California, weeks II and III

I can't believe I've been here almost three weeks already (unless I count time by the swine flu updates that solomon insists we watch EVERY NIGHT on his "news" station, in which case it seems like i've been here forever). Quick update since last post: the day after I last posted, I got a job at Bistro Maxine, a French restaurant around the corner from Stanford University in Palo Alto. I am executive sous chef and resident interior designer, and I work for three pretty fabulous people, but Georges is my favorite. He loves food almost as much as I do, and I like him because 1: he put accordion music on his ipod just for me 2: he likes to dance around while cooking as much as I do, 3: he lets me come up with specials on the reg. Oh, and 4: he always sends me home with an extra baguette and a pain au chocolat or deux.

Anyway, I make some straightfoward French food in a very tiny cuisine for a bistro that has about six tables.. so it's much like the Shoebox was, except that now people sit at the table, instead of underneath it in the middle of our crowded, tiny living room. The people that come in are legit foodies, and it's a lot of fun making good eats for people who can recognize them.

I'm also spending more time exploing the city (china town, north beach, SF Moma), and this weekend (HALLOWEEN) I think I'm going to Berkeley. I'm working on Solomon's guest bedroom - I've been painting it apricot and now I'm going to start on a mural: a glossy white tree of life.

I have officially accepted my invitation to serve in Kyrgyzstan.

Now I'm sleep sleep sleepy and I'm going to eat some pumpkin bread pudding and go to bed. Overall, each week is progressively better. California better be careful, or I may never leave...