Cheesy --- Day 8/56

Walk: PGCC Exercise Class, Cheese Tasting
Distance: 1/2 Mile, Class

One of the saddest days of Ciwt's life: when she learned that cheese was fattening, loaded with cholestrol and generally not good for her. At the time she was working right next door to a gourmet cheese store and eating their products at will.

Luckily Ciwt has now reached an age where she has (almost) forgotten those facts. And today, thirty years later, she treated herself to a cheese tasting class.  Seven absolutely delicious cheeses!  So, if all that fat and cholesterol, oops, cheese finally takes effect tonight, you'll know she went eating what she loved......

The Great and Expensive Outdoors --- Day 8/65

Walk: Portola Valley
Distance: 2 Miles

It isn't like what they say about boats: something you throw money at.  Yet.  Her deck, that is.

Ciwt lives way up in the sky in her little San Francisco aerie.  But because of her deck she can walk right outside almost like she is living in a cabin on the ground.  She wouldn't consider giving up that freedom for a nanosecond, but every once in a while she winces at the pretty penny that 'room' at her home has called for. 

Never a Bridesmaid --- Day 8/64

Walk: PGCC Exercise Class, SF Playhouse  (Significant Other)
Distance:  2 miles, 1 class

Laura (Rubio Qian), Jordan (Kyle Cameron), Vanessa (N-A Danielle), of the stellar cast members of  Significant Other

Two bridesmaids flank the distraught-because-he-isn't-a-bridesmaid Jordan above.  This is toward the end of the play, Significant Other, written by Joshua Harmon and playing (several years after New York) at SF Playhouse.  Pooooor Jordan, who is sympathetic at the beginning of the play but was given sooooo many words that Ciwt was nearly numb to caring about him at the end.  She still did, but probably would have even more if he had run his long, verbal riffs only at 'significant' moments.

They Do Not Speak --- Days 8/62 & 63

Walk: 1. Errands  2. San Francisco Presidio Cemetary Memorial Day Commemorative Service
Distance: 1. 2.5 miles, small yoga   2. 6 miles, yoga stretch

Memorial Day, San Francisco Presidio Cemetary, May 27, 2019

 

Stampede --- Day 8/61

Walk: Trader Joe's type errands, AMC Kabuki (Booksmart)
Distance: 4.6 miles, small yoga

Booksmart is the stampede that is high school.  The insecuities, the unformedness, the cover ups.  The sexual total confusion.  The excitement, the energies that are way beyond what is actually necessary, the terrors, the constant unknown, the moral ambiguity.  All this while you are still living with your parents; that has to be factored in and handled.  All these keep coming at you.

Then comes Senior year when you will say goodbye to your true lifelong BFFs even though you might only see them once or twice in your whole lives after school.  But you don't know that now.  And you don't know the ways the world will play with your innocence and how other parts of you you don't know about yet will come forward to handle that.  There are signs of who might be successful out there, but no hints that it might not be who you think.

The plot of Booksmart is non-stop, often non-sensical, many of the gags bombed.  But it captures perfectly the exposed-heart vulnerability and personal nobility of high school where everyone holds their breath, makes it up in the moment, suffers for days after about how they came across - and then has to go right back to school for more   Ciwt loved it.

Watchcats or When in Doubt* --- Day 8/60

Walk: SFMOMA
Distance: 3.5 miles, Yoga

     *(When in doubt, make a CIWT cat entry)

4 Days in May --- Days 8/56, 57, 58, 59, 60

Walks: All over the place
Distances: Usually 3-5 miles, some small weights, missing golf balls at range, no yoga because                           home yoga area under repair seige

Nothing*, except maybe ailing pets, gets Ciwt going down the road sideways like having her home torn up and occupied all day by workmen.  It's back in semi order now and her nervous system is almost there as well.  

*Oh, and also golf.  Someone signed her up for a tournament!?*#  This also will soon be back in order.  Ie, she will withdraw her name.

The Birds Have It --- Day 8/55

Walk: Presidio
Distance: 3 Miles, Yoga

Ciwt's club's Members' Photography was for the birds:

So which photo do you think is the best?  No! Not that one!  Yes, that one!  No! Yes!  (Bird on left is thinking  "Oh, Plueeze)

Parabellum on a Post-It --- Day 8/54

Walk: AMC Kabuki (John Wick 3: Parabellum)
Distance: 2 rainy miles, small yoga

    John Wick (Keanu Reeves) in Very Glam Antique Weapons Room

John Wick (Keanu Reeves in background right) in Ancient Texts Stacks of NY Public Library

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) and 'Friends' in Incredibly Elegant and Masculine Hotel

Ciwt has a friend who is a creative consultant to several successful artists and a movie buff like herself.  When she and he debrief about shows they've seen (he lives south of here), he always finds something positive when Ciwt is ready to pan the whole thing. We both agreed that the plot of John Wick 3: Parabellum could be written in its entirety on a Post-It sticker and that the beautifully choreographed but long and frequent fight scenes became mind-numbing.  But he pointed out that the costumes and settings are Excellent.  Weaving together a look that is both 1940's and futuristic the look of the film is tantalizing, especially as you try to identify their possible locations in New York.

Also riveting in its laconic way is Keanu Reeves with his tall, lean gait, dark stringy hair and non-challant am I in a movie?, oh well way.    

Of course, if you are male and younger than lets's say 40, you will love every fight scene, eat up the sparse dialogue, understand the often non-existent plot and go to Parabellum several times.

My Computer Ate My Homework - and Everything Else --- Day 8/53

Walk: No, Staring at Blank Computer

Distance: 0, Standing Behind Computer Tech with Fingers Crossed

Again and Again and Again, Most of the Day

So Ciwt's computer performed a trick her technician had never seen before: It devoured - or something - its entire contents.  In other words, absolutely everything for years on Ciwt's computer was gone.  Since she's writing this, you already know that after several hours (and many "I've never seen this.  No, that didn't work, I can't believe it, that didn't work either, etc., etc") her tech got things back and running, Ciwt began breathing again, and her computer historyless day was done.

Andy's Back in Town --- Day 8/52

Walk: SFMOMA (Andy Warhol from A to B and Back Again)
Distance: 2 Miles, Yoga Somewhere

Andy Warhol, Self Portrait, 1961

You know the rest of these iconic images:

Ciwt has to admit there is an undying fascination with Andy Warhol.  No matter that he has been over-exposed in museums, galleries, posters, coffee cups, postcards, tee shirts, pillows, umbrellas, you name it from Here to Timbuktu. There is still no 'over' with Warhol. And honestly that is for good reason: he revolutionized the art world so completely that no one has opened new territory or topped his sweeping impact yet.  Almost 60 years later, modern art is still in the age of Warhol.

'He' just finished a blockbuster show at the Whitney in New York; now he and his show are here at SFMOMA. And it is  a emarkable exhibit: deep, informative, intimate, filled with art you haven't seen or new slants on it.  

Most of the crowd at Members' Opening Day was Ciwt's age, but this is a week/work/rain day.  Will younger generations start flocking to Warhol?  We'll see, but don't count him out. Turns out Warhol believed in resurrection, honestly thought he would live again after he died.  And maybe he was right. 

Plastic Yoga Room --- Day 8/51

Walk: Union Square Dentist 😝, PGCC Photo Show Setup, Bridge, Generally Avoiding Home Invasion and rain
Distance:  A few blocks,  No place for yoga

Living Room Yoga Area in Plastic

Older homes are full of character and have great appeal.  Until they develop 'small problems;' usually there is no such thing when you pull back the top coat and look at 100+ year old building materials. Such was the case in the part of Ciwt's living room ceiling that covers her workout area. Luckily there are many people out here who know how to work on the Victorians that abound and give our city character.  Meanwhile Ciwt's character isn't quite so mellow with not enought exercise.  Ommm, this too shall pass.

Back and Forth --- Day 8/50

Walk: Skin Doc, PGcc
Distance: 2 miles, small yoga

     Going to Fillmore

                                                               Middle

     Returning

Ciwt's favorite curbside garden.  Always a joy and a brief trip to Italy to walk by.

Stump and Spire --- Day 8/49

Walk: Monday Errands
Distance: 5 miles, yoga stretches

When Andy Goldsworthy first began creating his site specific sculptures, he was asked about maitenance programs to keep them in good repair. "None," was the Scotland-based English artist's reply.  He sees his works as just one surface layer on the many layers of the earth as it evolves and wants them to evolve (devolve actually) according to all the  unpredictable vissisitudes of man and nature.

Along those lines, on her walk today Ciwt noticed that someone has created a new 'viewing seat' to study, contemplate, enjoy, whatever Goldsworthy's Spire off to the left.  Who carved this chair, how long it will last, how many will occupy it and in what position, whether and when it will be destroyed by man or nature, these questions are now out there more or less side-by-side with Spire. 

Pre$tigue? No Thank You --- Day 8/48

Walk: No

Distance:  Housework (for ailing cleaning woman), Yoga, Pedal

Ciwt is thinking actual trips these days, so she's also thinking suitcases and the fact that lifting her luggage onto the overhead compartments is getting to be a bit, well, challenging.  The gorgeous and prestigious is probably still being carried by the young billionaires around here and the world (rather by their porters).  But Ciwt recently gave away her prietty and heavy Longchamps luggage in favor of the sturdiest and lightest weight, easiest to keep clean luggage she could find.  And she likes it!

NO:

Valextra Costa Suitcase (small) $7,950

Ari and Jacqueline Onassis each owned an entire set.  There is no information on weight, but the suitcase is made of brushed, inked, lacquered leather with molded steel frame so Ciwt images it is quite heavy.  Not that its owner would be the one carrying it.

The owners probably do carry the soft (calfskin) trolley bag ($2800 and also weighty) onto their private transports.  Both bags can be and probably are monogrammed.

YES:

Ciwt's soft (reinforced nylon) Lipault Paris Suitcase (4.9 lbs) and 'trolley' bag
(backpack actually.  1.7 lbs)   Ultralightweight easy to carry on and lift.  Oh, and under $350 for both.

No Tame Tutus Here --- Day 8/47

Walk: SF Opera House (Shostakovich Trilogy)
Distance: 5 miles

It was back - after five years!   The New York Times hailed it as '“fascinating, poetic, and enigmatic;” many reviewers called it "a masterpiece," the audience - including Ciwt - went nuts. So yesterday Ciwt rushed off again to see SF Ballet dance Shostakovich Trilogy choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky.
Stunning once again.  And so fast moving in parts that Ciwt saw one principal dancer make an astounding recovery after nearly falling. First time she's ever seen that and an indigation to her of how demanding the dances were for even the most polished (and gorgeous!) pros.

Happy to be Remembered --- Day 8/46

Walk: Hood with visiting cousin, Union Square
Distance: 4.5 miles, small Yoga

Ciwt's pet tree didn't forget her this year.  (Hint: Those blue flowers at the base are forget-me-nots.  Cute story here: Ciwt didn't plant them, so they blew in on the SF 'breezes.' These things happen out here, but usually it's some sort of weed).

Why We Drink Wine, Part 300 --- Days 8/44 & 45

Walk: 1. Golf Clinic, Putting contest, Bridge playing, Political Lecture Attending  2. Marin Driving             Day
Distance: 1. Not far, flailing away at golf balls  2. Long Pedal, Yoga

  

Please remind Ciwt that she really, really doesn't like golf - or political lectures. Or obnoxious bridge players.   Then she won't feel so disspirited when she comes home from her club.

Missed the Target --- Days 8/42 & 43

Walk: 1. AMC Kabuki (Long Shot)   2. Union Square
Distance: 1. 2 Miles, 2. 4.5 miles, medium yoga

So, Ciwt has been brain dead since seeing the absolutely gorgeous, Academy Award winning actress, Charlize Theron, paired with Seth Rogen who is neither of these things nor a creditable partner for her.  No matter how much the movie tried to make her root for them getting together, Ciwt just kept thinking "Eeewww, No!"  Also it was one of those movies there are more and more of these days where the dialogue relies heavily on the F word - for two hours.  No more explanation necessary for brain deadness.

It actually helped Ciwt get the dreaded Nails, Yawn chore done.  Finally when they start snagging on everything within 5 yards it can no longer be ignored.  Too bad Ciwt's cats don't get as bored as she does when they have their nails done. 

The Slow and The Fast --- Days 8/40 & 41

Walk: 1. No  (inside trying to finish book group book: Asymmetry) 2. Trader Joe's
Distance: 0, Long Pedal, Long Yoga, small weights   2. 2 miles, Pedal, small weights and yoga

The Slow:  An excellent book that reads medium fast.  But its cover photo puts Ciwt in mind of the boats that sail smoothly and gracefully around Central Park's Conservatory Water .

The Fast: 

The Sail GP boats, F50 catamarans, which race at speeds as high as 60 mph and are electrifying to watch.  They just finished the San Francisco Event, and, if you are in New York, the next event is coming to you June 21-22.  Don't worry if you know nothing about sailing; they have come up with a way to televise the races that is almost as amazing as the boats themselves.  You will be there, and it is thrilling!

Ro - Venge --- Day 8/39

Walk: AMC Kabuki (Avengers: Endgame), Hood errands
Distance: 4.5 miles

Robert Downey, Jr. is such an acting treasure.  He makes any movie he is in, and that's certainly the case with Avengers: Endgame.  It is a star and action studded movie in which everyone rises to the occasion.  But Downey is the heart and soul of it all - playing a comic book character no less.  There already well-deserved Oscar buzz.

He deserves cuter picture, so here it is: 

Notes from Dutch Jail --- Days 8/37 & 8

Walk: 1. Union Square  2. Hood
Distance: 3.6 miles   3. 2 miles, yoga

That's where Ciwt would have been in 1637 during the days of Tulipmania after she went bankrupt
from madly purchasing tulips until the price collapsed in a single week.  She would have considered it worth it! 

and, OMG, now she reads there is Blue one!  (Maybe she'll still end up in jail...)