Reunions

I met up with some old high school folk last night, many of whom I had not seen in almost five years. It’s always great to see how everyone’s doing—people are either working or going back to school, and all are going on being their brilliant selves. And while much has changed in their lives (clothes, location, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc.) fundamentally they’re still the same people I enjoyed being around.

As much as I love reconnecting with people, I’m always a little wary of these reunions. Conversations inevitably lead to reminiscing about past people and events. Those were some of the happiest times in my life, to be sure, but I don’t like to dwell too much in nostalgia because it conjures up regrets for me. Also, talking too much about the past makes me feel as though I’m still stuck there, as though I haven’t fully moved on, yet (and I am constantly striving to ‘move on’). But I’ve realized that moving on from something shouldn’t automatically render it loathsome or irrelevant.

It’s only a minor aversion (a neurosis I just need work out on my own), though, one that is greatly outweighed by the stories and laughs exchanged between people whose company I enjoy. That, and delicious tofu.

Happenings from the weekend

On Friday, I ate a delicious veggie risotto and chocolate fondue after having ‘the talk’ with O. It’s always difficult and awkward, no matter how long you’ve been involved (in this case, just three dates), but these things are always best done in person, I think. And having been treated inconsiderately in the past has made me more adamant about how I don’t want to treat people.

Michelle dragged me out to the gym for the first time in a very, very long time.

Watched Jumper with sister and friends. It was awful! But unintentionally funny. Watched Persepolis a second time and I’m on my way to purchase a copy for myself. The animation is amazing, I really like that style of drawing.

My sister, friend and I headed to San Francisco on Saturday to attend the Renegade Craft Fair being held at Fort Mason. We saw so many great artists who were showcasing their amazing work. Elizabeth Soule, with her The Little Zoo series, was one of my favorites.

There was a lot of inspiring work at the fair. And once again, being in SF reinforced our desire to eventually move there. That city is so full of nonsense.

Festivals galore! We went to the Obon Festival in Japantown. It was a first for all of us. The best part was the food: tempura, chicken salad (teriyaki and sushi were sold out), root beer floats with strawberry shortcake to finish.

I’m hoping to head up to SF again this weekend to check out Julia Rothman’s (as well as Keegan’s, though I’m unfamiliar with most of her work) new work at Rare Device gallery. We’ll see!

Weekend of fun

I ran Bay to Breakers with my two best friends from high school on Sunday in San Francisco. We dodged the naked people, laughed at the funny and clever costumes, resisted the free doughnuts during the run and ate gyros when it was all over. Next up: Muddy Buddy.

Eating frozen yogurt, taking naps, getting coffee, eating burritos, watching really bad movies, reading books, eating mac & cheese with noodles in the shape of Spiderman, watching cartoons on Adult Swim, playing wii mario kart, eating thai food, swinging in a hammock, taking bike rides around the block with b.

Weekend fun, whimsy, discoveries, etc.

• Visiting Michelle in Monterey, dinner in Carmel and biking around town for hours and hours the next day.
• Buttered toast with the most amazing blueberry jam EVER.
• SJ Bike Party!
• Birthday party with lots of hilarious drunk people and lots of rap music.
• The guy who kept calling me ‘mama’.
• “Why’s that gay guy hitting on my cousin?” Christy.
• Receiving novel-length e-mails.

Nice things from the past few weeks

• Staying up really late to bake sweets for no particular reason, while listening to ambient tunes, reading short stories and licking batter off my fingers.
• Driving home late from the library with a stomach full of buttery, syrupy pancakes.
• Unexpected e-mails from people I hadn’t heard from in a while and thought about from time to time (one of whom I once had a minor crush on)
• Discovering really great reading/writing music that I’ll obsessively listen to in the coming weeks.
• Being introduced to the ‘love of my life’ by my cousin Christy. (more of a funny thing than a nice thing, actually)
• Getting slightly lost on a late-night walk and running like hell through scary hills with Ollie (my dog) in tow who seemed equally scared.
• A pair of nice, cushy, noise canceling headphones.

Mes amis

Friends will always feel inclined to be outraged on your behalf in a situation where you’ve been wronged and you’re being particularly blasé about it.

Naiveté

I wish there was a way for me to truly discern objective reality. I’m sure I’m wrong most of the time; a lot of what I believe to be real, especially in terms of my interactions with people, is heavily influenced by what I fear and hope for, I feel. I seek the truth!

And I have to say, I really do have some of the best siblings, cousins and friends that have ever and will ever inhabit this earth. Their wicked wit makes me laugh to myself, prompting nervous glances from strangers. I wish we all lived together; I’d bake them cakes and pies.

New folk

It’s true: Last.fm does provide one of the nicer ways to meet new friends on the Internet. As my friend said, “No creepy people listen to Neutral Milk Hotel!”