Hats

So as many of my close friends now my 96 year old grandmama is slowly dying. I went up to visit her and my mom this weekend in Calistoga/St. Helena. We spent much of the weekend going through all of her old stuff.

Including her hats...


If only my mom was alive during Anne of Green Gables' time. She has the perfect ensemble.


And we would have made great Marines during WWII - my mother would have been a pirate/marine.

Welcome to the working world!

Carley graduated from SFSU MSW Program this past week. Her dad threw a party for her. She didn't know he was going to be there. Boy was she suprised.

To get in the mood, earlier Car and I had our bridesmaid dresses fitted...

They have to take off at least 3 yards from Carl's gown


And not as much from mine


The lady was saying 'Do you know how long it is going to take me to redo this entire gown?'


Thanks Latin Bride and NO THANKS bridal barn in Fall River.

OK so later at the dinner at ChaChaCha's - as always the sangria was delicious.


Father and daughter


Nicole showed up


Matt loves suprises!


Aaw, Dan Amigone, MSW and Carley Amigone, MSW


Schmitty and those people showed up - but had to sit separately.


The eats!

After we went to Mission Bar - Laura is the best, always treating us like gold!


Car, I hope you dad had left by this point...


Nicole and Jeanette




Michaela and I ran out of things to say so took some glamour shots



I then went home, popped a squat on the way and peed all over my foot because I got freaked out by a large group of dudes walking by. When am I going to start acting almost 30?

Bike to Work Day

It figures on bike to work day, for the first time since I started my job I have to drive to work for errands.

Usually I take the bus, but would have taken the Haro out for a spin today if I didn't have to go pick up a podium and speaker in Daly City.

Bike folks and nature, please forgive me!

It's been two weeks, baby...

Matt had his going away party two weeks ago. I didn't start to take any photos until everyone was a little buzzed.


Flashback two hours - this is what my house looked like...



Later it was this...




Looking good, Michaela


Jesse showed up?


Oh my.


Jake and Henry


More Jesse


Dancing


Mie - Congrats!


Oh my.


Aaw, Jeanette


Jeanette and Rob


That guy and Jeanette


This guy


Her


The man of the night


Jesse and his pal


That guy again.


So sad. Good luck Matty.

The CartHome

The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

Do you know a lot about the Philippines? I don't.

This movie is what is referred to as a Barrio Movie. The director said that they were popular in the 70s and 80s and have recently declined. It is all shot in one small neighborhood in some city in the Philippines (never named). A young gay boy, Maximo, is raised by his father and two older brothers. They are all involved in illegal means of making money - stealing cell phones and reselling them. Dad is also sort of an authority figure in the neighborhood. Oddly enough, these masculine men are incredibly sweet and understanding of little Maxi and his girlish ways. He cooks and cleans for them. The story is about their lives clashing with some new police in the barrio.

The movie was shot shakily with a digital camera. Once I got over the headache caused by that, I started to really enjoy the film. The actors were good and fun to watch on screen. Maxi was a beautiful boy. I cried at the end.

I still don't know that much about the Philippines. But I guess this movie isn't meant to educate. It did make me wonder how many languages the average Filipino living in an urban area speaks. If you know, let me know, I am just curious.

80%

Jesse's Movie Night

Wide Awake

By Alan Berliner

I am not familiar with Mr. Berliner's other movies, yet, but I went and saw this one as part of the San Francisco International Film Festival after Jesse said he wanted to see it. He enjoyed it. I thought it was OK. The main complaint I had was that Mr. Berliner didn't seem to explore what seemed to be some serious issues he was having, mostly some sort of compulsion disorder.

I enjoyed it and say rent it, especially if you have a hard time sleeping. I realized that it is hard to relate to this kind of movie if you are like me and fall asleep 5 minutes after hitting the pillow on an average night.

75%