Low key birthday dinner last night at Zuni Cafe. I had the duck, which was good, but not jaw-dropping. And sorrell onion soup, which was a bit weedy and would have been better with caramelized onions. We drank champagne and a forgettable bottle of wine, and everyone ordered dessert. So it was good.

Afterward we retreated to Marlena's, a Hayes Valley neighborhood joint. The bar was pleasantly busy but not packed. And we had fun admiring the Christmas decorations... hundreds of Santa Claus dolls lining the walls, intermixed with beads and snowflakes.

And the hits they just keep on coming. All in all, a fun but quiet birthday.

Today's goal is to see Brian, and perhaps to visit Grace Cathedral. And a couple of other things that I've been wanting to do for quite awhile.