I can’t remember the last time we got together with Jim, Kelly, Steve & Diane. So it was with great anticipation that we met at the Chop Bar downstairs from their lofts. The food was excellent and the company even better.
Chop Bar
April Date Night
The weather was very nice today so I ferried into the city to meet up with Sandy.
Our Vacation 2010
In September we plan to go to Italy and it’s all we talk about. The tickets have been purchased via my AMEX miles, WooHoo. We’ll stay in a villa with 12 other family & friends somewhere in the Tuscany area. I don’t even know exactly where…I don’t care. I’m just happy were going. I’ve been wanting to go for some time now to meet Chef Boyardee.
I’ve read a little about crime in some of the tourist areas so I ordered and today I received my Cloak Bag. Now I need to order a Rosetta Stone Italian language CD.
Tomatoes
While I don’t have my Father’s green thumb, I wanted to try to grow some tomatoes. I’m tired of eating those gross grocery store tomatoes. Yes I fell for the upside down growing thingie.
My Father
Last weekend, we flew to LA to see my ailing father. He is down to 111 lbs and so I decided not to photograph him. We just hung out while he slept most of the day. Before we left, Sandy and I ventured into the backyard for the customary visit with my father’s orchids. The beautiful blooms are testimony of my father’s hard work over the years. Filled with pride, he was always excited to give us a guided tour to see his orchids. A must with every visit.
Today, the backyard shows signs of neglect, but there were splashes of color from my father’s orchids.
It was close to lunch when we landed and we had our minds set on eating Filipino… uh Filipino food not eat a Filipino. Just by chance we ran into Gerry’s Grill. I recalled the experience I had at the Greenhills Mall in the Philippines and was happy to make a quick turn into the parking lot. We dined on sizzling spinach, grilled calamari & grilled tuna collar (panga). Gerry’s Grill did not disappoint, we ate everything and were thoroughly stuffed when we left.
Waiting for our flight back to the Bay Area, we ate at the airport. I had the chinese chicken salad and Sandy had a burger.
Got Wood
Tonight in a belated birthday celebration, we met Auntie Sachi & Uncle Russell for dinner at the Wood Tavern in Oakland. Happy birthday Auntie!
Road Trip
Had to go to Porterville the other day. Stopped off at Traver Cafe 99 for dinner and to check out some of their animals.
That son of a biscuit almost got my camera!
A Late B-Day Celebration
Today the kids bought me lunch at Sakoon in Mountain View. I’ve been wanting to try this place for a long time. Of course I forgot to take a single photo. Thanks to Tami, Chris, Rick, Jen & of course Sandy.
Honolulu March 2010
Spring maintenance due. Weather not so good.
I did manage to bring back a SPAM cookbook for Sandy.
I’m a 49er
I finally learned after 49 years to play it smart and take the day off from work on my birthday. We were visited by a pair of Canada Geese in our backyard panhandling for food. I don’t know if that was some kind of omen. We had a great breakfast at Ole’s right here in downtown Alameda.
For lunch we ventured to the west side and tried Tu Tai Vietnamese. Sandy had the fish & I had the grilled pork sandwich.
Sandy made a salmon pasta dish for dinner, yum.