Happy Almost Valentine's Day!

Dinner at Earl's before bridge



So, the last week in rainy, wet Vancouver (which feels very, very far away right now)  was filled as all the rest were, with dinners and lunches, and, of course, had to get in one final dim  sum  with friends Joyce.....                                                        

.....and Alisha...

and yes, I was there too....

.......as well as time for one more movie, Quartet.  No, it is not the same as the one I described last time, that was The Late Quartet, although it is quite funny that they should both be out at the same time, and both with musical themes and both dealing with age.  Anyway, this was the one directed by Dustin Hoffman, about a home for aging musicians and a concert celebrating Verdi's birthday.  It was full of lovely shots of rural England, and lots of lovely music, but, well, Dustin Hoffman should stick to acting!                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                               



 Finally, the last decisions were signed, the last goodbye's said, and I was off to Palm Springs, by way of San Francisco.  And that little detour came about because Hank was appalled that I had never seen The Who, and got us tickets for the concert on Friday, February.  I got to San Francisco that morning, we had the obligatory by now traditional lunch with Hank and the usual cast of characters (previously documented) at Hendy Hunan's, and then off to the Oakland Arena that night for The Who.  I didn't think I was a fan - after all, I was listening to opera while everyone else was listening to rock music - but apparently  the music was in the ether, because Quadrephenia, Tommy, and a surprising amount of the rest of the music, was absolutely familiar.  Only two of the originals were left, of course, but their current drummer is the son of Ringo Starr, which I thought was pretty cool.  Great concert!

Saturday, I had a decadent lunch at Anisette, in the Hayes Valley with friend Peter, followed by shopping, and an early birthday dinner with Hank at Baker and Banker, a trendy local restaurant...

And then, finally,  off at the crack of dawn to Palm  Springs!  It was wonderful to get here where even if it is chilly, it is at least sunny!  Friend Mariah arrived from Seattle a few days later, so now I have my buddy to play with.  We went to Cardenas first, to stock up on food.  Cardenas is a supermarket which could have been lifted from Mexico - all the Mexican foods but without the flies.  Well, I've got you here....  I'll continue later.....