time to write, time to read

I'm writing this in Calistoga. Emi and I are here to celebrate her 60th birthday. Away from home, I seem to have more time and inclination to write so here goes.

You know the old saying to check your shoes before putting them on when camping? The wisdom is that scorpions commonly find refuge in your shoes during the night and your shoe is not big enough for a scorpion and your foot. Well now there is another saying for me; don't brush your teeth without looking at your toothbrush. I say this because one night I grabbed my toothbrush and was about to load it up with toothpaste when I noticed that there was something in my oral cleaner. I first assumed it was a large piece of food debris, although I usually clean my toothbrush after using it. On closer inspection it turned out to be a centipede. Ugh. The though of brushing my teeth with a centipede was mentally disturbing. Even so, after washing my toothbrush clear of my visitor, I brushed my teeth with the same brush. I know, I know, I'm a crude, uncouth, man.

I watched the Obama inauguration and was struck by the number of embraces that was occurring. It just proves how touchy feely they are, but I digress. Watching them reminded me of my quandry whether to hug or not. Not even do you have to decide whether to hug or not, you have to decide if you kiss or receive. Are you aware that two persons cannot kiss at the same time? And if this is so, and I think it is, who kisses? My mind conjures up a scene where both embraces and tries to kiss. It would end up looking like a dog chasing his tail. Can you visualize my words?

Emi and I did the Barbary Coast Walk a few months ago. It was another first. Did you know that there is this marked trail that takes you through the City? We didn't. It started South of Market and ended somewhere near Aquatic Park. It was a bit like walking Shikoku...following markers, only there was far many markers here than in Shikoku. It is a walk through the real San Francisco; SOMA, Chinatown, North Beach, Coit Tower, and Fisherman's Warf. And it's free.

Lastly, there is a hidden gem of a restaurant located in the Richmond, on Balboa and 42nd Avenue. It's called Yuzen. You don't have to worry about crowds because the place has not been discovered. It remains a secret. Of course, you can guess by the name that the cuisine is Japanese, good Japanese food. I recommend it most highly.