Dress Code

Peter the Greek: I'm going to Meditation this week.

A-L: That sounds relaxing. Maybe The Seahorse Whisperer and our new temporary Scandi subletter will want to come along.

P-the-G: Um, ok.

Kitty: Don't you mean "om, ok"?

Day of Meditation Class...

A-L: The others have backed out. They're busy. But I'll come along. Don't tell my Lutheran Republican parents.

P-the-G: Shirley they know that it's all part of the San Francisco experience. You HAVE to go to a meditation class. Just like you HAVE to do yoga, and buy a bicycle, and eat salted caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite, and have dinner at that weird sushi place that's only open a couple nights a week.

A-L: True. What does one wear to Meditation class?

P-the-G: The Queen wears tie-dyed stretch pants. But you should just wear something comfortable.

Early Morning Coffee Shop Music Debate

J and Z are working the coffee counter at the Velo Rouge Cafe this morning.

Z: Music, please. But, please, not Christina Aguilera.

J: I'll put that on when Mack gets here. He's a huge music snob. And I'm not. I mean, it's all music. Right? Really, what's the difference between Radiohead and Christina Aguilera?

A-L: The spelling.

J: I'm glad you know the answer to that question.

Part 2: What *NOT* to Say

We celebrated a belated Christmas this weekend at Reckless Cousin Tina's house. The kids were opening presents.

Aila (upon receiving a multi-colored shirt): This doesn't go with anything!

Beautiful Sunny Day In San Francisco

Yesterday morning. At the house. Getting ready to leave.

Roommate Morgan (aka "The Seahorse Whisperer", but more on that later): Wow, it's beautiful outside.

A-L: It is. I think I'll drive 35 miles down the Peninsula and spend the day working in a cubicle.

The Seahorse Whisperer: I think I'll go spend the day sitting in a windowless lab.

Roommate Will: I think I'll go spend the day in the theater with a bunch of middle schoolers.

Kitty: You win.

That Elusive Kitchen Table

A-L: I need help finding a kitchen table.

Peter-the-Greek: Did the old one run away?

A-L: In a sense. It went to a better home. Downstairs Neighbor and Former Roommate Michael (aka "Jewish Downstairs Neighbor/Sound Engineer Michael") was bequeathed the table by a former roommate. So we had to let her go.

P the G: What's the problem? Kitchen tables practically fall from the sky in a city of renters.

A-L: That's exactly what I'm hoping for. I want the perfect kitchen table to land in our kitchen. Upright. I'm tempted just to go to IKEA.

P the G: Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! You can't just go to IKEA.

Downstairs Neighbor and Former Roommate Michael: Hi. What are you guys talking about?

A-L: The case of the missing kitchen table.

P the G: Our job is to stop her from going to IKEA.

DN+FRM: Craigslist all the way.

P the G: I don't know about "all the way". I have rule: If a cat can pee on it, I won't buy it from Craigslist.

A-L: I'm against Craigslist because it involves a lot of legwork. And what *can't* a cat pee on?

Caroline: True dat.

DN+FRM: We'll do the work for you. Peter and I will find the tables, and e-mail you the links.

P the G: In between looking for dates.

A-L: Too much work.

P the G: Reading an e-mail is too much work?

A-L: Vetting the kitchen table choices, calling the owners to make appointments to "meet" the tables, driving 930 blocks to look at them...that's too much work. I believe my patience will be rewarded.

Kitty: Until then, dinner in the garage.