at noon and leaving around 1am. Still just as good of a festival sans the dust inhalation in the parking lot post shows. Top performance of the weekend I would have to say goes out to Bauhaus. The 9 minute version of "Belalogosi's Dead" with the lead singer hanging upside down in the middle of the stage the entire time not missing a beat was truly monumental. Undead. Undead. Undead. DJ of the festival was Ben Watt. He ripped some killer beats and my ears are still ringing from the display of loudness.

It was great to return home and find all three cats lined up on the steps awaiting our arrival. They were full of gratitude, love, and fur as it is shedding season. We had a good home cooked meal after a weekend of festival food and it sure was yummy. Made the curried fish chowder which elicits the response of "I like this so much I may have to punch you in the face!" from A every time I make it. Could have slept in another 3 hours to feel fully rested but it wasn't meant to be. It's good to have a job to go to afterall.

Miss B and I have been sticking with our workout ritual rather religiously. We have missed a few runs here and there but for what it's worth, the schedule is still in tact. When Satan was brought into the house (a scale was purchased and that is what I like to call it) I didn't know how that was going to fit into the whole deal. Upon first weigh in I was a bit disheartened to see what I actually weighed compared to what I thought my weight was. Shocked and horrified to find a rather large discrepancy between the two, it was time to take this stuff seriously. Weighing in once a week is ok and has shown that I am making progress even though the first week I wanted to throw the damn thing through the window. At any rate, we are up to 3.5 miles on our runs and would be able to do the 5K if it were tomorrow. Hooray!