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Start off by waking up late on a 67 degree November day. You could have woken up on time and gone for a morning ride but now it is too late. It is clear and beautiful, the kind of day you don’t expect in November. If you have already written off this day because of prior responsibilities, all the better. Pick up your ex-girlfriend from the Oakland airport by being completely on time, even if you weren’t always on time when you were together. Upon dropping her off at her place, remark to yourself that although it is almost 4pm, there is still time for a ride. Proceed to get geared up and go for a ride into the South bay and make one crucial decision that will rule the next hour and a half of your life. Take a left hand turn. It is a regular old left hand turn at a stop, but it is not just any left hand turn, it’s the one that goes from 92 onto 35. Continue even though the fog is coming in and the sun is setting fast. Ride past dark trees, around increasingly wet corners. Ride until a deer runs into your path. This is not to be unexpected, it is dusk, the fog is coming in, and you are in the woods. So a young deer runs into your path. Squeeze those brakes… woops too much, the bike responds with a serious wiggle and you respond with an increased heart rate. All is well, you didn’t over react, you just reacted a little strongly. Proceed to ride home on 1 in the thickest of fog. The kind of fog that actually makes you happy there is traffic, because where cars go, so goes the road. Remark to yourself that the fuel light has been blinking for 50 miles. Remark that the fog has condensed on your shield in the same density as the sweat on your brow, despite the 40 some degree temperatures. Upon safe and happy arrival at home in the city take a hot shower in order to unfreeze your limbs. Call friends to look for entertainment. Receive virtually no response. Decide that live music is the thing and head to The Plough and Stars for music you don’t even listen to with none of your friends joining you. This is honky tonk country music, but it is good. Cold Country and The Whiskey Richards are great live. So you have a couple of beers. Before you know it, some dude named Jimmy introduces himself. THREE times, as if he has forgotten he introduced himself even though he has been standing next you the whole time. He is from Fiji and looks to be around mid 50s and a little crazy. Have him ask if you want a shot. Leave when he is distracted. Write a blog entry.