Live from London, Dan returned to Santa Barbara for a 10 day visit two weeks ago. It took me so long to write about it because I am exhausted people. We loved having him stay with us but we are tired. Late nights, early mornings, more tri-tip than any one person should eat and lots of messy photos from the visit.
Let's dive right in.
A barbecue at our house for all of Dan's friends. Bill made two amazing tri-tips. Dan was in heaven, as were the rest of us.
The following Sunday we took the scariest taxi ride ever up to Cold Spring Tavern. We thought we were going to die from the moment we hit the freeway. See?
Bill's new roommate Katie & her boyfriend Pete (aka Baby) were smarter and took their own car up to meet us for more tri-tip and live music.
The car ride home was much more fun. Thanks for taking the wheel Katie. We're sorry we made you late for work!
Our boys are wild. After a full day up at the tavern and a crazy ride home down the 154, what do they do? Brace yourself....
Wa-huh?
Why of course, a chess championship. I love dorks.
Adi and I bowed out here and watched Pride & Prejudice. We made the trek over the overpass later that night for Super Cuca's and were in bed early. All in all a great weekend.
Monday was time for sushi. Dan's entire visit was pretty much dictated by his cravings for foods he either can't get in the UK or are so expensive that he doesn't bother.
L.C. , Bill and Duzer joined us at Arigato Sushi on State Street for what I can only call a gorging.
Dan's first bite of blue fin - you could almost hear the angels sing in his head.
OK enough about Dan for a while. Suzanne's birthday was last Wednesday. Despite her efforts to get all 14 of us into a new restaurant in town - The Hungry Cat (notice Bill sitting at the bar on the home page) it was just too popular. Second choice for the birthday girl? Arigato Sushi! We gathered upstairs at a large private table for another dose of fantastic food.
Rob bought Suzanne a huge pair of gold lamee wedges and wrapped them up pretty. The card read 'These are not your real birthday present but isn't this more fun than a gift certificate to Nordstrom's?". I loved Suzanne's reaction before she knew it was a joke. The only thing she could come up with was 'Ooo, they smell new'. Ha ha...
Cold, unfiltered sake & lots of fresh fish. Hand rolls, sashimi, sushi oh my. Again, we stuffed ourselves silly.
At some point I discovered that Anna was an excellent improv subject. Anything I called out she would immediately pose perfectly. Everything from 'you are 15 and your boyfriend just broke up with you' to 'Shakespearean drama queen' she did it.
My personal favorite: Audrey Hepburn...
Being a school night, we stayed out well past our bed time. I think Suzanne had a great birthday.
The rest of Dan's visit was great. I think he managed to see everyone he ever knew in California within a 10 day period. He left on Sunday and Rob and I collapsed in our back yard, exhausted and happy.
