From here on end it's all downhill

The godmother asked if I wanted to go to the Red Devil Lounge tonight and listen to the singer from Stranglers play.
I was hesitant, mostly because I have reached the age where, even if I stuck to water all night, I would still suffer hangover like symptoms the next morning. But I am also a girl who rarely used to turn down a night out, so I decided to comply.
This afternoon I get a test: Would you hate me if I canceled.
Not at all.
But I still wanted to see her.
Maybe we could just meet for a quick drink? she suggested.
I will be driving, I texted back. So I won't be much fun in a bar.
Coffee?
OK.
Then it starts raining.
Somehow, my PJ's come on.
ANTM is on TV.
I have a really good podcast waiting to play.
I don't really fancy coffee, I'd be up all night.
Do you mind if I stay home tonite? I text her.
Of course not, she replies.

My mother offers me a glass of wine.
- No thanks, I say. I'm going spinning tomorrow morning.

I am so rock'n roll.
At least I still have the memory of what once was.
That was a looong time ago.

Will it be missed?

The short time we lived in South London, we spent the best part of our weekends driving north of the river to hang out with friends, and we drove past this estate every time.

I have to admit that I would not be sad to see it go.

I do, and I can

San Francisco is a city of do-gooders.
The other day I was biking with Holly in the park, struggling uphill to get towards the end, when another cyclist, kitted out in the latest gear, went passed.
- You really shouldn't let your her bike like that he said as he passed us. She should wear bright colors. It makes it easier for others to spot you.

OK. So he had some kind of point. I admit that. It's just that sometimes you wonder if it'd be better to just keep it to yourself.

The fact that I wasn't wearing a helmet seemed to escape him completely...

My own dilemma

On the other hand - I do curse the doubledecker tourbus on Hayes and Steiner that I get stuck behind every day during the school run. It stops right on the cusp of the hill, making it impossible for anyone to pass, and then they linger for ever while tourists shoot home-videos of the Painted Ladies.
I never get the video-thing when the object isn't moving.
Take a picture and move on instead.

This is me

Richard is going to Europe for a few days, and I send him the usual shopping list:
Neurofen for the kids
DVD's (this time the second series of The Thick of It)
Magazines: Grazia, Heat, and a Hello or OK.

- How do I know which one to get?
- Whatever cover is the juiciest.
His face is non-plussed.
- OK. I favor Reality over Royalty.

That's it.
I've had an epiphany. It's my life, summed up in one simple sentence.
This is me:
I favor reality over royalty.

I should put it on my Facebook page.

Dilemma

Residents of San Francisco are complaining that the speaker systems on the red double-decker tour buses are too loud. They want them gone.
My advice would be:
If noise is troubling you - move to the countryside.
A big city - even a small big city like SF - will never be quiet.

King Tut

It's been on since May, and I managed to avoid it until the very bitter end - King Tut at the De Young is closing this week, and that's when I decide to cave in.
Honestly, if you're thinking of going this weekend, please don't. It is such an over-rated exhibition. Lucky I brought my book.
I raced through most of it, and sat down to read outside the gift shop while my mother was lingering.

Iheartthebigcity - it's a fact

All the stuff you need to do, and all the stuff you want to do.
Visiting NY definitely planted a seed in me.
Of big city life and anonymity and rain and humidity and noise that never stops. Buildings that talk. Rude people and friendly people.
Who knows.
Maybe one day.

West Village, NYC - Sunday

Lou Reed and Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Jonson are having Sunday brunch together a few tables away from me. I feel very star struck. That alone is reason enough to fall in love with New York.

I am going to NY for a few days to soak up the east coast weather for a bit, but I'll be back next week!

Have a good weekend everyone!

School's out

Today, in between Parent-Teach conference, grocery shopping and prep for my imminent trip to New York, I succumbed to the force of the all-American mother and let my daughter have a manicure. It was either that or let her slowly die of boredom.
Bright red nails with extra glitter on top.
She was so incredibly excited that for a few seconds I forgot that I hate it when grown ups prematurely kick their children in to adolescence by encouraging them to do grown up things, and instead I just sat back and enjoyed spending these 30 minutes with my gorgeous daughter.

I'll be all feminist and angry another day. Today was a day to do a girlie thing.

It seems that I am the person you send your youtube clips to this week.
This one's from my hubby, reminding me that we miss English humor.

This sounds like it should be part of the soundtrack to the Swedish teen movie "G", from 1982, but that's not the only reason why this is good. Another lovely rec from my brother!

Thre is always a first time.

Although I am trying my very hardest to be good (Richard can vouch for this) ti is hard to keep the sarcasms to your self when go to Kiehl's with your used bottles and the sales assistant want to sign you up for the recycling program with a:
- So is this your first time at Kiehl's?

Evidently not, since I am bringing you used containers - but I keep it to myself, smile and just nod.

Tuesday lunch time

"Useless" from the classic K&D Sessions starts playing and every head in the cafe starts to rhythmically bopping up and down. It's kind of a collective digging although no one is taking their eyes from their lap top screen, even for a second. Except for me, 'cos I am watching it all, smiling.
It's so very SF.

On the wagon

I haven't had a drink for three weeks.
Sounds like I am talking at an AA meeting. Hello, my name is Cecilia. I am three weeks sober.
Hello, Cecilia.
With all the infections, viruses and antibiotics, I just had an urge to detox for a bit.
Tonight, Richard is cooking ribs, corn on the cob, and king prawns as starter. Do I want a glass of Sauvignon Blanc? Kind of. But not enough to break this sober streak. I kind of like it.
It adds gloss to my skin.
Maybe I just keep going, see where it takes me.
After all, I have nothing else to do.

Five star luxury,

you know you're in for a real treat if you're looking for a hotel in the tenderloin and it not only promises HBO cable but also clean rooms!
Fantastic!

Everything is noise

I was trying to get a moment to myself with a coffee and Facebook today when I realized that I am constantly surrounded by noise. That shouldn't come a s big surprise to anyone living in a city, but even when there was no traffic outside my window, the rabbit had stopped digging and the neighbour finished unloading his dishwasher there was still the incessant hum from the fridge, which seems to get more persistent by the day.
I am so used to all the noise around me I have forgotten what silence sounds like.
Please, tell me about a place where silence lives, and I will visit immediately.

A light bulb moment

We have finally found the perfect solution for a more stress-free life:
Richard should only work until noon, 5 days a week. If he does that, we will have time to do everything else that needs doing, without being completely exhausted and filing for divorce by the end of the day.
We would have time to get the car serviced, do the taxes (both US and UK), fix the broken book shelf and by new hoover bags. We would also be able to do school runs and activity runs, go to playgroup and do the food shopping, fit in a spot of cleaning and still have time to be nice to the kids.
No where could we find a job that would pay full time in exchange for three hours work per day....?

It's all in the details

It is slightly disappointing when you're ordering what you think is a cheddar cheese bagel with avocado and lettuce and end up with what mostly looks like a grilled cheese with a sad strawberry on the side.
At least the latte was good.