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The difficult thing about this 100 foods list is filling in the time in between the eating. Luckily, last weekend there was the free admission to the SF MOMA. And this weekend, Reid and I decided to watch Avatar again. This is worth noting because this is the first time I’ve seen a movie more than once in the theater. It’s difficult for me to justify spending $10+ for a movie at the theater unless it’s a movie of epic proportions, like Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Matrix, etc. Avatar, of course, is our generation’s technologically-pivotal Star Wars, and I can justify watching it in the theater again only because there’s no way I would be able to watch this movie in all its 3D (and in IMAX!) glory at home, or maybe ever again.

Anyway, Avatar was just as exciting and epic the second time around. While most critics thought James Cameron delivered on 3D tech magic and the creation of a whole new world and failed to deliver on script and storyline, I really enjoy the story. Sure, it’s the superarch of Pocahontas, Dances with Wolves, and FernGully (in space!) , but that’s what makes it classic and timeless. Having read several articles about Cameron’s world of Pandora that he crafted so carefully, I wish he divulged more of that world in Avatar; I did come across one that describes what was cut from the original script, and I think those scenes would have given the movie a lot more background and depth. That aside, there was enough depth and character development that I became really engaged in the movie, even the second time.

With that plug out of the way, onto the food!

22. Vietnamese roasted pork sandwich at Saigon Sandwich: Sometimes the best foods are made in dark little stores, stacked to the ceiling with odds and ends of desserts that haven’t been touched in years, and owned by little old ladies that could pass for your own mother. Such are the women that made our sandwiches today, and the sandwiches were everything Vietnamese sandwiches should be: crunchy but soft French rolls, perfectly seasoned roasted pork, sweet pickled carrots, cilantro, and whatever mayo-like spread that ties it all together. Man, I love Viet sandwiches, and these guys put Lee Sandwiches to shame and will give my local favorite (and the lunch place for many a Cisco or Yahoo employee), Cam Hung, a run for its money.

87. Fresh spring rolls at Out the Door: This place is owned by the same people that run the reputable Slanted Door at the SF Ferry Building (which is also on the list). I’m not surprised that $8.50 will get you only 2 spring rolls here, since it’s kind of a fancy-pants place. They were pretty good, especially the creamy peanut dipping sauce, but $8.50 is pretty steep even for delicious Vietnamese spring rolls. $8.50 should get you about 6 just-as-delicious-if-not-super-delicious spring rolls made by Vietnamese moms. Or maybe 20 if you’re in Vietnam.

63. Meatballs with grapes at Aziza: Reid and I had planned to visit Aziza (thanks to SF’s Dine About Town deal) before we decided to tackle the 100 foods list, and the list conveniently has listed one of Aziza’s appetizers that we had never tried before. Could it be better than even the basteeya and the spreads? Or, heaven forbid, their lamb shank? How could we have ever missed the meatballs if they are THAT good? It turned out that the meatballs were good, but not mind-blowingly so; i.e., Reid has ordered the lamb shank for the past 5 (and now 6) times he’s been to this restaurant–THAT is what I call a good dish! In conclusion, go to Aziza, but order the lamb shank, and if you happen to be there in the right season, order the fig moscato cocktail. Amaaaaazing!

Conclusion for the day: Mom-made food is probably the best when it comes to simple, non-fusion ethnic food (though, ironically, Vietnamese sandwiches are technically a “fusion” food from the French colonization days). Aziza still awesome; get the lamb.

The frequency of my blogging seems to have steadily diminished since I first started this site. I suppose I could say that I’ve been spending time away from the computer and have thus abandoned my blog… And for once, I wouldn’t be lying! Summer has bestowed upon me the inability to sit still, and Reid seems to believe that I actually enjoy the sun and being a social being. Whew, is he wrong or what? Just kidding, Reid—I swear. Anyway, I won’t promise to update more frequently—I’ll only set myself up for failure—but I do want to keep tabs onwhat I’ve been up to.

It’s kind of a shame that I’ve spent my entire life no more than 40 miles away from San Francisco, but have spent so little time in the city. I blame my parents who have probably vacationed overseas more times than they’ve visited San Francisco! (Dad will probably email me right after I post this blog to correct me on my exaggeration here.)

However, it does seem like I’m making up for lost time lately. Two weekends ago, Char set up a crab fishing trip at Municipal Pier. What blows my mind about this is that you can walk away with free crabs! If we were in China, I don’t think there’d be a single crab left at the pier if you could do this, regardless of legal restrictions on type and size of crabs caught. However, the cost of crabbing manifested in different forms; we battled cold weather for four hours and ended up with only four crabs that were barely 4-inches across their back (the legal size of crabs). FOUR CRABS.

Despite the frustration of having to throw back 2 deliciously large Dungeness crabs and many others little crabs, and being unable to stop a sea lion from ripping a tightly-secured chicken drumstick from our net, the subsequent meal of boiled crab dipped in garlic butter was well worth all the trouble.

Tips for next time: Use KFC chicken for 1) eating and 2) delicious oil and fat to attract crabs. Bring a book or some form of entertainment. Leave the net out longer to let the chicken fat smell travel in the water (we were impatient and pulled up the net every 5 minutes).

Last weekend, a trip to Half Dome at Yosemite was cancelled due to forest fires, so instead we went to San Francisco yet again. This time, we took a ferry out of the SF Ferry Building and headed out to Angel Island where “my people” came through back in the 19th century. There was none of the usual overcast weather that’s so typica of SF, but it was instead beautiful, blue, and extremely warm. The hike around the perimeter of the island offered some pretty awesome views of the SF skyline, Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge—makes me wonder how it took me more than 20 years to get out to the city!

Not to worry though, I’ll be back this weekend when Kim visits and we go to Aziza. Have I mentioned how much I like this place?

Alright: GMAT has been taken, and my stash of chocolate has dwindled significantly, but I’m ready to get on with my summer.

That’s why, last night, a couple of nerdy friends and I stayed up until 3 A.M. playing, of all things on a Friday night, TypeRacer.

I can’t believe that 107 WPM puts me in 4th place, and that at certain times, the others were getting upwards of 120 WPM. I need friends who type more slowly so I can feel superior in comparison :P Even for such a fun activity, I was getting nervous and my stomach started to cramp up from the fun-induced stress—something tells me I need to learn to relax!

[Update: Eric just hit 150 WPM. FRIENDSHIP OVER.]

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Reid and I hit up Aziza again last Sunday, since they are participating in the SF Dine About Town this month. I am persistent in being adventurous and trying their various dishes—the duck, the shrimp-chicken-lamb coucous—despite overwhelming consensus from Yelp and other friends that the lamb shank is THE dish to order. Reid only ever orders the lamb shank, and I think I have to finally concede. Rick Astley will give you up for this lamb shank.

We also made Spicy Mississippi Chicken Cakes from the Google Cookbook! They were pretty darn delicious.

Backpacking to Young Lakes in Yosemite next weekend with the Asparagooglers! Any excuse to shop at REI and Sports Basement is a good one.

Started off the weekend very nicely with an amazing Moroccan-Mediterranean Californian fusion dinner at Aziza in SF! The piquillo-almond spread on flatbread was especially delicious, and I can see why the lamb shank comes so highly recommended.

Headed to Local Kitchen & Wine Merchant shortly after dinner to meet Kim and company, and then to Kate O’Brien’s, where the entire bar busted out singing along with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” - all kinds of awesome!

On Saturday, I attended (for FOURTEEN HOURS) the 17th Annual Chinese Martial Arts Tournament. As always, I regret not participating in the competition. But I wouldn’t have been able to compete anyway, since I haven’t trained since the the 16th CMAT last year and have virtually quit since then, due to changes in priorities and the frustration associated with the lack of drive and thus, the lack of improvement. Perhaps if I can pick up Wushu recreationally and just constantly remind myself that I can train without the competitive edge and simply for appreciation of the art.

In any case, Linda performed really well. I am amazed that she was able to recover from a torn ACL two years ago and train to compete again! Eric did very well, too; solid performances all around, and especially impressive in the advanced division of staff and broadsword - respectively, 2nd and 3rd place winner! WINNARRR!

Friends have really improved in the past year, and I was especially impressed with Evelyn, gold medal winner in Intermediate Female Changquan, and Ashley, who medaled in the Intermediate Female jianshu (straightsword) event!

In any case, tournament and afterparty were fun for the most part, nice to be reunited and it feeeeeels so gooood with lots of old faces! (Cookie for the person that can identify title and artist of that song!)