Archive for September, 2008
Where is the comedy?
Pete and I enjoyed a fabulous weekend in SF this past weekend. We stayed for the weekend in celebration of our 6th anniversary. I could not have asked for a better anniversary weekend celebration.
The only gripe I have is that we spent good money to see a comedy show at Cobb’s Comedy. We saw Eddie Griffin and honestly, I laughed harder at dinner with my friends than at the show.
The show wasn’t very funny, instead it was a political rant session with lots of cuss words thrown in for effect.
I understand it’s election season and this is a heated competition. But I really need to get my comedy fix… I am craving Laugh out Loud, FUNNY comedy. Where can I find it?!?!
A few months ago, we went to see Janeane Garofalo at Cobb’s – it was a similar situation, but even worse. Garofalo angrily ranted and raved about politics and shared the demons in her mind that were really Too Much Information. It was a quite unpleasant experience if you ask me.
If anyone can recommend a good Comedy show venue/comedian/comedienne, please let me know!!
Friday Bullets!
I’m going to try to make this worthwhile for you all… as you can tell, this has not been a good blog week for me.
- I’m really starting to notice subtle effects of the current economic “situation”. I guess when you are a salesperson, you are the first to see it… little things like budgets getting pulled, planned purchases stalled, and OH, YES greedy resellers trying to steal business from other resellers… that was my life this week. I sell a variety of technology products as a reseller. I often sell to government organizations who require 3 competitive bids for every purchase. Twice this week a greedy reseller has tried to come in at the final hour with some ridiculously low quote just to win the business. And of course, what do they care if they make practically nothing out of the deal? They didn’t spend months working with the customer, sitting through numerous demos, helping them complete their due diligence and actually SELLING the product. I got through it and managed to save the deals, but guess how? you got it, by lowering our margin as I was forced to do. No fun. Sign of the times, I guess.
- Apparently Baron Davis is now on Jenny Craig (pause for laughter from the peanut gallery to subside). Part of me thinks it’s pretty cool that he is manly enough to admit it to the world, but the other part of me (the bitter Golden State Warriors fan in me) is rolling my eyes, “you are SOO L.A., Baron”.
- Listening to my boys on KNBR this morning, Murph & Mac interviewed a South African Professional Golfer named Gary Player. I had never heard of him before, but found him quite interesting. He is a big proponent of education and has done some amazing things for children in S. Africa. He shared some statistics that I can’t get out of my mind. First, 25% of American children are obese. Yikes! He also talked about how children in S. Africa typically speak 4 languages by the time they are 16. S. African children are taught the importance of treating others with respect, amongst many other things. He made a comment which is very thought provoking: That children in other parts of the world (such as India and China) are being raised to become world leaders, whereas children in America are being taught to excel at video games.
- This weekend, Pete and I are celebrating our 6th anniversary – my how time flies when you are having fun! Seriously. It feels like months ago that we were preparing for our big weekend in the city to get married. To celebrate, we’re staying in S.F. for the weekend to reminisce. Tomorrow night we’ll be meeting good old friends at the “scene of the crime”, McCormick & Kuleto’s (where our wedding reception was held back in 2002). Other fun plans include: Cobb’s Comedy, a stop at the Cliff House for drinks and catching the Giants final game of the season.
Have a great weekend everyone!
I am thinking that winter is imminent and it is affecting peoples’ moods. Lately, Lucy & I have come across some serious “haters” on the trail during morning walkie.
This morning – no joke – we are plodding along, minding our own business when I see a woman fall flat on her face on the trail. The way she fell did not concern me, clearly she was not hurt, but I asked if she was ok?
Her response?
“Did you see how my dog tripped me?”
Me: “um no, not really.”
Lady: “he’s so afraid of YOUR dog that he tripped me.”
Me: (suppressing laughter) “um, OKAY, sorry.”
Are you SERIOUS?!?!?!
I am never very good with the spontaneous, witty remark.
Here is what I SHOULD have said:
#1: “I can recommend a good dog psychologist”
#2: “Really? your 100 pound dog is afraid of my 20 pound dog?” (rolling eyes)
People crack me up. Again as I have said over and over, I can only laugh to myself and feel sorry for people like this, as they surely lead unhappy lives.
Need some inspiration?
I have been seeking inspiration all day. When the work day is as quiet as Mondays are prone to be, I find myself checking out intellectually and emotionally. Luckily I have the web to turn to… I spent a few moments browsing the latest stories and came up with a story that changed my mentality and focus instantly.
Clearly this gal is a rare leader amongst today’s youth. I feel very inspired by her story and have a rejuvenated faith in the future of our world. Read Shonnetta’s story here, http://tinyurl.com/3jzntl
I hope you enjoy, now I gotta go to start research on tomorrow’s inspiration….
Friday Bullets!
I’m a bit tired today having slept very little last night since I was at the Counting Crows/Maroon 5 concert at the Concord Pavilion (more on that later) until late.
- The theme for this week was dealing with (fill-in-the-blanks) coworkers. For me, fill-in-the-blanks = stupid. For my girl Ayelet, fill-in-the-blanks = control freak. For Pete, fill-in-the-blanks = stressed out and lashing out.
- So, the concert last night was awesome. We started off at a really fun restaurant in charming Clayton (I have never been there before and I am a fan) called Moresi’s Chophouse. The epitome of charm, it’s a darling restaurant that looks like it used to be someone’s home with a front deck/porch with actual rocking chairs facing the stunning backdrop of Mt. Diablo. My only complaint with the concert is that Counting Crows & Maroon 5 swapped places. Counting Crows was supposed to be the headliner, and apparently they were the night before at Shoreline. So, they swapped and Maroon 5 was the headliner last night. I do like Maroon 5 but I enjoyed Counting Crows so much more. I have a new appreciation for the band and the lead vocalist seems like a very interesting character. Our seats were fantastic (thanks Amy!) and I’m a fan of the Concord Pavilion.
- This weekend is looking to be a pretty low-key one for me – much needed. I’m excited to have no plans for tonight. Saturday will be a day to run errands. Need to look for updates to the wardrobe – as it feels like winter has arrived, although I’m hopeful we can get at least one more warm stint before summer is officially over. Hopefully there will be time to enjoy a bottle of vino with Ayelet, and a film screening in the evening. : ) Sunday I’ll likely go check out the Lafayette Art & Wine festival in the afternoon. Of course, I will be paying attention to the Giants who are playing in LA against the Dodgers this weekend. I really hope that the Giants can spoil it for them and knock them out of the playoff race, although it isn’t looking good so far.
- Speaking of the Giants, in case you were wondering, having read my post yesterday… sadly my boy did not get his win last night (although he should have) – one of the young Rookies couldn’t catch a ball (although he should have) that caused the Diamondbacks to score the winning run. BUT, apparently Timmy is still going to start on Tuesday and GUESS WHAT? Pete & I will be at the game and Pete gets to participate in Batting Practice before the game – I’ll be there with my camera!
Have a great weekend everyone!
As you all know, I’m a manic Giants fan. I really can’t help myself. I think I have a problem (are there support groups out there, I wonder?)
It’s Pete’s fault, really. : ) He grew up a baseball fan, while I could have cared less about baseball up until I turned about 30 years old… he slowly but surely created a monster!
This year, being a Giants fan has been quite painful… they stink.
Although the Giants, as a team, have been atrocious out on the field, there is one bright spot: a pitcher named Tim Lincecum. This kid [he looks about 12 years old] is amazing. He is one of those rare breeds that Major League Baseball experiences once every few decades. When he is out on the mound, people pay attention.
He is sooo good that he is actually in contention for the Cy Young award for the National League. They typically give the award to amazing pitchers who are playing for teams that make the playoff series. Sadly, the Giants aren’t even close. However, Lincecum is THAT good that he is in contention even so.
There are a couple of pitchers who are also candidates to win the Cy Young award (Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks and C.C. Sabathia of the Milwaukee Brewers) and they play for teams that are in contention for the playoffs.
So, the bottom line, is every game matters at this stage, as Timmy proves to the world he is deserving of this award. He has two pitching starts left (tonight and next Wednesday).
Bruce Bochey (the Giants manager) has already revealed that if Lincecum gets a win tonight, he will push him up in the rotation and have him pitch next Tuesday. That way, it would be his turn to pitch again at the very last game of the season, next Sunday.
Oh, and guess what? That game is against the detested Dodgers. Pete and I will be there, and how wonderful would it be if Lincecum knocks the Dodgers out of the playoffs by giving them a loss? A girl can dream right? That situation would truly save this season for me.
Like I said, I think I have a problem!
So here it is Day 2 of ridiculously early start to the day.
(See yesterday’s post for further details)
Lucy and I took off yet again at 3:30am – still quite bright, still not quite a full moon, so maybe tonight? – and yet again enjoyed a pleasant walkie….
until about 4:30am.
We were headed home. I noticed at one of the street intersections that a cop had pulled someone over – at 4:30am… c’mon, dude! I knew they saw us because we had to cross the intersection to get back on the trail. Sure enough, as we approached the next intersection, I saw the cop car pull up, and suddenly I was blinded by a strong flashlight pointed right in my face. Lovely, just what I need at 4:30am, a confrontation with a policeman.
Copman: “you aren’t supposed to be on the trail during hours of darkness.”
Me: “Are you serious? I’m on the trail every morning in darkness and there are many other people with me.”
(meanwhile, Lucy is jumping up on cop man, totally excited that we have met a new “friend”)
Copman: “Thieves use the Iron Horse trail to escape, I’d hate for anything bad to happen to you.”
Me: “Thieves?!?!” (SO READY to argue, “um this is Alamo, not Hayward”, but quickly remembering that it is 4:30am, it is still dark, I am tired and I need to get home), “um, okay. We’ll just walk on Danville Boulevard.”
Copman: “That is much safer. I feel much better, thank you.”
Me: (muttering to myself) “yeah, until we get run over by a CAR.”
Damn, I’m a wimp. In my younger years, I sooo would have argued with him. Either that or laughed in his face.
Clearly the police-people of Alamo/Danville have NOTHING better to do with their time. Can you imagine the dinner conversation when this man comes home and his wife asks, “how was your day?”
A moonlight stroll
This morning, Lucy and I went for an epic “walkie”
(yes I do realize it is “baby talk”, but that’s the word Lucy responds to!)
I was required to attend a tradeshow in San Jose today. I had to get there at 7am (don’t ask, it’s a LONG story). I had two choices. Choice #1: wake up at my normal time, get ready and head to San Jose and deal with confused, staring-up-at-me-with-puppy-dog-eyes-wondering-why-we-aren’t-heading-out-for-normal-walkie Lucy. or Choice #2: wake up at 3:30am to satisfy Ms. “Energizer Bunny”, shower, get ready and head out freaking early to be on time for 7am tradeshow in SJ.
I am such a model pet owner, ’cause I opted for Choice #2. ; )
…Trust me, I’m paying for it at 3:43pm.
BUT, I think the Gods were looking down on us ’cause we enjoyed the most pleasant “walkie” we have experienced in quite a while. It is pretty close to being a full moon (I think tonight may be a full moon) so it was quite bright. Plus, there were zero interruptions. Let’s face it, there ain’t nobody around at 3:30am! We came across 1 jogger and 1 cyclist during our entire trip.
I definitely could not stand to do this on a regular basis, but I must say I enjoyed the experience. My favorite KNBR guys weren’t on (they start at 5am), so I listened to my Counting Crows playlist – feeling quite prepared for Thursday night’s concert at the Concord Pavilion about now!
I passed the test!
So… this weekend I passed an important test. Yesterday, a great friend of mine who is pregnant came out to visit with her husband. I just love them, but there was a small part of me that was apprehensive about how I might feel when I saw her in her pregnant glory.
I was a little worried that I might uncontrollably feel resentment, sadness, or jealousy in light of all of my fertility struggles. Since becoming a real adult (arrived there sometime in my mid-twenties), I have not been the type of person who compares myself to others and especially my friends. But, you just never know what the powers of the psyche may reveal.
I am happy to report that I passed the test! I took one look at her and I was filled with pure joy. I am truly ecstatic for her and found myself wanting to hear as much as possible about her experience.
It probably helps that this particular friend is fun & interesting on many levels. Our conversations yesterday were about every topic under the sun, as usual. I actually had to instigate her to talk about her pregnancy! There is no doubt in my mind that she will NOT turn into one of those “baby mamas” who lose all ability to converse intelligently, and suddenly can only speak of diapers, daycare and baby registries. No joke… I do know at least a few “baby mamas”.
