Happenings and happenings

Couple of quick -- ok, not so quick -- updates:

1. I was laid off last week. I've managed to dig out from under the rubble that was my momentary self-loathing and self-pity to see that I have a blazingly bright future ahead of me with tons of opportunity, and that it was THEIR loss, not mine. Righty-o, then, moving on.


2. Spent a gorgeous, lovely late-morning-turned-afternoon Saturday with two lovely ladies -- in OAKLAND, no less! Well, and OK, Alameda.


3. During said excursion, discovered that Bakesale Betty's revered Fried Chicken sandwich is a delightfully perfect foil for Hangar 1's Buddha's Hand vodka. Go figure.


4. Also found out that I don't hate Absinthe, when it is not the God-awful treacly sweet swill I've tasted in the past. I won't spill the beans, but *his* Absinthe is loaded with wonderfully fresh and herbacious flavors -- tarragon and basil come to mind. Stellar stuff. Can't wait 'til it's actually bottled and labeled.


5. I got my first tattoo! Temple Tattoo rocks. Jason McAfee made me feel so comfortable, and took the artwork I brought in as a "baseline" and modified it perfectly.


6. I'm going to Burning Man. I'm doing it. I've been wanting to go for YEARS, and this year the opportunities have converged such that the universe seems to be saying, "hey, jackass, if you make another excuse, I'm going to have to get you laid off". Yes, thank you, universe. I am a jackass. And I sometimes need you to smack me upside the head to make me notice stuff like this.

   I'm going with some experienced Burners, but if you have suggestions or recommendations or whatnot, I'm absolutely dying for them. Bring 'em on.

OK, I think that's good for this installment. Ask away, interwebs, I know you've got questions. Meanwhile, since I'm, you know, unemployed and all that, I will actually have some time to post some good stuff for y'all this next week or two.

Tags: Food, Food & Drink, Oakland, San Francisco, Burning Man, Jobs, Tattoo

Comments

[sam]

thank you for cheering me up. With your company and this post and your emails. You didn't mention Harry Pottah. I am assuming you finished that too?

I couldn't believe that Bakesles Betty's sandwich was in the Chron so soon after we'd used it to mop up a Hangar One Tasting. I would have mentioned it on my blog but since I am on a haitus - I did actually mail it to my COmpany Food Newsgroup yesterday and by chance said the same thing as you - perfect foil for an HO tasting!

see you soon for more fun
xxx

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

I want to hear more about the tattoo!

[Sean]

Ooh ... Hangar One is doing an absinthe? Neat!

And yeah -- we want pics of the tattoo ... that is, unless you put it someplace you don't want shown on the internet? ;-)

[Amy]

With very few exceptions, getting laid off is usually all for the best, in the long run anyway. Still waiting on that Fruity Pebbles Cake recipe, maybe now you can devote more time to searching for it? Would love to catch up with you in person one of these days...

[Patricia]

It's my first time posting here, though your blog is in my bookmarks and I check it every now and then. I don't remember how I discovered your blog, but I love it!

Anyhow, I was laid off about a year ago (week before Burning Man), and if it's any consolation to you, it was the best thing that happened to me last year. I can sympathize, though, I know how hard it is hard on the ego. But being laid off opened new, better doors for me, wonderful people came into my life, and my life today is infinitely better than it was a year ago.

So, just trust that you're moving in the right direction.

PS: I will have to try the Bakesale Betty + Hangar One combination - fantastic!

[Athena]

I've been laid off TWICE and each time it was exactly what I needed, and very liberating. I agree, the universe conspires to teach us and to help us become the best we can be. Gifts of time included! :-) It sounds like you are making the best of it! So Congratulations to you!!
I've been meaning to tell you that I really enjoy your site - I discovered it after my experience at Alinea. Couldn't resist reading everything I could find on it afterwards. Phenomenal.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! And good luck with this new chapter o' life!!!!

[Tea]

Me three for layoffs being a good thing. I never would have left my job/company, but when the move was made for me it felt like a breath of fresh air, there were possibilites out there I never would have explored otherwise. Onward to better and brighter things!

[Chubbypanda]

*patpat* It seems to be going around. My wife got laid off two weeks ago and my company is downsizing. We got married at the beginning of last month. Hang in there. Things will get better.

[Kung Foodie Kat]

Ooh...you're gonna have a great time on the playa! take a bike for daytime riding, and comfy walking shoes for nighttime walking and art car jumping. Watch the sunrise at least once. Visit the PlayaQ camp for good foodz. Join in on a monkey chant session. Visit the Neverwas Haul. Bring some hand cleaner and toilet paper for bathroom trips (they always run out).

happy burn!

ps: One of the best beverages to have on hand are cans of coconut milk which can easily be purchased at any Mexican market before leaving town.

[Doug]

Sorry to hear about the job situation :( Hopefully Burning Man will chear you up. I've heard ONLY good things from my friends who have attended.

[shuna fish lydon]

Zow, Fatemeh, big changes afoot!
I always say one door closes to allow another one to open. You were working so hard, their loss indeed!
But OUR GAIN!! ha.

Glad BB's samich made y'all's day. I love it so much. I can't say I've paired it with Hangar One's stuff but I love their new icy lemon and watermelon drinks. also it's close to some of the best jam in the west...
I hope to see you soon of course.

[Diane]

Fatemeh...Hang in there! I know it sounds facile to say, but I also found that being laid off was the absolute best thing that has happened to me in my life so far. My life and career have gone in such interesting directions since then, and I have found reserves and skills I did not know I had. Things will get better. A new door is opening for you...

[Fatemeh]

wow. I love you, people!

Jennifer, Sean - photos of the ink are forthcoming, but not before it's fully healed. Maybe this weekend? It's actually a beautiful grapevine starting at the nape of my neck (at the hairline) and extending about 3".

Patricia, Athena, Tea, Chubby, Kat & Diane - It's amazing how much clarity being laid off brings to one's life. It's as though it is the "swift kick in the ass" to make some decisions you've been putting off. So far, so good. I've learned more about myself, professionally, in the past two weeks than I can remember in recent history.

Kat & Doug - Will try to chronicle a first-time Burner's experience for the blog.

xoxoxoxoxox to all of you.