A fly can’t bird but a bird can fly

Yesterday, Ronnie and I returned from our 4 days down in the hot desert sun of Arizona. We were there with my dad and my Auntie Linda. Every year, dad and I go down to see the Giants Spring Training. It was simply amazing to be out of the rain and in the sun. The first night we got there we gambled, drank Bud and listened to a casino band. We then ate tater tots at 2:30 in the morning. Auntie had us all beat with her chilly dog. Drunkenly, Ronnie and I stumbled back to our room and crashed and burned for the night. The next day, we went to Scotsdale for our first Giants game of 2006. I was a little nervous that Ronnie may get bored but he seemed to be having a great time. We drank beer, ate hot dogs and the Giants whooped the White Sox’ bootie. World Champions? No way! We then went back to our hotel for a dip in the pool and hot tub, then played dominoes by the pool until the sun set. Then we went back to our rooms to get cleaned up and went to the Range steakhouse where we all overate. We then gambled again then called it a night. On Sunday we went to a cheesy fake western town called “Rawhide.” We rode in a stagecoach, shot rifles (fake) stomped around in cowboy beats and saw a terrible gunfight show about Billy the Kid. Te-rri-ble. But our visit there was fun. We were all craving wings so we returned to a Tempe favorite of ours…Hooters! Talk about junk food! But it tasted so good todrink beer, eat wings and sit outside in the sun. We all played video poker that night at the bar for hours and really had an amazing time. The next day was time for our second game in Scotsdale where we had our butts handed to us by the KC Royals. It was still a sold out game and we still filledc the stadium with our laughter. That afternoon we played dominoes again but this time on dad’s patio in his room. We also saw one of those purple desert sunsets. We ate some yummy mexican food that night and played a bit more video poker. On our final day, we spent time in Scotsdale buying western toys and eating meat at the famous Pink Pony. We were all sad to leave the desert but are all looking forward to our next visit. Every year in AZ is always so much fun. It was great to spend so much time with Auntie as we seem to not get much time together. It was also so much fun to have Ronnie there. It was my first year with a boyfriend in our group, so he was a wonderful companion as always.

In other news…two more days until we get Byron…we take another trek down to Bakersfield on Friday night where we may see Ricky for dinner…then get Byron on Saturday morning.

Below: The ball park, shooting at Rawhide, Ronnie and I, Dad and Auntie with a Camel, Ronnie and I again, Me, Dad and Auntie, Me and Dad

Yesterday was a hard day of work and Ronnie and I had to stay pretty late…but we had tickets to a show that we were supposed to meet up with Andy…so we decided to push past our grumpy-ness and go. For the first time I was actually more excited to see the opener band than the headliner. The New Pornagraphers were first. Ronnie had taken me to one of their shows several months ago before I knew any of their music. Back then they were awesome! I danced and got “rocker-neck.” You know, where you bounce your head too much and it starts to hurt. I got some of their cds and listened to them often at work. So I was super excited to see them again. Just like before, they blew me away! Ronnie and I danced and bounced, annoying the people around us. We lost Andy in the crowd as he was looking for Marie and we wanted to enjoy the show.

Next up was Belle and Sebastian. I have heard their music only through Andy. I rememeber he would play it nonstop in college and if I ever stayed the night, it was in the cd player as we went to sleep. So I was used to their older mellow stuff. I was pleasantly surprised when one of the lead singers just bounced around the stage in a skinny stripped shirt. It was very New Order. I am guessing a lot fo songs were from their new album or they just rock out more live. So even though we couldn’t find Andy in the HUGE crowd at the SF Concourse, we found a nice open lil space where we could dance, see the stage and not annoy people. So now I have a new respect for Belle and Sebastian…like I do for most bands I see live.

Did you know today is my birthday? The big 2-6. Though I am still one of the youngest of my friends. Ronnie bought me all kinds of awesome gifts like a comic I saw and he had to special order and a Gamecube!! Mario Kart here I come! Then he took me to breakfast. (Yeah we got up early) As we were driving to work I thought to myself how awesome it is that I am an adult now, living with my boyfriend, going to my work in high heels…but I still got video games and a comic book for my birthday. How perfect is that? Tonight I head out to dinner with a small group of friends, parents and Auntie to celebrate my birth. Oh happy day!

Below: The New Pornographers then Belle and Sebastian

That sounds awesome! On Friday we had a raging birthday/housewarming party that went on till 2:30am! The next morning, Ronnie and I met up with Ricky and his girlfriend Steph and did the Pier 39 thing which was a lot of fun. Ricky’s new girlfriend is awesome. Then we went home and worked on our comics. I finished inking all the pages and Ronnie worked on the cover to his book. Yesterday we enjoyed the weather by walking to the castro and having brunch at Bagdad Cafe (One of our favorites) We like to sit outside, read the NY Times and people watch. Then we walked home and worked more on our comics. Then for dinner we went to a great pizza place and at night after more comic-workings (we’re almost done and ready for print!), Ronnie played video games while I read my new book Marley and Me. It was a perfect weekend.

We also got some new pictures of Byron. It amazes me how fast he is growing…espeically his FUR!

So I am back from Paris. I made it through the cold, the smoke and the tourists and let me tell you, it is everything you would expect Paris to be. Beautiful, artistic and radiating history. My 8 days there will be a trip I will never forget. One of the fun things about a long trip in another country is coming home. You really respect where you live and it just feels so darn good to be back “home.” I missed all the things that had become my daily life. My time with Ronnie, coffee breaks with Brown, sushi, American coffee, co-workers, my bed…all mean so much more to me now.

Of course now that I am back, I am caught up in a whirlwind of things to do. Last night< Ronnie and I had sushi with dad, tonight we are having a birthday/housewarming/St. Patty’s party at our house, tomorrow I get to hang out with my friend Ricky that I haven’t seen in a year, Sunday I am going bowling to celebrate Livia’s birthday, Monday is Ronnie and I’s 7 month anniversary, Tuesdday, the Belle and Sebastion concert, Wednesday is my real birthday, Thursday, a concert of Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab and Friday Ronnie, Dad, Auntie Linda and I fly to Arizona for the Giants Spring Training! *Phew!* and on top of all this, 2 days after we get back we pick up the pup! AND! Ronnie and I both have to finish up our comics for the convention we have a table for (APE…see below). When will we have time to do that you ask? I wonder the same thing….

So I am sorry if I have been bad at returning calls or hanging out…after mid-April I will be human again!

BELOW: Poster for APE (Alternative Press Expo)

I am in Paris at this very moment in a tiny, hot internet cafe using 1 of the 2 english keyboards.  I pay 1 Euro for 15 minutes so I don’t have much time after checking my other email….2 minutes to be exact…but I wanted to let you know Paris is everything you think it is and I am having a wonderful time.  I will tell you about it when I get home the my native San Francisco.  Merci!