San Francisco & Wine Country...

“I have seen purer liquors, better cigars, finer tobacco, truer guns & pistols, larger dirks and bowie knives, and prettier courtesans here in San Francisco than any other place I have ever visited: and it’s my unbiased opinion that California can and does furnish the best bad things that are available in America.” 

Hinton Rowan Helper

Since I have recently had several people, okay only four, ask me why I haven't updated my blog, I have decided to update my blog.

San Francisco was a wonderful city! Wonderful people, sights, history, monuments, diversity, and culture.

This Spring we took a San Francisco/Wine Country trip with our great friends Joe & Estela to explore what the lovely Lady had to offer; yes, San Francisco is a female. 

San Francisco Quick Facts

• Population 7,427,757 - 13th most populated city in U.S. 
• 1848/49 Gold Rush transformed the small fishing village into an International city

We stayed at the San Francisco Fairmont in Nob Hill.  If you have been to San Francisco the one thing you remember are the plethora of hills that make up the city. The San Franciscans have obviously adapted their parking, building, and architecture in peaceful harmony with the hills. 

San Francisco Fairmont Lobby
http://www.fairmont.com/sanfrancisco

View from our hotel room

We started our trip off with a delicious gourmet meal at the Big 4 Restaurant which was walking distance from the hotel. I highly recommend it.

One of the Big Four! I'm going to commisssion a portrait of me posing just like this & in the same outfit!

http://www.big4restaurant.com/

Friday, we started our day off with an Alcatraz Tour, Fisherman's Wharf, and of course clam chowder!

• Alcatraz or "The Rock" is a small island that has served as a lighthouse, military fort & prison, and Federal prison until 1963. In 1972 it became a National Park.
• Famous prisoners: Al Capone & Larry "Bird Man" Stroud.

We ended the day with a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon, the longest musical revue in theater history. It was a zany musical spoof of pop culture with extravagant costumes. It has had sold out performances since 1974 and is an internationally acclaimed San Francisco institution.

Saturday morning was dedicated to the Golden Gate Park. A huge and fantastic park with over 1,000 acres, it's filled with museums, gardens, lakes, ponds, an aquarium, a golf course, horse stables, a conservatory, walking paths, and more. It was Spring time in San Francisco and what a perfect time to visit the Tea Garden of the Golden Gate Park! Blossoms, hot tea, cool crispy morning, koi fish...

After the park we dressed for my favorite tradition, afternoon tea. Hot tea, finger sandwiches, pinkies out, and relaxed conversations with great friends. After tea we strolled, not walked, you read right, strolled around the hotel. We stumbled upon an enchanted forest where we found a house made entirely of candy. Wait, back up, we found a small men's apparel ("clothing" is trite & boring) & cigar store called Vendetta. Guess what this owner had?! Give up?! Pre-Embargo Cuban cigars!

Fellows enjoying tea

So these 2 women & a farmer's daughter walk into a bar...

Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar

The day ended with a Dallas Mavericks Game in Oakland! Back at the hotel we ended the evening with a visit to the iconic hotel bar called The Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. What a unique place! The original Tiki décor theme with a recent million dollar restoration, I can't even start to describe this place. The dance floor was built from the remains of the U.S.S. Forester, a lumber schooner that actually sailed the San Francisco harbor and South Seas. There was a band playing from a thatched covered barge in a lagoon in the middle of the room. Oh, did I mention the lightening, rain, and thunder that erupts on cue around the lagoon? Let me say by the end of the night security was busy escorting a "swimmer" from the lagoon & more. "What happens at the Tong Room & Hurricane Bar stays at the Tonga Room" & gets published in my blog!

Sunday, we started our Napa Wine Tour....work, work, & more work! We own a small wine lounge in Houston, TX. http://www.absolvewinelounge.com/about.asp  So, this was research for work! We are all business!

Joe helping us with "research" on the bubbles of Napa!

Our first stop was Silverado Vineyards Winery. It's owned by Walt Disney's daughter, and had the best 

view from atop a hillside. It was gorgeous. 

http://www.silveradovineyards.com/

Joe & Greg enjoy view from Silverado balcony.

Cork tree

Next we were off to Cliffe Lede Vineyard where each section of grapes is named after a classic rock song. They also had great garden art and an art gallery. http://www.cliffledevineyards.com/

Cliff Lede Vineyard

O' Brien Estate where after our tour we enjoyed a gourmet box lunch by the vineyard.

http://www.obrienestate.com/

http://www.gloriaferrer.com/

Off to Cakebread Winery where I bought a couple of jars of honey. http://www.cakebread.com/ Then on to Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma, known for their sparkling wines. Back across the Golden Gate Bridge and home again, home again jiggety jig! We used Beau Wine Tours & they provided us with an excellent experience! http://www.beauwinetours.com/


After trying to check in to receive our boarding passes, we were told all of our flights were cancelled. Long story short, it was the day after the Southwest Airlines fuselage situation, and we were delayed in San Francisco an extra day. With Joe & Estela able to catch their flights, Greg & I walked over to Chinatown a few blocks away and explored. For a late lunch we made afternoon reservations at Crown & Crumpet Tea Room, and ended up chatting with the owner and having a grand time. It's located in the Ghiradelli Square and has a great décor and menu. I recommend it for a marvelous tea experience.

 

http://www.crownandcrumpet.com/

This year marks the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

Update May 9th
Egyptian Men...really?! Really?! 

Egyptian women's rights protest marred by hecklers

(AP) – 19 hours ago

CAIRO (AP) — A protest by hundreds of Egyptian women demanding equal rights and an end to sexual harassment turned violent Tuesday when crowds of men heckled and shoved the demonstrators, telling them to go home where they belong.

The women — some in headscarves and flowing robes, others in jeans had marched to Cairo's central Tahrir Square to celebrate International Women's Day. But crowds of men soon outnumbered them and chased them out.

"They said that our role was to stay home and raise presid

Sexual harassment remains widespread in Egypt, where women often are afraid to report sexual assault or harassment for fear they and their families will be stigmatized. A 2008 survey by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights found that 83 percent of Egyptian women and 98 percent of foreign women in Cairo said they had been harassed — while 62 percent of men admitted to harassing.

Tahrir Square was the epicenter of the protests that toppled President Hosni Mubarak last month after nearly 30 years in power. Women in Egypt had reported that Tahrir had been free of the groping and leering endemic in the country, but on Feb. 11, CBS correspondent Lara Logan was sexually assaulted and beaten on the final night of the 18-day revolt. The Associated Press does not name victims of sexual assault unless they agree to be identified. 

At Tuesday's march, men scolded protesters and said their concerns were not urgent in the aftermath of the uprising. When the women argued back, some were verbally abused or groped. Others were beaten and had to be ripped away from the groups of men.

Mostafa Hussein, 30, said many protesters had to flee the area and hide in a park nearby.

"They were running for their lives and the army had to fire a shot in the air to break up the mob chasing them," Hussein said.

Passant Rabie, 23, said she was surprised that the women were abused after the role they played in the uprising. Women were central to the protests, leading chants, spending cold nights in the square and even fighting during the battle of Black Wednesday, when pro-government henchmen attacked the protesters.

"I thought we were going to be celebrated as women of the revolution because we were present during the days of Tahrir," Rabie said. "Unless women are included now, we are going to be oppressed.

"On the occasion of the International Women's Day, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, said on Tuesday that the transitions from autocracy in Egypt and Tunisia would be incomplete as long as half of society remained blocked from participating in governance.

"The United States will stand firmly for the proposition that women must be included in whatever process goes forward," she said.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

This year's IWD (International Women's Day) theme, as designated by the United Nations, is: Equal access to education, training, and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.


"Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to change the world." Harriet Tubman


"No community can hold its head high and claim to be part of the civilized world if it condones the practice of discriminating against one half of humanity." Manmohan Singh

Women constitute two-thirds of the world’s ~800 million illiterate adults (aged 15 and over). Educate a girl in Africa and she’ll earn 25% more income, be 3 times less likely to contract HIV/AIDS and have a smaller, healthier family*.

99% of maternal deaths are preventable, but every minute a woman dies from pregnancy-related causes. Worldwide, young women (15 - 24) are 1.6 times as likely as young men to be HIV positive. Every 14 seconds, another child becomes an orphan due to AIDS-related deaths*.

The abuse of women and girls is endemic around the world. One in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise violated in her lifetime.

Only 28 countries have achieved the 30% target set in the early 1990s for women in decision-making positions. Worldwide, women are paid 17% less, and have less employment security than men*.

Women perform two-thirds of the world’s work and produce half the world’s food, but earn just 10% of the income and own 1% of the property*.

*Sources: International Organization for Women Foundation.

Great Women Sites

http://www.unwomen.org/news-events/international-womens-day/

Global Fund For Women-The Global Fund for Women is a nonprofit grantmaking foundation that advances women's human rights worldwide. 
http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/

http://www.womenforwomen.org/

http://www.google.com/events/iwd2011/

150 Women Who Shake the World Site
http://www.thedailybeast.com/interactive/women-in-the-world/150-women-who-shake-the-world/?cid=hp:mainpromo2

Melissa's Miraculous Magical Mariachi Moment

Great or greatest day ever wasn't even a day but a fantastical, enchanted night filled with all of life's greatest gifts. I know what you're thinking. Greatest gifts? Life, Love, Peace, Happiness, Prosperity....No, it was Nachos, Tequila, and Mariachis. Those last three three words should be enough of a mental picture for you to imagine one great, or greatest, night ever. But if not, let me explain. 


Any trip to San Antonio should always include a trip to Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery. After our friend's wedding, we stayed an additional day in San Antonio. After a wonderful performance of old school country music at the historical Aztec Theater, we walked the half mile to our favorite San Antonio restaurant. Thinking that if we arrived later, the crowd and wait would not be so great. WRONG! After arriving at 9:00 pm we were told the wait would be at least an 1 1/2 hours. WHAT? EXCUSE ME? I just walked 1/2 mile in high heels to be told an 1 1/2 hour wait?! Okay, put our name on the list.


This is the ONLY place I would wait for any length of time. Standing room only, the place was a mini-city alive with sounds, laughter, music, and aromas of Mexican food. We finally found a small table in the Mariachi bar and ordered drinks. This is when the magic unfolded...we decided to give up on a table in the restaurant & my beloved strolling mariachi duo, just order nachos off the bar menu, and watch the Slam Dunk Contest on the TV. Then, it was as if a Christmas miracle unfolded right before our eyes (Mi Tierra keeps its Christmas decorations up all year & I was sitting right by the Mariachi Christmas tree).


A huge table of patrons near us had hired a full Mariachi band. I'm talking 4 violins, 2 trumpets, 1 guitarrón, and 1 vihuela. Then they began playing....and playing, and playing, and playing for an entire 1 1/2 hours without any breaks. For a few songs, a woman ranchera singer accompanied them, singing love ballads. There were solos from various musicians and whole groups signing that kept getting more glorious with each song. Several songs were obvious crowd favorites, with all of the patrons singing along and swaying their bodies to the rhythm of the music. Soon the entire room of 50+ people came alive. There was singing, boot-stomp dancing, and sounds of grito Mexicano that filled the air. In life there a few fleeting moments that seem to almost hover above reality, you know....where you float in a surreal dream... this was one... nachos, tequila cocktails, and mariachis. It was straight out of a Freda Kahlo painting.  Well, maybe one of the paintings with colorful parrots and not one of her freaky ones.


I know, I know....shhh, I know...your welcome.


Glossary of Terms
Grito Mexicano-Mexican scream or yell, similar to a cowboy's yeehaw http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grito_mexicano
Guitarrón-a large acoustic bass
Vihuela-a high-pitched, five-sting guitar
Ranchera-is a genre of traditional music of Mexico; traditional rancheras are about love, patriotism or nature
Check it out!  http://www.mitierracafe.com/

Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener! Unknown

Well, our travels took us to San Antonio this last weekend for the wedding of a dear friend. It was the most unique wedding I’ve ever attended, and it was great. I love when you can surprise, shock, or impress me, and this wedding did all three!

First, the invitation implied they were already married, it being the second, third or whatever marriage for both the bride and groom; we assumed that they had already married and this was a big ‘ol party to celebrate. Wrong...half way through the party we were told to gather around the dance floor...assumption, a toast for the couple. No, when one of her adult daughters walked up throwing rose petals and holding a black cat we knew there was going to be a ceremony-SURPRISE!

Second, there was a slide show of a photographic collection of the couple taken by two professional photographers. The slide show was showing on threes walls surrounded by black drape frames. The pictures included traditional poses of hugging and hand-holding, but also non-traditional...uhhh…more of a raw and exotic/unique selection of poses....SHOCK...pure party planning genius...the unexpected!

Third, the decor/theme of the party was quite impressive. I love my themes, especially for a party, and this bride had her color scheme of black with accents of red. The black attire dress code for the party-goers set a scene of an all black ocean of people so the bride in a fuchsia dress stood out like a she-goddess. The color theme was carried throughout, from the invitation to the tables, and to the semi-nude (sheer body stocking & pasties) women who offered themed goodies, food, photo opps, and well, objects of pure human art forms...IMPRESSED!

It was the most unique, shocking, and original wedding I’ve ever attended, not to mention lots of fun! Oh, the bride even sang her vows...beautifully, a cappella, and on pitch-a huge feat considering you're singing in front of family & friends....SURPRISE, SHOCK, and IMPRESS! Touché!

The next night we went to Mi Tierra’s Mexican Food Restaurant. Tune in for that glorious experience next!

Rumour sprendin' a-'round in that Texas town 'bout that shack outside La Grange

Native Americans originally lived near the San Antonio River Valley, in the San Pedro Springs area, calling the vicinity "Yanaguana," meaning "refreshing waters." In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river and a Native American settlement on June 13, the feast day of St Anthony of Padova Italy and named the place and river "San Antonio" in his honor.^ "San Antonio: The City of St. Anthony - June 2004 Issue of St. Anthony Messenger Magazine Online"

Just checked into the Mokara Hotel in beautiful San Antonio. FIrst time to stay at the Mokara in the historical downtown area right on the Riverwalk. Good form because they offered us Champagne as we checked in at the lobby. We declined because we stuffed ourselves on BBQ in Schulenburg. After BBQ we turned on ZZTOP and headed to La Grange. We are in town for a wedding celebration for a good friend. www.mokarahotels.com

Anxiously awaiting tomorrow for Mi Terra's Restaurant. Me soo loves my Mexican food and Mariachi musicians.
http://www.mitierracafe.com

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day, February 14, a day of love, chocolates, and cards. Why all of the traditions and fuss? Cupid was not really a chubby infant shooting arrows but a Greek god named Eros, renamed Cupid by the Romans. Cupid was a big mamma’s boy, who had to convince his mom and the gods of Mount Olympus of his love, need, and desire to have Psyche as his wife.

St. Valentines/Valentinus - three Saints by that name are recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as saints. Legend says he married Romans in secrecy when the Emperor Claudius II declared his soldiers were not to marry. It was easier to ship out soldiers to fight when they didn’t have families and wives they missed. Another legend puts St. Valentines in jail and he sent a love note while imprisoned to his jailers’ daughter, signed your Valentine.

Romans celebrated this time of February with fertility rites during the Festival of Lupercalia, where the city’s bachelors drew names from an urn and were paired with eligible females for the year. These pairings often resulted in marriage for the paired couple. After all, according to belief, it is mating season for many types of birds who choose mates and fill spring time with chirping baby birds.

So, where does this leave you? Mamma's boy trying to convince mom of your love choice, sending a love note from jail, or drawing a name from an urn? Happy Valentines Day!

Canada’s prime minister, Stephen Harper, predicted that protesters would eventually prevail. “I think the old expression is: ‘They’re not going to put the toothpaste back in the tube on this one,’” he said,

World Leaders Cheer but Remain Wary

By J. DAVID GOODMAN

Published: February 11, 2011

As the streets of Cairo erupted in celebration, leaders and officials around the world greeted the departure of President Hosni Mubarakon Friday with full-throated expressions of support for the people of Egypt along with some measured words of caution ahead for an uncertain period of political transition.

TIMES TOPICS

Complete Coverage of the Protests in Egypt »

Across a region that has seen online social networks lead to real-world social upheaval, many officials released their first statements via Twitter.

http://nyti.ms/ibLD0S