My approach to conventions, of any kind, is like going to a large party. I will see people I know, and people I’m casually acquainted with, find out about things I’m interested in, and meet new people who are enjoyable (or not) to talk to, even if I’ll never see the person again. I used…
Category: Out & About
Neil’s First Visit to the De Young Museum
The Vivienne Westwood exhibition was also the first time Neil has seen the de Young Museum. I usually go on a weekday, when it’s not crowded, but the show happened to open on Saturday, so Neil was out of school. Neil is learning about modern art in school this year, and he announced to me…
Vivienne Westwood at the De Young Museum
I was so excited about the Vivienne Westwood exhibition at the De Young Museum that I had to go and see it the very morning it opened. In honor of the occasion, I even put together a look to pay homage to the imaginative designer. I put on a backless tweed vest (nothing underneath), tan…
Arcadia at The Pear
Yesterday, Peter and I went to see Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia performed at The Pear Avenue Theatre. First a word, about the Pear Avenue Theatre, or “the Pear” as everyone calls it these days: it’s a very small theatre in a nondescript office block in Mountain View. You wouldn’t think much of it to see its…
Disneyland California Adventure’s Grizzly Peak Recreation Area versus California’s Big Basin State Redwoods Park
Last year, my family visited Disneyland California Adventure. It was both fascinating and horrifying to see our home turned into a Disney amusement. Since then, I’ve been meaning to do a compare and contrast between real California and Disney California, but there’s so much to compare, I’m just going to have to do it in…
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Yesterday, I took my children to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. It’s one of the oldest state parks, and one of my favorites. It’s known for its dramatic waterfalls, majestic redwoods over 300 feet high, and the rare wildlife that thrives in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I used to put Kelly in a backpack type…
Thanks from the Seymour Marine Discovery Center
A few years ago, I discovered the Seymour Marine Discovery Center in Santa Cruz. At its heart, it’s an educational aquarium, but it’s a bit more than that. It was everything I love about the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium at the other end of the Monterey Bay without all the things I hate. The Seymour…
Day at the Exploratorium
We visited the Exploratorium, again, yesterday. Neil loves the Exploratorium. He’d rather go there than to the movies or an amusement park. I’m sure, if he could, he would be there every day. On the other hand, sometimes Peter and I feel a little Exploratorium’d out. I don’t know why. It’s really a delightful place….
Alamo Square and Beyond
Yesterday, we drove to The Fillmore to buy tickets for the upcoming Brand New concert. Since it was a beautiful day, we decided to finally visit Alamo Square, a park about 6 blocks away. Alamo Square is best known for its view of San Francisco’s archtypical Victorians, sometimes juxtaposed against the downtown skyline: Personally, I…
Fairy Bowling with the Cub Scouts
I was doing great until Mike commented on my “fairy prance” bowling style, and I got all self-conscious about it. I guess I do play like a fairy. I approach the lane with a leap, skip and a hop, let the ball go, and as the pins fall, I complete my move with a victory (or sorrow) twirl. Sometimes I’ll even bobble along with a pin that’s threatening to topple, but won’t. Hey, it works for me! When I tried just rolling out the ball like a guy, I fell down and the ball rolled right into the gutter. I had to accept the fairy inside in order to get my game back.