Hot Town, Summer in the City

Played a tennis match over the weekend, mid-day in high '80s temperatures. The court was so hot, my opponent's inner tube exploded while we were sitting down on a changeover. Straight set win for me.

When I was a skinny teenager, the heat was my nemesis. Now it seems like I specialize in winning on the most scorching days. I've learned... well, let's not give it all away here! One thing I notice, is that whatever things I bring to beat the heat, I've got more of 'em than the other guy.

Among the Weeds

Woke up extra-early this morning. Felt like going for a row at Aquatic Park, which was my first time in a while. The bulletin board had a diagram showing a new course around the lake, to avoid patches of weeds. Well, I'm still learning the basic contours of the shore, so naturally I kept getting tangled in the weeds. Just like the Sargasso Sea! I finally happened upon a trick for untangling the oars, getting a little bit of speed and then spinning the oars entirely around while dragging them in the water. Not sure if that's the approved method!

Grateful Dead keyboardist dies

Here's the story from the San Francisco Chronicle. Keyboardist Vince Welnick was the last member to be added to the band. Playing keyboards for the Dead seems dangerous on the scale of playing drums for Spinal Tap. Welnick was also a member of The Tubes, who I vaguely knew but didn't know that they were also a Bay Area band.

First Look: Canon Powershot S3

Well, it's my first look anyway. My neighbours asked for some advice about cameras. After I laid out all the considerations, they asked what I would get if I was buying a new camera of such-and-such size and capabilities. The Canon Powershot S3 sez I. So that's what they got. I like the 12x optical zoom, familiar Canon controls, and how compact and light it is. (More even than the G3 I think.) Review to follow.

I'm Gonna Git You, Socca

Today browsed around a little bit at the Epicurious Garden, a new gourmet food court in Berkeley's "gourmet ghetto", steps from the famous Chez Panisse. I had tried the gelato place before. This time I got one of the chickpea-flour mini-pizzas from Socca Oven, something new from the owner of Gregoire's just up the street. No wheat, no dairy, vegetarian choices -- can't go wrong there. Nice little eggplant-covered treat.