hbd to 2 of my v. fav. ppl.

today is Jeanne Hoffman's birthday. I won't betray her age, but suffice it to say that she is almost as old as I, which means that she will not be in her 20's for much longer. She is a nurse practicioner - with lots of letters after her name - in SF and I am v. proud of her and still amazed that anyone with such a creative, liberal arts background could sail though (easy for me to say) all those yukky science classes in nursing school ... well done, my dear friend - Happy Birthday, beautiful!


Gale Giacobbe's birthday was the 6th. I won't betray her age either, but will say that she is older than I, so now you know she is in her early 30's. Gale started teaching yoga a few months ago after practing for many years and I am so proud and happy for her. She tries to make me do yoga when I visit her in Charlestown, but usually I have more fun drinkning wine, watching her and saying, "wow ... how long did it take you to learn how to do that one?" I'll be celebrating a belated birthday with Gale on Saturday night in Boston (on my way yo meet Mark in NYC for a week!) with 2 of my other v.v.v.v. best girlfriends, Juli and Maureen - and maybe Kristine and Heather too -(no pix of them - I'll post on their birthdays .... you'll just have to wait. As my mama always said, 'always leave 'em wanting more ...' - yes, I realize the context was likely different then, but hey, if the shoe fits ...)

reasons to love SF

I visited two of my v. favorite people in San Francisco while I was in the states: Jeanne and Iris Hoffman.

Jeanne is a friend from Camden, Maine and Iris is her mom. They live together in SF now where Jeanne is a nurse practitioner and Iris is a nanny. As usual, I had a fabulous time staying with them and catching up.

Jeanne and I played tennis (she won) and while she was at work one day, even hired her tennis coach to give me a private lesson (he won) - Thank you, Jeanne!

After my lesson, I decided to walk through Golden Gate Park, as I had several hours before meeting Jeanne for dinner.
I was amused by this sign, though I know the reasons for having it are far from amusing. But still, not something I've ever come across before.

I also took a ride on the merry-go-round (carousel) by myself. I used to always go on the carousel in Central Park whenever I walked or ran by. I know I got some strange looks from kids and parents as I was neither, but I always love(d) it and had never checked this one out. Not bad.

I asked the kid next to me (red jacket, below) to take my photo and this is what he said to me: "Um, no. Um... I'm here with my teacher and, umm ... well, if my parents were here..." Okay, kid. I appreciate your heeding your parents' warning about strangers and all, but it's not like I offered you candy or asked you to get into my van or anything ... but truly, it was a bit odd and I really wanted a pix of me on the ostrich, but I do think it's kind of cute that a kid today would worry about such a thing. Good job mom and dad! (Though I guess I do look kind of scary here ....)

I also hit the famed Amoeba Music on my way back to the apartment. It's a pretty amazing place and if you haven't ever been there - I highly suggest it. I purchased a few used CDs (New Order, Billy Bragg, The Specials and an old Everything But the Girl for posterity). I was tempted to buy a poster or 12 also - the ones they have of the Grateful Dead are amazing and I know more than a few people who would have been v. happy if I had been a good friend and snagged one for them ... sorry ... maybe next time, guys.

Though it was a quick trip to this, one of the few cities in which I feel I could really live and love it, it was terrific and I can't wait to visit my sister in crime, Roxy (Jeanne) and my future agent/manager/nanny (Iris) again soon.