“Isn’t it nice that people who prefer Los Angeles to San Francisco live there?” Herb Caen
“I have always been rather better treated in San Francisco than I actually deserve.” Mark Twain
“I always see about six scuffles a night when I come to San Francisco. That’s one of the town’s charms.” Errol Flynn
“When you get tired of walking around in San Francisco, you can always lean against it.” Unknown
“East is East, and West is San Francisco.” O. Henry
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Matt-ism
No, Matt, this one isn’t about you. And no, dad, I’m not having another yogi-wanna-be moment. Molly captured the best San Franciscism in quite a while. The other day at work I was getting quite excited about practicing more yoga.
The ism – I was talking about how I was enjoying yoga more and more by the week, but I didn’t like feeling underdressed for this “centering class.” To this Molly laughed – “you know, San Francisco is funny. There are two types of people who walk down the street with matts – the homeless, and the folks going to yoga.”
The ism – I was talking about how I was enjoying yoga more and more by the week, but I didn’t like feeling underdressed for this “centering class.” To this Molly laughed – “you know, San Francisco is funny. There are two types of people who walk down the street with matts – the homeless, and the folks going to yoga.”
Friday, April 20, 2007
Hit go before you…go
Driving home the other day Daniel and I saw a very Monk-esque occurrence. A woman was crossing the street (against the light) and held up her cane to stop an on-coming Jaguar. After the car stopped, the woman slowed traffic even more to hobble over and touch her cane on the jaguar statue’s nose on the Jag.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Shiny new experiences
This weekend we tried to “step outside of our bubble” and do new things. Friday I took in pilates at Crunch Saturday was yoga.
The highlight of the weekend was seeing Toots & the Maytals at the Warfield. Leaving Toots we enjoyed the sights and scenes of the tenderloin at night passing by prostitutes, drug deals, and police who were turning their heads. On one busy corner an older man was running down the street yelling “5-0 5-0!!!” as all the others on the street discretely turned their backs on the passing police.
Today we continued our trying new things and made our way up to Petaluma to enjoy the sun. The Bay Area truly is great – you can go to the beach, a winery, and opera in the park all in one day. Maybe that will be in next weeks’ “trying new things” itinerary.
The highlight of the weekend was seeing Toots & the Maytals at the Warfield. Leaving Toots we enjoyed the sights and scenes of the tenderloin at night passing by prostitutes, drug deals, and police who were turning their heads. On one busy corner an older man was running down the street yelling “5-0 5-0!!!” as all the others on the street discretely turned their backs on the passing police.
Today we continued our trying new things and made our way up to Petaluma to enjoy the sun. The Bay Area truly is great – you can go to the beach, a winery, and opera in the park all in one day. Maybe that will be in next weeks’ “trying new things” itinerary.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
India flight
The flight to India was quite different than that to London. On this flight people were standing and pushing up until the plane took off. Even then there was the odd person standing or peering over the sheets for a better place to sit. When we first sat down my nose tickled with the smell of patchouli. The woman next to us was holding a Buddha statue and burning incense – luck or a prayer for the flight? Then, the woman’s brother started speaking in an odd combination of Spanish and Hindi – a new combo to me.
I fell asleep right as the plane took off only to be awakened 20minutes later by the smacking sound of the teenagers in front of us who appeared to be kissing for their first time. That or they were preparing for the Ashram in Pune.
Finally! After a total of 40-hours travel time we made it. Mumbai is beautiful – a city filled to the brim with colors, smells, and of course people. Just driving to the hotel I was counting my blessings – thinking about everything in San Francisco and then thanking God we were still alive in our cab.
Two tangents, but the streets of Mumbai render themselves to dual-pathed thoughts. Our hotel is a thing of beauty right on the water. Just half a mile away is a Muslim mosque, down the street is a park dedicated to Gandhi, and in front of us are hundreds of tourists, vendors, and beggers. The streets are wide open telling isms every second. I can’t wait to experience a few.
Somewhere between 14, February and 15, February
London We decided to spend our 11-hour layover in London out of the airport and in town. Getting on the tube we made our way to Covent Garden. The tube is always entertaining as there are isms happening in every 3rd seat. I think young adults in London try to set themselves apart as a new kind of different and cool – these are, after all, the people setting the trends for the rest of us. Disembarking in Covent Garden we ran into the usual CG suspects – a man dressed as the tin man and a boy doing magic in the square.
Both of these characters would fit in perfectly in San Francisco. Walking through our bleary haze up and down the streets it was a good thing everyone else was so caught up with themselves. We passed Parliament, Westminster Abby, and the Themes. In front of the Abby a group of young girls were trying to make the guards crack a smile – instead, they succeeded in making the guards annoyed and subsequently they started marching around. Back to the airport and on our final leg.
I fell asleep right as the plane took off only to be awakened 20minutes later by the smacking sound of the teenagers in front of us who appeared to be kissing for their first time. That or they were preparing for the Ashram in Pune.
Finally! After a total of 40-hours travel time we made it. Mumbai is beautiful – a city filled to the brim with colors, smells, and of course people. Just driving to the hotel I was counting my blessings – thinking about everything in San Francisco and then thanking God we were still alive in our cab.
Two tangents, but the streets of Mumbai render themselves to dual-pathed thoughts. Our hotel is a thing of beauty right on the water. Just half a mile away is a Muslim mosque, down the street is a park dedicated to Gandhi, and in front of us are hundreds of tourists, vendors, and beggers. The streets are wide open telling isms every second. I can’t wait to experience a few.
Somewhere between 14, February and 15, February
London We decided to spend our 11-hour layover in London out of the airport and in town. Getting on the tube we made our way to Covent Garden. The tube is always entertaining as there are isms happening in every 3rd seat. I think young adults in London try to set themselves apart as a new kind of different and cool – these are, after all, the people setting the trends for the rest of us. Disembarking in Covent Garden we ran into the usual CG suspects – a man dressed as the tin man and a boy doing magic in the square.
Both of these characters would fit in perfectly in San Francisco. Walking through our bleary haze up and down the streets it was a good thing everyone else was so caught up with themselves. We passed Parliament, Westminster Abby, and the Themes. In front of the Abby a group of young girls were trying to make the guards crack a smile – instead, they succeeded in making the guards annoyed and subsequently they started marching around. Back to the airport and on our final leg.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Mine
In life we all want to own things. Kids “own” their toys and slowly learn to share…then to keep again. Teenagers and college students “own” their identities dressing in all black, low rider jeans, or Jimmys to show their individuality. Drivers “own” the road gracefully floating the finger when others try to intrude on their land/territory. People in San Francisco “own” the sidewalks having BBQs, leaving doggy doos, or just walking the width of the sidewalk versus moving forward. And career folk “own” their work wanting so badly to achieve credit or some kind of career-divinity by seeing a project through.
The problem with all of these? It becomes overwhelming!
Kids don’t know what to do with, or where to put, their toys once finished playing. Teenagers and college students move to new individual statements with the change of a magazine cover. Walkers cross the street when too many sidewalk “owners” get in the way. And career folk freak when “owning” so much becomes daunting and they realize they need help … one hour before something is due. At least drivers are consistent, or at least I try to be on the road, while you can’t always “own” your lane, you can “own” your reaction.
The problem with all of these? It becomes overwhelming!
Kids don’t know what to do with, or where to put, their toys once finished playing. Teenagers and college students move to new individual statements with the change of a magazine cover. Walkers cross the street when too many sidewalk “owners” get in the way. And career folk freak when “owning” so much becomes daunting and they realize they need help … one hour before something is due. At least drivers are consistent, or at least I try to be on the road, while you can’t always “own” your lane, you can “own” your reaction.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Case of the Mondays
It was a grueling day at work – I chalk it up to a case of the Mondays. As soon as I got in my car this afternoon (still surrounded by sunlight which is always nice) the stress seemed to drop away and I felt instant relief. Strangely, my head was filled with music (I know, it sounds mildly like adult schizophrenia onset but trust me it’s just marketing taking it’s toll):
“I am go-ing to San Francisco
Don’t have flowers,
but I will soon be there
On the road to San Francisco
The stress is gone – just seems to disappear”
If you didn’t already guess this is to flowers in your hair (a not-so-modern rendition). Driving home was a bit eerie. The 280 was beautiful as always, a long stretch but nice nonetheless. The road was empty though which was the first off sign. The tenderloin was also void of cars; the true twilight zone setting. The usual suspects lined the streets hopping off and on the sidewalk to some silent beat. This isn’t the Bay Area I’m used to. What happened to the traffic? Where was the comforting road rage? The strangest thing - instant parking! This must still be a dream…
“I am go-ing to San Francisco
Don’t have flowers,
but I will soon be there
On the road to San Francisco
The stress is gone – just seems to disappear”
If you didn’t already guess this is to flowers in your hair (a not-so-modern rendition). Driving home was a bit eerie. The 280 was beautiful as always, a long stretch but nice nonetheless. The road was empty though which was the first off sign. The tenderloin was also void of cars; the true twilight zone setting. The usual suspects lined the streets hopping off and on the sidewalk to some silent beat. This isn’t the Bay Area I’m used to. What happened to the traffic? Where was the comforting road rage? The strangest thing - instant parking! This must still be a dream…
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Hop to it
It’s Easter and the entire city is cloaked in pastels. This morning I got up and out before half of San Francisco rolled over. Lisa and I met up and made our way to Marin to go walking with my mother. Still a bit cloudy in SF, past the rainbow tunnel Marin was a sunny haven. Instead of walking we sat chatting, then Lisa went off to brunch and mom and I made our way up D-Hill. High school started flashing before my eyes as we trampled my old running path.
After getting about as much BMW and Prada in as I could take, I made my way back over the bridge. Every time I drive over the Golden Gate I feel so lucky – this is the city. The “it” city to borrow a fashion term. My city.
Driving up Lombard I quickly veered onto Fillmore wanting to avoid the throngs of tourists lining up for the Lombard tourist must. Passing Union I saw more pastel and huge hats. Union was closed off today to house bouncy castles and egg hunts. I didn’t know so many children lived in San Francisco! But here they were in their Sunday best eagerly looking under shop doors for plastic candy filled eggs and lining up to jump in a 12-foot high dragon lairs. Grandparents lined the streets looking so pleased – hats filling doorways, pastels putting Crayola to shame.
Up and over Fillmore I drove past about 6-brunch spots – all full. This is SF’s version of Easter – a leisurely brunch with friends sharing champaign and omelets.
The 5-year olds and 85-year olds were on Union, the 20-35 year olds on Fillmore. Where does the rest of San Francisco go? To Marin? They’re probably running around one of the many parks lining the city chasing their kids and looking for that magic golden egg.
After getting about as much BMW and Prada in as I could take, I made my way back over the bridge. Every time I drive over the Golden Gate I feel so lucky – this is the city. The “it” city to borrow a fashion term. My city.
Driving up Lombard I quickly veered onto Fillmore wanting to avoid the throngs of tourists lining up for the Lombard tourist must. Passing Union I saw more pastel and huge hats. Union was closed off today to house bouncy castles and egg hunts. I didn’t know so many children lived in San Francisco! But here they were in their Sunday best eagerly looking under shop doors for plastic candy filled eggs and lining up to jump in a 12-foot high dragon lairs. Grandparents lined the streets looking so pleased – hats filling doorways, pastels putting Crayola to shame.
Up and over Fillmore I drove past about 6-brunch spots – all full. This is SF’s version of Easter – a leisurely brunch with friends sharing champaign and omelets.
The 5-year olds and 85-year olds were on Union, the 20-35 year olds on Fillmore. Where does the rest of San Francisco go? To Marin? They’re probably running around one of the many parks lining the city chasing their kids and looking for that magic golden egg.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Day off
Today we had off work and it was a perfect mellow San Francisco day. To celebrate my extra weekend day I ran errands. First the gym, the La Bou, next stop Walgreens. Walking down the street I was amazed at how many people decorated the coffee shops and diners. Do they get to do this everyday? How do they make their money that they can sit and enjoy the city without too many people around?
At Walgreens I got “stuck” in a row behind a woman who wasn’t moving faster than a turtle. She leaned on her cart ambling up the aisle enjoying every shelf and every sale item oo-ing and ah-ing as she walked.
After stopping by the drycleaners, dentist, and market, I made my way to the bank on Chestnut. Here I slowed by another elderly woman. She was decked out with a long coat, cane, red lipstick, and huge smile. She leaned on the counter nodding (although no-one was talking at the time), looking around the bank, and smiling. It’s funny, I think you get to a point and life just happens – it happens to you and around you. This woman very obviously was enjoying all of it. I wish we could all have this wizened ability throughout life – not just at the beginning and end.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Intersection
One of my (many) favorite parts of San Francisco is where cultures and areas collide. Driving off the 280 and up Taylor St. one can often see a mixture of Tenderloin dwellers crossing paths with financial district folk. Driving home last night I enjoyed a man doing the polka in the middle of the street while a suited woman was quickly trying to cross (making her way home or to some posh wine bar no doubt).
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