9:30 am, left Santa Rosa and began a pleasant, 2 & 1/2 hour drive South through San Francisco and beyond to San Jose. A light rain fell as I drove, serenaded by Cat Stevens and Dave Matthews. I must admit I had a slight anxiety that the person I was about to meet could possibly be some raving lunatic. Since I had arrived 45 minutes early, I called and asked if she would rather I hang out at the bus station for a while. Completely confused by my moronic sense of humor, she invited me to come over post haste to begin our revelry.
The tension of meeting someone new was immediately melted by PCW’s incredible knack for conversation. We looked through pictures, discussed her (haha) Mac, and headed out. First stop was for food at “Spoons” (A TGI Friday-esque place with a damn good bowl of tortilla soup). There, the tension melted even more and it felt like old friends reunited, as we discussed our plans for the day as well as such deep issues as relationships, kids, work and our internet-enhanced lifestyles.
We arrived at the Tech Museum and picked up our tickets (Which PCW had preoredered. Thanks.) This place was great. I felt like a kid again as we explored all of the killer exhibits and played with the high-tech toys. Despite much encouragement from PCW, I decided to skip the blue screen virtual surfing experience. After spending a few hours digesting the Tech Museum and stopping for the obligatory mementos, we headed out.
After a quick respite to purchase a second wind from Starbucks, we hit the streets of San Jose. This town, I’m pleasantly surprised to say, has shed its previous facade of urban decay and has been transformed into a Mecca of style and class all its own. It now has an intriguing melange of exquisite architecture and art. We spent a while in a (GASP!) Catholic church, admiring its splendor and quickly headed for our penance at the nearest microbrewery in San Pedro Square. Despite the obnoxiously loud SuperBowl fans, I enjoyed more of PCW’s witty repartee(I have always wanted to use that phrase!)and got “relaxed”.
Before long, it was nearing time for the movie and I walked, while PCW stumbled(Cheap date, only had one beer!) ::ducking::, back towards the Tech Museum. We entered a packed house and sat down to watch Fantasia 2000 in all its IMAX glory. The film was excellent, not a sleeper, like the first(and yes, I do expect to be flamed for that remark.)
Besides an uncommon tendency towards minimal bladder capacity(don’t ask), the day went off without a hitch! Well, except for one instance of puddle stomping, for which PCW was given reprieve without penance, considering the staggering amount of puddles that she(obviously with great effort of will) bypassed. After the movie, I dropped Purp off at home(and recieved a fizzy bath ball, yippee!) and headed North.
As I headed home, I reflected on what a fantastic time I had. This is one more reassurance that the SD denizens are actually wonderful people “IRL”, and not freaks! Every time I meet with fellow dopers, it makes me want to meet even more of you. I also reflected on my previous unease with the amount of time online. It is not, as I had thought for a while, a malignant addiction that must be kicked, but a wonderful tool, bringing all of us a little closer. Not only have I met an incedible group of friends here, I have met the one who “completes me”. BTW, I got home half an hour earlier by taking the 280 to 1, instead of 880 to 101, for all you NoCal dopers interested. Anyway, thank you, Purp, for planning this great day, I hope there are many more like it to come. And, all you dopers who want to go to meetings, but are nervous or afraid to, don’t be. (Now doesn’t that just give you a case of the warm fuzzies? It does? Well then, BITE ME!)
Sorry for the rambling, and sorry to wax philosophical on ya, it was just that kind of day…
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
"Every one is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example. "
-Phædrus
