This is going to be quite the week.  I'm fairly certain I had the flu this past weekend.  Lots of sleep, a few cancelled plans, 4 baby chicks and a 5k later.... I'm back at work and going to attempt to pump out 3 proposals in the next 3 days.  On top of that, some other side-exploratory-projects.  Aaaaaaaand Morgan, John and I are flying out to San Fran 6am on Thursday!!

 I snapped this last Summer....

I wouldn't mind an opportunity to grab a shot like this one....ay Esther? 

I'd like this stamp. 

I'd also like this zip code. 

At least for a season.  :)

DREAM!
Isn't this amazing?!
(Next time I go to San Fran, I really want to go sailing.)

 Yesterday was a great day!  I met up with a friend who just moved back home to the Bay Area and we went n the tourist dream trip. ;) After a good deal of searching, we found the Full House park and house.  I queued up the theme song on my iPhone and we ran through the park holding hands, rolling through the grass like in the clip.  We had a blast- I wish this girl wasn't leaving my life pretty much as soon as she came into it.  She laughed and joined in as I strolled past people, holding the phone up to them as the song rang out. They took me to the Mission District for the best Mexican around. Then we drove over to the Golden Gate and walked it (something I hadn't done).  It was such an incredible time, Teresa gave me a great tour commentary full of the much-needed details like "This is a nice neighborhood..."  She doesn't really know the city much, seeing as she's been in Seattle the past 5 years.  Her friend who came along however, knew it VERY well.  I was so blessed by them and their willingness to drive me all over on a Monday.

After that... I got to see one of the prettiest faces!! After 3 months - I got to hug THIS girl! We had the perfect night... We're heading off to La Boulange (I've been waiting for this!!!) and later today I'll probably have time to upload photos.

Today I grabbed my jacket, laced up my new Oxfords, grabbed a coffee at the Starbucks in the lobby and started off on my hipster adventure!  First of course I opened up my little Moleskine with my notes, scrolled through my iPhone notes from lunch with Esther last week, and logged into google on my MacBook.  My first stop was going to be Tartine, a French Bakery Esther included as a "must" and advised I get to before 11am.  I showed up about a quarter after and spotted it by the line that went out the door and down the street.  When I didn't know exactly which direction to head upon exiting the bus, I asked a young girl sitting in a doorway smoking a cigarette.  She kind of laughed at me, said "Yes, I know where it is.  It's down that street a couple blocks.  There's no sign, but you'll spot it by the line."  As I walked the few blocks, I realized something about myself. I'm learning myself.  I'm twenty-four, and I'm learning myself, yet again.  And one thing I've learned is I'm pretty good at reading people.  I don't want to stereotype, and I'm a firm believer that we see about 2% of what's really in a person and going on, but still, I think part of why I love wandering places and asking people for suggestions, directions, advice... is because I'm good at picking people out.  Who would know where what sort of places are.  And this time, I was right.

I called Mumsy while in line.  Tried about 15 times to upload a photo to Facebook.  Then, pulled out Zen in the Art of Writing.  It took less time for me to order, get my food, eat, and leave then I actually waited in line, but the food and coffee were both delicious.  I'd had plenty of time to eye the food others were carrying away, and settled upon the Bread Pudding.  I don't even LIKE bread pudding, but upon being assured by the man behind the counter that what I was pointing at on a nearby table was bread pudding, I got it.  AMAZING, peaches and blackberries and perfect bread pudding.  That with a mocha and a glass of water and I was set.  I think I only ate a third of it, but I was satisfied.  Being that I can't exercise (fed-up with this ankle!) and am starting to feel a little.... gah, I decided 1/3 was plenty, since I was technically eating a dessert at a breakfast cafe.  :/

I wandered the neighborhood for hours, stopping in clothing boutiques, antique stores, thrift stores, book shops and on... until I decided it was time to find my lunch spot.  The bartender yesterday had sent me to The Monk's Kettle.  With a 6-page long beer list and a relaxed and comfortable pub feel inside, I understood why.  I'd actually been looking for the pub, and looked RIGHT at it, even photographed it, without realizing it.  I was so enamored by the name of the hotel (Brade), that I missed the first-floor restaurant entirely.  Then, I realized I'd dropped my sweatshirt and was set on an hour long hunt back through all the said shops above.... just as I had given up, I saw it.  Amazingly, it was in a one-block space of a street I had walked all the way down- only for that one block, I'd crossed to the other side... and scanned from across the way.  Someone had found it and hung it on a parking meter rather than snagging it.  I can't say how grateful I am to that person! While hunting, I'd even seen another jacket hanging on that street... it was one parking meter from the one I found MY jacket on.  How I'd missed it, who knows.   But I got it back, and I'll be washing it.

I sipped a delicious beer, enjoyed a Flatbread with ricotta, basil, tomatoes and pepper (sounds common, but it tasted extraordinary!) and read and wrote some more.  Amazingly, I didn't feel rushed in and out by my waiter.  I had to ask for my check... I almost felt like I was being kept there... and I loved it.  A place that allows someone to come in and just rest with their thoughts and a pen is a great place in my book!

After lunch I travelled back down the other way on Valencia, finally finding the Curiosity Shops Esther had sent me in search of, as well as my new favorite shop, I think it was called Viracocha.  It was unbelievable! Old type writers covered the place, massive doors rested against the walls, books and books and beautiful old books, impressive unique jewelry, and a man sitting at a piano playing the most perfect music, full of curiosity, memories, laughter, and age.  In the back, there was a private library.  It wasn't too large of a room, but for a price you could join and enjoy checking out their personal selection of books, or sit in a nook and read or write.  It was full of plenty of trends, but so authentic and like nothing I'd seen.  I was in heaven.  After wandering a few more book stores and getting completely freaked out by all the massive pinned bugs at Paxton Gate (sorry Esther, it was cool, but also very creepy to me!), I stopped for my third coffee of the day.  The Summit SF has pretty good coffee, and oddly, it was full of all very beautiful people.  It was like a storehouse for very attractive men.  Only, being San Fran...  :/

The Summit SF

After that I took the MUNI back and headed up to my room, where I've been reading for the past couple hours.  I just traveled down to the Starbucks for some tea and fruit... and now I'm off to finish Zen in the Art of Writing.  :)  Tomorrow is my last day downtown, and also the day I see Megsy's face!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

A Few Favorites:
Therapy
Viracocha
Density
Tartine

There were also a number of amazing clothing boutiques that were so pricey I didn't bother remembering their names.  But my oh my the beauties I saw!

So many more restaurants I'd like to check out on future visits, one of which was called Cheese.  It's a cool looking wine and cheese bar.  ;)

One of the biggest highlights for me has been all the amazing buildings - I plan to give you a post just of the amazing architecture of theatres, houses, churches and more.  And of course, I've added a few doors to my collection. :)

I'm in one of my happy places.  I managed to navigate my way from the airport to the BART, and from the BART to my hotel.  I've made this route once before, but I was with another girl who had herself at that point done it once before.  This time it was solo.  And once again I'm thanking God for my iPhone (without a doubt the best purchase I've made this year... okay, it's tied).  Between that and my ability to ask strangers without any shame, I've been having a grand time already.  I'll probably wait to tell you all the places until Monday or Tuesday, as to avoid worrying my family about stalkers who might see this post, create a grid of all the places I've been, and cast a net!

No, but really, I won't tease too much, because I am being very careful.  Last night I made sure to be in my hotel before dark.  Not much of a punishment since I'd only had 3 hours of sleep the night before.  I crashed by 9:30, and slept for a near 12 hours.  It was blissful, minus the slamming of the doors on my floor (not sure what was going on).

I wandered shops yesterday, and asked a saleswoman for a good lunch spot recommendation.  She sent me to a back area that's adorable, and just a few blocks off from the tourist mayhem.  I ended up stopping early and eating at another place I passed.  Later, I returned to where she'd sent me and enjoyed an amazing mocha (one of the best I've ever had), and sat for a few hours at a window and read and wrote and thought.  After, I crossed the street and found an Italian restaurant.  It was perfect!! In fact, I teared up.  Ridiculous, I know, but I did.  The five hours I spent between that coffee shop and restaurant were exact;y why I'm here.  To explore, to find and to know I'm being led.  I love finding new places, I love sitting alone at a fancy restaurant for dinner and drinking a glass of wine.  I love being adventurous and courageous and confident.  I love having time to just listen, watch, and be.  And on top of all of that - I love Italy and the Italian language (you know this).  So when the owners started filling in and the empty room was filling with that beloved language and tones and embraces, I felt overwhelmed by the perfectness of the details.  I was the first person there.  When I walked in I asked I felt a little out of place, as if I were intruding.  I asked "Are you open?"  A silly thing to ask at a restaurant that seemed a bit posh.  It appeared posh, but it was so open, you could look into the kitchen, and with all the warmth of the staff and closeness between the owners and staff, it didn't feel stuffy.  They responded "Yes, come in. Sit down. "  I responded "Just one, for dinner."  And they asked if I'd like to sit at the bar, as it was still happy hour.  The bar was truly just a long table along the "bar" in the one open room.  Down stairs there is another room with one long table that seats twenty and a stalk pile of wines, olive oil, vinegar and other Italian-imported ingredients. It looks just like a basement or wine cellar, and feels like an Italian living room.  It was amazing, and the bartender was great.  She ended up giving me lists of places to visit and suggestions for other restaurants.  Today, I am heading over to see the hipsters, and between her and Esther, I am set!

My room. TINY, with a little desk, bed, TV and lace covered window.  All I need. :) 

In exactly one week

(plus a few hours)

+

I can't wait to ride the BART. I've ridden it once before, years ago. I like the Beat Generation poets. They aren't my favorite, but I like them. I love that they were such a community, and I love that they inspired a new movement through art, together. Their values are certainly not mine, nor is their style... but in some way, I feel I can connect with them. I like how they rejected materialism and the status quo. I'm a big fan of the Romantics, so of course I like their influences in the group. And I can't deny the affect that they have had on spoken and written word today. I saw a group biography on them when I was at the Eliot Bay Bookstore last. I carried it around the whole store, and then put it back. If you know much about the Beat Generation, you'll understand how these thoughts are all connected. I think I'm going to bring a journal for my BART ride.... I also think I might buy that book and read it while I'm in San Francisco. :)

The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace things, but burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes "AWWW!"
- Jack Kerouac

Rather, I think one should write, as nearly as possible, as if he were the first person on earth and was humbly and sincerely putting on paper that which he saw and experienced and loved and lost; what his passing thoughts were and his sorrows and desires.
- Neal Cassady

...colleges being nothing but grooming schools for the middleclass non-identity which usually finds its perfect expression on the outskirts of the campus in rows of well-to-do houses with lawns and television sets is each living room with everybody looking at the same thing and thinking the same thing at the same time while the Japhies of the world go prowling in the wilderness...
- Jack Kerouac

They are not moral or religious heroes. They are not even literary heroes, to me. But they are undeniably, examples. They were obsessed with drugs, sex, and rebellion: the predecessors of hippies. They spent themselves up, "I'm running out of everything now. Out of veins, out of money," said William Burroughs. But they were men and women with a powerful word to speak, a community to ignite together, and the skill to mark it out, and redirect art and language. I'm interested in communities that did something.   Artists that became something, through an authentic community. You see it over and over in the history of art, music, literature. Groups that lit themselves on fire and changed it all. They spent themselves up and were consumed, and in the end, you find what lasts... or what doesn't. 

In the end, three things remain. So we needn't really fear when we ourselves consider being spent and burned up in marking life and culture.


Idealistic, romantic that I am? Yes... that may have been a tirade. But only if it never comes true.


Note Bene:  Please do not take this as a suggestion you start reading the work of the Beats.  I am not making that suggestion. 

Update.

I'm in cali for spring break having an incredible time!! We spent a night in Ashland, Oregon (which I LOVE, I can't say the same for morgs and court). Then we headed to Novato on Tuesday. Yesterday we all went to the coolest place for dinner- Old Chicago Pizza! Seriously, such a cool environment, I LOVED it. Brick walls and old carpet in the hallways full of doors. [side note: we are watching American Idol right now and I totally caught myself making my "tv-watching face"....I shut my mouth, and I believe no one saw it] After dinner we rented a couple movies. We watched some movie none of us had heard of (joel's brother recommended)...which ended up being one of the FUNNIEST movies ever (everything is so green here!").

Today was San Fran (TONS of pics to come!), and then pool (was supposed to be bowling but it was league night so plan B became pool). Now its American Idol (and court and I eat'n pints of ice cream, YES!).

Pretty much you all just need to know that it is GORGEOUS here, and I think Courtney Sones is one of the coolest chicks ever. :)

Love you all!

Oh, and I got my grades today- HALLELUJAH, Praise Him!

Yes, I am in Las Vegas for a big wireless show my company is exhibiting at. I have been tired, very tired. Most everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong...from the hotel insisting they didn't get faxed the credit card forms (which almost meant losing all our hotel rooms on a week it is booked out), the fedex shipment not arriving until today (due Monday), the electricity in our booth not working all day Monday (show opened on Tuesday and our booth needed to be set up), our collateral didn't arrive until the show had been open for an hour and a half...our suites were wrong and we had to pull teeth to get them to give us the ones we actually reserved (we moved rooms 4x on Monday!) And so on....lol. It has been almost laughable.

Despite that, it has all gotten worked out...And I am getting to see a new city. NOT MY FAVORITE, but it's exciting nonetheless. It is certainly a vision at night- so many lights, and incredible fountains....also so dirty (in all the senses of the word). Last night a few of us got to go to a private party (a glorified shmoozing & networking event), which was held on the top floor of the Palms...apparently a current hot spot. The view was incredible! The roof was retractable, and there was also this incredible patio area which I took these pics from. It was 10:30 at night, and rather warm, and completely beautiful.



Tomorrow is the last day of the show, thank goodness. The next one's in san francisco...a city I DO love, I can hardly wait! :)

I will see you all soon. And now...I am going to take a nap.