A very nice day in San Francisco

Does anyone remember that episode of Black Books where Manny becomes a police officer for a day? I can’t remember the plot that well, I think last time I saw it was the time Emma and I watched all three seasons back to back and that was at least a few years ago. Anyway, from what I remember, Manny stays up all night watching the Sweeney or something and drinking coffee so the next day he gets confused and ends up being mistaken for a real cop and trying to track down a criminal. Then at the end of the day he just picks up where he left off. My Saturday was kinda like that.

It was weird. In the morning I slept in after staying up very late the night before and doing absolutely nothing productive with the extra time. In the afternoon I went shopping in Haight Ashbury for a jacket, which remarkably I couldn’t find despite all the thrift shops. I ended up at Hyde Street Pier leaving my friend off there, and through one circumstance or another was recruited on board a sailing boat as crew. It was slightly confusing, a bearded guy called Captain Al asked if I knew how to coil a rope, I said no, so he showed me. Next thing I know, myself and my two French friends are volunteering on this boat for a bunch of tourists going on a bay cruise. It was fun, it was a beautiful late afternoon and we went sailing past Alcatraz and over towards the Golden Gate Bridge. I actually learned a little about sailing in the process. In fact, it was a lot of fun. I didn’t get paid for my 2 hours work but I did get a free bay cruise and a healthy bit of sun so I may just go back next Saturday. Assuming I can find Captain Al’s boat again.

On the way back from the wharf, I remembered I had completely forgotten to feed myself all day so I had a fantastic serving of clam chowder (my new favourite food) from Pier 41, and I had a very interesting talk/jam with a homeless guy playing a keyboard at the bus stop. Pity he didn’t know how to play any Journey.

In the evening I discovered it was Lisandro’s 32nd birthday (didn’t actually realise he was anywhere near that old) so we headed out to a blues bar in North Beach. It was a little crowded and definitely caters for the over 30s crowd, but was fun nonetheless.

But today I’m back at work, starting at 7am. Very wet day in San Francisco. I have a good week lined up though. Second date with Valerie tonight (ice skating at last!), going out for dinner with the office folks tomorrow (all paid for as a reward for hard work) and possibly a picnic movie at Alamo Square on Wednesday evening. Tis nice to be busy after several months of working and moving accommodation!

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