Free fun

One of the things I love about living where I do is all the easy access to the wonderful, free things the Bay Area has to offer. Yesterday I had friends rock climbing in Tiburon, hiking in Muir Beach and running over the Golden Gate Bridge. So many wonderful choices. I decided on the hike, because that was the one plan that included a dog.



And not just any dog, Saba the Wonderdog.


And lots of pretty wild flowers.

Interpretations anyone?

Wednesday night, Molly had a dream about getting to see Obama speak live.

The same night, I had a dream about accidentally pooping in my friend’s shower.

Can I register some sort of complaint with the dream gnomes?

Diary Thursday: “I like you more as a friend”

Ah, the classic line. I thought it was a Junior High thing, but the older I get, the more it becomes applicable. Let’s face it, in Junior High, the only thing that separates you from friends and more-than-friends is the occasional hand-hold and quick smooches under the jungle gym. In your 30’s, there’s a lot more to worry about…. where is this going? Do we have the same goals? Can we make this work long-term? And I thought dating was complicated back then.

Saturday, September 15, 1990, 13-years-old, 10:14pm

Yesterday I talked to Nick. We kind of broke up, I think. I said the classic, “I like you more as a friend” line. He said he still wanted to see me because he missed me. Yuck! Then we talked for another 20 minutes and I realized that I don’t like him as a friend. I don’t really like him that much at all.

We spent 20 minutes talking about completely different things; he was going on and on about raps and people I’d never heard of. Then I’d say something I was interested in. He’d ignore it and go back to his raps.

I don’t like him, period.

Rocking out

Does one get to old to attend rock concerts?

Last night I went to see Citizen Cope at the Independent. It was a great show. Though the singer isn’t exactly chatty, he still holds the audience’s attention with his sultry voice. But I was distracted from his crooning by a particularly fucked up girl in front of me. Balance wavering, arms flailing, I knew she was both drunk and stoned, and potentially something else.

Instead of being irritated (Stop bumping into me, bitch) or supportive (Yeah, that girl is having an awesome time), I was concerned for her safety (I hope her friends keep her from falling over. I hope someone else is driving). I think this is a sign that I may need to stop going to so many concerts. That and that my ears are still ringing.

Family of Liberals

Sunday night I enjoyed a lovely Easter dinner in Berkeley with my large, and growing, immediately family. There were nine of us in all – mom, dad, stepmom, stepdad, two sisters, one brother, and one sister’s boyfriend – and we got in conversation after conversation about the state of the world, global warming, placentas, psychology and of course, the election.

On my BART ride home, I thought about the fact that my family is so well-informed and intelligent, so focused on the issues at hand and open to discuss everything. In other words, my family agrees with me. I was reminded today, in my favorite blog, that not everyone is so lucky.

Sustainabile Possibilities

Oh blog, how I've neglected you so. I’m sorry my posts have been so few and far between. I’ve been immersed into my job up to the eyebrows. I never thought I could work this hard. Didn’t think I had it in me. However, it’s mostly by choice.

I've found myself involved in a whole new world (cue the Aladdin song), a different industry than I’ve ever been exposed to. It’s scary, exciting and fascinating all at the same time.

I’m learning all about sustainability and the serious changes that this world must undergo to be environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. I’m still processing everything I’ve learned. Too much for the blog, but here’s a little taste. But, here’s what I find most amazing – I truly feel that we can do it. My cynicism has been cast aside, at least in regards to my job.

I went on a three-day retreat last week with some of my coworkers. It was challenging, interesting and extremely rewarding. I learned so much about my company and where we’re going. Totally drank the proverbial Koolaid, only in this case, it’s an organic Koolaid smoothie made of flax seed and acai. Delicious, healthy and sustainable.

Girlie

There are certain girl skills I lack. Apparently some class was offered in junior high that I was not invited to. Or maybe I was and I slept late that day. Topics like “How to put on make up” and “How to blow dry your hair” passed me by while somehow all my girl friends learned. So I’m left alone to wield my hair straightener and mascara brush in ignorance. Hunched over the bathroom sink with frizzy split ends and uneven lashes.

At least I can get away with claiming that I’m “low maintenance.”

Slow-talkers

I can’t handle slow-talkers. People who take way too long to get their idea out. People who, in order to explain how to save a document as a PDF must first explain the inner workings of a computer. It drives me up the fucking wall.

I want to shake them and say “For the love of God – just spit it out! I have other thing to do with my time. Like G-chat.” Would that be inappropriate during a client conference?

Shopping by bike

The funny thing about always traveling by bike is that is changes the way I shop. I don’t focus on price so much, or the product. It’s more about the size. Everything I buy has to fit into my backpack or else it’s very hard to bike home.

Yesterday, for example, at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I had to say to the store clerk: “I really like this blanket, but the packaging is too big. Do you have anything like this in a smaller box?”

Diary Thursday: romantic date

How many adults do you know that date high school seniors?

February 18th, 1992, Wednesday, 14-years-old, 11:41pm

I know I must be an adult; I'm dating a senior. Rodney asked me out on Monday night to go to dinner with him on Tuesday. I didn't know what to say, so I just said: "I guess." Then I decided I didn’t want to go, so I would just avoid him all day. But then I ran into him at lunch, so I was really fucked. After school he dragged me to the yearbook office where I felt incredibly dumb and wanted to die - of all the people to see in the darkroom, we saw Jolanka who hates Rodney. I was so embarrassed.

But once we got on the bus and went to my house, it was a different story. I don't believe I thought he was a dork, he's the sweetest guy. It was kind of a weird first date cause we just ended up hanging out at my house. We ate pizza with my family and played Nintendo a lot. But it was fun. Rodney was great with the dogs, great with my little sister, and great at Nintendo. He can be very romantic. The thing that's so weird is that he's so much more advanced than me. He's done everything – he's had tons of relationships and been in a gang fight! He makes me feel like a kid and yet he also makes me feel really grown up. It's a lot like Dirty Dancing.

Yes Audrey, so much like Dirty Dancing. Like that part in the movie when Baby and Johnny played that romantic game of Super Mario Brothers 3.

Also note: I sincerely doubt that Rodney was ever in a gang fight.

Beautiful distortions

I know, I’ve been ridiculously behind on blogging. Work happens to be kicking my ass right now. I supposed I asked for it by agreeing to this whole fulltime job thing. Sigh. I’m not complaining though. I know what it feels like to have no job, and that’s not so fun either.

But I have a nice thing to write about today: the kaleidoscopes on Octavia, the street near my house. There’s something I find incredibly charming about these eye-height, metal distortions of the urban scenery. I like that they’re only purpose is to amuse pedestrians waiting to cross the street. I like that nobody knows about them until they happen upon them like I did. It’s like a little surprise gift from the city.