(no subject)

Victory is mine! I have defeated the weirdos who deliver my paper!

All last week, the paper was under the gate. And this morning, even the giant sunday edition had been pushed into the building. A little victory, I know, but you take them where you can get them.

(no subject)

Today was a good day. Aside from the previously mentioned victory in the paper war, we got our bribe from The Shrub. Kirsten gave me my share as a nice wad of twenties. So I decide to head out to Gamescape and see if I can catch up on some of the gaming stuff I've been missing recently.

It doesn't start out well though.. I consult MUNI's online guide to see the best bus to take. The number 6, which stops at 14th and Quintara. That works, I'm at 19th and Quintara. What I forgot was that Quintara in the direction is a steep bleeping hill! The last block between 15th and 14th is a staircase, because it is too steep for vehicular traffic.

Gasping and wheezing, I reach the top. The bus is sitting there, this being the turn-around point for the line. Get on board, start chatting with the driver. Turns out he has a nephew that works at SuperShuttle. Nice ride into the Haight-Ashbury.

Walk the two or so blocks from the bus stop to the block with Gamescape and a nice comic book store, playing find the tourist along the way. Help a nice couple from Germany find the way to the corner of Haight and Ashbury. Meet a little girl named Geri Garcia.. she was born the morning Jerry died, and her parents took it as an omen. Neat kid. Hit the comic book store, hoping to find the latest issue of Comic Relief. No luck, although the new Knights of the Dinner Table is in, as are a couple of adult comics I've been meaning to pick up.

Down the block to Gamescape. I swear, I feel like Norm in Cheers when I walk into this place. Spend an enjoyable half-hour or so poking around. Grab a back issue of Dragon, the deckplans for the Empress Marava Far Trader, and the planetary guide for Glisten. (Which makes no sense unless you are a Traveller fan.) Seriously consider several of the new Dungeons and Dragons books. Relics and Rituals look especially good, but I couldn't really justify the purchase. I swear that when I win the lottery, I'm going into the store and buying one of everything, just 'cause I can. :)

On the used shelf, I found a copy of Ground Forces! Oh, the horror! The rejection! The opportunity! I grabbed it, brought it up to the counter, and asked the manager if he minded if I autographed it. Being of similar evil mind, he agreed and loaned me a Sharpie. I signed it:

This copy wasn't signed when a person of no taste brought it back to the store. Thank you for having excellent taste in buying this book. Douglas E. Berry, 9/2/01

Had lunch at a tacqueria on Divisadero. They understood the concept of wanting a burrito with just meat, cheese, and salsa. Considered a Corona, but then remembered I had to work tonight. Wandered back up towards Page for the bus home. Passed by two young women walking hand-in-hand. Nice to see so many natives out enjoying the day.

Got on the 71 line. Along with half of San Francisco's population. As I found a place to stand, another rider said "you look familiar.." Turns out to be a former SuperShuttle employee. We chatted for awhile, then a tourist from Michigan joined the conversation, and we discussed unions and politics until I reached my stop.

Walked across Lincoln to wait for the 28. So I waited. And waited. We watched *five* buses heading north. One of the other people waiting began whistling "In The Mood." I picked up the tune, and we amused ourselves whistling tunes until the bus finally arrived.

Then I found out where the other half of San Francisco was. And they all brought friends. We managed to squeeze in, somehow (thank Ghu for being skinny!) and the bus groaned off into traffic. Then the driver pulls up at the next stop, and tells us to move back! I had had enough, and raised my voice (command voice, not yelling) and stated:

"If I get any closer to these two young ladies on either side of me, I will be slapped, arrested, and sued." Entire bus cracks up. Feeling bold, I continued... "and if this line ever came on time, we wouldn't have this problem, would we?" At this, the entire bus broke into cheers. San Franciscans vs MUNI. The battle never ends.

Get home, come upstairs, and clairaide hears me and immediately says "thank you." Well, I'm confused. Evidently, she needed a ride somewhere, and kshandra said that she couldn't do it until I got home.

So, here I am. Several things to read and admire, a semi-full stomach, and the realization that I need to get out of the house more often. It might even help with the writer's block.