Leaving Las Vegas

Monday, April 5, 2021

Hearty breakfast at America at New York, New York. Left Las Vegas at about 10:00 am and made it to Brenda and Irv's around 4:30 pm. Nice to see their new house in Sun City West. We sat and caught up in their lovely back yard and had brats for dinner. Above photo taken on the part of our drive through California. 

California 2016 - Odds and Ends

Monday, February 15, 2016

Other notable events this trip:

1. Warren has a favorite coffee shop called Divine Grind. The owners are a man and woman from Nigeria. Warren always speaks very fondly of them  We stopped during my visit last year but they were not in. This year I met the wife, Winnie. She's a lovely woman.

2.  Milton made an effort to greet me and talk to me upon my arrival Friday. This is notable because I think he is one of the most introverted people I've ever met. Last year, as this year, he'd join the three of us for dinner and watch whatever movie we were watching for as long as his dinner lasted. However, he'd usually retreat upon finishing to work on a model or do some gaming. Anyway, he tried to spend a good 10 minutes with me after I arrived to see how my flight was and how I was doing. For someone as extremely withdrawn as he is I found this to be significant. I find him very liable and also quite sincere in his own quiet way. 

3.  My return flight from San Jose had a connecting flight to meet in LA. At LAX I boarded the plane but we didn't leave until an hour and 15 minutes later than we were supposed to due to air conditioning and fueling issues.

Just before landing in LA.

Half Moon Bay

From a photo I took.

The Return

I had school the day after getting back from California. I took this picture on my morning walk.

So Long, California

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Scott, Milton, Warren, and I all went out for breakfast this morning. After that Warren got me to the airport in San Jose. It was hard to say goodbye as this is one of the most fun weekend getaways I've had. EVER.

Nick's Restaurant

Saturday, March 21, 2015

After our adventure in the city, Warren, Scott, and I met Milton at Nick's in Pacifica, CA for dinner. What a fabulous retro place. Scott was adorable in his enjoyment of the place. He was very much in the moment. The place is a true supper club in that in addition to food and drinks they offer live music and dancing.

After Nick's we relaxed some more in the hot tub.

The Castro and Harvey Milk

Saturday, March 21, 2015

I found the plaque of Harvey Milk on the sidewalk of the Castro and Scott pointed out where Harvey's camera store was. It's now a Human Rights Campaign office. You can see a painting of Harvey in the second story window. I've heard he lived above the store. 

Scott and Warren

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Scott and Warren are in the bottom center of the photo. Taken as we walked toward the Twin Peaks bar just up the street on the corner.

Saturday In the City

Saturday, March 21, 2015

On Saturday Scott, Warren, and I went in to San Francisco to see The Witches of East Bay at the Castro Theater. The show was a take-off on the movie The Witches of Eastwick but with drag queens. It was hysterical how over the top the guy who played Jack Nicholson was. They showed the movie after and we stayed for that as well. I haven't seen the movie since the 80s and realized the guy doing Jack's part really wasn't over the top at all.

Prior to the show we stopped at the bar on the corner just half a block up from the theater. The bar is called Twin Peaks and here is what the website San Francisco Travel had to say about it:

Twin Peaks Tavern (401 Castro Street)
Established: 1935An emblem of the gay community, Twin Peaks was designated an historical bar in 2013. The bar is the first known gay bar to feature full length open plate glass windows, openly revealing the identities of their patrons. Sitting at the intersection of Castro and Market Streets, Twin Peaks stands as a gateway into the neighborhood.

Outside the bar was (I assume) a homeless woman. She had a suitcase and her dog with her and it looked like she was accepting change from folks. Anyway, a man came up and gave her some food for her dog. She lit into him and started screaming "I don't accept dog food from bitches!"  Oddly, she sounded exactly like the character Pensatucky from the show Orange Is the New Black. Scott informed me that nudists have taken to walking around the city. He wasn't kidding. I saw one just after he mentioned it. 

Sonny

Friday, March 20, 2015

I had a chance to meet Scott and Milton's new dog Sonny. I really came to like him even though upon first seeing me he jumped up and started knawing at my ankles (I had shorts on) with his sharp puppy teeth. Scott and Milton had been working on trying to break him of that habit and gave me permission to get on his case if he did it. After we worked through that he really, like I said, grew on me.  He's quite a cutie.

Milton's Birthday Party

Friday, March 20, 2015

A good part of the early and later afternoon was getting set up for Milton's birthday dinner. It was fun to have a chance to watch Warren cook. I've come to believe that cooking and entertaining people with the food he makes is one of his greatest pleasures. Usually I just see the tail end of his preparation when I'm over for dinner.  It was fun to watch him go through the process of putting the rub on the Puerto Rican version of a pork roast he was making but also just watching him tend to it. Scott introduced me to a new gin called The Botanist. He told me it would become a new favorite and he was right. He let me make a martini for him. I get as much of a charge with making drinks for people as Warren does for cooking for folks. 

The birthday dinner party turned out to be just awesome. Milton's good friend Kevin was there along with a Kevin's boyfriend and another couple as well. 

After dinner we spent some time relaxing in the hot tub.

Half Moon Bay

Friday, March 20, 2015

Scott and Milton have a lovely home with a beautiful balcony and patio.

Beach Walk Flower

Friday, March 20, 2015

More Beach Walk Shots

Photos taken Friday, March 20, 2015

Off to California

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Worked today and Dale picked me up the minute school ended to get me to the airport on time for my visit to Warren. Checked in with no problem. My flight left around 5:30 p.m. I'm flying first class which really is the BEST.

When boarding I couldn't find my seat assignment on my iPhone ticket.  The flight attendant located it for me (4B) and smiled and told me that I had the best sear on the whole plane. She's right because I'm the first one getting drink and food service out of everyone. I'm in the final row of first class so they must start there. That or she fancies me. LOL

Upon boarding I ordered a Bacardi and Coke but was brought a Jack and Coke instead. It worked just as well so I stuck with it for round two.

There are two women in the row ahead of me who I believe are flying with their elderly father. They made it clear to our flight attendant that they are first class virgins. Said flight attendant offered comfort by assuring them she is here to help. It's obvious these two gals are in awe and enjoying every minute of this.

Dinner was ravioli and salad. Not bad. Dessert was gelato.