A new friend of mine– an underachieving cancer doctor who stopped practicing and gave up paid employment in order to co-found a non-profit that is really making a difference in the lives of sick children in Uganda and Ethiopia– has invited me to a fundraiser that she is hosting this Thursday.

(This video explains the work that they do and is really great. Watching it made me want to just hand over my wallet.)

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It’s been such a while that I don’t know quite where to begin. If I’m being honest, I suppose I could start by saying that I’ve been holding out on you.  Yes, again. For starters, there’s a new guy who is wildly inappropriate for me that I have a major crush on.  There have been signs, yet it’s not entirely clear how he feels about it.  Still, I’ve felt super protective of “it” (and I’m not sure exactly what “it” is exactly yet) and haven’t really felt like sharing.

My big mouth has gotten me into trouble so many times and this particular thing I don’t actually want to screw up.  I mean, I know I’ll probably still somehow manage to do it eventually (I am the QUEEN of self-sabotage), but until then…

Mum's the word!

Anyway, I promise I will divulge more if things end up in flames, but in the meantime… a few updates, then a Bike Party recap!

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So… I’m so sorry I’ve been mia.  There’s been lots going on and I hope to be back in the saddle shortly!  In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about a cool sounding event that I’ll be trying out for the first time this Friday called Bike Party.

In Chief’s own words:

Bike Party is a ride and a party (music while biking, stops for dancing). It is so much fun & not fast-paced at all. Very different from Critical Mass:  we obey the laws of traffic, are nice to one another, and respectful of pedestrians, residents etc. we encounter…  we will be easy to spot and slow… Hope you will join us – Bike Party is a uniquely SF cycling fiesta that is not to be missed.

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Through meeting new friends this week, I discovered a few unique opportunites around the Bay.  As promised, your weekly “fun stuff” update…

1.  TONIGHT! Irish Céilí (pronounced “kay-lee”) dance lessons and party in Berkeley at the Starry Plough at 7 p.m.

Ever been at a festival or pub with lively musicians playing some hot
reels and jigs, and your feet were tapping, and you wanted to jump up
with your friends and dance but didn’t know what to do that fit the
music? Well then, come dance with us! Or just have a pint & enjoy the
music!

Guinness, Murphys, Harp, Anchor, Sierra and many more on tap
Kitchen open until 10 o’clock

Irish Céilí is social dancing, with dozens of traditional dances in
various configurations — groups of three, four, six, or eight;
progression dances (mixers!) in lines for any number of people;  and
round dances.

2.  Lindy in the Park EVERY SUNDAY at 11:00 a.m in Golden Gate Park.

Free swing dancing every Sunday (weather permitting, of course). 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM On John F Kennedy Drive (JFK Dr) in Golden Gate Park, between 8th and 10th Avenue, in the Richmond District of San Francisco. (No automobile traffic is allowed in this area on Sundays). Free beginner swing dance lesson at noon.  No experience or partner
required.

Lindy in the Park, or LitP, was founded by Lindy Hoppers Chad Kubo and Ken Watanabe in August of 1996, and is the original free swing dance party. Held every Sunday (weather permitting) in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, LitP is the longest-running swing dance “venue” in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is open to dancers of all ages and levels. There is space to sit, take a breather, chat with friends and strangers, dancers and tourists, and otherwise enjoy the fresh outdoor air. It is a perfect venue to practice your social dancing to the sounds of jazz, blues and swing music, and sometimes even a few surprises.

Lindy in the Park Details
Free Outdoor Swing Dance Every Sunday 11:00am-2:00pm
Free Beginner Lesson: 12:00pm-12:30pm
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
(South sidewalk of John F. Kennedy Drive,
between the de Young Museum and
the north entrance to the Music Concourse)

It's ok to have two left feet!

P.S.  I went on a SF Bike Coalition-sponsored 3-hour long bike tour of Reid Brothers architecture projects in the Richmond District on Saturday, and that was awesome too! Check out upcoming recreation rides HERE!

Last Friday, I was supposed to be in two places at the same time. Months ago, I’d promised a friend that I would attend her event, the second annual Storytellers for Good Fundraiser.  Weeks after that, I promised a guy I’d met through the After Work Tennis Club that I would attend his house party.  I didn’t realize the conflict until a few days before.

(I may be the only one in the state who feels this way, but I think “flaking,” or “bailing” at the last minute is extremely rude, particularly when the event in question is one that obviously involves a fair amount of work, or means a lot to the person hosting.)

Located on opposite sides of the city in non-parking friendly neighborhoods, I would have to twist myself in knots to make it to both.  I was already exhausted and reeling from a stressful week at work, but I was determined to show up.

At the fundraiser, I met a woman.  She was blond, petite, friendly.  We hit it off easily and she told me that she had just adopted a dog named Chloe.  Despite the fact that Chloe was displaying severe symptoms of abuse and seemed to be making her life hell, it became instantly clear that she really loved this dog.

Like any devoted parent, she pulled out pictures to show me.  Chloe was indeed adorable.  I love animals, but I asked her if she minded the huge sacrifices.  She said:

“You know taking care of Chloe has really changed my life. I can’t really go out anymore, and since I can’t leave her alone and can’t always afford doggie day care, she has to be either at my apartment in San Francisco or my parents house in Menlo Park. I spend a lot of time driving between the two places, and I’ve also had to hire a trainer for her.“

Thinking about the other party, I thought about making a run for it.  I nodded my head, listening, but I also stood up and started putting my coat on.

“Earlier this year, I was about to turn 35…”

I noticed then that something strange was happening with her eyes.  I sat back down.

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We met just over three weeks ago.  I believe it was love at first sight, but I had to make sure.  I was in SOMA, on my way somewhere else, far outside of my usual turf.  It was a chance meeting.  I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach.  You know the feeling.  It started out as curiosity.  Ok, I admit.  It was really a physical thing.  Not cerebral.  Almost instinctual.

She looked good.  Yes, my new love is a she.  True love doesn’t discriminate.

Her name is Hadassah.

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