Okay, I said I would write less, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t write at all. We’re in San Francisco today, a damp and drizzly San Francisco that has me reconsidering why in the world I bother to come back to the US at all. We’re having fun, though. This evening we had dinner with Jason and Giuseppe, a very pleasant chance to meet another Xangan with whom I’ve corresponded for a few years and his partner in person. In truth, Tawn and Giuseppe have met before, years ago at a volunteer training for the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center in SF. And now they’ve met again.
No pictures of the dinner, though. You’ll just have to imagine it. (Matt – Jason really is six feet tall!)
The main purpose for us being in SF was for the opening night of the SF Int’l Asian American Film Festival. Our friend Chi-hui Yang, the director of the festival, is leaving after ten years there. I worked with the festival for many years and so this particular gala was like a family reunion – all the people who have worked with Chi-hui over the years, all back together again.
Mabel Chung, who started as a volunteer and eventually took over my operations role, myself, festival director Chi-hui Yang, and Tawn at the Asian Art Museum.
We also ran into Taro Goto, another festival alum who is now living in Tokyo. Last April we were there for a visit and he graciously spent several days showing us around.
Today, I got some shopping in, buying two pairs of Chrome shoes. I’ve wanted some very sneakerish sneakers and Sion recommended these. Durable construction, comfortable fit. Stylish look. Maybe I should buy one more before I leave San Francisco.
We entered the United States in Los Angeles, taking separate flights and arriving just a few minutes apart. After a long wait to clear customs we met my cousins for dinner, our first opportunity to meet their new son, Thomas James.
So far we’re still suffering from some jet lag, but I’m sure over the next few days we’ll get adjusted. Hope everyone on Xanga is doing well.
christao408 
It was beautiful in Southern California today…
That’s cool you met up with wangium. I’m currently up in NY right now hanging out with a bunch of Xangans.
Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Looks like you all had fun. Thanks for sharing pictures with us.
Nice pictures! I really like the green cardigan Tawn is sporting!
OMG Thomas is such a cutie patutie–you guys look great with a baby btw!! =) I can imagine the weather on the west coast is kinda yucky–Vancouver has been covered in snow for the last few days even though we’ve had a great, mild winter.
Man…I forgot to take pictures… :-Next time then!
welcome to California. It is sunny in LA area, you need to come and visit.
hey i have those shoes!! … XDare those arm warmers that tawn is wearing?! too cute!i wana meet jason too..
welcome back to california! according to the forecast that’s the last bit of rain for the week. =] glad to read you guys met up. if i had remembered..since i’m kind of like a goldfish, i would’ve texted Giuseppe to say hello to you tonight. i was trying to make it to the opening gala at the asian art, but i left the office really late. next time then.
It is raining here in the midwest too so don’t put your umbrellas up yet!!!
Nice to meet up with friends here in the States! Looking forward to meeting (eating) up with you guys!
looks like a fun trip! where else are you going besides sf?
@Wangium – aww… no pics?
That’s a nice homecoming. It must be great to have roots in different cities and coming back to reconnecting with friends and family. I think it’s a great advantage over others.
Awesome that you got to meet up with Wangium. Even damp and drizzly like that, I still love SF. I’m curious, what/ where are you eating there?
Pleased you arrived safely. Great pics, though that cute little baby looks unsure about the camera Lol.
How good that you can get in touch with your xangan friends and your old buddies. The baby is adorable. How long are you in SF Chris? Will you be coming into Kansas?
@ZSA_MD – We’re in SF three full days and then will be in Kansas City all of next week.@Chatamanda – Yeah, he doesn’t look like he’s too happy with the person taking the picture!@arenadi – Dinner with Jason and G. was at Jackson-Fillmore. We had breakfast this morning at Chloe’s on Church and 26th. Lunch yesterday at Tartine. Dinner the night before at Cha Cha Cha in the Mission for some Cuban food. @ElusiveWords – It is really nice to have people to visit everywhere. It is also a little overwhelming that there isn’t enough time to see everyone without it feeling like a bunch of business meetings. I hate to disappoint people but at some point there just isn’t enough time to see everyone and have time to have a vacation.@kunhuo42 – We’ll get to Kansas City and New York before heading back. I’ll also get two night in Taipei before returning to the Big Mango.@Redlegsix – Drat!@piyapong – Oh, you know him? Really, it was a shame our paths didn’t cross.@iskrak – Yeah, those are a combination half-glove – scarf. Kind of like a snugli for your arms.@stevew918 – Well, the short time we were there it was sunny but COLD! Ha ha…@Wangium – Yeah, nobody will every believe us…@lil_squirrel4ever – Just what you guys need now that the olympics are over… snow.@Dezinerdreams – I’ll let him know, thanks.@the_rocking_of_socks – @decembriel – You’re welcome.@slmret – But was it warm?@Roadlesstaken – Come back up the week of the 22nd and we can do it all again. =D@CurryPuffy – Yes, let’s chat next week about the details. I’m still not sure if Tawn wants to try to see his aunt and uncle while we’re passing through or not.
@christao408 – yes, we know each other. i’m sure there will be other opportunities. i know how hectic it can get on trips. the most important thing is for you to enjoy your vacation!
@christao408 – Not quite warm enough to go without a sweater! Probably around 60 much of the day.
I would love to see you guys if you can spare some time. Please let me know.
Nice seeing you guys at Opening Night and again this morning. Thanks for posing for pictures!http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdlawsonphoto/4428880238/
Looks like fun!Much more comfortable than Converse eh?
Good looking people and sneakers too! Am thinking of building an ark here in central Indiana! Looks like you’re having fun. Arizona was nice and warm….should’ve stayed there longer. Cousin does recipe reviews for “Cooks Illustrated” …. his lemon pie made with vodka in the crust …. was absolutely delicious. Have a safe trip here and going back home too.
Now that you have those chic shoes, I would recommend a black blazer to make you look uber chic. It’s probably something you can wear in a client meeting and with jeans.
@piyapong – Ha, ha – almost always the last things my vacations to the US are!@slmret – Hmm… which in Thailand terms is almost freezing!@ZSA_MD – That would be lovely. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll have the time to make a detour to Quincy on this trip.@Steve – Thanks for sharing the picture, Steve. That turned out wonderfully. Thanks, too, for the link to the blog.@yang1815 – I can’t seem to find Converse that fit me very well.@Gma_Joyce – Okay, can you ask your cousin something for me? I’ve tried that vodka crust recipe a half-dozen times and every time I end up with a dough that is the texture of playdough. When I try to roll it up to put into the pie plate it just falls into pieces. My mother has tried a few times, too, and we cannot mange to recreate it. Has he run into this problem?
@ElusiveWords – Where do you think I work? New York or LA? =P
@christao408 – Yeah I’ve had two pairs but they’re just not very comfortable…
@christao408 – He said he’s been using that recipe ever since he first tested it and it’s always been good. It’s the one “Cooks Illustrated” had. He has done some tv cooking shows for his local station. However, my Grandma Bessie made the best pie crust and told me to not handle it too much but she always folded it in 4ths after rolling out once and then rolled it out again, then placed it in the pie pan. She didn’t use much water… about 3 T of very cold water. Sometimes used lard. Her crust was always very flaky…..better even than my cousin’s vodka crust.
what a lovely place… SF… 🙂
Tawn is always smiling so genuinely!