HIP TO BE SQUARE

Last entry I expressed my elation at sighting one bear in Yosemite National Park, well imagine my excitement when witnessing over 400 gorillas running through Golden Gate Park.

DO NOT FEAR, it was not a frenzied mass of feral primates; there was no danger to our lives. A ‘whoop’ of friendly gorillas participating in the Great Gorilla Run, raising over 100K for the Gorilla Organization.



The Gorilla Organization is focused on saving the last 700 remaining mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. Darren and I were volunteering at the event after I had met the events co-ordinator Margaret at another volunteering function.

It was very much ‘Gorillas in the Mist’ on our arrival into the park early last Sunday morning. Considering I have been told on more than one occasion that I strike a resemblance to Sigourney Weaver, I fitted right in. (It must be the hair).


There were Elvis Gorilla’s, Viking Gorillas, nipple pierced and dancing gorilla’s… there was something for everyone. This clip gives a good overview of the day.

We were looking through this photographers photos on flickr and Darren almost felt famous. There are some 500 pictures but if you have time or desire, you can play a fun game of Where’s Wally Dazza with the first hundred or so photos.

This past weekend, Darren had so much fun he was going to do a special guest contribution. Unfortunately he pulled out (deadline restrictions, or some lame excuse) so that leaves me….
That’s okay because I had fun as well.

On Friday, my Aussie volunteer friend Rachael invited us to have lunch with her fiancé at the Google Headquarters (Googleplex) in Mountain View.

The Google Offices have eleven restaurants on site, all offering free Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to its employees and their occasional guests (like us).

I could not work in such an environment…. Continuous free food every day, I would self-destruct explode.

Maybe that is why there are company cruiser bikes outside every door - to work off each meal. The Googleplex is so large they supply these Cruiser bikes and electric scooters to get around the different buildings. Group exercise is also encouraged with the 7 seater conference bike. I couldn’t imagine having a serious meeting on the contraption but it was a lot of fun.


Luke lead us on an interesting tour of the complex. Due to security measures, photo opportunities were limited, however there are some good insider snaps on this Time Magazine website.

It is easy to see why Google has topped the Fortune magazine’s List of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”. Everything they need is there on campus: doctor, dentist, hairdresser, masseur, fitness centre, carwash and a free laundromat.

Friday Review: 10/10 (A First-Rate Day)
-Cheap √
-New Experiences √
-FUN… and great ice-cream √

Saturday we were back in the city, the weather was pretty average compared to the sunshine that you would find in Silicon Valley, but it was ideal weather for a lazy afternoon. An outing to the nearby cinema for a matinee session of Ocean’s Thirteen was the order of the day.

Now this movie is the perfect example of my previous entry’s topic regarding setting the right expectation level. Had I not read any reviews for this movie my expectations would have been low and I probably would have left happy. You see, three years on, I am still waiting for my refund for ‘2 hours of my life back’ after watching Oceans Twelve.

With all the hype and reviews stating that Thirteen was the “Best Oceans Movie Yet” I was expecting more than just a bit of eye candy on the big screen.

In the words of Randy Jackson from American Idol:
“Yo Yo!! It was okay, it was just okay for me”

Saturday Review: 5/10 (A Mediocre Day)
-Cheap (Budget session time & a free pass) √
-Average Movie X
-Annoying little ‘yappers’ sitting next to me X

Considering how little our weekend had cost us so far…(I am including Friday - because to be honest Darren didn’t get a lot of work done) we were cruising along nicely.

Now, you could be excused for thinking my blog heading: HIP TO BE SQUARE relates to the thousands of little geeks running around the ultra cool Googleplex - but that wasn’t my intention.

It relates to our Sunday entertainment. Yesterday we continued our frugalous ways and cycled our way over to Stern Grove for their free Concert Festival….

Kicking off this annual festival was a blast from the past..

HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS

Darren was particularly excited to hear some of the old favourites:

• Power of Love
• Hip to be Square
• If This is It.
  

I must admit I wanted to hear Jacobs Ladder, a song I remember loving in primary school when I was 12, unfortunately it didn’t make the play list. It was fun day celebrating in the splendour of Stern Grove.

We danced along with the oldies and the youngies (a free event is good for enticing a real mixed crowd)

We gave some thought to our Dear Dads, as it was Father’s Day over here yesterday…
We Love you Dad's

Review for Sunday: 9/10 – (Couldn’t want for much more day)
- Free concert by a decent band (sure they may have had their day) √

It lost one point for not playing Jacobs Ladder. But hey it was enjoyable, and it was free so beggars can’t be choosers.

I will have to see what penny-wise activity I can find for next weekend.

These months of being unemployed are teaching me how to be a good bargain hunter, I have even found a 3 day a week volunteer gig that have offered to reimburse me in clothes and good ones at that. I am building quite the corporate wardrobe in preparation for my reinvention as a working woman.

Watch out WoodWoodsfrugalousfrills coming to a blog site near you.

Hey!! I’ve got the time.

I don’t think frugalous is a word…. But I like it!!!

Back to the subject of look-alikes. I was talking to my mum last night and we were discussing the movie “Just like Heaven” that was set in San Francisco.

Mum and I agreed that Darren reminded us of the lead actor, Mark Ruffalo - (More than just the hair).


Can’t say that either of us have been asked for autographs yet though.

XX

Mel

P.S.. Congratulations to my cousin Sarah and her husband Nathan, we have heard the exciting news that you are expecting your first child and we couldn't be happier for you both...Congrats Again.
Love Mel & Darren