We took a trip to Palo Alto area for Will to have his 2nd ablation with Dr. Winkle. He was having regular and frequent arrhythmia's and was again on medication. His first one lasted 5 years so he was happy but concerned. We learned a lot about the study and this time he's hoping for at least 7 years! And maybe more before another procedure. We were able to meet with family before we left for a wonderful Italian dinner and a walk to Starbucks. All grandchildren were there as were Will's youngest adult-children: Samantha & Matt. We had such a good time...after the ablation! We are also grateful to the Hospital for allowing us to spend 2 nights in their patient home. It was very near the hospital so I stayed as long as I could at the hospital. We again loved being in the Bay Area. Discovered Redwood City, Palo Alto and visited SF
the day we flew out with Roland & Daniel after breakfast with Matt & Samantha. Roland and I had another of our notorious disagreements over "shopping" (actually looking) at Neiman Marcus'. It was absolutely obscene to see the prices of things...I was there because Roland had gone ahead and found an "absolutely fabulous jacket" for $2200.00! He joked that he was only dreaming...and of course I scolded him on how much money things costs there....a simple men's casual shirt was $595...reduced to $350 "on sale." I was so annoyed and shocked at the differences in "life style" between
us & them...."DO YOU KNOW WHAT LOTS OF LOCAL SF'S COULD USE THAT $ FOR?" Roland said he and Daniel love to go eat there during the holidays and honestly we waited over 1 1/2 hours for a table...which the host lost before our 3rd time of asking if we were up yet. And the bill for a simple lunch of rolls and salads?....$97.00 for 4. So
I'm just not a person you want to take shopping to the expensive end stores in the City!!
Now I use to frequent SF back in the 80's....taking advantage of ACT's Wednesday rehearsals and magnificent lunches everywhere you look! There was a time when the
old City of Paris building was astonishing and so beautiful. There was always a center
huge Christmas tree and a pianist in a tux which made just walking through the building a SF experience. Herb Caan wrote often about the sites of the City! And I was always a fan. But somehow NOW with the lack of jobs, incomes and attention to inequities and consumption (in 2005: 76.6% of purchases were made by 20% of the population and it's higher today) I had a very difficult time...with Neiman Marcus'
Politics shadows everything these days and I'm trying very had to keep my mouth shut but you can see it's not going very well. I do miss California more than I can tell you.
I love my life...especially being in the West with my best friend and partner. We have had so many adventures and we love our almost 2 year old boxer, Suki. So will do one more blog before the year ends. Happy Holidays All! And happy shopping....
