Riot Days

I keep getting sent home for work because of riots. There's a terrible story playing out here in Oakland about a fatal shooting that appeared to be unjustified by a BART (our subway) police officer on New Year's day, and the community has been marching in frustration. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have a peaceful demonstration in Oakland with that much anger pent up, so last Wednesday there were fires, broken windows, and many arrests. The next day, they sent us home at 2pm because they were concerned there would be another riot coming out of the march scheduled for the afternoon. Yesterday they sent us home at 3pm because there was a march in the city, and they were concerned BART service would be affected and none of us would be able to get home (fun fact: you cannot walk across the Bay Bridge). And they've asked us to not come in tomorrow because there's another march planned.

All this means is a terrible event has led to a lot of free afternoons. And it was 75 degrees in the city yesterday, so it was quite lovely to go home.

It's also meant a reminder of how RIDICULOUS San Francisco protesters are. At least the Oakland ones, while violent, have remained on topic. This is from the Chronicle's chronicle (hee!) of yesterday's protest in the 415:

"The rally began calmly at the Civic Center Plaza around 5 p.m. with about 100 demonstrators who said they were protesting brutality against the citizens of Oakland and Greece, as well as the Palestinians."

WHAT? Greece? And yes, there is a lot going on in Gaza right now, but do the BART police have much to do with that? Pick a topic, ONE topic, and please please stick to it.

Two-a-Days

Twice in one day!  I have two more points to make today:

 

1. I told you so about the Razorbacks basketball team.  Poor Longhorns (I watched this game and it was exciting.  One of my counterparts is out there right now and got to go.  Unfortunately, he's a UT alum.).

2. Phew!  It's OK if he's not a Dodger, but he cannot be a Giant.

 

Fortunately or Unfortunately

I hate NYE, which is why I announced to everyone who asked that I would be sitting in my apartment eating a steak and drinking wine, and if they were so inclined they could join me. Unfortunately or fortunately, 11 people opted to join. Unfortunately for sure, I broke my camera by dropping it at an unfortunate angle when the lens was open. Fortunately or unfortunately, my friend Rob took three pictures, none of which are at my house or at the dinner, and one of which features the largest palest arm you will ever see in your life.

Here they are.

Happy Birthday To Me?

This is what Trish is giving me for my birthday (all of this to take place at her fancy gym):

 

"OK, so here's the plan. There are two spinning classes on Saturday: one at 9:15 and the other at 10:15.  I'm not familiar with the teachers, but my guess is we could do both, or we could opt out of the second and do a body conditioning class with...balls, bars and bungies (but I'm sure it's not as hard as the one we did at Canyon Ranch).  Then, at 11:30 we'll have a little break (shower, eat, steam, hot tub, sauna or whatever) until 12:00 when I've scheduled us for a pilates session with John, my trainer.  Depending on how busy the studio is, we may use the allegro machines, which will be fun and interesting for you to try.  We're done at one at which point we can do a power walk with Satchel if it's not raining or whatever."

 

My favorite part is the half hour break.  Pray for me.