California trip, June 26

This was a big day-- we went into San Francisco. We were rather unsure as to when would be the optimum time to arrive there, due to the fact that gays and lesbians had been feverishly waiting at City Hall to learn if Proposition 8 (a conservative bid to prevent same-sex marriage) was going to be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court or not. The Supreme Court ended up declaring Proposition 8 unconstitutional, and the gay / lesbian contingent was euphoric. As most of the things we wanted to do were located in that area, we wanted to be able to get to everything without difficulty, as we were taking Maureen's car. However, when we actually got to City Hall and parked in the underground garage, things were quite a bit quieter than we had expected. We parked underground, and our first objective was the Asian Art Museum. It is home to a world-renowned collection of more than 18,000 art treasures spanning some 6,000 years of history. From Japanese painted scrolls and bamboo baskets to Korean lacquerware and textiles to Thai paintings and rare Tibetan scrolls, the museum showcases the incredibly rich and varied spectrum of Asian art. Among the many highlights are Indonesian puppets and dragons; jewel-encrusted swords, Bronze Age weapons and chariot fittings, arms and armor; miniature sculptures, ritual food and wine vessels, and a notable collection of Buddhas. Chinese ceramics, jades, bronzes and porcelains surveyed the entire history of these art forms. I was snapping photographs like mad, and so was Maureen, as around each bend was something extraordinarily precious, elegant, deceptively simple or maddeningly ornate that caught our eyes. My favorites included a collection of Japanese netsukes, a Japanese tearoom, and the Tibetan gold jewelry on display. Before seeing the entire collection over a 3-hour period of time, we had lunch in the Asia Cafe--vegetable spring rolls on a bed of slaw, and an Izzy Clementine drink. After we got out at 4:00, we were ready for a little pick-me-up at nearby Soluna Cafe and Lounge, in front of which had been established a large vegetable and fruit garden specifically designated to feed the hungry of San Francisco. In the cafe Maureen had a lime soda and I had a latte. Afterwards, we walked around the area containing City Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, and the War Memorial Opera House before getting in Maureen's car and driving to a restaurant Maureen had recommended for the occasion--Sauce, where we shared two wonderful small plates of meat loaf wrapped in bacon on a bed of mashed potatoes, and a plate of spinach and kale that had been steamed and was a wonderful accompaniment to the meat loaf. Homemade rolls and a fine pale butter with sea salt accented the food to a tee, and, as we shared everything, we did not feel as if we had overdone anything. Afterwards, we parked back underground and went to the War Memorial Opera House to secure our tickets at Will Call. Maureen had gotten us Senior Rush tickets for Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte" at $30 a person for Orchestra seats that normally go for $200+!! What a coup! The production was magnificent, with all voices equally fine and one mezzo soprano, Christel Loetzsch, from the Dresden Opera House in Germany making her U.S. debut this evening--another notch in what promises to be a fine career! And now Maureen and I are home, and it is almost 1:00 a.m. What a great day it has been! Two other home front items of note: Alexandra Venable, my daughter, is interviewing for a Music Supervisor position she would love to attain (good luck, Mucha, and remember that you are in my thoughts and prayers), and she is moving to Seattle pending final arrangements. Additionally, friend Ann Stevens is getting ready to finish the 2,600-mile Pacific Crest Trail this summer, and will then tackle the famous Santiago de Compostela route (France, Spain) this fall! What an incredible set of accomplishments! And now good night to everyone--off to bed!