Today is Jimmy's birthday. He would have been 14, or 56. He was born on Feb 29 so it was always a joke that he only had a birthday every four years.
Jimmy was my first "boyfriend" if I can use that term euphemistically. He lived in the same dorm as I did and we hung out, got drunk and high together and eventually, he became my first lover, which, if you can actually use that term when you're still in your teens (barely).
After college we stayed in touch off and on, then eventually lost track of each other, until I saw his obit, which I guess is more than 10 years ago now-- maybe even 20. I don't know how he contracted HIV, and it doesn't really matter. All I know is that he's gone.
Other firsts with Jimmy included learning how to drive stick shift in his old VW bus and establishing the habit of going to two movies in one day.
I'm doing a training ride this Saturday, and I'll be thinking of Jimmy a lot during this ride.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Paradise
Today, Jerry came home around 3 and we rode the Paradise Loop around Tiburon. It was about a 25 mile ride, and as Jerry just said, it's different every time you go around. It was a beautiful, beautiful day for a ride, so we enjoyed it immensely.
Last night, we went to the SF AIDS Foundation headquarters to learn about being spokespeople to help others raise money at house parties and events. It's funny, I will have no problem getting up in front of a roomful of people to ask them to donate to someone else's ride, yet I'm having a very hard time doing the same thing for myself. I have sent out a couple of emails to ask for donations. They've resulted in practically nothing, so I know I need to follow up, but it's just too hard. But, I will persevere and keep asking. I want my HIV positive friends to die of old age.
Last night, we went to the SF AIDS Foundation headquarters to learn about being spokespeople to help others raise money at house parties and events. It's funny, I will have no problem getting up in front of a roomful of people to ask them to donate to someone else's ride, yet I'm having a very hard time doing the same thing for myself. I have sent out a couple of emails to ask for donations. They've resulted in practically nothing, so I know I need to follow up, but it's just too hard. But, I will persevere and keep asking. I want my HIV positive friends to die of old age.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Rain and cookie crumbs
Once again, a rainy weekend and no riding. Jerry and I will try to get out during the week.
Yesterday, I baked pistachio shortbreads with some success. The dough was to be chilled in logs, cut and baked, but I must not have rolled the logs well because they crumbled. So, I let the dough get to room temp, formed balls and flattened them. The cookies came out fine and I think I will do another batch like that.
On the ALC front, my fundraising is nonexistent. I kind of don't get it. I have sent letters and I think my friends know how important this is, but with the exception of two people, no donations. If I were employed and rolling in dough it wouldn't matter-- I'd give all the money myself, but that's going to be a heck of a stretch this year.
I'm going to have to get awfully creative with fundraising.
Wonder how those guys standing on street corners do...
Yesterday, I baked pistachio shortbreads with some success. The dough was to be chilled in logs, cut and baked, but I must not have rolled the logs well because they crumbled. So, I let the dough get to room temp, formed balls and flattened them. The cookies came out fine and I think I will do another batch like that.
On the ALC front, my fundraising is nonexistent. I kind of don't get it. I have sent letters and I think my friends know how important this is, but with the exception of two people, no donations. If I were employed and rolling in dough it wouldn't matter-- I'd give all the money myself, but that's going to be a heck of a stretch this year.
I'm going to have to get awfully creative with fundraising.
Wonder how those guys standing on street corners do...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
half whole wheat and a whole ride
We rode the Tiburon loop today. It was a beautiful day for a ride. We ended up doing only part of it with the ALC group because we had tire problems and started later, but after they headed back to Sports Basement, we carried on, going over Camino Alto and then doing the entire loop. It felt pretty good.
And I used my new Le Creuset pot for the first time to make yet another loaf of no knead bread. I once again upped the whole wheat flour-- this time one to one with white and it once again worked perfectly. I love this stuff.
I spoke to Jerry about riding our singles tomorrow. It will be the first time since my accident and I've got to get back on the horsey some time, so why not now.
And I used my new Le Creuset pot for the first time to make yet another loaf of no knead bread. I once again upped the whole wheat flour-- this time one to one with white and it once again worked perfectly. I love this stuff.
I spoke to Jerry about riding our singles tomorrow. It will be the first time since my accident and I've got to get back on the horsey some time, so why not now.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Orzo and popcorn
Yesterday was just beautiful, so we joined the Positive Pedalers for a ride to the Woodacre Market. This ride took us over a couple of major hills, including the dreaded White's Hill. At the end of last year's training season, Jerry and I could take White's Hill in one fell swoop. This ride, we stopped twice. Part of it I blame on an insufficient breakfast for Jerry. He really needs a good boost of protein before we tackle a ride, and he just didn't have it in him yesterday. Not that I was doing such a hot job either. I can't blame mine on lack of protein; I blame it on lack of energy and strength. I've got to get back to Pilates!
Anyway, once we reached the market, I had a lovely orzo salad, full of olives, sundried tomatoes and feta. Jerry dove into a chicken and brie sandwich. The fueling helped immensely and the rest of the ride, including the much-easier return on White's Hill, and Camino Alto were pretty easy in comparison to the trip out.
Once home, we rested and prepared to go to a movie with our friends Sha and Laura. We saw Persepolis, and we all liked it a lot, though I was interested in hearing more from Sha about his thoughts, since he is Iranian. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk about it, so I didn't pursue it. After the movie dinner of popcorn, we headed for Caffe Trieste. I had a very nice glass of zinfandel, but I think the combo of the ride and the popcorn dinner, followed up by a pretty large glass of wine took it's toll. I'm feeling a bit dehydrated today.
Anyway, once we reached the market, I had a lovely orzo salad, full of olives, sundried tomatoes and feta. Jerry dove into a chicken and brie sandwich. The fueling helped immensely and the rest of the ride, including the much-easier return on White's Hill, and Camino Alto were pretty easy in comparison to the trip out.
Once home, we rested and prepared to go to a movie with our friends Sha and Laura. We saw Persepolis, and we all liked it a lot, though I was interested in hearing more from Sha about his thoughts, since he is Iranian. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk about it, so I didn't pursue it. After the movie dinner of popcorn, we headed for Caffe Trieste. I had a very nice glass of zinfandel, but I think the combo of the ride and the popcorn dinner, followed up by a pretty large glass of wine took it's toll. I'm feeling a bit dehydrated today.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Soup and Orgasms
My friend, Wendy Slick has made an amazing documentary-- "Passion and Power-- the Technology of Orgasm" that has been shown at a number of film festivals and will be at the Rafael later this month. I was fortunate enough to be invited to a small gathering to see the film on DVD. It was funny and eye opening. I want more of my friends to see it.
After the group of us watched the film we sojourned to the dining room for a wonderful dinner. There were two soups to choose from. Something made me choose the squash pear soup. Unusual for me in that I don't usually like "sweet" food, but it was lovely. Accompanying the soup was a salad, homemade bread and several kinds of cheeses, along with lots of red wine. Dessert was a warm cranberry apple cobbler and coffee.
I had lost some weight the last couple of days but I assume with a dinner like this, it's all back. But, tomorrow IS another day...
After the group of us watched the film we sojourned to the dining room for a wonderful dinner. There were two soups to choose from. Something made me choose the squash pear soup. Unusual for me in that I don't usually like "sweet" food, but it was lovely. Accompanying the soup was a salad, homemade bread and several kinds of cheeses, along with lots of red wine. Dessert was a warm cranberry apple cobbler and coffee.
I had lost some weight the last couple of days but I assume with a dinner like this, it's all back. But, tomorrow IS another day...
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Lions and Tigers and
Rain. Oh, My.
Yes, we rode in the rain today. It was "spraying" as we left the house, so we headed to Sports Basement in the Presidio to join a training ride.
As the day went on, the spraying turned to real rain, but we persevered. Fortunately the ride was only around 22 miles, so while we got wet, we were only wet for a couple of hours.
The route took us past the Zoo, and whenever I go past the zoo or even think about the zoo, I think about Tatiana, the tiger that was killed after she got out of her enclosure and killed a visitor to the zoo.
Many may disagree, but I don't think she should have been killed. It wasn't her fault that the enclosure was designed in such a way that she could escape. She was doing what tigers do, and for that, she should not have been killed. Ir saddens me and will continue to sadden me for some time to come.
In better animal news, there was a wonderful article in today's New York Times about the pit bulls that were owned by the football player who is now in jail (but not for long enough). They were scheduled to be euthanized, but rescue groups came in and took them. Most of them are at Best Friends, my current favorite animal rescue group. They are being taught to once again trust people and other dogs. It's an incredibly huge job, but if any group can do it, it's Best Friends. They have a sanctuary in Utah, and the dogs are currently at "Dog Town." I have high hopes that all of the dogs, while not necessarily adoptable, will live long, happy lives.
But back to today's ride. Conditions and difficulty shifting created a bit of tension between Jerry and me, but nothing huge. It was definitely a tough ride for us. Lots of climbing, which was hard, and in turn, lots of downhill, which was also tough with wet brakes. We rode down to the Great Highway, past the Cliff House, and that hill is steep, but Jerry did a great job in keeping our speed down. The ocean looked beautiful and angry today, and the rain really blew on us as we rode down the Great Highway. From there it was past the aforementioned zoo to Lake Merced. We circled the Lake, and headed back through Golden Gate Park. Riding through the Park is always tricky because a number of the streets are unmarked. But we made it back to Sports Basement then hurried home without our usual stop and shop. Sports Basement is irresistable-- so many great things-- but we were too cold and wet to even stop for the hangers they give away.
We headed home, took hot showers, and despite the downpour, headed to our favorite lunchtime spot-- Johnny and Theresa's Comfort Food Cafe. I had my usual turkey reuben and endless coffee.
We had to hustle home so Jerry could hastily pack. I drove him to the Oakland airport so he could fly down to Orange County to help his dad with a project.
So, I'll be home alone for the next couple of days. Not sure exactly what I'll do, other than baking yet another loaf of no-knead bread. I'm addicted!
Yes, we rode in the rain today. It was "spraying" as we left the house, so we headed to Sports Basement in the Presidio to join a training ride.
As the day went on, the spraying turned to real rain, but we persevered. Fortunately the ride was only around 22 miles, so while we got wet, we were only wet for a couple of hours.
The route took us past the Zoo, and whenever I go past the zoo or even think about the zoo, I think about Tatiana, the tiger that was killed after she got out of her enclosure and killed a visitor to the zoo.
Many may disagree, but I don't think she should have been killed. It wasn't her fault that the enclosure was designed in such a way that she could escape. She was doing what tigers do, and for that, she should not have been killed. Ir saddens me and will continue to sadden me for some time to come.
In better animal news, there was a wonderful article in today's New York Times about the pit bulls that were owned by the football player who is now in jail (but not for long enough). They were scheduled to be euthanized, but rescue groups came in and took them. Most of them are at Best Friends, my current favorite animal rescue group. They are being taught to once again trust people and other dogs. It's an incredibly huge job, but if any group can do it, it's Best Friends. They have a sanctuary in Utah, and the dogs are currently at "Dog Town." I have high hopes that all of the dogs, while not necessarily adoptable, will live long, happy lives.
But back to today's ride. Conditions and difficulty shifting created a bit of tension between Jerry and me, but nothing huge. It was definitely a tough ride for us. Lots of climbing, which was hard, and in turn, lots of downhill, which was also tough with wet brakes. We rode down to the Great Highway, past the Cliff House, and that hill is steep, but Jerry did a great job in keeping our speed down. The ocean looked beautiful and angry today, and the rain really blew on us as we rode down the Great Highway. From there it was past the aforementioned zoo to Lake Merced. We circled the Lake, and headed back through Golden Gate Park. Riding through the Park is always tricky because a number of the streets are unmarked. But we made it back to Sports Basement then hurried home without our usual stop and shop. Sports Basement is irresistable-- so many great things-- but we were too cold and wet to even stop for the hangers they give away.
We headed home, took hot showers, and despite the downpour, headed to our favorite lunchtime spot-- Johnny and Theresa's Comfort Food Cafe. I had my usual turkey reuben and endless coffee.
We had to hustle home so Jerry could hastily pack. I drove him to the Oakland airport so he could fly down to Orange County to help his dad with a project.
So, I'll be home alone for the next couple of days. Not sure exactly what I'll do, other than baking yet another loaf of no-knead bread. I'm addicted!
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