gurdymonkey | Me, not moping around the house

Actually, it was a PERFECT day for moping around the house because it started misty and turned to rain. Nonetheless, I dragged my ass out of the garret and drove up 101 in the rain.

I did stop at the outlets in Petaluma to continue my quest for a new purse - the old one is cotton shibori (a sort of Japanese tie dye). It's starting to look a bit grimy, but I'm honestly a little afraid to try to clean it. Found something that fit the bill at Wilson's - not too big, not too small, not too heavy, didn't have someone else's name slapped all over it. Came out of Liz Claiborne with a pair of black cargo pants to replace my favorite pair of black cargo pants that are now two sizes too big, as well as a white dolman sleeved sweater and a cute T-shirt, for STUPID cheap. (They were all down to $9.99 and the store was chucking another 20% off for all purchases before noon.)

I then drove around downtown Sebastopol in a downpour for - no lie - 40 minutes. I ended up parking on a back street near a school about four blocks from the event site because the site's parking lot was the size of a postage stamp and half of THAT had been roped off for the Princess' Champion tourney - and the Safeway across the street was, well - it was Saturday, ya know?

Old royals out. New in. Blah. Got to catch up with

emma7926 who I haven't seen in a bit. Smile duly pasted on face to endure Frederick's recitation of how wonderful the memorial bardic for Gaius has been. (Note to self. Do not die. EVER. Unless maybe I can have Russell Crowe commit my body to the deep in dignified and rolling tones....)

Did get a little face time with

callistotoni who appeared to be surviving the autocrat experience pretty well. Tangwystl could be counted upon to not conversationally go places I didn't feel like going.

Must go wake up Gwenwhyfar for breakfast if she's going to make her officer's meeting....

EDIT: OK, I am beginning my third year in Alameda and still have not had breakfast at Ole's Waffle Shop because one can never get NEAR Ole's Waffle Shop on a weekend. In that knowledge, last night I let my fingers do the walking and found a listing for Albert's on Webster Street. It's a little hole in the wall breakfast and lunch joint with counter seating and a few tables, including one on the sidewalk, which was where Ginni and I opted to sit. They give you a choice of their house coffee or Peets French roast, both bottomless. Portions are generous. I had the Ro-Day-Oh, a half portion of the lightest French toast I've ever had, two eggs (scrambled) and a choice of sausage, bacon or hash browns. The eggs and bacon were perfectly cooked and. Albert's French toast is made on white bread, lightly egged and dusted with powdered sugar. I would've used a much heavier hand with the cinnamon, but it was still good. Gwenhwyfar had the Huevos Guillermo, generous portions overflowed her plate. She raved about the refried beans. (That's right. The BEANS.) Service was friendly, fast and I never got to the bottom of my coffee. A keeper.