alameda

We went to the Alameda 4th of July parade today, followed by waffles at Oles. Kenji treated the waitress to some of his world-famous obfuscation:

Waitress: What can I get you?
Chloe: I'd like a strawberry waffle without whipped cream
Waitress: Ok, and you sir?
Kenji (smiling): I want the same thing!
Waitress: Ok, another strawberry waffle, no whipped cream
Kenji (still smiling): Yes!
Waitress: No whipped cream, right?
Kenji: Yes!
Waitress (turning to me): Ok and y..
Kenji: With whipped cream!

Afterwards, we headed back to the macaroni factory to show the parents the rugs that Chloe had bought at auction last week. We then headed to Berkeley to cook dinner. We grilled steaks, flying saucer squash (don't know their real name) and corn, which turned out pretty well. I was a little nervous about the steak because it was around three inches thick, but it was cooked throughout and if anything a little well done. Chloe and I also made a grapefruit, orange and lemon granita with wild mint from Alta.

Right now we're keeping our heads down as the neighborhood people launch an impressive and potentially dangerous array of professional grade fireworks into the air. I feel bad for all the stray cats!