Everyone know about the Gay Pride Parade in San Francisco: it's a legend, a grand event, a spectacle. But the best part of the Pride Festival is Pink Saturday - the party in the Castro District the night before the parade.
It started as a very hush-hush kind of affair, a neighborhood party to celebrate the weekend and get those feelings of community and pride running through the city before the parade on Sunday. Now Pink Saturday is a full-blown extravaganza with multiple stages of live music, delicious food and drink specials and fabulous costumes. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are the annual organizers and this year I was lucky enough to be talking to one at the right time so I got asked to volunteer! Lady D is one of Dique's oldest and best friends and we've become really tight. Lady D is also neighbors to one of the Sisters and at a little backyard gathering involving too much hard alcohol, I joined Lady D in her volunteer position.
On Saturday, June 27th we worked the Market Street gate, ushering in people to the party and asking them to make donations. One of the best things about the Sisters is that they raise funds for programs all over the city. They don't discriminate - all of the causes they support are equally different and equally worthy. Pink Saturday in and of itself if free to the public, but there is a suggested donation - a nominal fee, this year it was $7. With a donation you get a pink sticker with the Sister emblem and then discounts for food/drinks for the night.
We had a ball. Lady D was a seductive temptress and I was a Butterfly Fairy. Lady D's brother was also with us and let me just say that together they make a very good looking bunch of siblings! Thanks to them we had a very successful gate and got a lot of donations! After our shift ended around 9pm we got some dinner and walked around the party until we met up with friends and go where any good lady goes: Moby Dick bar.
The weather was warm, the people were happy, it was a glorious night. I was so glad to be a part of it - thanks to Lady D and the Sisters for including me in the fun! I gave my butterfly wings to a security guard who brought them home to his daughter, so I'm on the lookout for a new pair so I can be ready for next year!
Come back for pictures - they'll be up soon!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Marathon Fun
Training for a marathon has opened up a whole new world for me. First, I'm surprising myself every week, discovering that I actually enjoy being outside early on a Saturday morning chatting to women as we run through the streets and parks of San Francisco. The even bigger shock is that I'm fine with doing all of this in spandex and a baseball hat - two things I normally keep as far away from my wardrobe as possible.
Running has totally changed my mentality about what I'm capable of and how much I can push myself. I also have learned that being able to run long distances is complicated. It's not about having a "runner's body" or a gene from your running parents. You need stamina, strength, hydration, the right nutrition, the right equipment and sleep. And that's about it. Well, that and motivation.
I ran into my first "runner's wall" a couple of weeks ago. I was so disappointed with myself, and it was mostly because I hadn't prepared well all week so it showed on the run. It was an 18-mile run, and I had talked myself up about it all week. The longest run we had before that was a 16-miler, and I thought, what the heck, tagging on a couple more miles is nothing. Right? Not really. Not when you stop getting enough water, enough sleep, enough fuel for your body. The night before the run I had yummy Chinese food, champagne and English chocolate - three of my all time favorite things! Dique and I had a couple friends over, we stayed up late, indulged to the max and had a great night. It was an absolute blast, actually, until the next morning when I woke up with an upset stomach and then tried to run 18 miles dehydrated and nauseous.
The first eight miles were fantastic. I made it through the next five without too much of a struggle. But somewhere between mile 13 and 15 I fell apart. My ego blames the ginormous, never-ending, pain-in-the-hey-hey hill the takes you from Ocean Beach up to the Cliff House and into the Richmond District. But the truth is? I totally messed up. I essentially walked the last three miles in and even walking hurt. If I had money for a cab on me I totally would have hailed one. It was that crappy.
So - instead of getting really bummed about it, I decided the following week would not only be different, but it would way better. I wouldn't let the run kick my butt, I'd kick it's butt - and hard. I went back to focusing on nutrition, stretching, drinking water instead of champagne (even though the latter is so. much. better!) and I got a lot of sleep. Come Saturday morning I was able to get up, go for that 20-mile run and even turn into a butterfly princess and volunteer at Pink Saturday until into the night, on my feet and dancing.
I was so proud of myself and thought - hell if I can do this, I can run that marathon. Which is something I never thought I'd say.
Running has totally changed my mentality about what I'm capable of and how much I can push myself. I also have learned that being able to run long distances is complicated. It's not about having a "runner's body" or a gene from your running parents. You need stamina, strength, hydration, the right nutrition, the right equipment and sleep. And that's about it. Well, that and motivation.
I ran into my first "runner's wall" a couple of weeks ago. I was so disappointed with myself, and it was mostly because I hadn't prepared well all week so it showed on the run. It was an 18-mile run, and I had talked myself up about it all week. The longest run we had before that was a 16-miler, and I thought, what the heck, tagging on a couple more miles is nothing. Right? Not really. Not when you stop getting enough water, enough sleep, enough fuel for your body. The night before the run I had yummy Chinese food, champagne and English chocolate - three of my all time favorite things! Dique and I had a couple friends over, we stayed up late, indulged to the max and had a great night. It was an absolute blast, actually, until the next morning when I woke up with an upset stomach and then tried to run 18 miles dehydrated and nauseous.
The first eight miles were fantastic. I made it through the next five without too much of a struggle. But somewhere between mile 13 and 15 I fell apart. My ego blames the ginormous, never-ending, pain-in-the-hey-hey hill the takes you from Ocean Beach up to the Cliff House and into the Richmond District. But the truth is? I totally messed up. I essentially walked the last three miles in and even walking hurt. If I had money for a cab on me I totally would have hailed one. It was that crappy.
So - instead of getting really bummed about it, I decided the following week would not only be different, but it would way better. I wouldn't let the run kick my butt, I'd kick it's butt - and hard. I went back to focusing on nutrition, stretching, drinking water instead of champagne (even though the latter is so. much. better!) and I got a lot of sleep. Come Saturday morning I was able to get up, go for that 20-mile run and even turn into a butterfly princess and volunteer at Pink Saturday until into the night, on my feet and dancing.
I was so proud of myself and thought - hell if I can do this, I can run that marathon. Which is something I never thought I'd say.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Is that a peacock on your hand or are you happy to see me?
Dique's sister, my fabulous sister-in-law KEH, hosted an amazing gathering yesterday. KEH is engaged and in order for all of us bridal party people to meet and greet each other, she organized a fun afternoon filled with Mediterranean eats, wedding talk and henna. The shindig was at Dique's parents' home and MamaB whipped up a delicious spread of Eggplant Mélange, homemade hummus, lemony shrimp, nann, tahini and other treats. I made sure to get the recipe for the eggplant dish because it was incredible, and I definitely want to make that sometime.
I have only gotten "henna’d" one other time, and it was during college days at Cal Berkeley. There are many henna artists always scattered along Telegraph Avenue and I randomly got some done during a street festival. It didn’t last very long, and I barely remember it happening, so suffice to say I was excited to get properly henna’d this time around.
KEH hired a wonderfully sweet and talented artist – the hardest part was deciding what to have done! After lots of contemplating and looking at the portfolio, I decided to get a peacock design on the inside of my left hand, and a bracelet design around my right wrist. The peacock symbolizes fertility, so I asked her to put a time-delay blessing on it, too. Hah.
She did each design in under ten minutes, which I thought was incredibly fast. I don’t have a particularly still hand, so I’m always amazed by people who can paint nails efficiently, color within the lines, etc. We had to let the henna dry and absorb into the skin for at least an hour, at which point the dried henna will fleck (or be picked) off. It’s advised not to get it wet for the first 4-6 hours, either. I followed the rules to a T and mine looks great today. The henna on my left hand (the bird) is more orange than that on my right wrist. I wonder if she changed her materials, or if the color change is due to different make-up of the body parts. Either way, I think it looks fantastic!
See for yourself…
Thanks to MamaB for the feast (and the recipe) and to KEH for having such a great party! It was really fun to meet and visit with her bridal party – she has great friends! I’m really honored to be part of the bridal posse and can’t wait for the next bridal party party.
I have only gotten "henna’d" one other time, and it was during college days at Cal Berkeley. There are many henna artists always scattered along Telegraph Avenue and I randomly got some done during a street festival. It didn’t last very long, and I barely remember it happening, so suffice to say I was excited to get properly henna’d this time around.
KEH hired a wonderfully sweet and talented artist – the hardest part was deciding what to have done! After lots of contemplating and looking at the portfolio, I decided to get a peacock design on the inside of my left hand, and a bracelet design around my right wrist. The peacock symbolizes fertility, so I asked her to put a time-delay blessing on it, too. Hah.
She did each design in under ten minutes, which I thought was incredibly fast. I don’t have a particularly still hand, so I’m always amazed by people who can paint nails efficiently, color within the lines, etc. We had to let the henna dry and absorb into the skin for at least an hour, at which point the dried henna will fleck (or be picked) off. It’s advised not to get it wet for the first 4-6 hours, either. I followed the rules to a T and mine looks great today. The henna on my left hand (the bird) is more orange than that on my right wrist. I wonder if she changed her materials, or if the color change is due to different make-up of the body parts. Either way, I think it looks fantastic!
See for yourself…
Thanks to MamaB for the feast (and the recipe) and to KEH for having such a great party! It was really fun to meet and visit with her bridal party – she has great friends! I’m really honored to be part of the bridal posse and can’t wait for the next bridal party party.
Hooray for good friends, good food, good times, and hooray for henna!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Memorable Memorial Day Wedding
Two wonderful people got married on top of a historic SF hill over Memorial Day weekend! Their wedding was beautiful, heartfelt and one hell of a party. Congratulations Molly and Charles!!
Molly and her mom make the big trek - check out the gorgeous red shoes!
Charles' dad presided over the ceremony - he is a pastor and did a wonderful job.
Sealed with a kiss.
What a beautiful and happy pair.
Our good friends Joey and Paige Korich who made our table extra fun! Paige and Tuni take full responsibility for emptying many (countless?) bottles of wine down their throats.
Our other good friends were also at the table, Colin and Kelly, they did good work making alcohol vanish, as well.
Adorable and tasty favors - homemade jam! And a plate of olive oil for bread-dipping during their Italian reception feast.
Yeah. We had a good time.
Look! Still relatively sober!
More fun with the beautiful bride.
Paige and da boyz.
Hmm. Maybe not so sober.
Here's to a fabulous couple!!
Molly and her mom make the big trek - check out the gorgeous red shoes!
Charles' dad presided over the ceremony - he is a pastor and did a wonderful job.
Sealed with a kiss.
What a beautiful and happy pair.
Our good friends Joey and Paige Korich who made our table extra fun! Paige and Tuni take full responsibility for emptying many (countless?) bottles of wine down their throats.
Our other good friends were also at the table, Colin and Kelly, they did good work making alcohol vanish, as well.
Adorable and tasty favors - homemade jam! And a plate of olive oil for bread-dipping during their Italian reception feast.
Yeah. We had a good time.
Look! Still relatively sober!
More fun with the beautiful bride.
Paige and da boyz.
Hmm. Maybe not so sober.
Here's to a fabulous couple!!
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