Do not attempt while operating heavy machinery.

Just before my date with Holly and Tyflo, I was spending some time with my friend, Carrie, on the other side of San Francisco.  She's a dear friend of mine who has an incredible energy and always talks to me about earthy-like feelings in a language I understand while I'm with her, but can never emulate once I walk away from her presence.  I feel very in tune with life and the world when I'm with her and although we only see each other a few times a year, I wanted to give her a little holiday somethin' to let her know how much I appreciate what she brings to my life.

Carrie and her partner are moving across the country, v.far away from their network of friends in San Francisco.  While Lauren will be pursuing her PhD and professor-ing career, Carrie will be holding down a job while completing her Masters Degree in Library and Information Sciences through online course work at San Jose State University (in Cali)...yup, she wants to be a librarian.  I was so interested in the subject matter and had the chance to ask a billion questions about her future career; seems like it's an industry of great complexity and potential.  Who knew.

Ok, back to the gifting.

While I swerved through mad traffic across town for our get-together (yes, I was running super late), I busied myself with preparing my last minute gatherings for Carrie.

I started by tying simple, but sparkly ribbon around...

A sturdy desktop address book.

Get it? For the librarian? The one with friends she'll want to write to?

I know, I know, how DO I get so creative (sarcasm).

Plus...

A luxurious bar of chocolate from a company that supports small farmers in far away countries.

She's super earthy and into super into sustainability.

Plus, who doesn't like a good piece of chocolate?

I'd like to take second to express how ridiculously unsafe it is to do this all while driving.

I wish you guys could've watched me.  It would have made your eyes widen in fear.

Especially when I busted out my camera to record the endeavor.

At least it wasn't raining.

 I wrote as heartfelt of a note as I could while maneuvering around a trolley bus.

Barely missed a wayward pack of unobservant tourists.

Nearly took out an unsuspecting cabbie who was drifting across Van Ness Avenue in what seemed to be a drunken haze.

Then it started to drizzle.

 

But I threw it all together at an extra long stoplight and ended up at her door right on time!

Phew.

While I certainly cannot recommend such vehicular recklessness, can you imagine how my conversation would have gone with the arresting officer?  What the heck do you want, officer? Can't you see that I'm busy wrapping a gorgeous chocolate bar for my friend? What?? Why would I need to observe driving laws? I just told you, I'm a leeetle busy here. Ok, thanks.

On an unrelated note, Carrie is a terrific thai massage therapist.