San Francisco A2K Gathering - April 9-12, 2004

That's right, Georgeob, we aren't gonna make you feel isolated, not at all (oh, once or twice for a few seconds) we'd love it if you make it.

I just heard from my friend who moved to SF since I last saw her (attorney, loves to talk, we all became friends when she and my ex (John) were in a screenplay analysis class years ago.)

She is going to be with family over the weekend and will meet with me Monday, but there's a chance she can join us at the King George lobby. Her name is Susan, in case she shows up before I do..

osso, Great! Looking forward to meeting Susan.

I don't know how the numbers are coming out but I think we are well within range with additions and subtractions and we could add, re restaurants, anyway. We just need to have a roll call to keep track of ourselves. Still hoping Georgeob makes it.

I had some excitement this morning, I couldn't find my driver's license. I have this italian wallet, see, that I love because it is a gift and soft; even though variously stained, it has patina. Unfortunately, things go slip slip, and I went into tharn, ohhhhh no. Went through all my recent coat and jeans pockets, cleaned my d'purse four times, no license. Next guess, the laundry. Will I go to dmv? no, no picture i.d. in enough time. Then I remembered my passport. But when is/was it up? It turns out it is good til 2008, but I didn't remember that, being centered on my first trip to italy when I landed in Milano with an expired passport, and adding in confusion from there.

Thinking of driving, well, it is a beautiful day, but I like to rent a car instead of stressing Bessie. This going on as I need to go to work..

Luckily, I combed the caverns of the passenger seat and found it... I had remembered not having time to tuck it completely in wallet the last place that asked for id.

One gets sloppy here in outer north north california - only nationally associated places ask, a dictum from headquarters.

So, a certain relief pervails.

osso, ha ha ha.... You're as bad as I am about misplacing things. I go into panic mode much too often.

I usually find things, CI, if I wait long enough. I did lose my wallet here a few years ago, someone found it, called, and I went to their house. Just a nice ordinary person. (No, not me.) I had lost it at the grocery basket rack at the extravaganza grocery emporium...)

I am sure there are a few slimos here, where I live now, but mostly people mean well. Yah, I would disagree with a lot politically (and, let me guess, religion) and they with me. And, as an aside, any kind of presence, not to even approach a mix, of racial groups, is minute to me here. Which is why I feel sort of in outer space, being from LA. Not to be or sound so above, I am not.

San Francisco, whatever its explosive components, beckons me for at least Talk Of inclusion. Interesting city, if you just follow the local newsrag, the SF Chronicle.

Four new jobs in last few days. I'll approach the big city with a wider smile.

Here's the forecast for the weather in San Francisco: Thursday Hi 68 Lo 54, Friday Hi 72 Lo 55, Saturday Hi 74 Lo 54, and Sunday Hi 71 Lo 53. Look'n pretty good. This is July weather in the city.

george!

Are you sick? Have you forgotten us? Do they have you chained in the cellar of the White House for fratenizin with the liberals? We do hope you're coming.

Osso,
Your plight made me smile in rueful recognition.

'Things go slip slip' ........bien dicho! -- and so true.

It brought to mind one of my favorite poems, or at least the first fifteen lines of it.
(in the last lines the poem is revealed to be an 'Achy-breaky heart' poem)

Anyway, because I am already here in SF and can now slow down from my racing about, I will inflict it on you all:


One Art


The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
-Elizabeth Bishop




I arrived at my brother's last night. His house seems like a B&B for members of my extended family. David and Leigh and kids have had my nephew Nick (from Maine) staying over for the past two months. Another young nephew who moved to SF in October is a nightly visitor.

Nick and I are going to hang out today --walkin' talkin' and gawkin'.

If anyone happens to be free today and wants to say Hi or even join us for a coffee (or whatever) I'll have my cellphone.*




*C.I. and Blatham have my cell# already. I'll pm it to the rest of the group in the next few minutes, so you'll each have it in any case.

I guess we should do that, I don't have any of the SF group's cell phone #s, heh, that I remember. My hope is to remember mine, and the charge cord too. Plus then to turn it on (I don't need it a lot here, only use it when traveling, usually.)

I liked the Bishop poem, all so true, so true.

See you manana!

Well,

Nick has canceled out for today so I guess I'll be walkin' and gawkin' only.


I'm having some sort of problem sending pm's. They are not showing up in either my 'out' box or my 'sent' box.

hmmmmm.....

If you should happen to get more than one copy of the pm, I'm sorry.



Murphy is out to get me today.

My city boasts a high of 60 tomorrow, which is what I'm used to now. I'm having trouble adjusting m'wardrobe.

Wishing y'all a beautiful weekend, have fun!!!
And please, picspicspics!!!!

We probably will get a bunch, bigdice. The city, if not us, will be photogenic!

I'm sure you guys will light up the bay area with your presence!

Say hi to all!

Hi bigdice,

Hope all is well with you.

If we have half as much fun as you folks had in Florida last year we'll have a smashing success.

http://www.able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=641854#641854

I have photos if someone will point to a place I might post them

Hi, Blatham! Click on Gallery up at the top of the page.
If you have any trouble doing it, check forum help 'forum' - there is a thread on it, probably listed within first ten or so topics.