Man, I hate drivers. Why are people so freaking irresponsible in cars? Don't they know they can kill or injure themselves and others? I keep hoping I'm not the only person left in the world who obeys traffic signals and practices courteous driving but I think it's me and a couple old geezers in Iowa and that's it. I'm not saying I've never driven like a maniac, because I have, especially when I was 16 and first learning. I am saying I don't drive like that now, and it scares me to see grown men and women think they're the only ones on the road. I'm still tense from driving up and back to visit my friend Denise. It's too bad, because otherwise the visit was really wonderful.
She lives on a houseboat. I couldn't do it, it's way too cramped and weensy, but she loves it. And this is a huge improvement, in terms of space, from the sailboat she and her husband lived on for years. Actually, I'm sure I could get used to it if I had to. There are definite benefits. It's in a gorgeous location, it's relatively cheap housing, and you're always in touch with the outside world. I've lived in small houses where I only had one room to keep all my stuff, and I managed nicely. It's great to be on the water, able to watch the intricate life of the Bay from up close. I was startled by the silent appearance of a harbor seal on my last visit. I thought it was someone swimming, at first, and then the strange, mournful face turned towards me and it was a shock to see a non-human submerged in the green waters of the marina. Afterwards, I realized a human wouldn't have been swimming there but my brain hadn't been able to make sense of the shape any other way. This time, I didn't see much in the way of anything but fish and seaweed. The tide was in.
It was a gorgeous, windswept day in the Bay Area. Clouds piled up in the west and elongated as they passed down the peninsula, eventually dropping rain on San Jose. We watched my tape of Iron Chef and shrieked like siamangs over the Fresh Roe Confront. It was pretty gross. Afterwards, we went out for Mexican food and watched the funky neighborhood people wander in and out of La Morena's. There were a couple of way cute bikers, the usual assortment of vatos, gangstas, and the women who love them, plus the odd gringos like me and Denise. It was very Love and Rockets for anyone who remembers that comic. Full of nachos and burritos, we decided to go look at the house Denise is thinking of buying in Brisbane. What a cool neighborhood! I think I'm in love. It's on the green side of San Bruno Mountain, which means it gets fogged in during the summer, but it's charming and affordable and not very far from the City. I'll keep it in mind in case John and I ever get serious about buying a home. I could live in Brisbane, I think.
Then again, it would mean I'd have to drive. Hmm.
