I have the best beau ever. While I was away in Mexico, he got me a birthday present and installed it and everything. It's the most white trash thing I've ever wanted in my life, and I've wanted one for years and years. Yes, he got me a clapper! It's connected to my lamp and to my christmas lights. It's all so very exciting; I can turn off my stereo, and my lights, all without getting out of bed. Best Present Ever.

So much has happened! Dinner at Blue was yummy. The Dresden Dolls were interesting, and quite entertaining. Not only did Mikef show up at the show, as planned, but Ian and Eazel Dan came as well. In addition, my old old roommate from about 3 or 4 years ago, Val, was there. She spotted me in line, and for a second I didn't even recognize her, since the last time I saw her she had long blond hair and liked to dress up to swing dance. Now she has died red hair, all tangled up like the hip kids have, and she was wearing a red and black leather corset. Crazy! As if that weren't enough, I also saw Justin, who ended up not getting into the show, and then when the show was over, and I turned around, Michael Turner was standing behind me. I've never seen so many people I knew at a show that I didn't actually bring with me!

On Sunday I went down to Rosarito, BC, Mexico, for Kristen's wedding. I met Kenneth and Taska at the San Diego airport, and we all drove into Mexico together. It was a damn good thing that Kenneth was driving, because when we missed our turn onto 1, I was freaking out, but Kenneth was calm and collected, and we found our way to 1 and to Rosarito in the end.

The hotel that we stayed at was weird. It was a crazy mix of nice and skanky. It's basically built into the side of a cliff. It was originally a Mission, and now is a bunch of stuff. The bar area was a great maze of little patios all connected by stairs. I never even saw half of them. Our rooms were awful, but then the bridal suite was georgous. They had a cute coffee bar, and several chappels overlooking the ocean. Then there was the 70's fake rock hot tub that was in disrepair, half filled with water and sludge, which had a great view of the ocean, and the pathetic pool, which was in similar shape but sans view. The first night there I had what I called "shrimp of death." They were shrimp filled with crab meat and cheese, wrapped in bacon; instant heart attack, but so yummy. I regret not getting any flan.

Photos of the wedding and such are here.

Tonight we're going to have dinner at Blue and then see the Dresden Dolls. This should be fun, and hopefully I'll be more awake by then. I'm also excited because my house is being cleaned this afternoon, after a short haitus. A clean house always puts me in a good mood.

Sunday I'm flying to San Diego and driving down to Rosarito with Taska and Kenneth for Kristin's wedding. Earlier in the week I had "driving in Mexico" anxiety, even though Kenneth is doing the actual driving. (And he speaks Spanish to boot!) So, I went down to AAA and got a map of Baja California, and Kenneth gave me a strict order to not worry, so I'm not going to worry anymore. I hope that the short trip will be enjoyable, and that I won't have too bad of a hangover.

Yesterday was the Bernal Heights hill wide garage sale. For the first time since I've lived here, I actually had a garage sale. We got rid of a decent amount of stuff. Almost all of Mike's stuff sold, and a good number of my books did too. We collected enough cash to have a few not-shabby dinners out. Yay. Now I have to either sell the rest of my books to used book stores, or donate them somewhere. I put the boxes by the front door, so that they'll annoy me enough to get rid of them within the week.

It looks like good music season is upon us. I have procured tickets to see the Dresden Dolls, American Music Club, and Gillian Welch.

My friend Ali, who I visited on my trip east, finally gave birth to her son. He came on August 4th, which is my birthday. I know so many people who have the same birthday as me, which tickles me to no end. Anyway, welcome to the world Noah! Hopefully Noah will be nicer to his mom than I was to mine.

I've been doing pilates for almost two years now, and I'm still suprised by how much missing a week affects me. The only time I usually miss a class is when I go to Rancho La Puerta, and that doesn't matter because I generally will do a pilates class every day there. With this past vacation, I had to skip a week, and I didn't get to make up that class yet, so I'm super out of practice. I also, for various reasons, missed 3 weeks of yoga class, so my class yesterday kicked my ass. I guess I have some catching up to do. I'm sure I'll feel better in a week.

I've been spring cleaning for the past month or so. Next Saturday my neighborhood has a hill wide garage sale. I've just gone through all of my books and decided to reduce what I have by a hundred or so, for the first time in a very long time. Hopefully I can get rid of them at the garage sale, otherwise I can try to sell the to the used bookstore across the street, or donate them to the library.

Okay, so, there were a few good things about Buffalo and Toronto. One of them was the candy bars and other assorted junk food items that are unavailable in this city. I ate a melted Coffee Crisp on the way back to Buffalo from Christa's house in Canada, and it's the best candy bar I've had in my entire life. Apparently I'm not the only person who thinks highly of the Coffee Crisp. I wish I'd know about the sighting in the Eazy Freezy last Friday when I was in West Portal for a doctor's appointment. Now I'll have to make a special trip to look for them.

Today was my birthday observed (and Mikef's birthday observed, and Rae's actual birthday.) We had a party over at Wild Side West. Folks came over and we bbq'd. It was fun and mellow, a very low key party. The cake from Liberty Cafe was delicious, and was gone in about 10 minutes. Had I known so many people would show up, I would've gotten 2 cakes! I took pictures, but have to wait until my roommate's computer is up to post them. All in all, this was the easiest birthday party that I've planned in the past several years, and I'm really happy about it.

I'm still recovering from our trip to the east coast. I've been wide awake at 7:30 am, and super tired by 11:00 pm. It's also a shock to be back at work where I have to constantly think and act and organize and juggle things. Vacation can be nice when all you have to think about is where you're going next, and who you're going to visit. Meeting Mike's family and friends was good, and it would be great to see them all again, however, I hope they'll all consider taking a trip out here, since I find traveling so difficult.

Having a 27 hour birthday is overrated, especially since 12 of those hours were spent traveling. I seemed to have misplaced July, and August came around so quickly. Photos from the Buffalo, Gt. Barrington, Toronto trip are here. Mike's photos are here. I'm glad he got a picture of Chi, as I was being lazy at Simon's Rock.