One of Hearts

Are you ready for the weekend? For some reason I am not. The temp thing has been slow the last two weeks, and when I am not working the weekend just doesn’t seem as magical. Here’s to hoping that changes by tomorrow.

Some things going on in the Bay Area this weekend…

Do you have little ones that love books, or perhaps little ones that you wish loved books? Why not take them to the 9th Annual Dia de los Ninos, Dia de los libros, music dance and book festival in Delores Park this Sunday? There will be music, multicultural dance, story time, and each kidlet will walk away with his or her own book. Yay! :: SFfuncheap, Mission Learning Center

Speaking of dancing, in celebration of Bay Area National Dance Week the Dancing in the Park & Young Choreographers Festival will be happening on Saturday in Golden Gate Park. Why not go out and see some ballet or modern dance for free, and enjoy Golden Gate Park while you’re at it? :: SFfuncheap

If Samurais, blood and brunch are more your thing than Samurai Brunch at the Dark Room on Sunday should be right up your alley! They provide the gory martial arts flick, Riki-Oh: the Story of Ricky, and brunch snacks, your BYOB or Mimosas or Sake, or whatever strikes your fancy. It’s 5 bucks to get in, free if you happen to bring a gong (or so I read). :: SFfuncheap, the Dark Room

There are plenty of fine art galleries in San Francisco, and on Saturday you can explore and take a gander at 9 of them for free in the Yerba Buena area of the Soma. All galleries are within a 3 block radius and refreshments will be served along the way. ::SFfuncheap, Yerba Buena

And something I am hoping will be as awesome as it sounds is the Bus Obscura tours and Pinhole Camera Festival going on in the Soma on Sunday. I mean come on, a bus turned into a giant animated pinhole camera has to be awesome doesn’t it? Happening in honor of Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, there will also be two pinhole camera galleries, demos and a lot of fun. I will most definitely be at this, not that that’s another reason to come out or anything. :: SFfuncheap, Rayko Photo Center

Have an amazing weekend everyone!

photograph taken by Ric e Ette and used under creative commons.

Last night J♥ took me to my first ballet, it was awesome and beautiful. I’ve always had an admiration for dancers. There’s such grace and amazing figures on ladies and gents in the dance profession. Not to mention the ability to jump 5 feet in the air without moon shoes, and the whole mind over matter up on your toes business.

If you have never been to the ballet, I strongly suggest going, even if don’t really think you’ll be into it. I found myself thinking about so many random things while I watched the men and women on the stage, some of which had nothing to do with the ballet itself and more with my future and getting where I want to be. Something about watching these dancers who have worked and practiced their whole lives to be doing this, dancing in front of hundreds of people, was quite motivating and inspiring.

Right now the SF Ballet is having their New Works Festival which runs from April 22 through May 6th, and features 10 world premiere ballet performances. We saw program A; Fusion, Within the Golden Hour, and Changes. I am no ballet critic, seeing this is my first in person ballet and I didn’t go to ballet academy, but I must say Fusion was fricken’ amazing! It was very much what I envision when I think ballet, but a little more fun and modern. It was excellent.

photograph taken by Jeff Medaugh and used under creative commons.

Happy Earth Day everyone! I hope everyone gets a chance to get outdoors today to marvel at and be thankful for this wonderful planet of ours. So far it’s the only one in the solar system, and the known universe, like it, so keep that in mind while you go about your day today. We are experiencing a planet that’s totally unique in its ability to sustain as many life forms as it does, so we should take care of it!

Here’s a list of 5 super simple things to can start doing today to help keep the planet from turning into a cannibalistic concrete jungle full of deaf and blind to the world zombies…

1. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescents when they need changing, and be sure to turn off the lights in rooms you’re not actually occupying. They not only use less energy, they will save you money in the long run.

2. Turn things that you’re not using off. Make sure the lights, the TV, radio, computer, and anything else this is “obviously on” is off when you’re not using them.

3. Use a bike, your legs or public transportation instead of your car at least one day a week (or more if you’re able and willing!). You would spare the air toxins and pollutants 52 days a year! Imagine what could happen if everyone in the world did this?

4. Buy less. Purchasing fewer things results in having to throw out less. When you’re done with something, donate it, give it away, or sell it to someone else if it’s still in good condition. Try to keep things in the hands of people and out of our landfills. If its something that can’t be re-used make sure it’s recycled in the proper manner.

5. Opt for organic, natural, unpackaged foods when you can (and no, organic pancake batter in an easy cheese like can does NOT count!). Shop in the bulk food section of your market; don’t put your fruits and veggies in those plastic bags in the produce department, and take re-usable bags when you go shopping.

These are just a few little things you can do to start helping our planet get back on the right track. If we want lady earth to still be wonderful for the next 7 generations of all species we have to start doing what we can today. You don’t want zombies do you?

photograph taken by Jared Zimmerman.

I hope everyone has plans for this lovely weekend that quickly approaches. Me, I am going to a city clean up that’s going on Saturday morning, and then I’m off to a bridal shower for my awesome friend *E* that I haven’t seen in pretty close to a year. Hooray for friends from the Bay Area returning to the bay area for a day!

How about you? What will you be up to? Any plans? If you’re at a loss, here are a few environmentally themed things going on in the Bay Area this weekend, in honor of Earth Day next week.

1. If you’re willing to brave the largest tourist trap in our fair city on a weekend Earth Fest is happening on Sunday over on Fisherman’s Wharf. Grab the kids and learn a few things you can do around your home to help lady Earth. :: FunCheapSF, Aquarium of the Bay

2. Into getting down and dirty in the soil? Why not head out to Alemany Farm this Saturday and work your green thumbs magic? Help prepare plant beds and plant seedlings. Enjoy free food and music too! :: FunCheapSF

3. If hiking and trail running is your thing why not give back and head over to “East Bay Regional Park District presents: Earth Day and California Trail Days” over in Antioch on Saturday. Help tidy up the trails and park and mingle and have lunch with other trail lovers from the Bay Area. :: FunCheapSF

Additionally the “Earth Day on the Bay” Festival is happening on Saturday in Redwood City, and the 4th Annual Healthy Living Fair is going on here in Laurel Heights on Sunday. So get on out there, volunteer, learn, have a good time and do something for yourself and lady Earth.

All the best and have an amazing weekend everyone!

Ever get those serious cravings for something delicious, salty, and fried but have no idea what you should get or where you should get it? Well ponder it no more! Frijtz is my favorite place in San Francisco for a quick greasy pick me up. Their Belgian fries are by far the best fries that I have had… ever. I mean that 100%. They are thick, well salted, and cooked to a crunchy but “soft” perfection; unlike most thick fries that tend to get overly mushy. They have all kinds of random creative dipping sauces as well. Balsamic Mayo, Strawberry Mustard, and Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch are my faves, while the dreamboat is partial to their Smokey Honey Mustard, Tamarind Cashew Ketchup and having our fries drizzled in truffle oil. It’s a nice little place to stop on a sunny weekend afternoon for brunch (they have salads, sandwiches and crepes too!) or swing by for a tasty bite before a night of bar hopping and dancing in the Mission and/or Hayes Valley when they open that one back up. (Is it back open yet? I should call and check…)

Where do you go when you’re craving something that you can’t quite put your finger on?