You all realize the beach will be cold, right? Pretty, but cold. Signed, We Are Not Southern California

Oh, when I say "go to the beach," I don't mean swim/frolic in a tankini/sunbathe. Going IN the water is not part of my plan. I just like being near the ocean when I possibly can.

Agreed, Teppy. One of my favorite times to go to the beach (if I happen to be near one) is in the fall, especially if there are dunes and/or salt marshes nearby. The air is crisp, and the colors are glorious.

Mmmmm beach. Your beach is a whole different vibe from mine. Both nice in their own way, mine warmer, yours wilder. (up to 80F surf now, yay Spring!)

We have seals, great whites and the Farallones on the horizon; next stop after that is Hawaii. Definitely Big Blue out there.

but in the first couple days my east coast body will be wanting to curl up on a sofa

HA HA HA HA ha ha ha ha!!!

Actually, I'm more worried about Mal and jet lag, but y'all won't have to deal with him. And hopefully I'll be somewhat adjusted by the F2F.

Count me in for Dark Garden (the DH has been on my case to get a corset, so I'm taking that as tacit pre-approval, even if expensive) and for the Arts and Crafts exhibition.

And apparently I have So I Married An Axe Murderer on my mind, because I now feel the need to go to Alcatraz and say

Now this is something the other tour guides won't tell you. In this particular cell-block, Machine Gun Kelly had what we call in the prison system, a "bitch". And one night in a jealous rage Kelly took a make-shift knife or "shiv", and cut out the bitch's eyes. And as if this wasn't enough retribution for Kelly, the next day he and four other inmates took turns pissing into the bitch's ocular cavities. (short pause) This way to the cafeteria!

I loved that movie. Bless Mike Myers.

...you know, I'd also LOVE a corset. But there is, I fear, entirely too much of me to fit into a corset. Damn it.

sighs.

But Fay - there's less of you than there used to be, and probably even less when you get to SF. I'm thinking of indulging in a corset - my prom dress (from last year) has a corset top and all (well, most) of me got into it.

Whee! I received my Alcatraz ticket in the mail.

While I enjoy seeing all the pretty corsets, I have no interest in owning one. Also, Toddson's dress last year was stunning. It should be worn as often as you can find occasion.

Hec, the exhibit sounds fantastic. I think Tom and I will try to make our way over there during our time in the area.

You and the corset top dress looked stunning together, Toddson. And I say that having only seen pictures; in person, your majesty must have been practically blinding.

I want a new corset, but I know I can't afford Dark Garden.

Well, yeah, there's that. Though you could at least try one on and find out what size and style suit you best, for future reference.

Also too fat.

@@ Aside from the part where you're NOT FAT, let me assure you that backstage at the Dickens Fair I've seen women so large that four brendas strapped together would barely make one of them, and they had all found corsets that fit, and they all looked stunning. The essence of the corset isn't about any one specific size; as long as you have a faint suggestion of boobs and a faint suggestion of hips, the corset will do the rest and make an erotic demigoddess of you.

ION, the Arts and Crafts exhibit truly is stunning. And exactly in between Chez Zmayhem and deb's place, and, should the thrifting expedition take place on Haight Street rather than Valencia, conveniently located just a few blocks from either the beginning or the end. Just sayin', is all.