Tonight I returned to the always delightful Lucky Ju Ju Pinball in Alameda in honor of Ian’s xx birthday.

His friend Stephanie made a vegan pinball cake and I was able to see my two favorite pinball machines, talk to the engaging people that work there (one of whom knew a guy who knew Pat Lawlor, the other person sold her Twilight Zone machine to take a trip across the world). We were all fueled by rice and beans.

Would like: Addams Family special collectors edition ($47k on ebay).

So, to recap: it was the best night I’ve ever had.

[other photos]

CupcakeCamp was fun for sure, but my main agenda for going was to talk to other vegans and see how they made their cupcakes light and fluffy, and not dense and heavy (the house specialty). I was delighted to see there were a shockingly high number of vegan entries, all of which were incredibly delicious. I regret that I did not have the time to spot or photograph all of them, but the venue filled up fast and I had a little crowd-induced panic attack which rendered me motionless.

[Special thanks to the organizers for being so, well, organized. And for having a lot of soy milk on hand.]

Looking forward to either hanging out with more vegans and learning the secrets of deliciousness or the next venue to bake for the general public, whichever comes first.

The creative department at work decided to go bowling last night. I don’t recall the last time I bowled, but I do remember the last time I hung out and ate chips and salsa and pizza.

I was able to take this totally sweet shot of Roy nailing it.

The highpoint of the evening had to be when I drove Annie from the Presidio to the Mission and she grew startled when she didn’t hear the jingle-jangle of her keys. Of course her coat was hanging out back at the Presidio, getting a few extra lanes in. Of course I drove her back there and home again. It was nice spending a total of 16 hours with Annie.

Naturally, all the on-ramps except one were allowing cars onto the Bay Bridge. Total driving time from bowling to Oakland: two and a half hours.

When should I have put gas in the car?

• a. Any time Saturday
• b. Any time Sunday
• c. When the car stopped running while in a turning lane at 51st and Telegraph

Our car hates us for picking “c” and now it has a date with the mechanic because it is pouting (i.e. stalling at every red light).