Just add soap

We had dinner at a restaurant called Lavanda last night; in addition, Lavanda is a "Wine Bar" ... tres Palo Alto - what can I say about "Wine Bar" that isn't already said by "Wine Bar?" Lavanda subscribes to the culinary and pricing structure model that posits that (1) food shall be stacked roughly in the shape of a cylinder, and (2) the price of the entree shall be proportional to the following ratio: cylinder height:cylinder diameter. I'll happily go along with this scheme, provided the food is truly exceptional. My 3-inch wide tower of fish did not live up to the expectations engendered by its price, though. Honestly, I think I preferred this place as its old, non-"Wine Bar", veggie-burger-flipping, "Good Earth" incarnation. "Good Earth" was there way back in the good old days when Palo Alto actually had a Woolworth's. Those days are gone - out with the Burger King, in with the Cheesequake Factory. But as an added bonus, somehow the name "Lavanda" fits right in with the laundry leitmotif that occurs in far too many of these posts. There were no folding tables, change machines, or quarter slots in sight though. All of this brings us to the question of the day - would you rather be a food critic, or a movie critic? Michelle chose food, I chose movies.

Wednesday's track practice was fine, though I have resigned myself to the fact that I have never been nor will I ever be a speedy runner. Unfortunately, I have been doing far too much cycling at the expense of swimming and running, where I really need help. Frank and I sped through Los Altos Hills yesterday evening, climbing up to Altamont and cruising down Page Mill Road. And this morning I went on what was supposed to be an easy "recovery" type ride, around the Sand Hill/Portola/Alpine loop. I was taking it easy, and even let three folks pass without falling into the "MUST CHASE THEM" rut ... at least for a little while - they turned out to be pokey going up Portola Road, so I just had to do my best to zoom by. So much for "recovery."

Michelle and I went swimming this evening at Avery. My lane was packed - I think at one point there were about 8 people doing laps in the same lane. It made for good triathlon practice, I guess - lots of close quarters leg-kicking and splashing. The locker room at this schmancy aquatic facility is pretty disgusting - the whole locker room is flooded with about two inches of standing water. Yuck.

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