I *heart* Andy Williams, I really do!

On Tuesday, September 25^th, the great Andy Williams passed away.

My mother immediately phoned when she heard it on the news.

“Tricia. Oh, Tricia. (sigh). Andy Williams died.”

“I know.  I heard.” I exhaled heavily.

For me, Andy Williams is Christmas.  I think perhaps most people associate him with Moon River and Breakfast at Tiffany’s,  but I was an Andy Williams and Christmas music fan long before I ever saw that movie.

When I say I love Christmas, ( and pretty much the Holiday time from October 31 thru the New Year), what I really mean is that I am totally obsessed with it.   Ob. sessed.  

I'm up to 1,327 Christmas songs on my ipod. I can be wandering through a store in June and

think," Oh, this would be a great Holiday decoration." While many people go into a store, see the Christmas decorations in September and think,” Could we please get through Halloween first?”  I see the trees up and decorated and the holiday displays up earlier and earlier, and get a little whispy emotional, thinking, “It’s almost here……… It’s almost…….. here!”  Last weekend I walked into Kohl’s and stopped dead, there they were……the Christmas ornaments! Can it really be?!  And I got this year’s trimming ideas.  About two hours later, after examining each one, I’m ready to decorate, ignoring the fact that my storage closet is about 98% full of boxes labeled “Christmas decorations.”

( All this love does set me up for post-holiday blues from about Mid January until Easter, I won’t lie.)

Back to Andy.  When I was in….Hmmmm…..the 10^th grade, my mother and I went to the Andy Williams Christmas Show in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.  If you remember watching these shows on TV, well, it was *that* show, only LIVE.      LIVE!  Can you even stand it?

How I ever lived through the happiness and pure delight, I’ll never know.  (Now, the fact that I loved doing this so much in the 10^th grade gives away the fact that I did not run with the “in” crowd.  Not by a long shot.  I was a (self proclaimed) Orchestra nerd, who dressed up to go to school, my best friends were my teachers and I wanted to be a professional Violist. So not cool, but I didn’t know it at the time.) 

The Christmas show was magic.  There were horse drawn sleighs; Reindeer!!!! on stage;  they made it snow; they made the night sky twinkle with stars.  And there was the music, and my favorite Holiday song EVER:

So this year I will play my Andy Williams Christmas LP’s (MmmHmmm, LP’s people!) with a slightly heavy heart now that he is gone, but will always lovingly remember the wonderful memories he has contributed to during the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.  RIP, Mr. Williams. 





Do you need something to do this weekend?

Tonight, September 28th, is the 20th Anniversary of Critical Mass!  Starts at 6pm, Justin Herman Plaza.Critical Mass Anniversary

Fog Fest! September 29-30, 10am-6pm along Palmetto in Pacifica. Fog Fest

Polk Steet Blues Festival, September 29-30, 10am-6pm, on Polk St. between Jackson and California. Polk Street Blues Festival

2012 " La Madonna del Lume,"  Blessing of the Fishing Fleet. This is a Sicilian tradition of protecting fishermen that’s been practiced in San Francisco for over 70 years.
The 2012 blessing and fishing boat parade  is an annual procession from St. Peter and Paul’s Church in North Beach down to Fisherman’s Wharf with a blessing of the fleet and a fishing boat parade and Memorial Ceremony at sea.  Saturday, September 29, 10am-1pm, Fisherman's Chapel on the Wharf, Pier 45.  Blessing of the Fishing Fleet

Polish Harvest Festival, Sunday, Septemeber 30th, Golden Gate Park, County Fair Building ( 9th ave. and Lincoln Way) 11am-5pm.  Polish Festival

90 lb. Butter Blocks and Everything on a Stick

    I recently went back home to Minnesota for a much needed vacation and visit with family.  I love the Midwest at the end of the Summer and beginning of Fall.  The weather is lovely, -- sunny, mild and warm days, cool nights, and the mosquito population is dying down (a bit). 

Oh, but not this year. 

     The temperature hovered  near 100 most days; it was incredibly humid and I wondered if my blood was particularly sweet because every insect that could bite found me!  This, however, did not stop me from enjoying the best, best, BEST part of Minnesota’s “end of summer” ritual: The Minnesota State Fair, aka, The Great Minnesota Get-Together.

     The MN State Fair is one of the top attended fairs in the country!  And why wouldn’t it be, what with deep fried Twinkies; Dill Pickle lip balm (with spf); bacon on a stick and Garrison Keillor.  It lasts 12 days and averages 150,000 visitors per day.  This year’s attendance total was 1,788,512.  I would not kid you about that number.  (Keep in mind that the population of the entire state is a mere 5.3 million).

     The day my mother and I went was “Read and Ride” day -- present your library card when you buy your Fair ticket, and get a discount!

     This year, my first stop was at the butter sculptures.  MmmHmmm.  Butter. Sculptures.

     Young women compete to be one of the 12 princesses to come to the Fair. Girls must live or work on a dairy farm. Then, in the days just before the Fair starts, the winner is crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way, and her likeness is carved on opening day at the fair. On the remaining days, the likenesses of the other princesses are carved into 90 pound butter blocks, in a 40 degree room (that rotates so everyone can see) in the Dairy Building.

A Princess Kay contestant

Princess Kay of the Milky Way (notice the tiara!)

Sculptor, Linda Christenson, working on a butter sculpture.

     After the butter sculptures, my favorite place to be is in the barns (yes, I do wish I had a farm).  I *love* all the barns – horses; cows; sheep; chickens; rabbits; llamas; pigs; and the birthing barn -- with the animals who will likely give birth while at the Fair. 

ADORABLE little lambs, born earlier that same day.

One-day old piglets!!

Llama! I want a Llama!

After butter, and animals, there is, of course, FOOD!

Bacon on a stick, from Big Fat Bacon

Summit Beer on a stick!

Tom Thumb Mini Donuts!! Hot! With cinnamon sugar!

The SPAM throne!

The Fairgrounds cover just over 320 acres, so the best way to see everything is the Sky-Glider!

Sky-Glider!

Sky-Glider view.  Wheeee!

And there is a reason they call it "Minnesota Nice," -- the people are amazingly kind!

Lots and lots of great people! You betcha!

The end of a beautiful day!

See you next year!

Looking to make some memories this weekend??
There's a lot going on!


Sandcastle Building 101 class: Saturday, Sept. 22, 10-12 at Ocean Beach (by the Cliff House). FREE!

National Cemetery Walk, Saturday, Sept. 22, 10am, Presidio Cemetery, SF. details:  Cemetery Walk

Eat Real Street Food Festival, Jack London Square, Oakland. Sept. 21-23 Eat Real Food Festival

48th Annual Big Book Sale, Fort Mason, SF. Sept.19-23. ( All books are $1 on Sunday!)  Opens at 10am

2012 Autumn Moon Festival, Chinatown, SF. Sept. 22-23. 11am-6pm. Moon Festival and Street Fair

Taste of Russia Festival, Sept. 23, 11-6.  Holy Virgin Cathedral, 6210 Geary Blvd., SF.
            Taste of Russia

Britney Spears Flash Mob dance class! Hit me baby, one more time! Monday Sept. 24, 8pm.
             Studio Garcia, 19 Heron St., SF (SoMa).

How old are you?

I have several friends and family members with “milestone” Birthdays this year: 50, 60 and 70.  I myself turned ( *gasp*gasp* ) 40.  I am frowning as I type that. Ohhh, am I frowning.

This has me thinking a lot about “age.” What exactly does that word mean, age.

I was recently talking to someone about how I thought life would be “different” by now: i.e., have my life (more or less) figured out; feel more settled; have a house; be married/engaged/ or otherwise “partnered;” know what I wanted “to do” with my life.  I was lamenting that I know none of the answers to these things despite the fact that I was “already 40!!!!!” The person’s response was,” So? What’s 40? What does that that mean?”  I didn’t know, other than it seems like enough years on the planet to have figured out something.

Then I received an email from my dad.   It turns out that my Great Aunt Anna is now considered to be the oldest person in Minnesota at 111 ½ years old.  She comments that her long life may be due to, “…lard sandwiches, bacon and eggs…and lots of potatoes.”  So maybe the fact that I like Spam is working in my favor? The full article about Anna in the Minneapolis Star Tribune can be found here Anna Stoehr, U.S.'s 15th-oldest person

So maybe I have more time than I think to “figure it out,” or maybe the whole point is just to keep on keepin' on, and everything will come together as it should.

This is an absolute non-sequitor, but I saw something this morning that I have to share.

I was watching Good Morning America when.......ok, wait.  Let's back up. 

I have always been a Today Show devotee, and some of you may know this.  I have been trying to do something worthy of a Matt Lauer interview for years.  Anyhow, ever since Meredith left the show hasn't been the same.  Now I only briefly tune in to wave to Matt in the morning, you know, so he doesn't forget about me.  Then I turn to Good Morning America ( but only until 8am because then I have to watch That Girl re-runs on MeTV).

I digress.  

So on Good Morning America they showed a YouTube video of some guys from Kansas performing a parody of pop group LMFAO's hit "I'm Sexy and I Know It," but this version is called," I'm Farming and I Grow It."

I have to share the video as it made this Midwest "somewhat farm-girl" laugh all morning! This is awesome!

Have fun this weekend!!

The Marin County Fair starts on June 30th! Corn dogs! Funnelcakes! Llamas! Oh my!
Marin County Fair

Summer Nights at the Oakland Museum, Friday, June 29th.  Oakland Museum

Unique SF -- The largest curated, independent design show in the country. You’ll get the rare chance to meet and shop directly from over 250 hand-selected designers and artists.  June 30 & July 1, 11-6. Unique SF

Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco: A walking tour. Sunday, July 1, 11am, Huntington Park (Sacramento St. & Mason).  FREE! (Tour ends at Union Square).

Sunday Street 2012: Mission District.  Sunday, July 1, 11-4. Sunday Streets 2012

Escape from Alcatraz!

If you’re really looking for something exciting and different to do this weekend, on Sunday June 10,

The Escape from Alcatraz triathlon is happening in San Francisco.  (( This is the one they show on TV. ))

I highly recommend going over and watching at least some portion of it.  There are all levels of athletes, from Olympians to amateur athletes, and no matter the skill level, it is very inspirational to observe such dedicated people. 

 

From the EFA website,” The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon includes a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. The race continues with an 18 mile bike ride out the Great Highway, through the Golden Gate Park, and concludes with an 8 mile run through the Golden Gate National Recreation 

Area. The finish is at The Marina Green.”    http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com/

Also, if you are interested, they always need more volunteers http://efat.troutco.com/

What else can you do this weekend?

42nd Annual Live Oak Park Fair in Berkeley, June 9, 10am-6pm  http://www.liveoakparkfair.com/

Golden Gate Bridge Outdoor Film Night: Superman. June 9, 6pm, Presidio Main Post Lawn. 

http://bit.ly/KPXTYs

World Oceans Day 2012, Beach volunteer day, June 10, 9am at Aquatic Park.

Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, Sunday June 10, 11-5:30. http://www.haightashburystreetfair.org/

  
Toothpick Golden Gate Bridge Exhibit.  Hyatt Regency Lobby, Embarcadero Center, San Francisco.

Where's Bea?

Weekend To Do list:

1-laundry
2-go to grocery store
3-lamb-proof apartment
4-get a lamb






What's going on this weekend??

Petaluma's Butter and Egg Days! Saturday April 28, 10-5. Parade at Noon! Historic downtown
http://bit.ly/K1Sqyh

Treasure Island Flea Market - Sat & Sun, April 28-29, 10-4.  http://www.treasureislandflea.com/

Dutch Queen's Day Festival in Golden Gate Park. Saturday April 28, 10-5. http://bit.ly/HutsIG

Soap Bubble Flash Mob! Dolores Park, Noon, Saturday April 28.
https://www.facebook.com/DoloresParkBubbleDay

Meditation Flash Mob! San Francisco City Hall, Saturday April 28, 1-2pm.
https://www.facebook.com/events/264424340315839/

Israel in Marin Festival. Sunday April 29, 9:30-2:30, Osher Marin JCC. http://bit.ly/IjmIh1

Opening Day on the Bay decorated boat parade. Sunday April 29, all day.
http://www.picya.org/Opening-Day-2012.html

Play Ball!

It happens every Spring.

Cody Ross

Giants baseball returns, and I get excited for tense innings, Kruk and Kuip, going to games bundled up in more clothing than I ever wore during a Minnesota winter, and the Sheboygan bratwurst. No garlic fries. They are too soggy.  Now, if someone comes up with a double fried garlic fries booth, I will be the first in line.  ( If anyone would like to start this, please contact me.)

But this spring, all I’m wondering is,” who are all these new guys and how will I survive without my favorite players?” Where’s my Cody Ross?  I’ll tell you where, playing for the Red Sox. Do you think it’s too much to move to Boston?

Andres Torres

Where’s my Andres Torres? Oh yeah, playing for the Mets.
I guess I will be watching a lot of baseball this year.  I know players come and go, but really, there are too many new names to learn and what do I do now with my Ross is Boss T-shirt? Ross is Boss-ton?
I can't do it.
Sure, I’ll find new players to stalk follow.  And I’ll learn the new names ( usually right before they’re traded and you’ll hear me in the stands saying,” Well now, who is he? Where did he come from?” ) But really, Cody, Andres – my super secret boyfriends -- I will miss you.  We had some good times together.  Thankfully I have the scrapbooks to prove it.

Friday April 13th is the Giants home opener :: 1:35 pm, against the Pirates. If you are going, I don't want to know. I failed to plan ahead this year and request a vacation day. And if you have any tips for learning these new players, pass them on.

Go Giants!!

What do you want to do this weekend?

Berkeley Bay Festival, Saturday April 14th.  Free Sailboat and Dragon Boat rides.  http://bit.ly/gUdnzv

DogFest 2012, Pet Parade and Carnival, April 14, Duboce Park. http://mckinleyschool.org/dogfest/

Cherry Blossom Festival, Japantown, San Francisco, Saturday-Sunday, April 14-15 http://nccbf.org/

Castro Theatre, Sunday April 15th Double Feature:: Sutro's: The Palace at Land's End & Remembering
                         Playland.  http://www.castrotheatre.com/p-list.html

Naps

 Sometimes all you're looking for is the perfect place to take a nap.








What's going on this weekend?

Friday Nights at the De Young Museum are back! FREE!  Friday April 6th  http://bit.ly/aioHoa

Marin Green Fitness Court Bootcamp on Saturday, April 7th  http://nationalfitnesscampaign.com/

"The Science of Art" -- The Crucible's Spring Open House. Saturday April 7th http://bit.ly/GUgSNN

CBS' Big Brother Open Casting Call! Saturday April 7th, 2-5pm at Sugar Cafe 679 Sutter (@Taylor), SF.
 http://bit.ly/GFmfDH

Sea Chantey Sing-Along night! Saturday april 7, 8pm-Midnight. A public sing-along of sea-chanteys and sailor songs aboard a historic ship at San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. Admission is free, but reservations are required. http://1.usa.gov/Iyohy

Union Street's Annual Spring Celebration and Easter Parade! Sunday April 8th 10-5pm http://bit.ly/9kxbgI

"Bring Your Own Big Wheel" Race, 2012! Sunday April 8th 4pm. http://bit.ly/GIjh0B