jack-o-lanterns

Last weekend, the parents came, saw, and conquered san francisco - they even managed to navigate the public transportation system, which is perhaps the most impressive feat of all. The weather turned out remarkably well, and Mom complained that it was too hot for her wardrobe. It's also great to see that I didn't cash in all the good weather chips yet: it's forecasted to be sunny and 68 degrees on Sunday for the race, which is just about perfect.

But back to the visit - Thursday night, we went to The Nook (my favorite) and enjoyed happy hour and hot sandwiches. Friday, Mom and Dad came and met me at work for lunch, and I think they were totally and thoroughly impressed by the whole thing. I had a disastrous commute trying to meet them, which made things a little more rushed than I would have liked, but the cafe was great as usual, and we got to sit outside in the sunshine. Tim joined us after work for dinner at Zare at Fly Trap ((website), where I had to-die-for duck legs, Tim got gorgonzola steak, and Mom and Dad both had lamb. Our appetizer was certainly noteworthy: spiced bone marrow, served with bergamot jelly and black sea salt (!!!). It was actually quite tasty, but I think the bergamot jelly was my favorite part.

Saturday, we met up in the morning to head over to the farmer's market. California didn't disappoint - there was just as much sustainable, local, organic, natural, overpriced produce as always! We sampled some great fruits and veggies, almond brittle, and cheese, and ate lunch at Taylor's.



Then we headed down to the Peninsula for Reunion Homecoming. I was supposed to meet up with a Tridelt contingency to raid the house, but only about 3 people showed up, one of whom was already belligerently drunk (4pm). We headed over to the Tridelt/Kappa Sig Tailgate, but I hardly recognized anyone - all sophomores that I didn't really know, or met once during rush. Met up with the parents and the Boles again for dinner, though, and then headed over to the Young Alumni tailgate, which was much more fun - mostly consisted of grads in the bay area, but I can't blame people in foreign countries for not coming home for their *first* reunion homecoming (cough BRIA cough SARA).

The football game, though, was actually the best part: Dad managed to befriend an elderly gentleman who had a few extra tickets he was more than happy to give away... in the SKYBOX! We were on the 50 yard line, next to the coaches' box. Gene Washington came up and visited during half time, and the best part was that Stanford won the game :)

Sunday, we walked down to Japantown for the morning, and I bought some gorgeous Japanese prints to hang in my room (see photo). Mom and I toodled off and went shopping - got ALL my christmas shopping done for the kiddos, and mom got me a lovely motorcycle jacket from Martin and Osa that I've already worn several times. It's super warm and super stylin'.



After shopping, we met up with the Boles again to check out the new Richard Avedon exhibit at the SFMoMA (great exhibit!) then to Yu-Zen for yet another fabulous sushi dinner. I got my parents to try eel, and while it wasn't their favorite, I was proud.



Work has been hectic this week - final project is off and rolling, and we're right in the middle of line adoption. Something I thought I'd never say: I'm sick of colors. I had a dream about coloring shirts, and that was enough of a sign for me (sonya begonia? or hot flash? or shot of love? or electric cantelope?!). Last night, though, Alison and I went to a pumpkin carving party, and had a really great time - met a lot of new people, mostly older Stanford grads. Can you spot my pumpkin?



(second row, very left. I'm a very traditional jack-o-lantern kind of girl.)

This year, I may make pumpkin pie from SCRATCH. Oh the adventure!

Alison and I also went to the laundromat today after work to wash all our sheets and towels. We felt SO productive. Tomorrow's adventure will be buying a microwave...

Reading: Ender's Game. A young adult book, but very enjoyable! (Sara's friend Bruce recommended it to me saying, "You've never read Ender's Game?? I'm so jealous you have yet to have that experience!" - A ringing endorsement if I've ever heard one)

pique polos

It's only 9:30 and I'm yawning already. Today was a tense day - the culmination of a two-day "class" called Key Item Selection, which is sort of like a condensed trial run of our final project for this rotation. Our task was to assort a line for the key item Gap men's polo for Summer 2010. In small groups, we were given historical data with sales on certain colors and fabrications, and an overall directive from the design team about "trends", but other than that the project was pretty limitless. The good part is that there's no wrong answer; the bad part is that there's no right answer either. Everything you do has to be thought out, make sense, and look good together. You have to take risks, but not go crazy - move the brand forward, but pay attention to historical data. Of course, it gets interesting when the data doesn't give you a straight answer... For example, were stripes successful? Well, some were, some weren't. So are they going to do better this year? Who knows???

Then we had to present out on our assortments, which is always (not) fun. It went really well, though, and I learned a ton, so it was an overall positive experience.

The scary thing is that I'll be doing this for real - assorting a whole line - for the ONOL Women's Plus team in Woven Tops and Sweaters for next summer. How crazy and exciting is that? Also a little stressful, but I'm confident it'll go well.

Mom and Dad are coming in town this weekend :) :) :)
We're going out to eat at Absinthe on Friday night with Tim - ooh la la! Mom said she wanted to go to the place that had the "best French onion soup ever" (see earlier blog post, or check out the menu here), and I'm happy to oblige.

Saturday, we're going to Reunion Homecoming, and Sunday, we're "toodling". Not sure what toodling will entail quite yet, but I know it'll be fun. Perhaps some shopping? Perhaps the farmer's market? Or maybe even the SF MoMA? We'll see hat we're in the mood for.

Pattie, thank you so much for the MUNI Lost and Found website! I filed the lost items form, so hopefully the umbrella will turn up.

Ah, and how could I not mention last weekend's music festival? It was super fun - great music, great company! The weather was MUCH better on Saturday than Sunday, but I think the music was better on Sunday, so it evened out. A couple pictures and music links:

My view of the stage during Grizzly Bear's set - one of my favorites of the festival!



How classically San Francisco is this? All compost, no trash. Love it.



Musical favorites:
- You probably know I was obsessed with this song last Spring - it was particularly amazing live. Listen here: Grizzly Bear, Two Weeks
- Beirut was really great - mellow, but a very unique and beautiful sound. Beirut, Nantes
- Surprise hit on Saturday was Dan Deacon, an electronic music artist I had never heard of, but who had amazing energy. Check out this video - it's sort of ridiculous, but really fun: Dan Deacon's myspace

I finished Girl with a Dragon Tattoo - it was AMAZING. On to new adventures!

battlefield

I left my umbrella on the bus this morning - the big, green umbrella that Aunt Pattie got me a year ago - and I was so mad that I swore out loud up and down the street after the bus drove away and I realized my mistake. I would think about trying to find it at the Muni Lost and Found, but I can't say I have high hopes...

On the brighter side, it didn't rain today after I lost my umbrella. That would have been a real bummer. I also had a great weekend:
- Finished Anna Karenina. Finally!
- Went to Palo Alto to stay with Becca and go on a long run on Sunday morning. We went to the farmer's market and Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels (lox, yum) after the run, and it's so great to see her on a regular basis now that we have the running excuse.
- BOUGHT A ROAD BIKE!!! I already told my parents - they weren't too pleased, but I really think it's going to be a great investment and I PROMISE not to get squashed. I look forward to going on long bike rides on the weekends (to Marin? Sausalito? elsewhere?) and maybe someday biking to work when I feel more comfortable. I actually biked to work on Monday and it was one of the more terrifying experiences of my life - not because of the traffic, but because of the steep down hill! I had to get off and walk... not my proudest moment.

My bike is a really nice used bike, 1993-ish, made by a bike company called Marin back in the days when their bikes were made in the US. Steel composite frame, woman-specific seat, with shifters on the handlebars. It's honestly too nice of a bike for me right now, but one I'm hoping I can grow into - and if all else fails, I think I could sell it right now for a profit.

This week has felt really weird - I can't believe it's already Wednesday. Work has been super busy, and apparently next week is when things get REALLY crazy with line adoption (when we align on the designs we're going to invest in for next summer). I'm still really enjoying work, though, so no complaints.

On a work related note, check out my most recent project! When I was shopping the competition, I noticed that Macy's has a "Customer Top-Rated" subcategory in their plus site, and thought that our site should do something similar. So, I picked out a bunch of styles that are rated 4 stars and above, and worked with our site coordinator to get it all set up. And here it is!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=49471

It's the little things.

Let's see - what have I made lately that's been good? I've been eating a great pasta salad all week - cooked a box of basic rotini pasta, steamed asparagus, and chopped up some heirloom tomatoes I got from the farmer's market, added balsamic, EVOO, and lemon juice, and served over mixed greens with feta cheese on top. Easy! Delish!

This chicken recipe is also to-die-for, and SO easy: Chicken Thighs with Creole-Orange Mustard Sauce. I substituted chicken breast for chicken thigh because that's what i had on hand, but this sauce is so zesty and tasty. Reminds me a little bit of Chicken Diable (see Mom's cookbook).

Reading: Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, already 200 pages in. It's awesome.
Listening: sound of the dishwasher. But Jordin Sparks' "Battlefield" is stuck in my head...

plummy mummy

You know, for someone who "has no friends in San Francisco," I've been astoundingly busy hanging out with good people. I got a pedicure with two RMP girls that live in my neighborhood and had a lovely time getting to know them better. Molly - new roommate! - moved in on Sunday and I'm already loving having her around. Alison also comes back sometime today, so that should be great.

We're starting interviews for the final open room! Hopefully we find someone cool who likes us too. We got a ton of responses to our Craigslist post, so I'm totally confident that we'll be *able* to fill the room - keeping fingers crossed.

I woke up realllly early this morning to go to the gym - it was actually sort of neat to see Polk street with next to no one around, totally dead. Of course, the gym at 6:45 was busier than I'd ever seen it, but I have to admit that it felt great to get it over and done with before I'd really gotten the chance to wake up and think better of it. Plus, the gym was playing Casino Royale, and Daniel Craig is a sight for sleepy eyes.

Well, I bet you want to see pictures of the new room, don't you? Keep in mind that it's a work in progress. I also didn't take a picture of the view - the best part! - because it's too dark to see anything anyway.






... Can't you just see the perfect spot for a kitty litterbox next to the toilet??

Culinary adventures: last night made "green curry" with tofu - wasn't very good, wasn't enough curry, but tonight I totally redeemed myself with tricked-out quesadillas. Totally hit the spot!

Finally, for posterity, these are the cupcakes that I made for the dessert potluck (which were still being raved about two days later!!)




Title explanation: Plummy Mummy is the name of a color that Old Navy uses. Mom - I think that if the OPI Nailpolish Naming Job doesn't pan out, you should go to Gap Inc Color Services instead.

Anna: p. 720!
Music: Strangers, Van She

love evolution

Sunday always creeps up on me! It's funny how when a weekend is action-packed, it goes by so quickly - and yet, wen i think back to Saturday morning, it seems like 30 years ago.

So what did I do this weekend...

Friday: went competitor shopping all afternoon (read: went shopping for myself, but managed not to buy anything!) and then went to Shanghai Dumpling King with Tim and Dave. SDK is a dim sum-ish place, very authentic, in the Outer Richmond that Dave frequents on a weekly basis. I've been twice, and can't say I'm crazy about it. I left feeling rather gross. It is cheap, though, and pretty tasty.

Saturday: got an early start with kickboxing class in the morning, then headed over to Tim and Dave's for their pre-Lovefest party. The event was quite a success, with the perfect critical mass of people in attendance, good brunch punch, and delicious snacks.

Back story on Lovefest (actually technically LovEvolution, but everyone calls it Lovefest): it's an annual parade/dance party in the civic center in downtown San Francisco. Various clubs and dj's make floats blasting techno music, and Lovefest party-goers dress up in their wackiest, sparkliest gear to dance to their heart's content in the sunshine. I went last year and had a ball. Lots of great people-watching and fun music to dance to. Tim even found a pair of brand new Ray-Ban sunglasses that he's worn obsessively since then. Needless to say, the bench was high for this year's fiesta.

Unfortunately, though, we headed over to this year's Lovefest around 2, and it turned out to be highly disappointing. They charged $10 for admission this year (it was free last year) and it was somehow WAY more crowded. We lost the people we came with, I ended up spending a full half hour in line for the port-o-pots (always an adventure... I managed to pee without touching ANYTHING, which I was very proud of) and left when we got cold. (photos stolen from SF Weekly)





(and don't worry, I was very much fully clothed for the occasion, unlike these girls who probably froze)


Finally, today: Tim and I moved out of my room and into the master bedroom in about 1.5 hours flat - it was an express operation. My back is already sore, even though I tried my hardest to lift with my legs, but the result is TOTALLY worth it. I've got the most stunning view of the Golden Gate bridge, my own bathroom, a walk-in closet, AND a perfect spot to put a litter box in the bathroom if/when I get a cat. We're doing interviews this week to fill the final open spot in our apartment, and I have high hopes. I can't wait to get a fresh start on this new life!

Tim and I made awesome dinner tonight: pesto and tomato sauce pizza on (prebaked) cornmeal crust. Best part? Leftovers. Worst part? Tim's leaving for Seattle on Tuesday (thru Thursday), and this is to be expected for the next 10 weeks or so. Barf on consulting.

Thinking of my parents tonight with all four kids... hope they're surviving :)

Music: Gimme Sympathy, Metric
Reading: Anna. 670. It's going to be finished this week... or else!