San Francisco

To write about all the things I did in SF would simply just take way too much of my time, so rather than do that, I will simply list them.
1. Gayngs show at the Independent
2. took a nap in Golden Gate Park
3. walked around Haight/Ashbury
4. Stepped in gum three different times in one day
5. ate amazing pastries at Tartine
6. burrito love at Taqueria Cancun
7. visit to the Mission Branch Library during storytime
8. City Light Books
9. had too much garlic at the Stinking Rose
10. discovered Comstock and the joy of great mixology
11. Communism (inside joke obviously)
12. had fun with Emily and Ross

In the end, SF is a great city. Would I live there? Definitely not!
Would I visit it again? Most definitely.

Leaving

Just one more day until Ross and I leave for San Francisco to see Emily, a friend who used to work at the Triple Door. I am excited to go to a city I once visited as a child and will now be returning to as an adult. I wonder how my perceptions will hold up, for I am no longer a 10 year old boy who once stood in awe of a gigantic red bridge and who was dying to see the Full House house.

I will find out shortly…

Gayngs

Thanks be to Ross who made my day yesterday. It started with cigars in the park. Then new cocktail samplers at his place. Followed by new music listening and then happy hour food at Matador. It then finished with a great show at Conor Byrne.

Bon Iver Covered

Ross played this for me at Cannon Beach and it literally blew my mind so I just had to share it. And yes, it is on my next round of mix cd's.

Back in Seattle, STP and Cannon Beach, Missed Opportunities

Another Seattle To Portland Bike ride down. This makes three in a row. After riding for 215 miles for 13 hours and 50 minutes and then spending a few days of recovering time at the beach house down in Cannon Beach I am now back in Seattle, sitting at a Ballard coffee shop with my everything bagel and tall americano listening to CocoRosie while writing this post.

This year I rode solo and it was a great mental challenge because I missed my friends Justin and Jimmy. I wouldn't have them to lean on if I needed to, to help keep me going and focused while also adding a little more fun and humor to the ride. While you are surrounded by other riders from all over the country, it is nice having a friend to ride with, someone with whom you share the experience.

Thoughts on the ride:
1. it sucks waking up at 3:30 am
2. it is important to keep your mouth closed while riding...there are a lot of bugs.
3. I don't want any bananas for a week. 5 in a day is just too many.
4. I love girls in spandex. I think it is oddly sexy. Just saying.
5. I am glad I didn't crash this year.

Anyway. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, like I succeeded and overcame some seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Oddly enough, deep down I knew I could but I didn't want to admit it to people.

While I was waiting for Ross and Sylvie to pick me up post ride, all I could think about was getting a coffee. I really really wanted Stumptown but there wasn't one where I was by the Convention Center so I just went to Starbucks. After ordering and finding a spot on the patio next to two cute girls I sat and thought about what I had just done and it felt good. Really good. More importantly, my americano was heavenly. The best part about it....as I was leaving one of the girls said to me "hey you, I just wanted to tell you that I think you are extremely hot."
Silly me...my response was 'Thanks.' Are you kidding me. 'Thanks'!!! Sheesh.

Cannon Beach was exactly what I needed after the ride. Sipping tequila next to a toasty fire on the beach late a night, listening to the waves crash and singing songs while Jason strummed his guitar, it was perfection. Ian brought a frisbee with a light in it. Wow, that is one of the greatest things! You can't see who you are throwing it to, but they can see the frisbee so it all works out in the end. Dave and Charissa joined us one night and we told ghost stories by the fire.....'And the call came from inside the house!' Oh Charissa. I miss you.
I have so many more stories to tell but I'll save them for another time.

Stars at the Triple Door, the Can Can, Ceu

So last night Ross treated a select few to a special treat at the Triple Door. The Canadian band, Stars, were in town and Ross got us VIP tickets and the entire VIP lounge where we could view the show from up on high. For those where have never been to the Triple Door, there is no other music venue like it in Seattle. It attracts musicians from all over the world, musicians who want to have an intimate show with their fans. Unlike most music venues, the Triple Door is a seated venue/supper club, where you wine and dine throughout the performance. The sound quality is also one of the best Seattle has to offer as well. Ross had me try several new cocktails, with my favorite being a Thai Guavarita, where there is a muddled Thai chili in the drink. The spice was perfect. It was so delicious I had three.
Post show and not being ready to head home, Ross and I, along with a few others, went to join the Stars crew at the Can Can. The Can Can is an interesting place in a basement under Pike's Place Market and the home of one of the best burlesque dancers in Seattle, as well as home of the several absinthe cocktails. The ambiance is nice with low red lighting and well placed candles. The decor resembles an old brothel.
Before I go, I must write about another notable performance I saw a few months back. It was Ceu,a Brazilian artist, who I saw with Sarah and who blew us away with her stage presence and sexy Portuguese accent. Her afro was gorgeous, as well as the way she opened herself up on stage. She was intoxicating and seeing how Sarah was blown away too, I know it wasn't just me.