Cruising in a Mustang

Went cruising with my friend Carmen in her convertible Mustang today - across the Golden Gate Bridge and to Muir Beach Overlook.  Gorgeous and perfect day for a beautiful drive, and we got to the overlook in time to see the ocean and watch the fog roll in.

The beach before the fog rolls in:

1:55 pm:

2:15 pm:

Yes, this path can trigger vertigo:

Taiko drumming lampshade

Tokyo is such an acid trip. I'm not sure if it would ruin everything to read the language it not. there's an ad showing a lampshade doing some taiko drumming.It's an ad for an airline. I do not get that.

It's the lights and sounds that make the city what it is. walking through the train station the people are silent, but when you get outside there are giant electronic billboards with music and giant happy singing people.

I do love my friends here. Dinner last night and a local orders, so I get to experience New food. This place had it's own farm with chickens and vegetables, so the food is unbelievably fresh. There is always lots of alcohol flowing (i stick with sake but they're doing highballs). The conversation turns to what a local town is known for: fried chicken, the mafia and hand grenades.

We're there until they throw us out, and then I make my way back to the hotel, getting in at about midnight. I do not get up at six.  It's more like eight, and I have breakfast, pack, and head out for an hour's worth of shopping before I need to go to the airport. I couldn't find the hobby shop that I went to last time, but did find the manga store and bought some paper and pens to try out. Then it was back to the hotel, check out and catch a train to the airport where I do a little more shopping (tea for some friends and goodies for the office) and now I have time to kill before my flight.

Food from the big dinner:

The smell of cedar

Went for a ride today out toward the Stanford dish and it is brittle and dry out there! I stopped at the entrance to the dish walk and you could smell the cedar trees.

Day Trip to sausalito

Took a day trip over to Sausalito.  Very hazy around here because we've had so little rain, but it's always great to be on the water.  Love those ferry rides!  We wandered around town for a bit, had lunch, then headed back to the city.  We hit the water at dusk and the city lights were coming on - fabulous!  Definitely going to plan another sunset cruise again.

Zorn and the Golden Gate

 I went to see the Zorn show at the Legion of Honor - totally amazing.  His painting style is much like Sargent, and his watercolors blow my mind.  The museum itself has an amazing view and it was a gorgeous day.

Afternoon light at Stanford

Bike path next to Stanford. Beautiful afternoon.