Gung hei faat choi

Yes, kids, it's that time of year again. Specifically, the year 4704. The year of the Pig. Actually, if you're interested, the Lunar New Year began on February 18th, but the giant parade through San Francisco wasn't until last night, which I guess is appropriate given the 15-days of traditional celebrating.

And speaking of traditions, I have sort of my own going on which I think I've recounted before. Every year during the Parade, there's a Treasure Hunt put on by a former detective/history buff /film noire lover. Imagine hundreds of people frantically trying to solve clues and running off into the night on a wild pig chase though the Financial District, Chinatown and North Beach, dodging tubas, poking about in dark alleys, pushing their way through the thousands of parade spectators, trying to avoid the winding dragons and deafening firecrackers in search of answers.

It's great fun. I'd managed to participate each of the last 3 years and, wasn't about to miss out this year, though all but one of my former team members had made other plans by the time I realized it was almost too late.

But I scraped together a few friends and off we went, meandering for what felt like 5 or 7 miles over hills and around blocks, seeking such things as the "words of a wilde man" where the double-lettered name for an irrational number key to circular thinking is followed by the 2-letter name of a blood and guts TV show and 55688.193 is divided by 18562.731.*

And get this: Out of 101 teams to complete our level, we came in 12th! No prize, but still, not to shabby. Thanks Nichole, Beth, Adam, Jeff and Joel for such a fun, if exhausting, time! Next year, we're winning the cake and the glory!

* On Pier 3 is a plaque quoting Oscar Wilde: "It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco. It must be a delightful city possessing all the attractions of the next world."