Flames vs. Sharks

February 6, 2006

Holy hockey mania, batman!

Tonight, Will and I went to catch some NHL hockey action, as our beloved Calgary Flames were playing the San Jose Sharks in San Jose. This hot-date was my Christmas present to Will...of course with an ulterior motive of wanting to go see this game too! Wendy and JCooley managed to also score tix through a friend of Jason's, so they came along as well.

Wendy was not having a stellar day...she picked up Will to come meet me so we could carpool and promptly got rear-ended at the nasty Clayton & Market intersection (I was also victim to a minor rear-ending at this very same intersection last fall, just two weeks after my major rear-ending on 280...) So, Vanezza the Impreza will get a new butt-lift in the near future.

Anyway, onto the HP Pavilion and we managed to get there in time to grab a couple $6 beers and jumbo hot dogs...ahh...fine dining at its best...




Zamboni!
Wendy & JCooley visiting us in Section 124 during the second intermission

Eleven seconds left in the game...

Final Score: Calgary Flames 4 - SJ Sharks 3

It was sweet to see the Flames play again, it had been at least 5 years since I had witnessed their skills in the flesh. You really see how much these players hustle on the ice and how fast they can skate, and their puck-handling skills,....woowee! I'm getting flushed just thinking about it.

The night was not to end without a little more excitement. Wendy decided to ride back to the city with Jason to give him some company, and en route northbound 101, I get a call on my cellie...it's Wendy and they got a flat tire in Redwood City. So, it's close to 11 pm (wayyy past my bedtime!) and I'm shining my flashlight on poor Jason changing his completely ravaged tire.

A great night of hockey, but not a good day for Team Subaru...

Panteras

February 5, 2006

Will and Wendy play on a C-league hockey team, called the Panteras, in the Yerba Buena Hockey League, and tonight was their first playoff game. I usually don't watch their hockey games unless it's an 8 pm game (they sometimes play at 9:30 and 11 pm...outrageous!) and it's playoffs. As both conditions applied this time, I went to cheer them on.

Abe and I had made signs a few seasons ago for the Panteras when they were in D-league, so we found them and brought them along. The Panteras were playing the Chieftans, and even though the Chieftans had a bigger fan zone, they were subdued and boring. We had signs and spirit.

#8 is so cute!
Wendy (#23) on defense



It was an interesting game, lots of action and excitement, but it was also a very one-sided game. The ref was calling b-s calls on the Panteras and not calling the other team on some very blatant calls (for example, when one Chieftan player blatantly cross-checked Wendy on the blue line). The Panteras had at least 7 penalties called and finally, the ref called one on the Chieftans...so frustrating!

Will had scored the first goal almost immediately into the first period. The Chieftans responded, and the Panteras managed to stay up by one goal most of the night until the Chieftans tied it late in the third period 4-4. There was a 5-minute overtime, where they remained dead-locked. This forced a shoot-out and after much drama and excitement, the Panteras lost on the 7th shooter. This was a sad way to end a great game by the Panteras, where they out-hustled and out-played the Chieftans all night (and I'm not just saying that because my boyfriend and best friend both play for the team).

Final score: Chieftains 5 - Panteras 4.



After the game, we headed over to Hotel Utah, where the team commiserated but had a good outlook for the next season.

Wendy chowing on some buffalo wings at Hotel Utah

Go Panteras!

Freshies

February 5, 2006

We just got back into town from another weekend up at the best cabin ever in South Lake Tahoe. The snow gods have not been very kind as of late, as the warm temperatures and not-quite-snow-precipitation (a.k.a. "sn-ain") have resulted in some undesirable hard-packed conditions. Saturday morning was spent in swirl as to what to do that day (ski vs. not ski and where), and then we settled for a viewing of the chick-flick "Must Love Dogs", starring our favorite romantic comedy lead, John Cusack.

Around 11:30 am, we rallied and took our lazy butts over to Heavenly. We spent a lackluster half-day on the slopes, and that was enough to turn us off any snow activities today. After escaping the "traffic" on the hills, we took solace in the newly-cleaned hot tub (thank god, that thing was getting pretty skanky). Ashley and Wendy's friend, Kristin, was in town from Ventura, and they had a fajita-fest, while the rest of us (Will, Abe, Chookie, Martha and I) headed over to Freshies for some good food. The menu at Freshies is great, and Will and I shared an appetizer and had the same entree...

Appetizer:
Poke Nori Roll of the Day (ahi, blackened scallops, avocado, wrapped in nori and lightly tempura fried)

Dinner:
Sushi-grade ahi noodle bowl with udon noodles

After dinner, we played it safe and we headed over to Tahoe Bowl, just around the corner from Freshies (convenient!). We had spent a great deal of time last season at Tahoe Bowl, and it's always an economic, yet fun, alternative to the casinos.

Abe trashtalking on the lanes


Kristin's fine rolling form
Dismal bowling scores

If you're ever in S.Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Bowl is a must-do. Their staff are super nice and accomodating (Thanks Bruce!)

After a nice Sunday morning sleep-in, Abe, Will and I decided to head back to SF and catch the off-traffic times during the Superbowl.

It's Groundhog Day!

February 2, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CK!

I love Groundhog Day, because I always think of the Bill Murray movie, "Groundhog Day". In case you weren't paying attention, Punxatawny Phil, the infamous groundhog predictor, saw his shadow this morning, so we're in for another 6 weeks of winter...

Anyway, last night, I was excited to go on for catch-up dinner with Abe and his new 'stache, only to be completely disappointed to find out that the 'stache was gone...what the...? This is Abe's response to his recent lack of facial hair:

"Unfortunately, the 'stache was a casualty of the work week. It seems
the powers that be have determined that such a fine looking 'stache
would have provided too much of a distraction in a professional work
environment. But, I'll always have the memories from this past
weekend, it's true what they say, white trash girls love a guy in a
'stache, they do say that, right?"

Um...sure...

Regardless, no-'stache-Abe and I went for dinner last night at Maverick in the inner Mission, where the original Limon was housed. I had been to Marverick before, and enjoyed it a lot. Will says they make the best chile rellano that he's ever had, and he knows chile rellano.

For dinner:
Appetizer
Bea - California Citrus Salad (Satsuma tangerines, living watercress, Meyer lemon vinaigrette)
Abe - Mac & Cheese

Entree
Bea - Seared Liberty Duck Breast with Israeli cous-cous, Brussels sprouts, herb pesto and vinaigrette
Abe - Pan Roasted Monkfish with East Providence-style stew with steamed potatoes, haricot verts, and chorizo

Wine
2001 Sutton Cellars 50/50 Carignane/Grenache

The interesting thing about Maverick is that if you order a bottle of wine, they have this process of rolling each wine glass with a small amount of wine in order to coat the glass prior to your enjoyment. At first I thought that it was excessive, but then it kinda feels like you're getting spoiled...and that's always a nice feeling...

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

January 30, 2006

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!
SUN LEEN FI LOK!
SUN TY GEEN HONG!
BO BO GO SING!

Happy Chinese New Year! Welcome to beginning of the Year of the Dog. Yesterday (January 29) was the first of the Chinese new year and the initiation of 15 days of celebration. The Chinese New Year's eve and day are celebrated family affairs. So, with that in mind, I dragged my hungover self down to San Jose to spend the day with my sister, niece and brother-in-law.

Olivia's new sweater, courtesy of Auntie Annie and Uncle Darren


A bear on her bum!




We headed over to Oakridge Mall, where they have an exhaustive list of surburban dining options. We chose BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, which is known for their pizza.

Jack's flight of beers...at least that's one type of alcohol that I didn't consume the night before...
Olivia enjoying her Cold Stone Creamery ice cream

After lunch, Angie and I ran a bunch of errands while a very exhausted Olivia took a nap. After her much-needed rest, she was little Miss Sunshine again. It's pretty amazing how much she talks and how smart she is.

BTW, the big family news is that Angie is expecting again, and the more surprising news, which we found out over the holidays, is that she's having...TWINS!

I'm going to have triple the amount of little ones to spoil in the summer!

Cha Cha Ciao

January 29, 2006

Last night was a big night, as evident by the throbbing head and overall feeling of ill that I was greeted with this morning. Will was out of town for a board meeting in Vancouver, so it was up to myself to entertain myself...which is usually not a good idea. (Seeing as how Will is usually the responsible individual who tells me that I should start drinking water at the appropriate time, though I don't always heed his advice). The general itinerary was to go for dinner with Coco and then head over to a Cole Valley for the "See You Later Sili" party at the infamous 855 frisbee house.

Coco and I headed down to Upper Haight, in search of some tasty sustenance. We checked out Citrus Club, and then quickly decided to risk the wait at Cha Cha Cha, as they have a bigger bar area and sangria! While waiting for two seats at the bar to eat, Coco and I enjoyed a large pitcher of sangria. And when we finally did get our seats, we enjoyed another pitcher, in addition to:

- Ceviche Del Dia (assorted seafood in a spicy lime vinaigrette over a bed of mixed greens)
- Chicken Paillard (grilled strips of chicken in dijon cream sauce)
- Fried New Potatoes (with chile pasilla aioli)
- Grilled Pork Loin (with Spanish Rice)
The Cha Cha Cha spread

Coco's buddy, Aaron, joined us at the bar at Cha Cha Cha and helped us with the second pitcher of sangria (thank goodness!). After we wrapped up dinner, we headed over to Hobson's Choice for some post-dinner pre-party frivolity. Hobson's Choice is a Victorian Punch House, and has fantastic rum drinks. My favorite is the mango rum-infused punch. Hobson's is also known for it's series of t-shirts that they sell that advertise their famous rum menu including:

- Mojito?
- Dark and stormy?
- Between the sheets?

The deadly mango rum punch
Dark and Stormy?

As we enjoyed our cocktails, the entertaining bar staff at Hobson's looped us into an impromptu game of "Name That Band" with a playlist on an iPod that dated back to the eighties...
The bartenders at Hobson's Choice trying to stump us at "name that band"

So, around 11:30 pm, I finally make my way to the party. Aaron came along for the ride but quickly realized that he was "out of his element" and returned to Hobson's Choice. Apparently my camera was in full-force throughout the evening, because I had 170 pictures on my flash card that documented the debauchery.

Here are just a small fraction of those snapshots:























Ahh...good times.

Safe travels to Sili, we'll miss you!

A hurtin' thanks to the 855 house for hosting a good ol' time, and to Frodo for being so nice to two beligerent drunks (Coco and I) and taking us home at 4 am...

The 'Stache

January 28, 2006

Last night after work, I went to Burlingame to meet up with my old research lab at Straits Cafe to wish good luck to my former boss/mentor, Kerstin, who was starting a new position at Genentech. We had some drinks and small plates as we caught up and it was really nice to get the whole lab together again: Kerstin, Mandy, Kristen, Jacs and me.

As I was jetting up the 101 back to the city after that, I caught up with Abe over the cellie, who was getting ready to go to Tahoe. As of late, Abe has been growing out his facial hair and was sporting a not-too-patchy beard, and he informed me that he had drastically re-styled his facial hair into a sleazy moustache...a 'STACHE?!?!

Of course, I had to do a drive-by and check this out in person...

Oh my...

The 'stache and trucker hat combo

The sleaziness up close


Watch out ladies...the 'stache has been unleashed!

Bix

January 25, 2006

Last night we had plans with Will's co-worker, Vitaly, and Vitaly's girlfriend, Isabelle, for dinner. This was the last in the long list of non-stop social events that had been planned over the last 3 weeks and I am exhausted.

It was also the last Dine About Town picks that I had planned on trying this month. We went to Bix, located on tiny Gold street in the heart of the Barbary Coast area of the Financial District. There are lots of law firms, swanky designer furniture stores and art galleries in this neighborhood. Bix is known for its supper-club fare, the beautiful high-ceilings, long mahogany bar, 30's style jazzy Rat-packer feel (complete with grand piano and lounge singer), and the steak tartare that is prepared tableside.


The dinner choices:
Appetizer
Bea - Hearts of Romane salad with Blue Cheese Vinagrette
Will - Tuscan lentil and eggplant soup with New Harvest olive oil
All - Steak Tartare...yummy!

Entree
Bea - Chicken Hash a la Biz
Will - Seared local Albacore Tuna with Chanterlles

Dessert
Bea - Vanilla Creme Brulee
Will - Chocolate Brioch Bread Pudding

Dinner was lovely and so was the company. Our server was very nice, but we had a pretty long wait in between the appetizer and entree courses...or maybe it was just because I was ready for some zzz's.

Bix seemed like a great place to dine if you're on the company bill, or if you happen to be very wealthy. I think that I would be hard-pressed to come here and have the regular menu because there are so many other great restaurants in the city that serve similar fare but for far more reasonable prices. Regardless, one more check off my list of places to try.

And now, I think I'll spend some quality weekday nights at home on the sofa eating my typical menu of 30-minute meals.