QUE HONDA PANTALONES!

I watched the final game of the World Cup (so, so long ago, I know) on the sidewalk outside a cafe with Brig, Bryce, Robin, Reji, Sonja and Woody. Cupcakes were eaten. Cofffee and tea were sipped. Jeans were patched. Brig knit a sock monkey sweater. I think we all avoided getting sunburned.






Lovely paper hats were folded. (Bon Voyage Woody and Sonja!)

I actually missed the final and only goal of the World Cup because I had to catch that flight to SLC. Brig and I scanned radio stations, but didn't find a station with the game until the goal had been scored.

In SLC I was lucky enough to see Esther. She has created a little painting/music corner in her apartment, where I viewed her famous red accordion, which once belonged to her grandfather.


Esther helped me hunt and hunt for an apartment. I didn't pick this one, but it was probably second in the runnings.


Then Esther piled her things into her car and drove west, across the desert to San Francisco for a few weeks.

A SHORT TIME TO BE THERE

A couple of summers ago Georgina met Shelly. One of their first dates involved a day of games, bars, and cafes...something along the lines of: meet at City O City for a round of Scrabble, bike to Sancho's for some airhockey, etc. And then they fell in love. And this year was the third such day of games, but these past couple of years they include pals in their date.

Requirements: eye protection. tube socks. an ID. all your inherent geekiness.

As is their tradition, air hockey was the first event.

Team U.S.Gay really got down on the sidelines.



George was a formidable opponent. In fact, while we were all winners (of course), George was the top winner of air hockey.


Brigid rediscovered her deep love of dancing to hippie music (and took the geekiness requirement very, very seriously).

Next stop: a new requirement. Everyone had to purchase a bomber to take to the park.

Next event: mini ping-pong with these weird whistle lips.





And some team photo ops.








The top winner of mini-ping pong eluded the referees. Teams mixed and matched. Rules were thrown out the window. But Brig and Christopher probably take the sassiness award, while Jenny and I for sure won the honors of best net-holding referees.

Next event: Zombie Run. Shelly's phone showed the zombies, who were faster than us even on the slowest, Night of the Living Dead setting. The digital zombies were the top winners.


Back at George and Shelly's we had sack races, and I don't mean to brag, but I discovered my truest talent. Top winner!

USED TO BE THE ASTRONAUTS

It had rained and it was evening. I carried my bike up the many stairs.



Then I carried it down the other side.




I flew to Salt Lake. And then I flew back.



Yesterday I learned that the Denver airport and the SeaTac airport were designed by the same Denver architectural firm. I looked into the little models and saw places I once stood. There is the Border's, I thought. There is the Qdoba I usually ordered from. There is the place I watched the rain against the glass.






I got me me a copy of Anne Carson's Nox. Then I got me a gin and tonic.

EVERY SHAPE OF ANIMAL

Brig and I met Jane at the Botanic Gardens.


Spending time with Jane is pretty much like this. You might be looking at flowers, but you are also talking constantly. And there are lots of oohs and ahhs. Not matter what you are doing.




This particular Henry Moore sculpture reminded me, somewhat strangely, of the weed cutter that used to chug across the bay we lived on when I was a youngster.




We walked barefoot along this swirling massage walkway.



And then I returned another garden--Maggie's, where I was housesitting. Tough gig, let me tell you.

I mean, I had to water all these veggies and sunflowers and aloes and such.

And hang out with this little Molly cat, and her sister Stuffies, and their wild miniature dachshund counterpart, Tulip.

When I grow up I really would be pleased to have even a garden like Mags'.