As last year, this idea is from Kottke. Only one international trip this year, to Canada. And although it feels like I've been flying non-stop for the last month, most of my trips were to familiar places. Idaho, San Francisco, Seattle. I think it says something that I had to look back through my pictures to remember where I'd been.... and I'm sure I forgot at least one trip.

I didn't make it to the UK this year. Very disappointed about that, expecially since the exchange rate right now is only getting worse. Nevertheless, I hope to have a trip scheduled soon.

Vancouver, BC
Seattle, WA
San Francisco, CA*
Flagstaff, AZ
Boise, ID*
Gooding, ID*
Caldwell, ID
McCall, ID
San Diego, CA
Denver, CO
Strawberry, AZ

* Indicates multiple trips.

Carlos last night ran long. The show didn't start until 11:00 and ran until almost 1:30am. Pretty funny, although he could have skipped the entire preachy section. We get it Carlos. We like your humor, that's why we're there.

Brad Williams was the best of the opening acts.

I have a bag of fudge and Christmas cookies next to me, and a ticket back to Phoenix for 2:30pm. Ready to be home for another short week of work. Idaho has been cold and rainy most of the weekend. My ankle is almost better, just a bit stiff and sore right now.

Christmas was quiet, with just Mom, Grandmother, Bill and me. We opened presents at 10:30am, then moved on to snacks and Scotch. I retired early and read one of the many books received for Christmas.

Oh yes, and I fixed up my mother's computer. Her son bought her a digital camera for Christmas, so I had to upgrade her USB card to 2.0 and install the software. I think she still regards it as bit of a wild animal. If she fills up the 1GB memory stick I bought her, she'll quickly fill up the hard drive on her present computer. I'm debating whether to switch her to Macintosh (via a pass-along technology transfer of my old G4), but I think that might be too much culture shock. She still uses dial-up and just sends and receives email, mostly. Better to get her a new USB hard drive when the time comes.

Spent yesterday in Boise. On my way home for Christmas.

Finished my Christmas shopping yesterday and wrapped the rest of my presents in my hotel room. My one box from Amazon containing gifts for my mother was delayed by a day. First time that's happened to me. The net result is that I had to go to Best Buy and purchase the same thing again so I can give it to her Christmas morning. Ugh.

But it's cold, with a little ice and snow on the ground. Therein lies the problem: walking home last night from Neurolux, I slipped on the ice and twisted my ankle. It's swollen and hurts a bit this morning. I'm still able to get around, but I don't think I'll be moving very fast this weekend.

The goal for yesterday was brunch at Suppenkuche, followed by a bit of shopping in Hayes Valley. German beer and sausages for breakfast is damn good. The concept at Suppenkuche is homey and friendly, with shared tables and good service. The portions are large, and everything is delicious. We started with potato pancakes, served with applesauce. I had sausage scrambled with potatoes, eggs, and spinach, served with a dill-cucumber salad. Jason had skirt steak served with fried eggs and potatoes. I was able to steal bites of weisswurst from other-Jason's plate as well. Two beers and big plate of food and I was feeling pretty good.

We did a bit of shopping afterward: Timbuk2 store, Lavish for house gifts. Then we retired back to the house for naps.

The early evening was designated for beerbust of one kind or another. The Lone Star was wall-to-wall bears, crowded around the pool table for muchies and packing the patio. Although there was at least one SF Fog Rugby boy there that I've had a crush on for awhile, I gave in early. It was too hard to move around.

Last day of vacation in the city. We'll probably meet up with Brian for breakfast or something fun. I have a little shopping [NSFW] I'd like to do before we go. Then our flight leaves at 6:30pm.

Labels: sanfrancisco, shopping, vacation

Well, dancing was the plan last night. The plan crumbled at about 10pm. Jason wasn't feeling it, and neither was Linus. The net result was that John was left ready and needing to go out with no dancing partners. Instead I made it South of Market again for S&M bars. The Stand and Model queens were out in force last night at Powerhouse. Although it was a full house, most of the crowd was standing around admiring their muscles and not doing much else.

Made the circuit between Lone Star, Powerhouse, and elsewhere. A few hunky bearcubs getting busy with each other, amusing to watch. The rest of the crowd elsewhere was kind of eh. I bailed at 2am and taxi'd my way back to the house. So ends another day.

Labels: sanfrancisco, vacation

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.

Happy happy birthday to me. We're in San Francisco for the weekend, again. Staying near the Castro.

Out last night to Powerhouse for their monthly underwear contest. Just a bit silly. The bar was more crowded than we expected, but no good stories. Afterward, pizza in the Castro. I should have taken a picture of the very drunk fellow trying to order and eat a slice while remaining upright. He was only marginally successful. A word of advice: if you wear those low rise girly girl jeans, make sure you aren't flashing plumber's crack to the rest of the restaurant while snarfing your pizza. He then wobbled his way to the sidewalk and attempted to drunk dial someone before bolting across the street to catch a cab.

I think I will walk down to Noah's to fetch a bagel.

Sorry about the vanity post. Just showing off my new smile.

Holidays are coming. And I haven't a fucking clue what to buy for Christmas presents.

I think family is going to get a few pictures of me and my new smile. The braces came off today on my upper teeth. I still have the lowers, but they should come off next week. They look better than I hoped. My dentist did a bunch of shaping and grinding, and I was shocked when I looked in the mirror.

After 33 years with a big gap between by front teeth, this is pretty damn cool.

Labels: braces, self

There is a wisp of snow on the ground, and it is awfully cold here. Fifteen degrees or something ridiculous last night.

Beers at the Lucky Dog after arrival, as usual. Wished Rob a happy birthday and then went to bed. I always seem to wake up hung over and looking like crap. The awful lighting in the bathroom of this hotel doesn't help.

My favorite place to stay in Boise, the Statehouse Inn, is getting a remodel. Soon it will be all boutiquy goodness, and get a new name.... Hotel 43. It needs it. I stay here all the time because the hotel is convenient and inexpensive, but it certainly has seen better days. The decor is early 90's, and the aforementioned bathroom is always cold and without water pressure.

Breakfast this morning at Goldy's Breakfast Bistro. Small and crowded, but with excellent coffee (served extremely hot, a plus) and good food. I'll be going back.

Shopping at Boise Towne Square again. Left wondering what's the point? The mall was strangely empty and run down, although I did drop some money at Banana Republic (new jeans, new belt) before fleeing.

Now to figure out where to take my mother for lunch.

Labels: boise, travel