Halfway to the stars

[horizon_greene]

A few months ago, my sister asked me, "If you could do anything in the world for your 30th birthday, what would it be?"

To which I replied, "Watch Lincecum pitch at AT&T Park."



We stayed at the Hotel California, celebrating its 100th anniversary in the heart of downtown and checking in guests with complimentary tequila shots.


Then, a late-night bottle of chianti, burrata, and dessert down the street at Kuleto's.


I'd never seen the city look so beautiful as it did that weekend, by the way. Bright sun, clear skies.


The streets overflowed with cherry blossoms.


Swans nested on the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts, thoroughly barricaded.


There are no words for how lovely it was.








Incredible produce at the farmers market at the Ferry Building—ramps, all sorts of interesting mushrooms, asparagus.


We used our purchases to make dinner at Em's apartment.


Then, rushing to AT&T Park, champagne-fueled and giddy, and settling into our seats just in time.


The stars (and the pitching rotation) aligned. It was 4/20, two days left in my twenties, and Lincecum was throwing warm-up pitches to Posey—a sight unseen in many an age.


Tim was spectacular, magnificent, and watching Posey catch him—watching Posey tell him what to do—was the icing on my proverbial birthday cake.


The next day, we wandered the city randomly.

Alamo Square, to see the Painted Ladies.


On a whim, we found the Full House house.


Haight-Ashbury, for punch and barbeque at Hobson's Choice.


Bloody Mary bar, too.


Then the Castro, for pet stores, a dream of an open house, some Hot Cookies, and more cherry blossoms.


I can see why people write songs about this city.

<3

Comments

[midnightswims.livejournal.com]

Jesus, I pretty much live here but I spend most of my time working nowadays that I forget to enjoy it.

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the cherry blossoms will remind you to take a moment and smell the flowers, so to speak :)

[midnightswims.livejournal.com]

Haha, tell me about it. I was supposed to take my sister to the Cherry Blossom Festival too but I ended up not doing it because I had a working interview for another job :( But I'm trying to save up enough and get rid of my sickness so I can finally go to some games!

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

I was at that game too!! It was so glorious, I am not even bothered by the recent horrible streak because I'm still on a high from it. And I only work in the city sometimes, taking the ferry over, so I feel like I definitely appreciate its gorgeousness more than if I was there all the time.

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

Not sure what was better—how well Tim pitched, or the fact that it was Posey behind the plate. I have a thing for how Posey looks in his gear—his eyes through the catchers helmet, I can't even—so it was quite the fluttery moment to realize he'd be out there that day. They make quite the battery.

Are you still writing them?

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

We bought those tickets when they first went on sale, and I was actually trying for the Friday night fireworks but somehow screwed up my order. I was so happy when the rotation was set and I realized my mistake was a good one, and when they announced Buster was going to catch I crossed my fingers it would actually happen, because they kept changing the lineup. I got into my seat up on the third level just slightly down 1B line just as the two of them came out to warm up before the game, and yeah, it was just pretty exciting to see them in action, live, and doing so darn well.

I am, I am, and in fact am finally fighting my way through the end of a WIP I was stalled on all winter. I actually have like two other pretty fleshed-out outlines for stories and have plenty of stuff in my inspiration files, I just have a horrible time writing during the hiatus of any fandom I'm in.

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad to hear that—am kind of obsessed with the way you write them! I've been rereading "Fire Season," just because, and loving it all over again. Hopefully the last couple of Posey/Lincecum games have given you some food for thought, as it were—or at the very least, general inspiration/fluttery hearts/etc.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! I'm finishing the last story in "In the Stretch" first, but I have a pretty detailed outline for a long Fire Season story that bridges the gap between last season and this one. I do keep distracting myself by emailing sketched-out current-season scenarios with Cecilia Regent, though -- you're right, there is too much food for inspiration/tinhat speculation so far. Like what happened after that home game two weekends ago...

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

Like what happened after that home game two weekends ago...

Wait, what what what is this.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

It is imaginary boyfriend semi-d/s land, aka how does Buster bring Tim back down again at home after they've played a whole game with Buster calling all the pitches and running the pace on Tim (inspired by Schulman's description of what he thought Buster did differently as Tim's catcher in that game, which was borderline slashy and had a definite d/s vibe).

[myalexandria.livejournal.com]

I love a good slashy beat reporter story.

and happy birthday horizon-greene! I will probably go reread the hooker fic again in your honor :)

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

There are few things better :)

And thank you! It was a really special birthday.

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

I can't for the life of me find the description in question, but...yes, that sounds delightful. That type of dynamic would make a lot of sense with those two.

Hopefully Posey will catch Lincecum tomorrow as well.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

Oops, it was Carl Steward. Basically saying Buster ran the game and kept the reins tight on Tim. To which I say "...mmm."

[horizon-greene.livejournal.com]

Also, this:

“When you get a rhythm going out there and you’re not shaking too many times and the catcher’s on the same page as you, it’s not even a question of what he puts down,” Lincecum said. “It’s just where he’s going to want to put it and when he does, it’s like, `Yep, OK, here we go.’"

This makes me think so many things. Where he wants to put it, indeed.

[sophia-helix.livejournal.com]

That boy and his quotes, bringing joy to the hearts of slashers everywhere.