San Francisco A2K Gathering - April 9-12, 2004

Yes, osso, I use an Olympus digital. It's been banged around and treated badly, but it still takes decent photos on the automatic mode. The only criticism I have of this camera is the inability of the lens to keep verticles straight up and down. Otherwise, it's a great camera.

Oh, and the maitre d' at 500 Jackson, where three of us were served the whole dungeness crab roasted with chili and garlic........ sigh, the maitre d' was perfect, always aware of us, very professional and also friendly in a real life way - two attitudes that don't always coalesce.

Just for that I'd go back, and past that the food was really good.

Osso, yes, "everyone understoond." I guess because we all had posted for so long that we were familiar with the other's style and ways of thinking about different subjects.

For me, having lived in SF for almost three years in the sixties (in the Haight/Ashbury, in fact) the City had changed tremendously. Too many skyscrapers. Historically, SF had tried to discourage building skyscrapers in order to maintain the unique San Francisco skyline; but, as it is on the tip of a small penninsula, there was no way to go but up.

When I wasn't immersed in the luxury of great company, the memories would come back of the totally different time and sense of place I had in the sixties. I was a sort of hick from Arizona and this was the Big City and there was a societal rebellion going on that was shocking to a naive, unworldly girl. At the same time, I was experiencing so many familiar memories; the hills, the mixture of very well dressed combined with extra casual, and the kind of hip, nonchalant attitude many of the old time SFers have always assumed in order to live in that strange mixture of Europe and the Old West.

This group was very relaxed about sticking to a schedule--not trying to intrude their plans onto the rest of us, so that we could come and go at our own pace. Wonderful for those of us whose energy isn't what it once was.

As a last thought (for now), we all seemed to treasure each other and we treasured the opportunity to get to know one another. Each moment spent together was memorable. We valued one another in a way we always should, but seldom do in everyday life. Maybe it isn't possible to value each day and each person--maybe it takes a special occasion, but it made me realize that it needs nurturing everyday.

These gatherings do seem to bring out the best in all of us, although I think all of us have plenty of 'best' to share. I look forward to attending as many gatherings as possible as long as I am able to travel. A2kers have something special that we share beautifully online and in person.

Cheers!!!

Cheers!

C.i., did I mention that you and Lucy are absolutely the sweetest people in the world? You are.

Cheers--this time with the best champagne!

Hi PDidddie,
Glad to see you back. Nice pics!

I confess, I DID feel deserted (for about a nano-second) when I came out of the john at 500 Jackson and you were all GONE. The hostess told me though, that before she had a chance to call the cabs, you all saw a couple and hailed them. I then inferred that nobody took a head count in the scramble.
Anyway, it was a fate I richly deserved I'm sure, and after the initial shock, it was pretty darn funny.

Graceful Lola's sorbet trick WAS quite impressive wasn't it?
Who else could have dumped a double-scoop serving without getting a drop on herself or anyone else, and without breaking the long-stemmed glass it was served in?
The waiter, as I recall, said a little prayer of thanksgiving that it wasn't red wine before shutting Lola off.

Please DO tell us about the remainder of your SF visit after the rest of us
had gone.

P.S. Un beso for the lovely Mrs. Diddie.



c.i.
I'm sorry I missed breakfast at Sinbad's --especially after seeing your pic of the 'two eyeballs' (or '34b cups').
It looks like you all had a soft porn breakfast! ( "waiter, I'll have two soft
porn eggs please.")


Osso,
perfect description of the maitre d' at 500 Jackson. He was both
professional AND genuinely friendly.


Diane,
Loved your reminisce and observations about SF.
'A hick from Arizona' eh? 60's SF must have been an extraordinary culture shock for you...........but...


YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!


PS
I concur, c.i. and Lucy are the greatest.

PDiddie wrote:


Well, Mr. PDid, I would get you back later, but frankly I don't remember the sorbet tumbling incident............do you suppose i'd had too much to drink? Tell me, what did I do? Laughing........ senior moment, I suspect.

Having more trouble than usual posting pictures, will try again manana.

c.i., did you post any pictures yet? I've been looking...I'll go back to the previous page (I've not been a regular visitor to this thread, (excellent though it is))

Did you like my little ditty? What, you haven't seen it yet??

I've read your ditty, and responded. There are pics on this forum, in the photo Gallery, and jjorge's forum, "just called to say I love you."

Not that ditty, other ditty.
Now will try to find pics.

byee

laughing.........that wasn't a ditty, McTag, it was the name of jjorge's thread.......or maybe you knew that already.

i'm still feeling a little worried that I don't remember spilling the sorbet. I remember I had chocolate sauce on mine and I remember taking a lot of pictures with my trusty little camera...........but surely I wasn't that inebriated.......oh well, guess I was. I do remember having a lot of fun. The conversation was good and the company sublime.

Well, ok now that I work at it, I do have a vague memory about being glad the glass didn't break.........sigh

Lola, you weren't inebriated... you were passed a dish of sorbet to pass along to others and that didn't work out. Not your or anybody's fault.

it's just funny how everyone remembers it but me........

Not to worry, you tossed the tangerine sorbet daintily...

oh yes, now I remember it! The waiter was there very fast and took it away. Well, that's a relief! Thanks Osso.

And brought me another one.

Did any fights break out?

Yes. There was hair-pulling and torn blouses.

But nothing of value was exposed.