I can't think of a funny title with "ball" in it.

OK, the title was a lie.

Mercury threw a new year "ball" two weeks ago. You're really supposed to dress up for these occasions. Usually, that's a huge turn-off for me, and this year they made it more complicated by calling it a "masquerade". Suits and tuxedos won't be enough this year - we were required to dress "magically elgenat". Let's skip the part where I'm all "WTF is magically elegant? Can I come wearing nothing but a corsage? Why can't they just have a party?", and go right to the part where I figure out that the coolest costume I could ever wear would to be a tuxedo. And make sure everyone else does the same.

Me? In a tux? Damn straight. And we made a mask (for me - Marina borrowed a Carnaval mask from Carla).


The ball was held at the San Francisco City Hall. Classy.
I could go on and on about how classy it is to hold a ball in the hall, but I won't.



Everyone was so elegant. It was actually great.
Hey, in the background, in the blue dress, isn't that... Oddly enough, I have three accidental pictures of her.

Food!


Friends!


Older friends!


Decadense!


Newer, somewhat fuzzy, friends!
(And yes, I pretty much had that thing on my face the whole evening)


The American dream!
Where did all these wrinkles come from? I look like a Goddamn Ferengi!


I didn't expect any sort of fun, but this 80s cover band kept the floor busy.


Oops, The Chick noticed my flash



Yeah, that's that chick that guy used to... and then he... yeah.


Table for three?


My favorite two pictures from the evening



Like I said earlier, good thing that we take the camera everywhere.

I'm back. I think.

I spent the last months is a small hole I dug under the world, feeling very sorry for myself for several reasons. I thought I'd feel better about if I wrote about it, but of course I can't. Because this is the Internet. Your boss might be reading. Or worse, your mother.

And because c:\pics is 8 gigs less than 6 months after getting the camera. And because I took this picture from the deck a few minutes ago.



And because yesterday we went to pick up my parent's package from Bernie, up in The Hills. Los Alto Hills. Normally that's not news worthy, but I had to break 30 meters before reaching his house, becuase four deer were crossing the road, to get to the yummy front lawn just across the street. Four deer. Crossing the road. Right fucking there. I'm so glad we take the camera everywhere these days.



Do you realize the horror of these people's lives? Not only are they forced to live in a shack in a remote mountain location, but they also have to deal with deer munching on their front lawn (hey, an unintentional Ali G moment). Looks like this particular slum gets frequest visits - see the wire fence around protecting the bush? This is turning into a very naughty post. Very naughty indeed.

So, if people endure this kind of life, and I meerly watch it happen to others, I guess things aren't that bad. Maybe it's time I stopped whining, grabbed something with Gaiman on the cover, and bought a piece of electronic equipment I really don't need. It adds so much to one's feeling of control.

Without further adieu, in no particular order, I give you: Fun stuff I've done lately.