Dinner for Four

[drscott]

The painters called this morning to tell us they wouldn't show until afternoon. Okay by me, since it let me finish up the last bit of work I wanted to do, tacking up the irrigation system control wires that had been dislodged from above a patio door by the window installers. I had to use some regular staples since I didn't want to make a run to the store for plastic-coated wire staples, so I hope they don't rust out and stain the paint; since they're under the eaves they won't be directly exposed to water much.

We had invited Paul G and his partner Rick over for dinner Friday. I fixed the usual broiled salmon and broccoli, which would have been boring but was okay since they've never had my version. I was late with dinner prep, and because of that I blew the crostini by reheating the bread, which made it too soft to cut into slices easily, then forgot to coat them with olive oil. While not awful, they weren't crisp and lacked flavor.

Paul G and I are both fairly quiet, and it's our talking that led to getting us all together for dinner, so it was odd that mostly my Paul and his Rick talked at dinner. This was okay by me, since I had never met Rick, and I enjoyed his charming part-Southern stories about hsi family and his history with Paul G. Though it would have been nice to send the two talkers off together to let the two quiet ones get in some face time. This is an interesting dynamic, and now I understand better why two couples who spend time together often split into two pairs, swapping partners for separate conversations.

Saturday we did more prep work for painting, moving potted plants away from the house and cutting back some more vines. Then it was off to the gym for a workout, then home for dinner and a viewing of Sideways, which was a nice little movie with some resonance for anyone in their 40s. Oenophile culture as background for romance and personal recovery was cute, though one wonders how much of these character's problems is due to functional alcoholism. Critics love small movies that work (since they've become so rare), so it was overhyped, but also well worth enjoying.

Sunday I dealt (via phone) with family matters; my brother's recovery from being hit by a car while riding his bike continues. His shattered knee is now moving, and he was thrilled when he was able to (slowly) use the exercise bike at the rehab center. He should be able to enjoy his visit here for Christmas by the time it arrives.

After the usual gym routine, we stopped in at Draeger's for more chocolate goodies and arrived at John and Mark's for dinner around 5. Their house is starting to look lived in; Mark made a boneless loin of lamb using the rotisserie on the new gas grill outside, and it was great.

I wish we had been able to get up to the city to see mrdreamjeans during his all-too-short visit, and I wish I had been able to meet rxdoc. We can't all be posted at Social Central Station like enhydrasf, I guess.

Comments

[orange-groves.livejournal.com]

Actually, I didn't care for SIDEWAYS that much. While the acting was pretty good, the story got too bogged down in character study.

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

If you don't enjoy or aren't in the mood for characterization, then it is probably not a good choice! I liked the character study, especially because the two guys seemed at first like the worst sort of losers and flakes, then manage to at least partly win you over. And Paul Giamatti is, well, adorable. But then I like a little Italian now and then.

[dhbearguy.livejournal.com]

I went into Sideways thinking it was a comedy. Only, I didn't laugh!

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

I LOVED Sideways, even though it was painful to watch at times.

I'm not crazy about Paul Giamatti's looks, normally, but he was closer to cute in this than in anything else he's been in...

[orange-groves.livejournal.com]

He's very cute; and certainly more cute in this movie than the romp with Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman. I just didn't like his character ;)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I wish I'd seen you too! But next time... we both promised:)It just makes me happy to look at Josh ... so imagine, twice in one day. *grin*

[rxdoc.livejournal.com]

I'm still in town and done with my conference now. Perhaps we'll still get a chance to meet if you make it to the Castro sometime before Nov. 1. I'm definitely hitting Starbucks on Sunday to try to get to the most efficiency out of my visit. ;)

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

We might be able to make that. The weather looks like it will be good for the weekend. I just hope you aren't waylaid before then.... post your weekend schedule when you know what it is.

[rxdoc.livejournal.com]

I will do just that. But, given that I have so many people I'd like to at least meet while I'm here, I will ensure that I don't get waylaid on the way to Starbucks on Sunday.