team wine, stale wine

On Thursday, we had our long overdue PMO wine outing. My team at work cut out scandalously early - 4:30! - and enjoyed some glasses of wine and each other's company at Wine in Embarcadero 2.

There was much to be drinking to. Tom recently transfered to the Product Management group, so we were celebrating; Jeff announced he was leaving next week, so we were saying goodbye. Over plates of cheese, smoked salmon, and bread, we realized that Tom is a nutjob, and I'm a camera whore. Or maybe we already knew that ;-)


The Team Pic: [L-R] Drew, Jeff, Peter, Daisy, Tom, Carol, me


Daisy, Quiggles, Carol


Me and my officemate


Jeff and Peter

Wine was surprisingly crowded, considering its in a mall. And pricey, to boot. But it sure as hell beat our next stop...

... the London Wine Bar! We vetoed it originally because, as Drew said, it looks "dusty". Well, somehow Jeff and Tom thought it'd be a good idea to stop in for a glass. As it turned out, it was not. My review on Yelp says it all:

Considering there was no one there at 6pm on a Thurs night, we knew we were in trouble. Once we sat in an empty booth, one of my companions starting chewing on stale breadsticks.

At that point, we dubbed it "Fred"... our old friend Fred, who wasn't very interesting, fun to be around, a little older, a little less with it. But Fred was generally nice. Until Fred served us a Cote du Rhone that tasted like it'd been open for as long as Fred has. So nasty - it clearly wasn't fresh, and tasted like cough syrup. I couldn't even finish it. I spent all night throwing up afterwards... and no, I wasn't drunk. It was only my 2nd of 2 glasses of wine for the evening.

Yuck.


The breadsticks have been there since LWB opened


Why is Carol smiling? Because she was smart enough to order tea!


Cranky me, guilty Tom

Afterwards, Carol and I headed for the Yelp Elite event at the SFMoMA. Lots of fun - the food provided by Oola and Maverick were yummy, and people are always super nice. I don't think I'm a big fan of modern art though... I just don't get it. Maybe I'm a heathen, but when I see big red balls, I think of Target.

Just as well, since I ended up cutting out early thanks to the disgusting Cote I got at LWB.

love, betrayal and bowling

Last Sunday, some MITMers and I got together for bowling at Presidio Bowl. It was a fun time, but man, do I suck.

The Night's Theme Song: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey


Micaya, looking freaked at the prospect of bowling


Navin lets one rip


"Please please don't get stuck in the gutter again," I pray


Micaya and her fireman, Al


Navin, Brandy, me and Alice

what do you think you're looking at...

I've always wanted to be called "Sugar Tits". Now I will be, every time my phone rings, thanks to OasyMobile's Mel in Malibu ringtone.

http://store.oasysmobile.com/store/itemdetail?item_id=255238

Most excellent.

the 1259 reunion

On Thursday afternoon, I get a call on my cell:

Colin: Hey Serena! What's shaking? Wanted to catch up with you and see what's going on.
Serena: Good, good. What are you up to?
Colin: Actually, believe it or not, I'm in town.
Serena: Seriously! Well, I definitely want to see you.
Colin: I'd love to see you too. As a matter of fact...

As it turns out, Mr. Colin, formerly of 1259 fame, was homeless. He was supposed to stay at a friend of his' apartment - this friend is on an extended vacation in South America. However, the key that he gave him didn't work, so Colin called me while he was sitting outside on Market Street with all of his luggage.

And thus began the 1259 reunion weekend.

The Lady with the Sweet Lookin' Buns
Not only was Colin in town, but so was Brian - a.k.a. Brian #1, the Original Brian, or yubm. He and his gf Martha coincided a trip to SF from LA so that they could see Colin here.

Since I was still not feeling great, I declined midnight gelato in North Beach on Friday evening when they arrived. But we did join up for dim sum at City View, which lacked a city view, but had some tasty treats and good laughs.

While we were desperately waiting for fresh dim sum, all of the dessert dishes came out. Of course, when we were ready for dessert, all we got was the stuff that we were pining for - lettuce cups, steamed Chinese broccoli, porridge.

Brian, looking around, commented, "I want to find the lady with the sweet lookin' buns."


And they arrive! Brian with a leer...


... but not a Leery.

Afterwards, we headed towards North Beach so that Martha and Brian can hit up a store called Double Punch. On the way, we pass by the most excellent place ever: the AMD Trading Association, which not only specializes in ping-pong accessories, but has a Table Tennis Robot.


The Robot!



After strolling around the Haight for a while with them, I headed home since I was still feeling feverish.

She's Like the Wind
This morning, we decided to venture out again for food. Restaurant of choice: Blue.

Apparently, this place has some kick-ass Mac 'n Cheese. I asked the waiter on his opinion, and he said, "Its the best you'll ever have... unless your mom just makes the world's most amazing Mac 'n Cheese."

Puzzled, I looked at him. "Does it look like my mom makes Mac 'n Cheese?"

Regardless, he was right. Brian, Martha and Colin all opted for the dish, while Martha's friend Ed and I chose some breakfasty foods.



But I was hardly Mac 'n Cheese-free. I'd gotten the Chorizo Scramble, which came with hot tortillas. Inspiration struck, and I wrapped some of indeed the world's best Mac 'n Cheese in a tortilla with ketchup. With "She's Like the Wind" playing in the background, it was like white trash heaven.

"All we need now is some kimchee," Ed commented dryly.



Before we parted ways for the weekend, we had to take one last reunion picture. So we struck a pose outside of the restaurant, reverting to our usual, violent ways. Martha even joined in the act.





Colin will be here through next weekend, and we've already decided that after he graduates from law school, we're going to move in together and get a dog. But I'll still miss these two.

just. so. wrong.

Yes, that's a handbag. *Shudder*