Scenes from the Street – SF
I’ve come to realize that any city can feel like a great city, as long as the day is sunny and warm, be it New York City, San Francisco, or even Cleveland. So whether I love a city or not has little to do with what there is to do, or where there is to eat, and more to do with how many sunny days out of the year there are. So San Diego, you win.
But SF? Today it feels like you have potential.
So relatable – Starbucks
I have a Starbucks across the street from me, one that I can see from my living room window.
Yet:
File this under: life with a toddler makes simple tasks like a Starbucks run a huge production.;
City Icons
You know that photo anyone who’s ever been to Paris has of the Eiffel Tower?
Yeah, that one, or a variation of it at least.
Well, this is San Francisco’s version of that photo.
(Paris photo taken on our engagement trip 3 years ago. SF photo taken during family outing to Fort Point this weekend, trying to recreate, unsuccessfully, this photo.)
How I’m spending my afternoon
Going through (one of) my costume jewelry boxes to make room for the new calls for very black, very strong coffee.
And yes, that’s a purple Tinkerbell toothbrush hidden underneath there!
Planes. Plural.
I am forever fascinated by them.
Spent the afternoon at Coyote Point in San Mateo today. Being directly under the flight path and watching planes land at SFO was the most exciting part of my day. Oh, that and chasing my toddler around and around and around in the lush green field.
New York seems farther and farther away, San Diego a dream I didn’t want to wake up from. SF is my new reality.
Thoughts on SF…so far…
See that photo above? It was taken this past weekend on a rare occasion when the sun came out and the skies were clear. I sat with my husband and baby outside the Ferry Building enjoying a cup of Blue Bottle Coffee and marveling, “I’m so happy today cause the weather is nice!”
That nice weather lasted about half an hour before gloom and doom set in and I started hating the city again.
The city aforementioned, is San Francisco, one of the best cities in the U.S., they said. You are soooo gonna love it there, they said.
I’ve been here for a month and I say, F*ck you guys and f*ck this city.
I’ve lived in a big city. I’m not culture-shocked by the hustle and bustle. I’m not daunted by the dirty streets and diversity of the people. But what I’ve seen of this city so far? It’s on a whole new level.
Now granted, I haven’t been here long enough or know the city well enough to make a “fair” judgement, but here are my observations so far:
1. This city stinks. As in SMELLS FOUL. As in, every big city smells like urine at certain places, but in the contest of which big city I’ve been to in the world that smells the worst? SF gets the gold medal.
2. This city is cold. And gloomy. And depressing. And did I mention cold? “You’re from New York! You know cold!” Um, East Coast may get harsh looooong winters, but in the summer, it is SUMMER. And though I love layering and blazers and scarves and boots…not in August people. Not in August.
3. Who’s brilliant idea was it to install carpets on a pubic transit train? Also, who’s brilliant idea was it to build elevators to and from train platforms OUTSIDE the turnstile? I’m either getting a free ride, or stuck inside the BART station forever.
4. This city has some amazing sights, undeniably. But it’s cold. And foggy. So the sights are very now-you-see-me, now-you-don’t. And that ruins everything.
If you are from SF, or have/had lived here for awhile, will you please share its secrets of why people rave about it with me? I am desperately trying to find the magic that so many others see. I am desperately trying to love this city too.
Rules for dating my son
This is hilarious. And frighteningly, that is likely the kind of mother I will be. Dragon is only 10 months old and I already am concerned about what kinds of babies he has play dates with. Well, not so much the babies than the parents of said babies, but you get the picture. Too much too soon?
San Diego weather kicks New York weather’s ass
With New York looking like this:
I sure am glad I now live here:
A run for my money
In 2012, I got a run for my money by changing careers, road tripping through 20 states, moving across the country, marrying my best friend, and giving birth to the love of my life. 2013, you’ve got some serious ass kicking to do to top that, and I cannot wait to find out how.
Onward and upward!
Roses and Waterfalls 