Yesterday it was summer and suddenly today autumn is here. It was overcast and rainy, and the sun seemed to set much earlier than it did last week.

So much has happened this month. Mike and I went to Masa's for his birthday, and it was the yummiest meal I've had in years. Then, the weekend after, we went to Zuni and then to Bimbo's to see Jolie Holland. She was so great, but I was tired, because I'd been in class all day. That's the other thing, I'm taking a project management class which is all day on Saturdays. This means I feel like I have no weekend. Also, I do project work all day at the office, then I come home and have to do more for homework! At least the class will be over in a month.

It's everyone's birthday today. So, happy birthday to you all!

My dentist took out an old filling with a laser today. It was strange; the procedure required no novicaine, and involved lots of water. The entire filling was removed, and a new filling put in in less than 15 minutes. I was impressed.

Tomorrow I'm taking my beau to Masa's for his birthday dinner. I'm excited to eat there again. Mmmmmmm. There are alot of birthdays these days. My sister's is coming up soon, and I need to order a cake for her party. Before I do that, however, she must decide what kind of cake she desires.

Whew, busy weekend. Yesterday we all met at Robb & Kellee's flat in the Haight and hung out for a bit. We decided to put off the park since it was the Sunday of a holiday weekend, and we dithered too long to get boats at Stow Lake. Instead, we went out to the Sutro Baths / Land's End area and went on a little walk on the cliff above the coast. From there we went to Diane's house to barbeque some dinner. Alice made yummy creme brulee for dessert, and she also made brownies for dessert. Diane had bought a bunch of ice cream, so we ended up having lots of desserts. No one complained. We played several rounds of Apples to Apples, and then called it a night. Photos from Mike's camera here.

Today we met up at the boathouse in the park to rent row boats and paddle boats. We hung out on the lake watching turtles and chatting, enjoying the sun, and enjoying what shade we could find more. Then we walked down to the Conservatory of Flowers to see the daliahs, at Mo's request. That was followed by a walk to the Inner Sunset to find lunch, and then a walk back to our cars by the boat house. It was alot of walking, not because we walked really far, but because it was so damn hot out. I'm not a fan of this hot, hot weather. I'd like the fog to roll in soon. It's about 81 degrees in my apartment, which is 10 degrees too hot for me. Thankfully it's not humid.

I've finally started a campaign to save my 2 year old banana plant which is being eaten by tiny little bugs. Hopefully I'll be successful.

Happy birthday to Jonathan. As I woke up this morning, I heard all of the ladies at Liberty bakery singing "Happy Birthday" to someone. It made me think of Jonathan since it's his birthday today, but of course it wasn't for him. It turns out it was for some 4 year old boy, who said, when his little cake was brought to him with one candle, "but I'm four."

The other day I went shooting for the first time ever. It's something I've been wanting to do since I was young, but never had the chance and was too lazy to make the opportunity happen for myself. In high school I had a friend, Mary, who was very into guns. Her whole family was. She used to go shooting all the time. I remember going over to her house once, and she pulled out a target which just had one big hole in the middle; I was very impressed. Eventually one of her brothers was killed in a gun accident, and I don't know if this ever changed her view on guns.

I, however, have always felt that owning a gun is fine as long as you're responsible about it. This was a wildly unpopular view immediately following the shooting which happened when I was a senior in college. I recall Allen and I sitting in his room, smoking, sort of sensing that we were the only two people around who didn't have a completely reactionary "guns are evil" take on the whole situation, and knowing that we shouldn't discuss the issue with others.

Everyone I tell asks, "How was it?" Well, it was loud, much, much louder than I'd ever imagined. And that's how it was. Oh, and you have to shoot while you exhale, which my otherwise superb instructor forgot to mention. I figured it out for myself after a few tries.

In other news, my beau bought his first ever pair of slacks which need to be finished by a tailor. And we may go shoe shopping tomorrow. If I didn't actually hate to shop so much, this would be exciting.

Mo's coming to town, and there are grand plans to do all sorts of exciting adventures tomorrow and Monday. Despite being tired, I can't wait. Also, I got a call from Miss Rachael last night, and she may fly up for Thanksgiving, which would be wonderful. It's been almost a year since I last saw her, and I miss her like crazy.