I Do Not Have Bieber Fever

My adorable and wise niece Brookie called and started out her message with "Hi my favorite aunt, who is so cute, and funny, and nice, and generous..."

That's Lil' Brookie on the left at my wedding

She wanted to come out for her spring break with her best friend, Katrina--roadtrip! We agreed to let them crash in our tiny cracker box, and had a very fun week with these two crazy ladies.

Upon arriving, they told me all about their freeway flirting, getting caught by hot boys as they were singing into water bottles driving down the freeway, and introduced me to annoying boy sensation Justin Bieber. Thanks for everything but the Bieber part.


On Wednesday, we had the most amazing SF weather. We started out picking up the ever-lovely Jo-Jo, and spending the next few hours on the Haight. The ladies are really into 60's and 70's fashion, and they had so much fun checking out the vintage stores. They can also freakishly long amounts of time without eating--like weird little food camels. Jo-Jo and I started getting tired and headachy, so we forced them to finally eat lunch. Weirdos.

After the Haight, we drove over the Golden Gate bridge, got some amazing pictures at the lookout point.





After that, we hit the Exploratorium, and then ended up at Pier 39 for a ride on the famous carousel. It was quite a day. We talked the girls into trying several new foods, including clam chowder in a bread bowl--right before they flipped the bowl over and shamed themselves.

Thanks, Ladies, for reminding me why I would never go back to being 19 again, even if you get freeway flirting and church dances. Oh, how I miss church dances.

On Saturday night, my crazy friend Brigitte threw a New Moon party in a hotel. It was full of good food, shirtless wolves, and pasty vamps. And lots of fun ladies watching New Moon. It's enough to make you switch teams for a few minutes.

I like my dreamy face in this picture

And, of course, the night wouldn't be complete without Eddie--always good of him to stop by and watch over us

See you all on June 30th!

PCH

Okay--first things first. I finally got to meet the Blog-famous Brooke. It was like having dinner with Ashley's twinner. They look, talk, and laugh exactly the same.


Dinner with the Doublemint twins was great. We met up at Tamarine in Palo Alto. I threw out a few suggestions for the girls, listing options for good and even great food. Then I told them I had a restaurant that would blow them away, and they signed up. Tamarine it was. As always, the food was amazing.

I ordered the shrimp puffcakes and the shrimp spring rolls to start. My main dish was the tamarine prawns. It was all delicious. My favorite part is how they nestle the exotic rices in banana leaves.

On Friday, Lancer and I took off for Monterey. We got a great deal on a room at the Monterey Plaza Hotel on Cannery Row--it included a $50 room credit. Upon checking in, they "offered" us a room upgrade for a mere $50. So tricky, you guys. We passed, which ended up being the best option. Our room was more like a suite, and the bed was made of clouds. I want to go back. Lancer ducked out to take these nighttime pics while I snuggled up by the fire.


We dined in the on-site restaurant. First up--I ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and Lance got the creamy clam chowder. We also shared a crab stuffed artichoke with a garlic aioli dipping sauce.

For the main entree, Lancer went with the catch of the day, and I got the shrimp Thai salad. Thanks $50 credit! There apparently is such a thing as a free lunch, and it's delicious!


The next day, we explored Monterey. We started out in downtown Monterey, grabbing breakfast and checking out stores. Lancer picked up a few new argyle sweaters to make up for his 2 sweaters that mysteriously disappeared. I'm sure glad about this fact, because I (hopefully) no longer have to hear his theories on where they went.


In the afternoon, we mozied on down the coast to check out Big Sur. The weather was highly cooperative, and we got some great pics.

Lance fixed up this one of me--I love it!









After enjoying the breathtaking views, we headed back to Carmel. We popped into the shops, and Lancer surprised me with a cute new green purse. I love it! I'm ready for spring.

Thanks for another great weekend of great food and great views. Now I feel refreshed and ready to go back to work. That's not really true, but I will certainly feel better when I think back on the weekend 'o' fun.

Gone Too Soon

I know it's human nature to be upset when losing things or people before their time. It hardly seems fair.

Which is why I am so upset at having lost one of my great loves--Fuel Restaurant in San Jose. You know, the one where the owner Gene knew my name and order by heart. It was like my Cheers. I'm a cute, female, less fat version of Cliff.

And it closed right before Brooke was coming into town--we already had plans to dine there. On to plan B, which will NOT be at Chili's, Olive Garden, or that other crappy chain you tried to sell me on. Um, I'm allergic to all of the food at all of those places. I'm thinking Dish-Dash. That was my "go-to" before Fuel came into my life.

I have a few words to say about you, Fuel:

I had birthday parties with you.

I snuck off to lunch with you.

I snuck off to dinner with you.

I got takeout for my fun GNO's from you.

I dreamt about your generous portions of grilled pork salad rolls--4 for $8. I would have paid double.

You were my "go-to" restaurant when I was trying to look hip and fancy. Everyone was always impressed. They came out with full bellies, and smiling pocketbooks.

The worst part is I never got to say goodbye. You just up and left me. I feel so alone. I think I need a grief counselor.

PS--another Fuel devotee and I have been emailing each other tonight on Yelp. We're going to leave a note for Gene on the door and hope he gets it. Whoever hears from Gene first will email the other person. We want to know where he's going next, cause you know our crazy arses will be there day and night!

That's not weird, right?

PSS--Aren't you glad this wasn't another NKOTB post??