gwen

This is particular to San Francisco but if you want to talk about your town, I don't mind hearing about it.

I have no time at all because my very oldest internet friend who hasn't been here in ages and ages arrives shortly. You might have five minutes to kill and have some awesome suggestions for where to take her -- any recommendations much appreciated and links if you've got 'em, we are open to up to a two-hour drive.
xo
-g.

What's your favorite place to take out-of-towners?

1. #1 favorite tourist attraction:
2. #1 favorite local hole-in-the-wall:
3. #1 favorite secret:
4. #1 favorite natural wonder:
5. #1 favorite event happening in the next week:
6. #1 favorite impressive/uniquely bay area thing to photograph:
7. #1 favorite ?:

What does your name mean and why did your parents choose it for you? 
Submitted by mommy2two.

I'm not wholly sure this is true, but I think my parents hadn't come up with a name for me when I was born and my mom was so doped up she told dad to just name me something and let her sleep.

This is the true part: I was named after Spiderman's girlfriend [not that hooer MJ] before she died and was repurposed as...I don't even know what, I'm a Superman girl and don't read Spiderman, but I've heard awful things. Apparently she appeared in the latest movie this summer; EW referred to her as a "tart." And she had a kid with Green Goblin or something. I don't know. I don't want to know. I'd like to continue thinking of her as Spiderman's first true love. I believe my father had a crush on her and so that is the name he chose for me.

And that is why I'm a Gwen, just Gwen, not Gwendolyn or Guinevere or any of that nonsense.

D had her first real show, wherein she ROCKED.
We went to Napa for Kevin & Clea's wedding at the country club. Molto fanci!
We went to the gay bar with shrieking college girls.
D went to junior prom with a stupid pig but had a mostly-great time.
We saw the Steely Dan cover band.
Chad entered but did not win the sandcastle contest for the second time. He made a giant Al Gore head.
Tim & Gary moved to San Jose.
I got pneumonia and am still coughing up bits of my lungs two months later.
I quit smoking because I literally couldn't.
Chad and I survived our seventh anniversary.
I grew sunflowers and tomatoes.
D got her driving permit.
My sister visited and we went to my cousin's wedding.
I read Harry Potter, and saw Harry & the Potters.
We saw Chromeo.
We went to Portland for rock camp and to see my sister, and to Seattle.
We went to the wedding of D's friend's mom, who I'd never met before the receiving line.
We went to a Broncos game.
Mr. JT visited twice.
I have photos of all these things and have edited almost none.
I've made about 18 mixes and don't post them.
We have been to Santa Cruz several times.
Also Crab Cove, which is much closer.
It's finally warming up, I think.
And there's also a little fall bite in the air.
Go figure.

Friday, we went to the library and I picked my first tomato and I rode over to Crab Cove for the last summer concert there, it was a Beatles cover band and they rocked it out. Then we met up with Jason and George for what I thought was drinks but turned out to be this ginormous pre-wedding party for some people we don't know at Everett & Jones and there was free sausage mmmmmm. Then we took G & J to Heinold's because you have to go there if you are in Jack London Square in Oakland and are either visiting or have never been. You should read its history and then come visit. Also of interest is one half of Jack London's cabin, which was brought from Alaska, where the other half was left, and sits next to Heinold's. It all adds educational and historical value to your drinking binge, because that's how we do things here in Oakland.

Oh, I forgot the best part about Heinold's which is this ridiculous conversation we were having about evolution and whether we're really losing our little toes or not that somehow turned into having our little toes surgically removed then attached to side of our hand for purely cosmetic reasons, to have a place to put your pinky toe ring and it would be called -- I think it was? -- the bling finger, and Jason's supposed to draw a picture of it. I'm sure you had to be there, but I was laughing so hard I was almost crying.

question: what are the dances of your day?

e: have you seen the aunt jackie dance
g: no
e: http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/72585/can-you-do-the-aunt-jackie
e: it's like the new hipdance
e: I want to learn it!
g: go watch houseparty, it's all the same stuff
e: oooh that's a good movie
g: or bobby brown videos
g: that's so cute
g: oh they're doing the kid n play!

1. The other g. posted this and I've watched it every morning since. It's not YouTube so you will have to click over, which you really should: Ambrosia Dance

2. My cousin Kenny is in Stomp the Yard. My aunt says he's in the second half. He's also one of Toni Braxton's HOT GUY DANCERS. I don't think it's too lucrative, they can't afford shirts.

He's the one with the big hair, if you go see it. You can meet him and his wife Erika, who is also in the show, here:

3. I don't know if I ever posted D & L's Dolly. It's at our old house and makes me sad and cracks me up all at once. I miss our roof. Guest-starring Chad and I think it's hilarious.

And in case you missed The Radioactives' video: "Radioactives" by The Radioactives are killin' it. I am so proud of that girl.

Get your own valentinr

Monthly PSA: There are two Rs this month. Thank you.

Download printable PDF of January-March 2007
Original photo