Purple Maze, ink and acrylic (11x14)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
I don't know but I'll Axum
Last night was pretty cool despite me going to an eyebrow appoinment that is actually scheduled for NEXT Thursday - oh yes, you'd better believe I'll have my tweezers out this weekend. So I cruised through the Presidio and made it to R's work around 5:45, had a half hour to kill so sat and perused the Avon catalog, exciting stuff, I know!
All set to go, we headed to Lower Haight for Gallery 683's open house. PD was there and so were a dozen of lovely patrons and very innnneresting people, including PD's dad and gallery owner. You guys, he was the man that bought Mariachidelic, remember I told you? Anyway, Gallery 683 has loads of wonderful items from all over the world, we could have stayed all night and it wasn't just because of the complimentary wine and goodies.
When our growling stomach's began causing too much of a distraction we asked PD for some dinner recommendations and as luck would have it she gave us some great ideas. Right across the street is Axum, Ethiopian food. Now, neither Rafael nor I had ever had it so it was time to take the plunge. There were maybe 5 occupied tables when we arrived yet after we were given menus it was like a bus let out, seriously. The place was packed - good sign. So we ordered the chicken and the lamb and had a couple of beers as well. The food arrived in one gigantic plate with injera as your only means of consuming the main course(s) which means: your are going to use your hands, baby! Look, we Mexicanos have no problem with this as we have our tortilla techniques down flat so we can take a dainty piece of injera and scoop up a generous portion of the meat, hummus and salad with a graceful "swoop", an art in itself! I had to donate a big piece of injera to R because his injera to meat ratio was all wrong - ha! Talk about a Mexican Cracker! One question though, is the injera supposed to be room temperature? I'm a big "MY FOOD MUST BE SERVED HOT" freak so I like my edibles right out of the sarten, stove or wok. Ok, anyway the food was hot and tasty, I liked the Ethiopian spices that were actually very similar to Indian spices. I did think the place was a bit on the dark side and had trouble reading the menu, only the tables on either side of the place had overhead lighting, we were in the middle and in the shadows. Service was good, the waitress was a bit rushed off her feet with all the tables being full - yes, 1 waitress, though an older man did come in to help for a bit. Be warned: If you do go to an Ethiopian restaurant don't ask for utensils, just don't.
I will go back but after exploring many of the other restaurants in Lower Haight.
This neighborhood seems to be in the middle of a huge transformation and it couldn't have been more apparent then when we passed by Mad Dog in the Fog and nearly fell over. The place is unrecognizable. From divey, comfy, homey, live band playing local pub to swanky, sterile, record (?) spinning dj bar; mind you this opinion is based on solely walking by and gawking at the interior. Will eventually visit for a pint or two.
All set to go, we headed to Lower Haight for Gallery 683's open house. PD was there and so were a dozen of lovely patrons and very innnneresting people, including PD's dad and gallery owner. You guys, he was the man that bought Mariachidelic, remember I told you? Anyway, Gallery 683 has loads of wonderful items from all over the world, we could have stayed all night and it wasn't just because of the complimentary wine and goodies.
When our growling stomach's began causing too much of a distraction we asked PD for some dinner recommendations and as luck would have it she gave us some great ideas. Right across the street is Axum, Ethiopian food. Now, neither Rafael nor I had ever had it so it was time to take the plunge. There were maybe 5 occupied tables when we arrived yet after we were given menus it was like a bus let out, seriously. The place was packed - good sign. So we ordered the chicken and the lamb and had a couple of beers as well. The food arrived in one gigantic plate with injera as your only means of consuming the main course(s) which means: your are going to use your hands, baby! Look, we Mexicanos have no problem with this as we have our tortilla techniques down flat so we can take a dainty piece of injera and scoop up a generous portion of the meat, hummus and salad with a graceful "swoop", an art in itself! I had to donate a big piece of injera to R because his injera to meat ratio was all wrong - ha! Talk about a Mexican Cracker! One question though, is the injera supposed to be room temperature? I'm a big "MY FOOD MUST BE SERVED HOT" freak so I like my edibles right out of the sarten, stove or wok. Ok, anyway the food was hot and tasty, I liked the Ethiopian spices that were actually very similar to Indian spices. I did think the place was a bit on the dark side and had trouble reading the menu, only the tables on either side of the place had overhead lighting, we were in the middle and in the shadows. Service was good, the waitress was a bit rushed off her feet with all the tables being full - yes, 1 waitress, though an older man did come in to help for a bit. Be warned: If you do go to an Ethiopian restaurant don't ask for utensils, just don't.
I will go back but after exploring many of the other restaurants in Lower Haight.
This neighborhood seems to be in the middle of a huge transformation and it couldn't have been more apparent then when we passed by Mad Dog in the Fog and nearly fell over. The place is unrecognizable. From divey, comfy, homey, live band playing local pub to swanky, sterile, record (?) spinning dj bar; mind you this opinion is based on solely walking by and gawking at the interior. Will eventually visit for a pint or two.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
From Robbert (on the left)
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Stolen from Shonna and Karen
I rarely do these, so pardon the lameness of my answers, and wait, are they supposed to be one word answers?
Where is your mobile phone? Vest pocket
Where is your significant other? Getting ready for work
Your hair color? Brown with highlights, not sure if I like the highlights, I think I may look too chacha
Your mother? Temple City
Your father? Temple City
Your favorite thing? Fleece jim jams
Your dream last night? I was hanging out with my girlfriends from 7th grade
Your dream goal? To be an independently wealthy wench
The room you're in? Office with pictures of friends/family all around me
Your hobby? Psychedelic paintings
Your fear? Heights and grasshoppers
Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a kayak on the Waimea River or sipping wine in Spain
Where were you last night? At home baby, it was a school night
What you're not? False
One of your wish-list items? Inner peace
Where you grew up? So. Cal, Veracruz, So. Cal, Nor. Cal
The last thing you did? Eat Trader Joe’s sun chips
What are you wearing? One of the scarves my Mom knitted for me
Your TV? Acting wonky
Your pets? Husband
Your computer? Emac, acting wonky
Your mood? Sleepily
Missing someone? Yuppers
Your car? Scion TC
Something you're not wearing? Boots
Favorite shop? Aaron Brothers
Your summer? In October
Love someone? Yuppers
Your favorite color? Changes too often, but mostly brown or green
When is the last time you laughed? This morning
When is the last time you cried? Yesterday when I watched the Matt Dancing video
Where is your mobile phone? Vest pocket
Where is your significant other? Getting ready for work
Your hair color? Brown with highlights, not sure if I like the highlights, I think I may look too chacha
Your mother? Temple City
Your father? Temple City
Your favorite thing? Fleece jim jams
Your dream last night? I was hanging out with my girlfriends from 7th grade
Your dream goal? To be an independently wealthy wench
The room you're in? Office with pictures of friends/family all around me
Your hobby? Psychedelic paintings
Your fear? Heights and grasshoppers
Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a kayak on the Waimea River or sipping wine in Spain
Where were you last night? At home baby, it was a school night
What you're not? False
One of your wish-list items? Inner peace
Where you grew up? So. Cal, Veracruz, So. Cal, Nor. Cal
The last thing you did? Eat Trader Joe’s sun chips
What are you wearing? One of the scarves my Mom knitted for me
Your TV? Acting wonky
Your pets? Husband
Your computer? Emac, acting wonky
Your mood? Sleepily
Missing someone? Yuppers
Your car? Scion TC
Something you're not wearing? Boots
Favorite shop? Aaron Brothers
Your summer? In October
Love someone? Yuppers
Your favorite color? Changes too often, but mostly brown or green
When is the last time you laughed? This morning
When is the last time you cried? Yesterday when I watched the Matt Dancing video
Monday, November 24, 2008
Academy of Sciences
Ok, ok so we didn't make it in to the Academy of Sciences, but one day we will and that's the good part; that's something to look forward to.
To pass the time we strolled along and admired the art work that was set up in one of the clearings near the music pavillion and listened to an elderly Chinese man
playing the morin khur (horse headed violin/Mongolian bowed instrument) while another man (not with him) was pulling off some cool acrobatics.
The sun was warm and welcoming despite it being November 23rd and on days like these there is no other option but to venture outdoors and absorb the rays that will soon become rare instances as brother fog descends and strengthens its hold over them.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Amador Wine Country
It had been just over a year since the last visit to Amador Wine Country. This time we took some friends along for the ride and for some great wine tasting. About an hour East of Sacramento Plymouth welcomed us with beautiful rolling hills, mild weather and a delicious sampling of their excellent wine production. With complimentary tastings, an impressive food spread at Amador, delightful sparkling wines at Karmere (peach, almond and raspberry, you guys!) and great friends to share this with, how can one go wrong?
Here we are in the Dobra Zemlja caves. Photo taken by a cool guy named Arnold, I think! More pictures coming soon.
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