Summer of '24

Article 037.

Been a moment huh? Missed July and August, and now September is here and I've finally had the chance to hold my pen back. What can I say, it's been a summer! And when I say it's been a summer, I mean it's been a SUH-MMERRR!!! Would've queued Bryan Adams' Summer of '69 [https://youtu.be/eFjjO_lhf9c?si=RQqi_HtMenBpZYBx] right now (seems appropriate) but my summer ain't that Woodstock-y. Yeah it's about love and peace but minus the "hippy-ness". Let's go back to the start of it shall we?

I shouldn't complain. The 90 degrees wasn't as tormenting as the triple-digits scorching the Valley, Vegas, Arizona and all the other cities and states getting victimized by the heatwave. Except for that two hellish weeks in August, it typically cools down at night in my area to the lower 70s. Accompanied by some slightly intermittent cool breeze, it ain’t shabby at all. Plus I get to share my pad with the new girl in my life and albeit the heat, I've gotten a preview of how life is on the daily with her. Let's say I'm happy as Hogan (Marvel fans, chime in please). The high school gang have already decided that when Anna comes to visit, that we rendezvous again at Dexter's so that the NorCal boys can meet her. No fuss, I'm glad to introduce her to my homies and their better halves. But that's not even the highlight of the trip. The major surprise was that Howard's wife Jen is coming along. Say what now? As usual, I am not keeping my hopes up. I know for a fact that Jen would come up with an excuse to bow out or worst get the trip cancelled altogether. And in true "kiss of death" fashion, a few days before our scheduled plan, Jen told Howard that she has work on Friday and can strictly do only the weekend. Obviously, it wasn't worth the drive from LA to Lathrop for just an overnight stay so Howard just called it off, not to our surprise but obviously to our dismay. However, the next day, Howard said that Jen felt bad that the trip got cancelled because of her so she decided to take Friday off and boom... we're back in business! Although I am ecstatic that all of my closest friends are meeting Anna for the first time, I am more ecstatic for my best bud who will finally have his first couple road trip. Would you believe Jen migrated in SoCal for over 30 years and had never been to the Golden Gate Bridge?

It has been ages that I drove an entire trip straight from Los Angeles to the north and I thought I'd be tired as hell or at least cranky by the end of it. But no. Fueled by enthusiasm of a few first time events, I mustered thru the lag and had a great first night with the gang. Joff drove all the way to Dex's and even brought his wife Girlie with him eventhough dinner was at his place already the following night. Jen, Anna, Girlie and Dex's wife Tin blended well together and Howard was flat out relieved. And for the first time, in a long time, the boys were all with partners once again. No third-wheeling. No one's left out. Props to Joffree and Girlie who are still the original couple from college and survived the test of time. No small feat for sure.

Clockwise from top left: Dexter, Howard, Mike, Joffree, Girlie, Anna, Jen, Tin.

It was the first time I saw, we all saw, how downtown San Francisco truly has deteriorated. Crime and poverty were just rampant in the streets. Homeless people scattered around, drug dealing and usage in broad daylight, small Mom & Pop shops have metal railings with a lot of them no longer operational. I could imagine just how bad it is to run a business there. It almost felt like every stop we take, someone will just approach the car, break the glass and create a commotion. It was truly frightening and saddening to witness. Joff, Dex and I even recalled the time when we had dinner in the area about 6 years ago and how it was still the San Francisco where you’ll leave your heart at. Now it’s heartbreaking. But there was a little silver lining north of downtown. The streets seem to have mellowed down. Way-Mo, the driver-less transport service was all over the place. Lombard was still touristy and Fisherman's Wharf is still packed during the weekend. We also had to show some humanity when a woman who was crossing the streets on an e-scooter fell into the train rails severely spraining her ankle. We aided her to the side of the street and wanted to wait until her friends arrive but she gave us a thumbs up that she good and we can go. Last stop was the Golden Gate Bridge before dinner at Montenegros. Amidst the ongoing heatwave hitting Central Cal, it was extremely chilly at the GGB, foggy even. We eventually had a sumptuous meal at Joff's and later that night, our girl counterparts got into some "Fortune Telling" as the boys waited in the TV room. We said adieu to Joff and Girlie and got back to Dexter's a little late than what we wanted to. But that didn't stop us from downing a few beers. It was supposed to be a night cap of karaoke between couples but ended up with just us boys. We were randomly singing whatever song comes up in the queue and while Dexter was giving it a go with "Let The Pain Remain" by Basil Valdez, Howard and I were reading/singing along. It was at this moment that we all realized that this could be the saddest mellow song there is. The dedication of this man to keep this woman in his life is truly unparalleled. Mind you, we've known this song for ages already and we never really bothered to pay attention to the lyrics, particularly the chorus. Listen for yourself [this is Side A's version btw... https://youtu.be/tT6Uo2XAjVk?si=kqeSHtmfOk-DczE3]. I wanted to end the story of this long weekend trip with that but had to mention that on our route home, Jen volunteered to do first driving duties and boy that woman had a heavy foot. I wanted to take a nap but my heart couldn't help but pound incessantly. I gambled my soul there unknowingly to an erratic Danica Patrick persona. Closed my eyes and said a prayer. Get us home safe please!

Lovers at Lombard???

Summer with my boo was like falling in love for the first time again sans the petty quarrels and immature decisions (though it's too early to say). Getting to know her more intimately just solidifies the relationship effortlessly. She is all that I have imagined her to be and I am head over heels about her. So no surprise really. She's not a big sports fan though so I brought her to a Dodgers game to probably change her demeanor even for a bit. Unfortunately, it was at 3pm and the side of the stadium where we at was glaring hot. Great seats by the way (thanks Boingo!) but we'll get burned in a jiffy. Amazed really on how some of the fans could last that long in beaming sunshine but if your blood bleeds Blue, then I guess getting charred is all worth it. Shohei Ohtani made his first home run that game as a Dodger so I guess it was indeed worth it. But we lasted no more than 10mins and we just roamed around the place, trying to watch some of the game through the monitors around while drinking some over-priced bottled water. And now that football season is in, I will slowly integrate her into the Green and Gold and ensure that she would at least be shouting GO PACK GO by the end of this season.

At the Dodger Stadium vs the Red Sox

I've been slacking with my blog, obviously, but not because I've lost interest, but really I just never had the time to write. Even this one it took me a few days to finish. Today actually marks the first post I published since I started this "nonsense" last year and didn't actually believe that I would last this long. I do love writing and in the next few posts, I would like to stay away from this being my personal diary (too personal I mean) and focus more on other interests—like my Blog Anniversary haha! I just couldn't help myself at times, getting pulled into the desires of social media. And without an active Facebook or Instagram account, this blog became my outlet. I'll never promise that I won't share anything personal but if I can help it, I'll try to drive my attention elsewhere. I'll end this one with my most beloved picture (so far) of me and my "better-half" (wink) after dinner at the White House. Seriously it's at the White House.

The server took a great pic! Love it!