Cheesespread

Dear diary, sorry I hit you
Last Friday, went to Duffy’s for a whopping eight hours, spent buttloads of cash, met a bartender from my hometown back east and enjoyed the general merriment that was local musician Michael Cannon’s festive farewell happy hour. Funny thing was, at some point, Cannon joined the overflow of people into the neon-redecorated Towne Lounge (what is that, a Tiki-lounge-from-Mars theme?). The guy couldn’t even get a Jameson’s shot in Duff’s because it was so crowded with friends wishing him well before his four-year stay away from home. I’ve enjoyed the Cannon-led Pub Scouts every Friday for years—good vibes, good people, good food, good music—just think of the party when he gets out.

On to beautiful Saturday: After the Farmers’ Market and a tasty huevos rancheros breakfast cooked by the great Gillian (ex-Juanita’s) at Shadetree, I went hiking on Table Mountain. Gorgeous day, not too many wildflowers yet. Note to those little kids hopping around the steep waterfall. Don’t do that. You could’ve fallen and pancaked right in front of us. Kids, don’t let other kids be stupid. I’m so old.

Saturday night: potluck party and Ping Pong tourney at Hillary’s house celebrating Ben’s birthday and two awesome local ladies departing (alas): artist Jan Allenspach, a kind and creatively talented friend, and Susan Baldwin, one of the funniest, most fiercely independent and strongest women I know. What a bummer for Chico to lose these two ladies to an indefinite house-sitting hiatus in lovely Cambria. I’ll miss you!! But you’ll be back (also, props to little Miss Sadie, Ska-T’s lovely 4-year old girl, who kept us in stitches all night. “Thanks a lot, Miss Chi Chi!")

Sunday: Caught the Kings/Knicks game at Arco Arena. Kind of slow, but the Kings won, which provided satisfaction for me and less for the loud, gangsta Knicks fans in my section. Yeah, whose big fat New York mouth is flappin’ now, eh buddy? You can’t mess with my Kings. We’re a team of destiny this year. Team of destiny.

Overheard
“Bush and Ari Fleischer went out of their way Thursday to cite a new survey by “Blue-Chip economists” that the economy would grow 3.3 percent this year if the president’s tax cut proposal becomes law. That was news to the editor who assembles the economic forecast. “I don’t know what he was citing,” said Randell E. Moore, editor of the monthly Blue Chip Economic Forecast, a newsletter that surveys 53 of the nation’s top economists each month. “I was a little upset."—From Chief Economic Correspondent, 2/23/03

Weekly props
1. Bye Mike, Susan, Jan

2. Tin Roof Bakery (garlic focaccia, mmmm)

3. Calexico’s Feast of Wire

4. “Just Shut Up,” by Neil Pollack