Chez Sanchez was host to a swank shindig on October 25, the day after my birthday. We hosted a Black and White themed cocktail party, converting our house into a den of swank and awesomeness. Wine, beer, and other forms on innebriation flowed supported by a bevy of appetizers, dips, cheese plates, and other accoutrement.
In preparation Chris Fullman, my best friend, and I ran around town all day, picking up beer, doing last minute shopping and tying up loose ends. The Mass Mixtape was ready; the iPod charged; the ice in the freezer; french cuffs pressed; we were ready to rock.
Our signature drink was a French Martini (Vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice). The drink was good, but we never quite could get the hang of the proportions. Most of my friends from work were able to make it, along with a smattering from my side of the family and Meli’s work family. I mainly stuck to brew and scotch, although there were a few shots of jager peppered in there.
The party was the definition of legen- wait for it – dary.
We broke out the ringlight and took goofy pictures, drank and talked, played poker, smoked cigars, you get the idea dear reader. It was everything I had hoped my birthday party could be. Everyone was dressed to the nines, the energy was good, and people were awesome.
The night ended with an impromptu sing along circle as I broke out my brand new acoustic, gift from the parents, and we all rifled through what we could sing or, rather, what we could remember the words to.
Collectively, everyone pitched in for a Playstation 3 and LittleBigPlanet. So between feeling loved, shiny new bobbles, and waking up next to my beautiful wife, it quite possibly was as close to a perfect day as I’ve accomplished in awhile (probably since the wedding).
Thank you to all who could make it, or those who couldn’t.
I miss fog. That might seem like the most retarded statement in the world to a lot of people, but I miss typical San Francisco weather. I miss it always dropping to 50ยบ at night, no matter what temperature it was douring the day. I miss fog that rolls in over the foothills from Pacifica and Half Moon Bay like clockwork at 5:30pm. I used to sleep with my window cracked open at night. The chill night air would hit my face as I fell asleep enwrapped in my duvet. Man I miss not having to have air conditioning.
I miss hills. This is the view I used to see from 280 driving to school every morning. I learned to drive stick by clomping through the hills of belmont. I prided my driving prowess, my car never creeping back even an inch with the assault from my furious left foot. Saying that South Florida is flat is an understatement. The Sahara’s dunes would look like Mt Everest in Florida. It’s that flat. Yeah. Put it this way, it’s like the Kate Hudson of the 50 States…
I miss good Mexican food. Closest thing I have is Chipotle, or Moe’s here in FL. Both suck and are like comparing McDonald’s to the perfect Hamburger fired over open coals piled onto a brioche bun with all your favorite accroutement. One is microwaved and the other is made by a master chef; you decide which i lust after. Are we still talking about burritos? Also, i miss watching people who actually know how to eat burritos. There is a proper burrito eating technique people. If you take the whole burrito out of its foil wrapper, you’re just making a mess and looking silly while putting it in your damned mouth.
I miss Joann’s Cafe. Joann’s Cafe is a South San Francisco staple. Seasonal Pancakes, freshly baked muffins and pastries, and the best damned omelette’s this side of the Seine are all served at a little whole in the wall, in an industrial section of the city, replete with Formica tables and earthenware mugs. I’m pretty sure Joann sold the place to all her cooks about a year or two after I moved to the East Coast, but hear the food is still the same and they’re now open for more than just breakfast and lunch.
I miss Rodeo Cove. Rodeo cove is this little inlet, north of the Golden Gate, with a pebbly red coloured beach, a lagoon and lush coastal hills to climb. There’s a marine mammal rehab center about a mile away where you can visit and get a tour, and if you climb the southern hill, you’re met with spectacular views of the Pacific and an array of huge concrete bunkers that dot the grassy hills like slumbering giants. They used to defend the SF Bay during wartime. The army base has since been retired.
I miss It’s-It Ice Cream sandwiches. My mom grew up on this stuff, as did I. Its a simply two oatmeal cookies with ice cream sandwiched in between and then dipped and a chocolate shell. They come in a few flavors (mint, coffee, chocolate, vanilla) the original vanilla being my favorite. They don’t sell them here and I crave them every now and then.
