Prospects and People and food in SF

Well, talking to the GAO office went okay. I think I came across as a bit strident, but I tend to make that first impression, I think, particularly on work related things. Reviewing their teams and options and stuff, I’m still in favor of returning to the bay but less intently focused on that. Taken together, this means that future life at GAO would likely be in Chicago. And I’m okay with that.

The ERG did not impress me much. Or, at least, not as an option for me. I have several interests, but they apparently don’t do the sort of energy policy I’d like to do for the developed world so much. I was told it would definitely fit, because they have a very broad program, but that they don’t have faculty that really examine that stort of thing. Not terribly surprising. They recommended CMU and Penn State, though the prof I talked to admitted it was not so much his specialty, and I’d be better off talking to professor A (who wasn’t available, and likely won’t be while I’m in town). Enh, oh well. That’s sort of a safety option and there are probably better safety options for me.

Wednesday evening, I had dinner at the only Cambodian restaurant I know of, Battambang. This was a planned party of 3 (simon, me, and ). We picked up Lili, Simon’s girlfriend and housemate who lives in my former room, and , at which point I decided it was okay to invite and as well. When we got there, Rice and Josh were talking out front. Good conversation, tasty food. I had the neat pumpkin, rice flour, coconut mixture steamed in a banana leaf, “Num Lapov” or something like that. Definitely Num.

Then board games at the Endgame. Actually, Simon, Rice, Josh, Nathan and myself just played games with one another (one guy tried to join us for the second game, but it only took 5 players). First Puerto Rico, then Colossal Arena. In both cases, I was surprised I’d won, and I did so barely. (first time successfully using the corn baron strategy and first time playing colossal arena period).

Thursday Chris and I had dinner at lucky creation, then went over to Chris’s host house, where we made out on the roof, then in chris’s host’s bed. Tom called and I made it back to home sweet couch. =)

Friday I met up with . We grabbed some tasty Fuzio in the castro, followed by gelato (soy gelato for me). Then over to the metreon where we watched the brothers grimm. I’ve seen worse movies, but I can’t really recommend it. I believe Allen has a stronger opinion on it. =) Then comic book store browsing. I think I want to start reading Lucifer.

Then dinner at herbivore, where I totally stuffed myself in the company of fellow vegetarians (, simon and lili (lili isn’t veggie, but that’s okay), , Chris and his friend Larry. But there are so many tasty, tasty, options, it’s hard to resist. Though the soup was pretty enh. Then I went out on the town with , his boyfriend Scott, as well as the incredibly hot , his incredibly hot bf, Ted, , and several others at Club Dragon on Folsom. I met a total pocket cutie who looks teenage but is older than I, and many other interesting parties. I don’t think I had anything to drink there, but I did get awfully touchyfeely with people.

Saturday, for lunch introduced me to Golden Era. Yay for more tasty fake meat. Including these strange little ‘drumsticks’ that came on actual wooden sticks. (note, this was the day I woke up from after my kfc dream).

Then and I went to the SF Zine Fest, where I introduced and Chris. I also purchased a couple zines, including one on peak oil. I may make a point to correspond with the author about that after I get back, and start on related classes.

Then I took back and introduced him to my hosts ( and ). I hung out with them briefly, and I think watched a little SG-1. I’d left lines out with Chris, , and /. I did turn down the opportunity to see Charles (kinda sad about not seeing him this trip) over Korean barbeque. Instead I took up on an invitation to a house party uphill from the castro. I hung out with him and paints-with-legos Jayson at Jayson’s place. I took note of Jayson’s very appealing, and intellectually inclined roommate, Scott. I heard back from Chris, and was invited by to join them (and totally flaked, bad me). I went to Jay’s Cheesesteak where they do seitan cheesesteaks (chris had piqued my curiosity about it earlier in the evening). I got one with mushrooms and while they did make it vegan, they forgot my avocado. So sad. But still pretty good.

I met Tom’s boyfriend, who was watching the original Stargate and I was hypnotised by the TV. We then left for the party “just for an hour”. It was a big whee. I had many interesting conversations, imbibed a fair amount of alcohol. Chris came over. Got some mutual flirtation on with Scott. (learned a little lesson about flirtation/attention in the process.) Felt up Louis (BIG mexican guy, cute, conversational, if not overly prone to letting people complete their sentences, but fun.) Talked brainy things with Scott (he’s an epidemiologist). And overall, had much fun. Houseparties with the overeducated in attendance rockout over bars any day of the week.

I got back to ‘s at 3:30a or so. Up before 9a.

Soon to be off to herbivore brunch with . Then all day board gaming with Simon, , and in berkeley. Hopefully, will be able to join us after his plane lands in oakland.

This trip has been crazy fun so far.