Peering Through the Fog

Different priorities now: a banker, lawyer, CPA, and financier
walked into a bar and compared notes on health, not money.

Lately I've been accepting more invitations to go to reunions, whether they're related to family, work, school, or eleemosynary institutions.

Although lethargy is growing with age, a stronger counterweight is the desire to avoid regret. Seize the opportunity to meet up with old friends because one never knows when it will be the last time.

And so it was that I fought the rush-hour traffic through San Francisco and peered through the fog on the Golden Gate Bridge for a dinner with former work colleagues in Sausalito.

The four of us quickly caught up, then turned our attention to gossiping about former acquaintances, which is another reason to attend these gatherings. Generally it's better to talk about others than to be talked about.

After two hours--three hours after sunset--our energy flagged (two bottles of chardonnay also helped). We resolved to meet up again after the New Year. I wasn't 100% sure it will happen, but it's nice to look forward to.

The Same Inspiration

I’ve taken out-of-town visitors on the ferry before, but this was a different group. They had seen other attractions last year and on a warm Sunday afternoon the Bay beckoned.

For seniors and children who pay half-price, the Sausalito ferry is one of the best bargains in the Bay Area. The van deposited us at the terminal at 2:40, and we were on our way within minutes. We arrived in half an hour and beat our ride, which was stuck in heavy traffic by the Marina Green. The line of passengers waiting for the return trip to San Francisco was double the length of ours. On a sparkling March weekend many shared the same inspiration. © 2007 Stephen Yuen

Treasure Island