Leslie Veen | she, her

Posting a better video of the dolphins swimming with us on yesterday’s whale watching tour.

Today’s adventures in San Diego included a whale watching tour. I have tried multiple times to see whales and have repeatedly been thwarted. Today broke that trend. We saw hundreds of dolphins playing around our ship along with two gray whales blowing and breaching. Many times. Yay!

Today’s adventures in San Diego included a whale watching tour. I have tried multiple times to see whales and have repeatedly been thwarted. Today broke that trend. We saw hundreds of dolphins playing around our ship along with two gray whales blowing and breaching. Many times. Yay!

I’m in San Diego for a few days purely for the fun of it. Stunning weather made my wanderings in Balboa Park pure joy! I spent time in the Japanese Friendship Garden. Here is a video of cool sounds there. Yay!

I’m in San Diego for a few days purely for the fun of it. Stunning weather made my wanderings in Balboa Park pure joy! I spent time in the Japanese Friendship Garden. Here is a video of cool sounds there. Yay!

I’m in San Diego for a few days purely for the fun of it. Stunning weather made my wanderings in Balboa Park pure joy! I spent time in the Japanese Friendship Garden. Here are photos of many of the blooms there. Yay!

I’m in San Diego for a few days purely for the fun of it. Stunning weather made my wanderings in Balboa Park pure joy! I spent time in the Japanese Friendship Garden. Here are photos of many of the water features there. Yay!

Springtime in San Francisco

A view from bluffs of waves washing up on a beach with a lagoon and former military housing

Golden Gate Bridge from a beach to the northwest of it

Beach scene with the sun going down behind bluffs at the end of the beach

Another gorgeous day in the Bay Area. Got out to Rodeo Beach and Kirby Cove to hike and enjoy it. Yay!

As my birthday month nears an end, I want to share with you the most hilarious gift I received. It is from my brother who enjoys finding joy in weird things. May I present Priscilla. She came with choices for headwear. She now lives on my kitchen windowsill.

Tonight’s birthday fun thanks to SF Sketchfest is a live taping of the Thrilling Adventure Hour. Yay!

And so my birthday weekend begins. Tonight’s fun: Fake TED Talks with Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, and guests (often including Adam Savage). Always a good time. Yay!

The end of the first week back to work at the hospital + looking at a weekend full of classes in Berkeley called for a dinner out. Assuaging my inner midwesterner with meat and potatoes (steak frites in SF terms). Yum!

Okay fine folks. It’s January. That means it’s my birthday month. You will, no doubt, remember that I think celebrating for only one day stinks! So, let the celebrations begin! (Image credit: pixelstalk.net)

Wet sand leading out to the Pacific Ocean with grey skies overhead

Wide open beach with rock formations and cliffs with the famous Cliff House in the distance. Grey skies with white puffy clouds are overhead

A selfie showing me is my rain jacket, sweater, and wool hat on the beach

Large designs drawn in the sand with rakes and other tools

The rain stopped long enough this afternoon that I was able to take my annual New Year’s Day walk on Ocean Beach. I found a (nearly) whole sand dollar and the sand artists were making beautiful designs.

Clouds catching the setting sun with shades of pink and grey above a San Francisco neighborhood scene

The sky was putting on a show while I waiting for the bus tonight.

Post-Christmas Eve service couch time. Wishing peace for all this holiday season and beyond.

My colleagues and I spent some time today making cards to give to patients. I made one to give today to a patient and one for later. I love that this is part of my work here.

This morning I’m leading worship for the congregation of Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church in the Richmond district of SF. I’m embracing the curly that comes out when it’s humid and rainy.

The Cliff House over Ocean Beach on the western edge of San Francisco as seen from the beach at low tide.

Sand art etched into Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Sunset and surfers as seen from Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Sunset over the Pacific as seen from Ocean Beach in San Francisco

Low tide and sunset coincided today so I took a trip out to Ocean Beach. I was rewards with lovely views as well as some cool sand art. Yay!

My day so far has included a lot of walking to explore Morro Bay. The winds died down today and the water in the bay was like glass. So pretty.

This is my first time stopping here. I’ve been through it on Hwy 1 many times. 😊

Morro rock seen from the Morro Bay coastline with the Sun setting beside it

Vibrant sunset over the harbor at Morro Bay with boats in the foreground and a jetty behind them

Vibrant sunset at Morro Bay harbor with boats in the foreground and a jetty behind them

I’m spending the next couple of days in Morro Bay. I was welcomed by otters and a beautiful sunset. I love the California coast.

How’s your day going? Much of mine has been spent walking around the city. (One of my favorite ways to spend a day.)

Coloring pattern filled in with blue, green, purple, and pinks

Did some coloring today to help me focus during an all-day meeting.

My garden is full of blooms following the recent rain and warm weather. I’m loving it!

Listened to a Toronto radio station call the games as the Blue Jays lost to the Dodgers and colored a couple of bookmarks and a small pattern. No big Halloween outing for me.

Picture of a glass of beer on a bar with a television showing the Dodgers v. Blue Jays game on in the background

Current status: at a neighborhood bar rooting for the Blue Jays along with many other patrons. #SFGiantsfan #beatLA #goBlueJays

Shot of an empty stage awaiting the author Cory Doctorow who will talk about the new book “Enshitification.”

Shot of the eticket telling that Cory Doctorow will be in conversation with Jenny Odell about the new book “Enshitification.”

Waiting. In the room quite early but that means I got a good seat. ☺️

Program booklet for the play “Noises Off” beside a glass of sparkling rose.

A bit of fun at the theater for my Sunday afternoon.