I'm going to see R.E.M. at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley tonight. I can't wait. It's a great place to see a show - I saw the Pixies there last month. Possibly the most magical convergence of a peak (in my opinion) performance, incredible setting, and crowd being totally into it I've ever experienced anytime anywhere. I was at the Saturday 9/25 show. Here's the set list if you're interested. Apparently they change it around for every show.

1. Debaser
2. Velouria
3. Wave Of Mutilation
4. U MASS
5. Ed Is Dead
6. Planet Of Sound
7. Caribou
8. Gouge Away
9. Vamos
10. Mr.Grieves
11. Cactus
12. Nimrod's Son
13. Blown Away
14. Holiday Song
15. Here Comes Your Man
16. Bone Machine
17. Bam Thwok
18. Subbacultcha
19. No. 13
20. Dead
21. Monkey Gone To Heaven
22. I Bleed
23. Tame
24. Hey
25. Gigantic
26. In Heaven
27. Wave Of Mutilation (UK Surf)
28. Where Is My Mind

Whoa. my friends just called me on their way back from the beach. They said I left too soon - they got to participate in the rescue of one of the sea lions that were frolicking with us. It was really amazing (the frolicking, that is). All of a sudden this sea lion's head popped up not 15' from me. He was just checking us out. Then he went and got his buddy and came back. My friends were giving me a hard time about having to experience the moment first hand instead of through the lens of a camera, so of course then I had to go get my freakin' camera and try to get a picture of him. I probably spent two hours trying to get a good shot of him and his (by then) two buddies. Not easy to do with my camera because of the shutter lag time.

Anyway, they got to name him so we can now track him. They named him Kolby since it has the initials for all our names (Kathy, Lisa, Brenda). Great, now I have a sea lion named for me and my homies. ;-)

I don't know when he'll show up, but look for Kolby here:




Here's the best pic I got of him. Maybe he was trying to communicate telepathically with me and I was too busy playing Nat'l Geographic photographer to notice. Damn!

p.s. - I know, I know -- I've seen more convincing pictures of the Loch Ness sea monster. But take my word for it, that's a sea lion.

Well, I'm back from my extended stay at the beach. My friends seem to think my presence keeps their relationship on stable ground. I think it just gives them a reason to avoid getting into it, which isn't necessarily a good thing. It's kind of weird to be the third wheel in a lesbian relationship, but it seems to work. We're all getting something out of it for now anyway.

So what I really should be doing now is picking which online traffic school to "attend" so I can avoid getting a point on my driving record and having my insurance skyrocket. Yeah, I was bad. I actually ran a red light - my first moving violation ever! Not counting those two speeding tickets of course, which I had perfectly legitimate excuses for. Anyway, I was just pointing out Japantown to my out-of-town friends when the damn light changed and I didn't see it. I know that's not a legitimate excuse, but I was hoping for a little leniency seeing as I'm not a chronic offender. In Boston, three cars would have gone through right behind me. I know that doesn't make it right either, but it would be nice if that could be factored in. No such luck.

Anyway, the first four "approved online traffic schools" for San Francisco Superior Court are:

www.ComedyTrafficSchool.net
www.traffic101.com
www.SimpleFastFun.com
www.Fun4Ufast2.com

Just wanted to share that.

Sorry (e:Ajay) [inlink]ajay,154[/inlink] . I'll go easy on the pix. Or, come out and visit!

I'm off.

No, I didn't bring my laptop. Just a quick pitstop at home, then I'm driving back up to Stinson after a thing in SF tonight.


Looking left toward SF from the beach house.


Looking right toward Bolinas from the beach house.


On the lagoon side of the other house. A blue heron was standing on the neighbor's dock, and there are a ton of snowy egrets in the trees across the lagoon (also some cormerants, but you can't really see them in this pic.) Also saw lots of pelicans, but no great shots. Maybe later in the week.


Me this morning from the beach house. 11 October 2004.


Oh yeah - (e:paul) I stuck my toe in for ya.

Couldn't resist getting the scoop on the wedding while I'm here. Looks like a great time! Best wishes to the happy couple!