(no subject)

Went out to dinner with patgreene tonight... and wore my new shiny black leather pants in public for the first time :-). Pat says that they show off my thighs very nicely, and I don't look at all silly. Especially paired with one of my existing jackets.

Anyway, we went to Vaquero's in Saratoga, then Flames again for dessert... and were seated at the same table that Pat pounded a week ago. We're doing really well. Really... we can communicate on issues now that would have required weeks of stress and drama, just a few years ago. Life is much simpler. And more fun!

(grin)

Otherwise, today was spent watching Little League games (all 3 boys played), getting my hair cut, getting cash and addresses and my glasses fixed in preparation for the trip to Japan. A beautiful, sunny and mild Saturday...

That's no picnic...

Aargh.... prevented once again from joining the East Bay family picnic, this time thanks to an automobile breakdown. Our family was loaded in our red minivan.... had stopped to buy supplies, then gasoline, then was about to head towards the freeway around 2:30pm when the transmission began slipping. I pulled it over. We were less than a mile from home, so I walked back, picked up the other car and some transmission fluid, and headed back. With the additional, cool oil, it re-engaged. Enough to nurse it over to our mechanic, whose shop was conveniently only a block away, and drop it off.

But no picnic.... James in particular is disappointed, he had brought his drumsticks. Oh, well... anyone know of any good sushi places in the South Bay?

Crunchy bouncy orangey

More culinary study tonight, with a lovely instructor ;-). This was my final chance to experiment in familiar settings with English-speaking staff likely to be present... I tried more new things. The bright orange flying-fish roe was the strangest... octopus was a bit rubbery, but with good flavor... scallops were light and delicate, almost overwhelmed by other flavors. And I like the dark red tuna much more than the pale white kind, with yellowfin falling in-between. And slightly sweeter sake (grin). I brought the rest of the sake and the safe items (California roll pieces, tempura) home for patgreene. And my dinner companion received a yellow rose, from the restaurant ;-).

My life certainly doesn't scrape, either! (smile)