Ariel Wouldn't Have the Guts to Do What I Did

A little while after I posted this I received an email from a long-time chum, Bradley, saying that he'd like to help me out with the dreaded sea food and that he'd be in Utah in October.(You can encourage Bradley to blog more often here on his blog about food.) I was only too thrilled to have to report to some real person about this goal and last night I accomplished the goal - I purposely ate a water creature. We ate at Communal in the Provo and had dessert down the way at Gloria's Little Italy.

This is Bradley and he is eating salad.

I really ate the fish. And it was good and I ate my portion and I would do it again.

This is the salmon that I ate.

This is beet salad and delicious it was.

These are carrots, even the yellow things.

And we topped it off with gelato, which off with everything should be topped. 

Bradley was so kind to help me out with this challenge and I did indeed feel brave. Additionally, he is great company and it is always so enjoyable to spend time with him. Thanks so much, Bradley!

Tooth Fairies

I just know I published this before but I felt the need to republish especially since I could not find it again. Enjoy!

For our church talent show Miss J and I did a Kristin Wiig and Melinda Hill skit called Confessions of a Tooth Fairy. Check it out. And thanks to Geoff for recording it. If you want the script probably the easiest thing to do is write it out. It's pretty easy to do. 

San Francisco

Kate and I have been best friends for ten years and we've never gone on a serious trip together. It was about time. For our 30 birthdays we organized this little adventure last weekend.

Erin and I flew together, while Steve and Kate drove. Jennica lives there so she just went to work. We decided to try Allegiant Airlines because it was so cheap. This was a bad idea. 

The flight was delayed four hours  for "mechanical problems" so we had to wait for a new plane sans problems to fly in. HRH was not impressed. No food to be found at this airport so they allowed us to search for sustenance in downtown P-Town. Luckily Station 22 is bomb. 

Then one day we boarded a plane. 

And crossed the Bay Bridge. 

And saw Alcatraz from the Pier.

And ate at Ghirardelli Square. It was like we were the ultimate tourists. 

We loved the Palace of Fine Arts. Who knew this oasis of indescribable beauty and classic architecture lurks just below the Golden Gate Bridge? 

And we danced like children of the night. Because this is where that scene from So I Married an Axe Murderer was filmed!

In the morning we ate at the Tartine Bakery, which may have been the best meal of my entire life and I'm not being hyperbolic. It's me, Kate, Steve, Erin, and Jennica. 

This is the bread pudding, made with brioche, with fresh peaches on top. It was heaven in a cup.  I continue to think about it. It was custardy, deliciousness, with sweet fruit and warm, and perfect. 

Some painted ladies by the famous painted ladies (the houses) at Alamo Park. 

But what you really have to do in reenact the opening scenes of Full House.  Ok so maybe they were just picnicking but I like our memory better. 

We only thought about buying drugs. 

We went on a super, super long bike ride through the city, over the GGB, and into Sausalito. That'd be Steve, Kate, me, Jennica, and Erin. We're good looking. 

From the Sausilito side looking back to San Fran. 

And took the ferry back. Out bums couldn't handle the biking. 

And we went to China town where we looked at cheap goods, like we do in other towns. 

After everyone was sufficiently hangry, we finally found a delicious restaurant to restore our good will towards men. 

After church Sunday we took a jaunt through Muir Woods. 

And saw either some sequioas or redwoods. 

And loved each other. 

This is Pacifica Beach-each. 

And a night cap at Creme near Stanford.

We left bright and early Monday morning. Oh wait, no we didn't. We waited for hours and hours again in the airport, Snowden style, because out plane had "mechanical difficulties" and a new plane had to be flown in. Where have I heard this story? Dear everyone, do not fly Allegiant. 

I'm going to choose to focus on this instead. Best friends are just the best and we are all so lucky to have each other.