There and Back Again

Disposition: Tired from walking
Listening: Hey Ya! By Outkast
Reading: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Watching: Identity
Obsessing: My new iPod
Pondering: Tea and books - Mmmmmm, two of life’s exquisite pleasures that together bring near-bliss. (Christine Hanrahan)

Today was a very good day. Though my feet ache from too much walking around downtown San Francisco, it’s indeed a wonderful day. My sisters and I celebrated my birthday today since the 20th of October falls on a Monday and neither sisters could take Monday off like they wanted to.

There was no grand celebration, no big party. That’s never my style anyway. Instead we did what I’ve always wanted to do for a long time now. Afternoon tea at some nice restaurant like the Westin St. Francis in Union Square. We were ushered into this lovely restaurant with nice comfy chairs and Japanese-inspired decor and they served us Orange Jasmine tea and an assortment of really tasty finger sandwiches and pastries while a piano played in the background. It would have been lovelier if the teapots and Chinas were daintier like the ones they have at English Rose Tea Room in San Carlos, CA. Plain white tea set just doesn’t sell for me. But all that aside, it was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. I hope to do it again soon, maybe during the Christmas shopping holidays.

Prior to the afternoon tea, my sisters and I went to see Mystic River, a movie by Clint Eastwood of the book of one my all-time favorite authors, Dennis Lehane. I read this book in two days back when it just came out of the shelf. Being an avid reader of Lehane’s Patrick Kenzie/Angela Gennaro PI series, I was very much looking forward to his new book after Prayers for Rain came out. I remember being quite disappointed after reading the synopsis for Mystic River because it wasn’t a continuation of the Kenzie/Gennaro series but I bought it anyway, believing my man Dennis is capable of writing beautiful stories with or without Pat and Angie. And boy was I right! Mystic River is a very good book. Lehane, who in my humble opinion, is very lyrical in his description of things, scenarios and feelings, captures my imagination like no other crime/detective author can. His prose are never cliche, never predictable, never forced. I am such a fan of this guy and I urge you to check him out.

Anyway, back to the movie. It was beautifully acted and directed. Clint Eastwood, the 3 leads, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon, and the supporting cast all deserve two thumbs up and a rousing standing-o! Bravo! for an adaptation that was true to the book. I nearly cried in the scene where Robbins’ character, Dave, stumbles out of the bar into the night and comes face to face with the river, its surface sparkling as neon lights reflected on it because it was just how I imagined the scene would look when I read the book. This movie is definitely one of the few books-to-movies that didn’t disappoint. Mystic River is a must see and definitely a must-read.

Just after tea, we went to Borders and bought some books as a birthday gift to myself. I bought To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and Winning Modern Wars by Democratic presidential candidate General Wesley Clark (Ret.). I am getting to know this guy because I think he’s the one who will unseat George Bush.

Before I sign off for the weekend, I want to thank my lovely sisters Merced and Myra for a wonderful afternoon. On your birthdays, darlings, we’ll do things your way.

Much love, hugs, kisses and all…
Lay