6 54 pm pst [ simple pleasures... ]
I got to have dinner with Charles last night.
His band practice was cancelled, so we got to leave at a decent hour. We
were driving aimlessly, chatting without plan, when Charles suggested
gyoza at Typhoon, in the Santa Monica airport.
The fog in Santa Monica was impressive, and added an
air of mystery to the evening.
Charles and I knew the vegetable gyoza at Typhoon was
fantastic because we'd had it there with Matthew while waiting to be seated at the Hump. They were as good as we
remember (served with a ginger-loaded dipping sauce; yum!).
We were seated without a wait, which was a fortuitous start to the
evening. I laughed in hysterics when a nearby table asked a waiter to
take their picture and he couldn't manage to hold down the button long
enough to actually take a picture. It took him a half dozen tries and I
clapped when he finally got it. Charles laughed at me because I took
their picture on the sly. They were all posed and I couldn't resist.
The orchids in the restaurant were stunning, especially
the cut one placed next to the candle. Simple pleasures...
I've been missing Charles, having gotten used to seeing
him several times a week. It was warm and comfortable for us to be out
drinking sake again. We caught up on each other seamlessly. I grilled
him on his trip to Arizona, even though I'd read his entry about and
viewed his photos of it. We toasted the completion of his lyrics to his
newest musical composition. He has yet to share the song with his band...
We giggled at everything. I was just in one of those moods where
everything is funny and good. We crack each other up.
On the way to dinner, Charles pointed out the bank he thought he spotted me in.
The woman who he thought was me was much heavier than I am, which is
perfectly reasonable, because I look much heavier than I am in all my digital photographs,
but that doesn't stop me from referring to her as the fat girl he thought
was me.
When I'm with him I am struck by how strange and
wonderful human interaction. I know so many weird people whom I met
through odd occurrences. Of course, Charles and I always fumble when we
explain the diary connection.
On the drive home, Charles and I admired the street lights, which shot
their light straight up, where it was reflected back down by metal plates.
Twas a lovely design, and a lovely evening...
Matthew arrived this morning, my sister and I greeting
him at the gate. We had no clue what our surprise, even when he suggested
we get smoothies on Montana Avenue. As we were walking along, he stopped
and opened a door. It was a new nail place I had wanted to try. He got
my sister and I both manicures and pedicures! We have matching French
manicures and red toenails. Rebecca got little jewels on her big toes.
It was such a wonderful and thoughtful gift! I enjoyed my very first
pedicure very much. After we dropped my sister at home, Matthew and I
drove to my old job in Hollywood. Matthew had never been to my office and
I had holiday cards to drop off.
It was a good trip. I took myriad photos as Matthew drove. I especially
liked this plant at a gas station, and the photo below was a complete
accident that I love. I don't even know what I was trying to photograph,
but the pastelling effect occurred in the camera.
And that was that. We enjoyed a wonderful, sunny,
[smoggy] day together. I got a surprise and I took care of errands. My
brother arrived this afternoon, and we are going to play many games of
cards as a family.
My only concern is that our family subsists on teasing
and put-downs, a tradition encouraged by my grandfather's constant
taunting. I worry our gaming will turn ugly when somebody's feelings get
seriously hurt. I worry that fine line will get crossed.
I'm sure all will be well.
I'm sure we will have fun.
I am looking forward to a wonderful and relaxing
holiday season. I hope you have one too!
[The accidental image I like:]
