holidaze

it's wednesday.
i'm having a cup of tea.
the train whistle is blowing in the background
the music hums.
it is almost Christmas -
the unwrapping of gifts, the red glow of the tree decorations,
bottle after bottle of wine, my mother's laugh,
a puzzle covering the dining table for days,
warm blankets,
snow.

The Importance of a Friend

...and then he asked her the question no one knows how to answer. "Well then, what would be the perfect job for you?" And so, later, over a glass (or two) of amazing wine at Kir, we discussed it. What would it look like, feel like? How would it be to go to work every day knowing that you were making a difference? Contributing a part of yourself to the world? Do something you believe in? Something you could do that would allow you to answer the question 'what do you do' with pride...all this and still be able to pay your bills and maybe buy that skirt hanging in the window.

And from that topic, we, half buzzed and now fluid, moved along the line of questions that haunt the average twenty-something. What am I doing here (in this town, in this world, with this man, in this skin?) And after answering them the best we could, and playing the Devil's advocate on each others scenarios or declarations, we paid the bill, hugged that long lovely hug that means so much more than just a squeeze, that means I get you, I know how you feel when you are in a room full of people and still feel alone, or when you look up at the stars and feel minute, or gaze across the room at a stranger and wonder if their heart feels empty too. That hug meant thank you. It meant connection. It meant I'm so lucky to have you in my life.

Vacation

The word vacation comes from the Latin word vacare which means to be empty and stems from an Indo-European root eu which means to leave or abandon. Not only are we leaving or abandoning the office, but we are mentally moving out of that head space.

I had no idea I needed a vacation so badly, but now (after being refreshed) I can look back and see all of the reasons why a break was so necessary. The economy is shit, everyone is broke, work is stressful, it has been raining since October and two days off per week just doesn't cut it.

So, I went home "sick" on Thursday afternoon and was ever so "sick" on Friday as we flew to San Francisco. We walked all over the city, seeing Museums, strolling through parks, and basking in the sun. That's right, it was sunny and warm the entire weekend.

We drove up to Napa on Saturday and it was even more glorious there. Warmer and less breezy. We took a picnic and after our first tasting, bought a bottle and drank it on the perfectly manicured lawn, paired with a variety of cheeses and fruits. The dog cooled his belly on the shaded grass. We then toured the beautiful valley, admired the rolling, vine-covered hills, and made a final stop at Mumm, famous for their sparkling wines. A little bubbly to finish off the warm day filled my angsty soul with calm. And the best part? It was only Saturday.

Sunday morning greeted us with yet another sunny, breezy day. We could smell the ocean everywhere we went. We had a nice breakfast in a coffee shop in the Mission before calling our mothers on their day, not daring to tell them we were going to eat ice cream, piled two huge scoops high on top of sugar cones, for lunch and then headed out to explore the Sutro bath ruins and hike along the trails overlooking the bay.

This week, despite how busy I have been, I am completely refreshed, genuinely happier, and ready to take the world on. We should most definitely be given more vacation days throughout the year. We would all be easier to get along with!

Some photos:



Renzo Piano's California Academy of Science



Herzog & de Meuron's de Young Museum



James Turrell's "Three Gems" skyspace installation



Napa Valley



Merryvale Winery



Mumm's Winery



Mitchell's for lunch!



Sutro Bath Ruins



Tunnel at Sutro Baths



No comment necessary

Not in Spain, but I can drink wine too!

My dear friend is in Spain, waking to fresh bread and coffee, ending the day with Tempranillo and Cava. Jealous much? Uh huh. But, instead of wallowing in it, I have decided to go to San Francisco to visit a friend in a couple weeks, take a day trip to Napa and Sonoma and get my own wine on.

I started my interest in wine when I was in college, but by interest I mean gallon glass bottles of Carlo Rossi with friends on weeknights or Yellow Tail drunk heavily during a Sex in the City marathon with my girls, half laughing, half crying. It fit the budget.

Of course, I knew what good wine tasted like. I have two older sisters and our family gatherings always had several bottles of carefully picked vino, paired to perfection with the delectable entrees that were planned out nights in advance. Our family loves to eat and drink, the only things we splurge on, even though most of us are constantly broke.

After college, I moved to New York, where I found my fair share of wine bars, wine shops, wine enthusiasts, and I quickly became one myself. I started shopping at a little place called Wine Therapy on Elizabeth Street. They had terrific $20 wines. I always accepted their recommendations, especially when asked first what I was having for dinner. They logged my name in the computer so they could track all my purchases, which was helpful when I couldn't remember name of the white wine, you know, the one with strong grapefruit, but not too sweet.

For my Spanish wine cravings, I frequented a tapas restaurant in the East Village called Xunta. Lucky for me, they also had amazing tapas, bacon wrapped dates (or, devils on horseback) being the most memorable, and futbol on TV.

And then....

We moved to Portland. The Willamette Valley. Pinot Country! And my love affair began. My knowledge of Oregon wines is mediocre, at best. I can't afford enough, or drink fast enough to know them all. New varietals come out so quickly, as well as new labels popping up all over. But that doesn't stop me from trying. I became a guild member at the small, but amazing Willamette Valley Vineyards and get specials shipped to me. I try everything recommended to me by friends. I started a wine diary, but forget to keep up with it. I am not hardcore. Maybe I just like to drink it.

So, we have this trip planned. Napa and Sonoma. Just a day trip. Maybe Napa or Sonoma. How many wineries can one really hit in one day? And in that case, we must make some very important decisions. Get out the wine magazines. Where should we go? Suggestions?

And here's to friends and sunshine

It's amazing what an evening of friend's advice, Cava bubbly, and chocolate creme puffs can do for the depressed spirit. And not to mention two warm and sunny days in a row.

I highly recommend it.

Thanks ladies and vitamin D!