Bus Riff

After getting my steps in for the day, I climb on on the 24 bus. It’s a beautiful day in San Francisco. The 24 let’s me ride through a few neighborhoods before getting to my destination.

The different buses give you revolving flavors of the city. If I want a simple no nonsense ride to Pacific Heights, it’s the 24 bus. That’s not to say this line is without public transportation drama. Almost weekly, I comment on my Twitter feed about something that happens out of the ordinary (#talesofthe24). In general, it’s an easy ride.

As a huge theatre fan if I want my ride with almost a complete guarantee of a one person show, I can get that. Hey, it’s free theatre. When you see a ton of it you feel you can be a critic. For instance, I didn’t connect with Mary’s bump, grind and grunt on the 16 bus but I found Franco’s “bitch stole my money and my fu***** drugs” to be deep and Chaucer-like.

I’m in a good mood. The X-Ray’s on Luna’s leg repair looks good. She gets a total green light (longer walks, full unleashed use of the backyard). It’s a relief. And not carrying a pit bull up and down a flight of stairs every day is sweet.

At the intersection of Market and Castro, we stop for a long red light. I can see from my seat folks out enjoying the day. The realization for me is that I’m loving it myself. I’m on my way to work for a few hours and happy with the Luna news.

On that corner: The Twin Peaks Tavern (a bar folks call the glass coffin) is lively with patrons in and out as they continue with pandemic seating. An older man is sitting outside comfortably sporting blue Jean shorts, hoodie zip, and underneath the shorts are black stockings. The stockings have a sizable hole in them. It was big. My guess is he new about it and didn’t mind. This image struck me as a decent metaphor for San Francisco life. It’s not perfect but it’s not the holes that matter.

There are times when I listen to headphones on the trip or read something from my phone but more times out of not I take in the ride. There are a few side views as you ascend the hills. On clear days you can see downtown or the fog (or both).

The restaurants along Divesadero street are busy with Sunday brunchers. I’m my head I start playing back Sunday from Jonathan Larson’s Tick Tick Boom. I love what Lin-Manuel Miranda did with this show. He added a few numbers (where Hollywood directors would cut), one number that Larson cut in the stage show. He made it work visually. Andrew Garfield turned out to be the right choice for the lead.

Ah here comes my stop.

November 16, 2021 0

Speedy September

Does anybody else feel that September is flying?

With some September rain predictions, unusually early in San Francisco, I guess it does already feel like October but seriously this month has been a blur. I mean, I feel like I’m looking up from my desk and September 20th is Monday.

Perhaps this is a positive sign. Life as we know it continues to change around us and we try to catch up with and adjust to it: vaccine cards, COVID tests, masks, etc. If the days are going quickly maybe psychologically we’re expecting change and are more ready to roll with it. However, it could also mean we’re busier than usual and there is more stuff on your plate to juggle.

Luna started limping again last week. Her hind left leg. This strain is not a new thing as she had a similar injury several months ago. Then, the Vet gave us pain and anti-inflammatory meds and it subsided. It’s back and X-Rays are saying operate. She’s got a tear in there. We’ve got her on meds until the procedure on Friday.

She’s in real good hands. We like our Vets and so does Luna. They’ve already done her right knee a few years prior and that worked out great. Currently, the doggie drugs are helping and she’s not even limping.

I really can’t forget her grogginess with the last operation. I had to carry a 65 pound pit bull up the stairs carefully. She stood halfway in the foyer and living room staring ahead, unmoving for the longest time as if in a trance. It took her a bit to shake off those meds.

Hopefully that’s the last big operation Luna will have to deal with but with dogs there are no guarantees. We want to keep her happy and healthy. She is a sweet thing.

September 19, 2021 0

Reality Obscura

We were doing the fantasy planning again. My feeling is it’s somewhat healthy. No tickets have been purchased for anywhere but we look. London and possibly Lisbon in the fall and of course, in this alternate reality, there will be London theatre in full swing. Why not?

Otherwise, Monday’s raindrops ended in a brief interlude of sunshine before giving up to the night. My work from home day is not even much of a memory. It was a tap-dancing blur of coffee-infused purchases of many items of interest to a certain pet hospital. The fiery tapping of computer keyboard keys was in direct competition with the raindrops on the window. It was Gregory Hines and Mikhail Baryshnikov tapping away in that silly movie they did. The coffee was great for focusing my direction away from celluloid flops to chewable Rimadyl.

When I logged off, the rain was also done and I was able to take my own pooch around to the park. She tugged a bit, not liking the fact that the previous weather had kept her from the outside world. She is not a lover of the rain. Luna loves comfort but also a daily adventure. We try to give her a good mix.

In what was a super quiet weekend we took her to South San Francisco to see the giant Music Harp. It was a different place so Luna had plenty to smell. The humans liked it as well. It is a giant metallic harp that, when it’s windy, a music-like sound emanates from it.

Garry has been out west longer than I have but he had never heard of it either. We found it on a website called Atlas Obscura, a good resource for unique little spots in different areas.

Otherwise, we re-engaged with our ongoing battle on Saturday vs the weeds outback, it’s a never-ending battle with few plant casualties as possible.

February 17, 2021 0

Turkey Day Weekend Notes

Enjoyed the sunny weekend even if I don’t physically feel great today. I started the day with a bit of a migraine. I tried walking it off and having an extra cup of coffee. Naturally the extra caffeine helped me to be more awake about my headache. 🙂

We spent Thanksgiving at a friend’s home in San Rafael and the spread was impressive with hands down the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever put in my mouth. It all was good though, the turkey was moist and flavorful, the gravy (for me) sat there untouched because I didn’t want to mess with flavors I had and the string beans were tasty (yes string beans). There were a couple of different pies for dessert and Garry made a pumpkin pie, that I thought was good and creamy but Garry is a harsher critic of his own stuff.

I drove us back in the rain, which is not my favorite. I did get to drive Garry’s Mazda CX3 for the first time. It’s what is called a crossover vehicle; it’s somewhere between and SUV and car. I like the way it handles. The safety features are neat. It let’s you know when you’re getting close to a car, or driving on the white road lines.

It was great to get back home to Luna as she was alone for awhile. She’s having a tough go of it with her best buddy moving out of the neighborhood. She was friendly with the airdale next door. They were play buddies. He has packed his dog toys (with owner) and moved to another neighborhood. Luna has been mopey. Extra treats and love for a special dog

November 26, 2018 0