Guess what I got to do???

Dad took me for a ride on his Harley!  Too bad we didn't have a side car for this guy:

Ignatius watched us ride off from the driveway

Between riding with my dad and my stepmom handing me down a family heirloom--her biker chick jacket from the late 80's--I'm well on my way to being "scooter trash."  Jax Teller, here I come!

Busy Weekend in Pictures

Why did I think summer would be so low-key and relaxing?  I had visions of spending my days lounging on my back porch with a Blue Moon, big sunnies, and some books . . . and yet, not so much how it's turned out.  Working a lot on my curriculum, meetings, babysitting, social engagements, stalking motorcycle clubs, visitors + travel = one busy girl.

Here's what I've been up to this weekend:

eating lots of these

dinner (Delfina Pizzeria) and drinks (Double Dutch; my fave) 

with my dear friend Monica

p.s. anyone know how to get the iPhone 4 to take better pics in the dark?

p.p.s. check out the awesome boombox on the Double Dutch homepage

p.p.p.s. go to Delfina Pizzeria and get the broccoli raab pizza stat.

sunny days at the pool with this guy & his impish brother

immersed in my new book

p.s. the co-authors, Keith and Kent Zimmerman,

teach creative writing in my unit at San Quentin

a beautiful San Francisco Sunday in Freeman's back yard

Tomorrow I'll be missing Leeann, who was supposed to be visiting this weekend, until I dropped the ball and took too long to email her times (the airfare sale ended) :(.  No doubt we would have torn up the town.  Instead, I'll be BBQing with friends during the day, and teaching at San Quentin at night.  Normally I wouldn't teach on a holiday, but I'll be out of town the next two Mondays (here I come, Georgia!  here I come, Cabo San Lucas!), so I'm sucking it up for the greater good.  Needless to say, my students don't have any other plans. ;)

Fittingly, I'll be teaching this poem.

Happy 4th!  

I apologize in advance for making fun of my mother

but I can't help it.  Did you read my post yesterday?  Wellll . . . my mama did.  And I received this email yesterday morning, first thing:

Clairey

I just read your blog and I am dead serious--DO NOT GO HANGING OUT WITH MOTORCYCLE GANGS

I'm not kidding.  Do not go to any party of theirs.

Mama

Haven't laughed that hard in a while.

My Obsessions Run Deep

So as many of you know, my recent obsession with the FX show Sons of Anarchy has evolved into an obsession with all things motorcycle.  And when I obsess over something, I do it hard.  


Exhibit A:
Last night, I feel asleep reading this.

Exhibit B:
Collaborative artwork with three-year-old Milo:

Exhibit C:
Hours of research of local motorcycle clubs have led me, repeatedly, to the East Bay Rats.  Fortuitously, their clubhouse is about a mile from my apartment, which has led to a couple "lurking" incidents:

taken from my car, parked conspicuously outside

Lucky for me, my friend Audrey is a damn good sport, and agreed to go prowling for bikers with me tonight.  Our first stop was Godspeed, which was unfortunately closed.  After driving by the Rats' clubhouse (no one home), we headed to the Ruby Room, a reliably "Rat"-infested watering hole, which was a straight-up gold mine.  First of all, the president of the MC was the doorman.  Secondly, the bartender had a huge EAST BAY RATS MOTORCYCLE CLUB tat on his forearm.  Thirdly, two dudes approached us at the bar, revealed that they were Rats prospects, and invited us to a biker party Saturday night at their warehouse.  Let the investigative research begin!

I should have been one of those undercover journalists.  Wish me luck!  And if you have any inside info on where the Hell's Angels hang out, holler at your girl.