Even though the fog spoiled part of my amazing weekend plans (no waterfall hike), figured I should take a minute to mention the cool part.

Thursday night I revisited Nightlife at Academy of Science, and I got in for free because it was so close to my birthday. Unfortunately, since it was the 1-year anniversary they were replaying the same planetarium show I’d already seen. It was so relaxing, though. I need a planetarium nap room. I went with Miguel and his friends Jay & Jessica. There was so much Spanish-speaking going on that I’m 95% sure my dream that night was a Spanish novella. I was pretty sure I knew what they were talking about 30% of the time. Oh yeah, gosh, I haven’t posted in ages. I also went to a Super Bowl party at his place with this same crew as well as a bunch of others. It felt more like the world cup as we had a few Spaniards, 1 Norwegian, 1 Aussie, and 1 Brit in attendance. It’s the first football-related event where I was considered the expert. Luckily, Miguel’s roommate was there as a person with whom I could fact-check (an OSU alum…Midwest represent). It was a spectacularly beautiful day. I ended up walking all around Japantown before going to the party. I had a few cars honk at my Colt’s jersey (at least I’m hoping that was the reason).

So, Saturday I had some crab cakes (becoming a bit of a bday/vday ritual) and chocolate cake before gussying up for a trip to the symphony. I underestimated vday-related travel conditions which left me standing on a street corner for 30 minutes trying to get a bus, cab, or anything (yes, I may have tried to play the damsel in distress look to passersby). I’ve never felt more like a hooker in my life, nor received so many judging looks. By the time my cab showed up, it was already 5-minutes beyond the start of the show. He hustled for me, but it was still too late for me to go in so I watched the opening violin concerto from the lobby. The door lady became my BFF, though. Those ladies are always so nice. I headed down to my seat at intermission, where the old lady next to me complimented me on my stockings (made my night). I should really try to be more social to find ladies like that to get season tickets with me.

Anyway, Holst’s “The Planets” carried us through the next hour & a half. I was in heaven (no pun intended?). I don’t think they could have squeezed another instrument on stage, which is how I like it. Quartets and the like are all fine & nice, but a full orchestra is what I live for. “Mars” was the opening piece, which my sister had played in HS band (my year had played “Jupiter”), and it was loud & intense. I had goosebumps from the beginning. I think it could have only been more amazing if they had a screen showing Fantasia (I should own that). It was as if we were being carried through a magical tale, landing us on “Neptune” which was without question the most beautiful and extra-terrestrial of the suite. The sounds of a female chorus echoed in from off-stage. As the piece came to a close, we were left with the sound of their voices seemingly drifting in to the distance, as if we had chanced a brief encounter. It was chilling and gives me jitters just thinking about it. It’s no wonder the entire house rose to their feet for rounds of bows. I think I need to buy a recording right now.

As mentioned, I awoke Sunday morning and could see the fog lingering at my window, killing my plans for a sunrise drive up north. It was disappointing, as I had packed a lunch and prepped my backpack for a morning hike along Cataract Creek to see the 9 cascades of the falls there. It would have been magnificent, but I will go another time. As I took my car back to the garage this afternoon, I had the garage door half way up before I thought, “this just won’t do” and locked it shut. I drove toward the Presidio and started following signs for the 49 mile scenic drive. It felt so good to do some exploring, even if I did hit road construction which made me lose track of the signs. Even at 2 PM, the coast was a blanket of fog. I’d drive from sunshine to fog to rays of sunshine beaming through the fog. Even when the fog hinders my plans, it’s hard for me to be frustrated because I still find it so magical & enticing in its own right.