Astoria in December

I had the opportunity at the beginning of December to spend some time in Astoria because of work. And if you're along the Oregon coast during that time (or any other month ending in "e-r") you'll find fresh crab!



I always like to walk downtown and do some window shopping. There are galleries with local art, a Scandinavian import shop, a Danish bakery, a fun toy store, as well as a handful of coffee shops and restaurants.



I can't believe I've never seen the Astoria Column lit up for the season before! It was bone-chillingly cold with the wind that night, but still a fun stop to make.

A Quiet Corner of San Francisco

When I was in San Francisco this past July, I spent a Sunday afternoon in Golden Gate Park. After watching participants in a local race and listening to a free concert for a while, I wandered in the direction of the National AIDS Memorial Grove.



On every December 1st since 1988 recognition has been given to those whose lives have been--and continue to be--impacted by HIV and AIDS.



It's a space for reflection and renewal. In small ways, I've been participating in the HIV prevention community for about 10 years now. So, on this December 1st, it seems appropriate to take a moment to share a quiet corner of San Francisco.