Platelet Donation

Monthly Platelet Donation. I was just informed by the staff that they believe I have the highest platelet count of any of their donors in San Francisco. 😳 Not that this is something to be competitive about (there's nothing that can be done to intentionally increase one's platelet count), but Wow! My most recent platelet count is 541, but it has been recorded as high as 678 (almost 4 years ago in the Seattle area when I was actually turned away because it was too high). Average normal-high is 250-350.

What does this mean when I donate? I can donate two units of platelets in less than half the time that it would normally take a donor to donate one unit. (Today's donation will take 50 minutes.) Win-Win!

 

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Mykail

Just had the best 6.5 hours hanging out with Mykail. It has been years since we've had a chance to spend so much quality time together. I've missed him so much, and my heart is very happy. Best part: I get to see him again tomorrow before I head back to SF. 

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Magnolia Cafe

I had a great morning in Austin. I walked almost 2 miles to Magnolia Cafe, which four people told me I had to go to over the last week! It was packed so I sat at the counter. Eventually a man sat next to me and we struck up a conversation. He's the owner of the restaurant (40 years!). He had the server give me a small dish of their famous queso to have with my omelette, and also offered me a free T-shirt! So sweet! BTW: their gingerbread pancakes are amazing!

The Amazing Acro-Cats!!

I've known of this show for a few years. They were in SF a few years ago, but I was living in Bellevue at the time. Imagine my delight when I saw they were playing here in Austin tonight, tomorrow and Thursday, and less than one block from my hotel!

The Amazing Acro-Cats

I'm visiting Austin (for the first time!) where the motto is "Keep Austin Weird". I'm doing my part by seeing The Amazing Acro-Cats! (I've known about this show for a few years when they were in SF but I was living in Seattle). Oddly excited!! ❤️😻

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Texas State Capital

I toured the Texas State Capital today. I am certainly my Father's Daughter. I even took the free guided tour!

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Rainbows

Puppy Bowl Party!

Puppy Bowl

Here's Wallace's Puppy Bowl Trading Card.

Beautiful hike to Kirby Cove

Haircut!!

Wallace had a spa day. We waited eleven weeks this time, instead of the normal ten, so he was extra shaggy!

Produce!

Admittedly, this seems like a ridiculous amount of fresh produce (and dairy) for two people. We'll go through it all within a week and a half or so. (I'm also making a kale salad for a potluck this weekend, so that's half of the kale)

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Dinner Party at David and Miguel’s

Thanks to David and Miguel for having us over for dinner tonight! David made the most amazing lasagna, and I brought a Koffee Kruch Kake from Japantown.

Wallace and I both enjoyed our evening with them very much!

Inaugural San Francisco Doodles Board meeting!

Nice day for a hike

I took Wallace for a little hike up Bernal Heights Hill today. The rain is supposed to start again tomorrow, so it was nice to be outside. I love SF in the Winter when everything is so green!

20 Years with Jason

Last night, Jason and had a very special evening out to celebrate our 20th Friendiversary! We met on December 4, 1998 (later that evening, I would have my first date-date with Dick!) Jason and I worked together at Camp SARK (I did the website and Jason was the production manager.) for just a few months before he moved to San Diego (and later to Chicago, and now Los Angeles).

We became fast friends, especially given that we only lived in the same city for a few short months before he moved away.

I often jokingly refer to Jason as my Gay Husband, since I met him the same day that I had my first date (not the blind date) with Dick. Over the last twenty years, we have managed to see each other at least once a year or more, and have shared so many adventures together, whether it be in San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Seattle, and even in Puerto Vallarta! 

Jason started planning our special Anniversary celebration months ago, and flew from Los Angeles to SF this weekend just for the occasion. What a guy!!

We had a amazing 15-course, 3-hour meal together at Lazy Bear in SF last night to celebrate. We sat next to other couples who were celebrating milestone birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and it was fun and special to be able to tell them that we were celebrating 20 amazing years of friendship. ❤️

Beach Paintings

Dick and I went on vacation with his family to the Outer Banks in North Carolina with his family last Summer. While we were there, I took many photo (imagine that) of family scenes on the beach. I took a few that I thought would make really nice painting compositions, and put it in the back of my head that maybe I could paint them as Christmas gifts for our family.

I'm happy to say that I actually painted them! I sent them out as Christmas gifts, and they all just received and opened them. (Meg was out of the country on vacation, and just returned home earlier this week.)

I intentionally wanted to make smaller, studies of these photos. I have found in the last couple of years that I really like doing studies on smaller canvases. They are significantly less intimidating to me, and I feel much more loose and free in my style.

I did three paintings in total. They range in sizes 9 x 12 inches to 8 x 8 inches.

I'm super happy with how all three turned out. So much so, that I'm going to try at least one at a larger size, while attempting to keep the style the same. (looser brushstrokes, less detail, but keeping the sense of motion.) Also, I'm realizing more and more that I really enjoy painting beach scenes. :)

They paintings were given to Dick's two sisters and their families, and to our oldest niece and her husband.


"Family at the Beach"
9 x 12 inches
oil on canvas


"Meg and the Kite"
8 x 10 inches
oil on canvas


"Adrianne & Ricky"
8 x 8 inches
oil on canvas

All you need is Love...

Wallace goes to Work

Wallace went to Dick's office to hang out for a bit and help out.

New Years Day Dinner

We had our traditional New Years Day dinner, with a twist! We usually have Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork, but changed it up with pork chops with fresh black eye peas and Collard Greens. Delicious way to start a new year.