Flower Stand

Do Not Commandeer My Velocipede

In front of a bike rack on campus at UC Berkeley.

Commemorative 300th Tilden Park Post!

A few weekends ago, the weather was nice enough that Tom, Kamryn, Will, Courtney and I went to Tilden Park, played frisbee, lazed about, and went to the Little Farm. It was warm and gorgeous. So where did all this cold and rain come from, Berkeley? Time for spring already. For that matter, let's just move straight on to summer. Ah, summer.

North Berkeley Women's Literary Assemblage

Tom instructed us to walk naturally, so obviously this happened.

Chicken, what are you doing with your hair?! You need to get that under control. This isn't Vegas.

Check out that tongue.

Tom and Will practiced stick fighting in hopes of gaining admittance into the Rangers Club.

Forever alone.

Forever alone, except for the company of cats, which is arguably worse/sadder.

Point Reyes

My mom and dad are up visiting for the weekend so we all went to Point Reyes National Seashore for the day. It's only about an hour and a half from Berkeley, so it was the perfect day trip. The weather was much better than we had expected and we had a great day outside in the sun. So beautiful.

We saw gray whales migrating off the coast beyond the lighthouse, which was pretty cool... especially if you like squinting and/or momentary puffs of mist.

Scouting the elephant seal pups on the beach below.

Christmas Fantasy in the Woods

The amazing, beautiful, wonderful Tilden Park puts on an event every winter called Christmas Fantasyland. Tom and I went last year and it was one of the most delightful things we did the whole season. The most fun part is winding your way through the park in total darkness until you see on the hill the shimmering lights of the carousel and the enormous Christmas tree. They have Santa, reindeer, a shetland pony, hot chocolate, the carousel and many beautifully decorated trees. This year, we have already gone once and plan on going back again with friends as soon as possible. I can't get enough.

Tom-onaut.

Robo-me.

Holiday magic!

The sock monkey themed tree, for my "fan base."

Thanksgiving!

After a disastrously long drive home from Orange County after Thanksgiving last year (11 hours!), Tom and I determined that we should hold our own gathering in Berkeley this year. We were joined by our dear friends Courtney and Mikey, who did half the cooking for our fantastic vegetarian feast. While it would have been nice to be with our families, we made do and had a great time.

So full.

From this picture, it would be reasonable to assume that we only had lemons, cranberry sauce, and non-dairy butter spread for Thanksgiving. Thankfully, this was not the case.

Mmmm... sweet potatoes, stuffing, Tofurkey, carrots, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes.

My list of things I am thankful for does not include seeing this facial expression.

Cougartown

I love Berkeley because when a mountain lion is shot, we put up a memorial and several notes protesting the police's use of lethal force. I love you, Berkeley. I love you so much.

(The corner of Shattuck Avenue and Cedar Street)

Hello Cello

We got a whole new set of neighbors in our building all within the last month. Last night we got together for a dinner and they are really wonderful and fun. The most exciting part of all, perhaps, is that our new next door neighbor (with whom we share a wall) is an excellent cellist. I love the cello and listening to him through the walls, as I am now, is a delight.

Moving Day

Erstwhile Adamant Heroes bloggers Mike Ailshie and his wife Bearpants (pictured) are moving to Berkeley tomorrow and I couldn't be more excited. Courtney, maybe if you contributed more I would have put up a better picture of you. Just saying.

Attention Berkeley Residents:

I have some truly wonderful news. It's corn pizza time at Cheeseboard again.

Friday's pizza (04.30.2010): Fresh corn, onions, chile pasilla, mozzarella and feta cheese, garlic olive oil, cilantro, key limes.

Where Past and Present Intersect

Pi!

Hope you all had a lovely Pi Day yesterday. Tom and I made an Apple Pi Pie and shared it with some dear friends Cara, Phil and, later, Pat. I have concluded that Pi Day is a lot more fun when you add an "e."

Please disregard the serious case of creepyface that possessed me. Tom seems to be able to handle himself in the presence of pie.

Phil and I saying goodbye with our signature move, the Pit Five.

Me, posing super natural-like with the Pi Pie. Thank you for the pictures, Cara!

Coast to Coast

My old friend Danny came to visit from New York this weekend and we had the loveliest weather imaginable, which lent itself perfectly to an afternoon in Cordornices Park playing bocce ball and taking unflattering photos.

This is the only photo we got of Danny. He's a ball bug. The guy in those other pictures is my landlord Frank.