I heard about the AIDS Lifecycle for the first time last year. My friend Pfenning wanted to do it, and of course in my usual non planning say yes to everything sort of way I assured her, "Hell Yeah I want to do that too!" Well, it's June again, and the Lifecycle has come and gone. My lack of follow through for this particular venture is because each rider needs to raise something like $2500. That really is not that much money. Especially when it is going to such a good cause. But excuses aside, I honestly just didn't feel as compelled as I should to do it this year. Nevermind the fact that I was completely unprepared. A handful of my friends actually did follow through on their word, and excitement, and rode the 545 miles from SF to LA. It took them seven days. All of which I heard were amazing.
I, with the other handful who didn't go, flew down and met them at closing ceremonies. It was actually really inspiring and really emotional. I caught myself tearing up a few times. It was incredible to hear how much money they raised this year. Nearly 11.6 million dollars. But also scary that even with that much money they can't find a cure for AIDS. I of course would love to do it next year. Stocked with Cliff bars and butt butter.
Although the congrats for our friends was our main reason to escape SF for a weekend and venture south. The other event going on this weekend definitely had something to do with it as well. It was Pride. Hats go off to Laura for finding an awesome casa for us to lay our heads, our crap, and our tired hungover bodies. Renee, Mary, and I arriving first, got the pleasure of jumping on the beds and oogling over the gianormous TV and sexy bathroom. Friday night drinking started promptly at 5, completely by accident of course. It's not our fault the lazy afternoon stroll turned into a happy hour booze fest. I blame it on the appealing appetizers, and two for ones long islands that will knock you on your ass (and did actually, which consequently got Renee and I kicked out of probably the hardest bar to get kicked out of. oh well). The appealing appetizers turned out to be not so appetizing. And the ass hole server dropping them by our table, turned out to be actually very adorable, and was just emitting LA bitchiness. We ended up at this place called Fiesta Cantina. Where they will serve you double long islands for $6, but wont let you use the boys bathroom to pee. That's just wrong! We made some new friends, Gary and Donovan who were hilarious as hell, and refreshing to hang out with. I'm not sure how 5pm turned into 10pm, but we were soon on our way to a new place called Here. I have nothing to say about that place (cough cough). After a short lived dance along in the living room it was Saturday.
Saturday's are wonderful for lounging around in your underwear. They are also good for enormous omelette's and mechanical bull rides. Wanna see the video? --->