Well, it has been a long, long time since I have updated my blog. Every time I think about this, which is very rarely, I feel bad. It appears as though I have a few fans out there that want more. Well, I am going to give them more! The blog is back and even though I say this every time there are large gaps between posts, I am going to be updating this a lot more often now. It is a good mental exercise for me and I like giving the people what they want.
I had a very blog worthy weekend. I went down to the Bay Area to see the Beavers play the Cal Bears. I headed down Friday with my buddies Tim, Kali and Nichole. I think I am going to do this blog running diary format in honor of my favorite sports writer, Bill Simmons!
So here it goes, a blow by blow account of a very good weekend (time stamps are very approximate):
Friday 12:20 pm – We head out. Excitement is high! I brought raisins and two apples for the drive down. An attempt at being healthy. After a little ribbing this went over pretty well and the raisins were a hit.
Friday 3:00 pm – We hit Klamath Falls. What can you say about Klamath Falls? Well, nothing really because it is a total shit hole!
Friday 3:45 PM – We hit the California border. Contrary to what Tim likes to tell people, the clouds did not immediately go away and the temperature did not immediately get 25 degrees higher. There was a mad scramble to hide the raisins and the apples as we went through the border checkpoint. We successfully got our contraband through to Cali.
Friday 5:30 PM – A seminal moment in my life took place at 5:30 November 6th in Redding California. I ate at the In N Out for the first time! This is how fast food should be. The burger was amazing and the fries, fresh cut potatoes, were great as well. The simplicity of the menu was perfect. Do you want a double or a single? Do you want fries or not? Do you want a shake or soda? That’s it! I was impressed with the In N Out, and it was one of the few things recently that have lived up to their hype.
Friday 530-1000 PM – Drive. Drive. Drive. Drive….you get the idea.
Friday 1030 PM – Arrive at Tim’s parents house in San Jose. They are one of the coolest, nicest and most accommodating families ever. Good people! Well, except for Tim’s dog Henry who hated me like I had killed his mother and six brothers and sisters, no matter how much a petted him. We then headed out to a few Bars near Tim’s house.
Friday 1100 PM – I am made aware that I may not be able to get into the bar because I am wearing shorts. Give me a break! Well, I get in. It is an “Irish Pub” but there is a DJ playing super loud club music. There is a little different vibe in the bars down there than in Bend, and by little I mean huge! Everyone is done up, guys and girls. It was interesting.
Sat 1200 AM – We go to a bar called Cartoum. The vibe here is a lot better and really liked this place.
Sat 100 AM – Bed
Sat 830 AM – Get up. Very good breakfast provided by Tim’s dad. Shower and hang out for a bit. Tim’s dad and I discuss the profitability of building an artificial ski slope in the Bay Area, like the ones they have in the UK. I really think it is a can’t miss idea.
Sat 1130 AM – head to Berkeley. I am pretty fucking excited at this point. This is all new to me and I enjoy experiencing new things. It is a beautiful day out!
Sat 1230 PM – drop the girls off at a bar in Berkeley and take a tour of the city while looking for parking. Parking is 30 bucks! I’m having too good a time to care.
Sat 1-330 PM – Drink many bears, eat a burger and fries and watch the Ducks get run over by Toby Gearhart and Stanford. The first item in my Perfect Day Trifecta is complete. 2 to go.
Sat 4-730 PM – Beavers Game!! This game was over just after it started. Dominating performance by the Beavers. Scary moment when Jahvid Best was laying motionless on the turf, but it sounds like he is going to be OK. Great news! We got to sneak into the Cal Donor Hall of Fame suite for free beer and food, which was awesome. Thanks Kali’s friend! We ended up winning 31-14 and it really wasn’t even that close. The feeling of walking out of the opposing teams stadium after a win is so great. The second item in the Perfect Day Trifecta is complete! 1 to go.
Sat 830 – 930 PM – Spent this hour looking for a parking spot in San Fran. So aggravating! Why we did not take public transportation is beyond me. I need a beer after this bullshit! We finally found a place and hooked up with Kali’s other friend who was nice enough to take us out and let us stay with her for the night. Thank you!!
Sat 1030 PM – The Perfect Day Trifecta is complete when I meet Haley at the bar. She was one of the most important pieces of the best winter I have ever had, my winter in Telluride. It was SO good to see her and catch up. Things in Bend the last few months have been ok, but certainly not great and it was awesome to see her and, in a way, be taken back to a time that I was at my happiest. I probably got more out of it than she did, but I really needed it. Thanks for coming out Haley!
Sat 1030 PM – 200 AM – Going out. Bars. Beers. Good times. Good conversation. Good friends. Good ending to a great day!
Sun 9 AM – Beautiful morning in San Fransisco. From what little I have seen, it strikes me as a very beautiful city. Alas, we had to walk to the car and head back to San Jose. I could have easily stayed much longer to check the city out, but I will definitely be back to do just that. My first impression was very positive!
Sun 10AM- 1 PM – Again, Tim’s family is great. We were cooked an awesome lunch, we showered and got ready to head back. Henry still hated me!
Sun 1PM – 1030 PM – Drive Drive Drive. In N Out again. Just as good as the first time! Drive Drive Drive Drive……Drive Drive Drive…..Home! Great Weekend!!!