Throwing Caution to the Wind

Last night I went to my first game at AT&T Park to watch the Giants v Dodgers game last night. As many of you know I am not a huge sports fan, but I do love the game. I really could not care who wins, but just like the excitement of good playing and a pretty park. The AT&T stadium is right on the bay and was so lovely. Cold and windy, but lovely nonetheless. Tony, his buddy Sola and I got down to the park around 5PM and found parking on the street and then went to The 21st Amendment on 2nd and had glasses of Watermelon Ale to celebrate. We stopped back at the car to grab my leftover pizza from the Haight's Escape from New York and for me to put on another layer of clothing.

Every time I'm in San Francisco I really do think that I will run into someone I know. Needless to say that does not happen, but it doesn't stop me from looking around. I did the same as we ate our roasted garlic and red potato pizza, and a second slice of chicken, spinach and pesto. I don't know what I was thinking as I ordered TWO slices, since there was no way I could eat that much. It must have been the adrenaline after getting my nose pierced next door at Cold Steel.

I wimped the last time I went to the city with Tony, so this time we drove into the city and parked on Haight. I have not been to Haight Ashbury in many years - since my family made our West Coast trip driving from San Diego to San Francisco when I was in middle school. It was such a hippy paradise. KInda like Greenwich Village but one long stretch. We decided to eat first, but since I had to go to the bathroom and there was no restroom in the pizzeria, I decided that we check out Cold Steel first. Checking it became signing my life away and picking out a little stud. We waited for a room and my nerves let the stupid jokes go. Tony waited outside in the hallway and Mic, the piercer asked if he was coming in the room with us. I say no, but then looked around the corner and asked if he wanted to join. He did without much reluctance, but then said that he didn't do well with needles. The whole ordeal was over in less than 5 minutes. Mic cleaned the area on my left and placed a dot for me to approve. I asked him to move it slightly back and he yelled at me for touching the area with my super long pinky nail. Upon approval of the placement, he inserted a metal tube in my nose asked me to take a deep breath in and then the rest was magic. I am not sure if he inserted a needle or used the jewelry to pierce my nose. But it was quick and there was a little readjustment of the jewelry and then I was good to go. I whispered Tony if I had to tip him, but by the time I rummaged through my purse Mic was gone and welcoming a friend. So, we just left and went next door to get pizza. After we stuffed our faces we stopped at The Goodwill so Tony could get some pants. It was a little chilly in the city so I bought a sweater and then splurged and got 2 pairs of sunglasses and a pair of sneakers with retractable wheels. Of course, I am going to try and incorporate them into my thesis.

During the game last night, they occasionally showed footage of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing on the big screen. Seeing some short clips and videos on youtube today and now watching some of the volleyball and cycling, I really wish I saw them last night. Apparently it was the best opening ceremonies ever. I drove Tony back to Oakland and Sola to the local BART station before I got lost on my way back to Davis. Once on 80 East I put on the CD that Wyatt made for me in preparation of our gig tonight.

We planned to get together last Thursday and then Wyatt wanted to put a rain check on it. He called back and the message was that the gig was on and we should indeed rehearse. By the time I got to his house, I found Stephanie on her way out to her other band practice and Wyatt and Barbara eating. I was leaning to not performing because we are totally not ready. There was no time for the whole group to get together and I have not mastered the harmonies yet. Wyatt was ready to throw caution to the wind and Stephanie was okay either way. Apparently she does not like performing. The reason she likes being in bands is because the like the practices. Um, WHAT???!! For me, I like to be prepared. So, when Wyatt was leaning towards just doing the gig anyway, I said okay. I never do anything like this and it's a chance to be crazy and spontaneous.

So, this evening I will be wearing dark clothing and singing some folky tunes on the corner in midtown Sacramento. No need to wish me luck. I will be riding high on nerves and adrenaline and perhaps a shot of tequila - all with a glint of rhinestone in my nose.