Illiterations: Laughing At My Own Expense

It's funny how much a place can feel so much the same as it was when I was a kid and also feel so different.  I enjoyed an evening at Zotts last night.  Yes, the old Rosotti's Tavern in Portola Valley.  It's changed hands, and had a bit of a facelift, but, under it all, it is still the same cool, divey place it was in my childhood.   Back then, the Hells Angels and other motorcycle clubs made it a regular stop.  Then, as I grew up, the motorcycles were replaced with bicyclists making it their  stop, along with many of us horse folks who enjoyed the trails in and around the location.  In fact, the influence of it may really be the reason I feel most at home in the same type of venue nowadays, too.  No pretense, no formality.  Just old history and local people. Rosotti's has operated under many names in its life.  I still call it Rosotti's because that's what it was when I first knew it, as a small child.  We lived near enough to...

There is really nothing better than a fresh start; a clean slate.  Living in a new city--or, rather--a place that I've been gone from for a long time--is such a fun renewal of old memories and new experiences with changed things. One thing I really love is the bay itself.  My younger years were marked with many adventures on and around the San Francisco bay.  Re-acquainting myself with the region is spectacular.   I was able to pull out my collection of stunt kites the other day and take them to Berkeley for a fly.  They were totally out of tune after all the years packed away, but the bridles were mostly in place and I just needed to get the rust off my flying skills!  Fun afternoon with my neighbor who had the afternoon free and went along to get the fresh air.  Can you say, "new friends"? And, since I am just over the hill from Santa Cruz, I can buzz over there for a sunset every few evenings, which I love.  J just retired, and B is not f...