I had a great night out, which was some serious fresh air, thank you. After luckily flagging a taxi on my obscure San Francisco alley, I strolled through the crowded Hayes valley block party with my enjoyable evening's date, Ray. We noticed a great little show of two brother's illustration, paintings and a 3-d moving diorama at Tinhorn gallery/press. The works had a beautiful line quality and the oil paint was lusciously thinned out with tons of linseed and varnish. The works looked really luminous because they're painted on vellum paper and hung against a white background inside lovely deep box frame. The subject of hunters and log cabin living was fun, though a bit kitschy with a "seen that feeling," they were well done. This was the first of many inspiring moments from last night.

Next we checked out the Timbuk2 one night only, renegade store event. Hubby had come up with an inspired influencer idea ... Timbuk2 opened their future store for one night only, during the neighborhood's block party, creating a buzz about the later official opening in March. He had BASK and NAKA tag the front and the store was filled with product for just a few hours. What made the night really work was the full support of the bike messenger community. They showed up and hung out in front of the store giving all the credibility a marketer could ever ask for, and he never asked. Obviously the brand has legs. Nice. [and it's more than you want to know about me but, ... those guys are hot!]

Then off to a late entry at the fully picked over ReadyMade Magazine party. Looked like it was a good party, but most of the goods at the craft fair were gone, the bar line was ridiculously long, and only teeny bits of chocolate were left to eat. Fortunately we ran into lots of good friends to make it worth the while. Ray and I also found a a couple of impulse buys from a local artist. I can’t endorse her with an easy link, even though I bought a piece and like her work. She really pissed me off. She said she was wiling to bargain, as the night was over and it would spare her having to pack the pieces and take them home. Ray wanted two, and I one. She gave Ray a combo deal, so I thought I’d add another cute, very small bicycle piece to my purchase. I thought I'd hang it in Max’s room since at 13 months he already says "bicycle" {pronounced og'li'co"}. It was on the gallery wall marked at $15. Sita was terribly distracted not really even acknowledging me, which was rude enough, I mean christ the pen is in my hand and my checkbook is open {!}, but she then had the audacity to say the paintings were returned to the wrong places so the pricing was all messed up. Uh, hem. The larger piece I was purchasing was $30, but she wanted to sell me the tiny little bike for $40. I was writing a check for three other pieces and she wouldn’t come down on a tiny little bike with simple polka dots. Fine, I’ll make it myself, I thought, afterall I'm at a DYI party. Later I’m out in front chatting with some friends when up walks an acquaintance who whips out the cute little bike piece I wanted and quips, “How fun, I just got this darling little bicycle piece for $20 and I’m putting it in my son’s room." So now I say “ you suck Sita Rupe.” And yes, I‘m telling ten friends all about your pricing issues and posting your art above [well damn it, I do like it, so arrrggg you double suck, suck, suck, oh wait that's triple suck!]. Ok I'm just super bitter.

Then off we went to Slow Club for a lovely, delicious, and inspiring dinner with new friends. Two have just had their own baby, Branch, a sustainable product shopping site. What fun! Shop, shop, shop, the stuff’s cool and they’re very nice people too.