Tony Hale on stage

Neti and I went to see Wakey, Wakey yesterday at ACT ~ we went because
I love Tony Hale from Arrested Development and VEEP. The gist of the
play was/is to try to live in the moment and to be loving to each other.
Even though I'm glad we went, I can't honestly recommend this to
everyone. Death can be a downer, have you noticed?

not a fan of the rat

Ha, you thought I meant tRump, right? Our SF Parade is Feb. 8th.

Learn More: Beginning today and through the next 15 days, 
China will celebrate the start of their new year. Chinese 
New Year operates around a lunar calendar, meaning 
it's based on the phases and movements of the moon; 
thus, the exact date changes every year. However, 
it usually falls between January 21 and February 20 
on the calendar most familiar to Westerners. As it is 
the most lavish holiday in China, the country's citizens 
go all out to celebrate. Legally, it's a seven-day national 
holiday, but many people party beyond that.

urban alchemy

That's the name of this group pictured here ~ they work the gritty, difficult
Tenderloin area of SF where St. Anthony's is located. I had a cheese
sandwich and latte sitting outside at Civic Center and watched them chase a
purse snatcher. (Or electronic snatcher, these days.) During the day I am
not afraid and yet that is the most common question when I talk about my new
volunteer job. Speaking of which, I worked in the Free Clothing Program
for three hours yesterday ~ good vibes, nice fellow workers and some very
expensive donations and lots of them. There are many wonderful people
in this world and I need to remember that on a daily basis. I return in a
week for another feel-good session.

for February book club

Yesterday we six met over at the Presidio Social Club and next month
is my turn to select a book so I chose Frankenstein because I had
never read it and, as it turns out, the other women hadn't either. But
the waitress said, "That's my favorite book!" Mary Shelley was 18
when she wrote this. Imagine.

yes, a powerful poem, please

Malbec wine in stemless glass

Funeral in Paris

Aria Aber

The aunts here clink Malbec glassesand parade their grief with musky,expensive scents that whisperin elevators and hallways.Each natural passing articulatesthe unnatural: every aunt has a sonwho fell, or a daughter who hid in rubblefor two years, until that knock of officersholding a bin bag filled with a dressand bones. But what do I know?I get pedicures and eat croissantswhile reading Swann's Way. When I tellone aunt I'd like to go back,she screams it is not yours to want.Have some cream cheese with that, says another.Oh, what wonder to be alive and seemy father's footprints in his sister's garden.He's furiously scissoring the hyacinths,saying all the time when the tele-researcher asks himhow often do you think your lifeis a mistake? During the procession, the aunts' wailsvibrate: wires full of crows in heavy wind.I hate every plumed minute of it. God inventedeverything out of nothing, but the nothingshines through, said Paul Valéry. Paris never charmed me,but when some stranger asksif it stinks in Afghanistan, I am so shockedthat I hug him. And he lets me, his anklesbriefly brushing against mine.

days of yore

We always made a big deal out of each other's birthdays ~ like a week
long celebration with all the trimmings. Today is Husbando's special
day so I will concentrate on him (and us) and take myself out to lunch.
He would want to go to Tadich's, but I'll try someplace a little less
expensive. I do not know when this old photo was snapped, but it
makes me smile. Happy Birthday to Bill.

back to the bowl

Of course I have theater in two weeks when the Niners will be in Miami.
But yesterday was fun TV over at the Great Plotniks with delicious guac
snacks and enchiladas at half time. I really don't like football, but they
are the HOME team and Jimmy G. is gorgeous. Congrats, Team!