SF Tips: How to prepare for living in San Francisco

In the 6 years that I have spent living in San Francisco, I've learned quite a few things about surviving here.  It's funny, you wouldn't think it would be that difficult to live here, but don't let yourself be surprised.

1. Parking signs.  They never bluff and they do mean business.  Does that sign right next to your car tell you that you can't park there every other Saturday evening from 4pm to 3:45am and Wednesday from 2am to 8am?  BELIEVE IT.  They don't care that you just wanted to park there for an hour, or just 15 minutes to run to the corner store.  They will tow your car before the ink on your receipt paper is dry.  Pay close attention to 1 or 2 hour limits - they can and will ticket you every hour on the hour (I've received three separate tickets in the same spot).

And it 'ain't gonna look like this, honey.

2. Apartments.  Read the fine print with extreme care.  The ad doesn't say anything about a kitchen?  IT DOESN'T HAVE ONE.  "Vintage" anywhere in the post?  NOTHING HAS BEEN REPLACED SINCE THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1906.  Unless you are living in a building built after 1980 - the walls, ceilings, and windows are paper thin.  You will be able to hear your neighbors breathe and there is zero insulation.  Invest in a space heater, blankets, and noise canceling headphones.

Oh yeah, you can't do this either.  This is considered sidewalk!

3. Driveways are serious business.  People can and will get you ticketed/towed if your car is just an inch past the dip in the sidewalk.  Flout this, and suffer the punishment. 

4. Homeless with dogs.  Life hasn't been that great to them, that may be true.  But I barely have enough to get by, let alone help anyone else out.  BUT THE DOG.  The dog shouldn't have to suffer because some person who lives on the street wanted a buddy along the way.  My policy - give them some dog kibble.  More than likely it will be very hard for them to trade the kibble for drugs or alcohol, and most of them do have love for their pets.

People make more than I do on the streets of SF.

5. Questionable folks wanting to chat you up/anyone holding a sign on a corner.  Walk on by, nothing to do here.  Seriously, it's a scam.

6. Parking tickets.  Didn't take my advice above?  Take a very close look at the due date of the ticket and PAY IT.  They triple in amount before you know it, and they will troll for your car in your neighborhood (do you always get tickets in the same area?  THEY KNOW.)  I once was booted then towed for having 5 outstanding tickets when I wasn't violating any laws or rules at the time.  I had to pay the tow fee, the "boot rental" fee, the storage fee (I was out for a three day weekend, they booted on Thursday night, towed on Friday), and also the entire balance of the outstanding tickets I had.  Do you want to know how much I paid? NO YOU DON'T.

7.  Public transit will become your best friend.  Trust me, your car is a liability.  Traffic is awful, parking is a nightmare.  Muni may stink, Bart may be filled with bacteria and other disgusting material that has seeped into the cloth seats, you may have to sit next to someone who hasn't showered for years, or just a really fat person that takes up more than their fair share of space.  You will encounter rude, loud, annoying, horrible people.  But all in all, it's a pretty boss way to get around the city.  My tip - always wear headphones.  Everything is better with a personal soundtrack!

I have to add... this man and what he does absolutely ENRAGES me.  He sits on the sidewalk near Pier 39, holds up some branches to hide behind, and jumps out to scare people.  AND THEY GIVE HIM MONEY.  WTF?!

With that I say Good Day and Good Luck!

Happy Halloween!

For my costume this year: a parody of Occupy Wall Street! 

 Dress up, be silly, have fun!!

Shoes. OMG Shoes.

Lately I have been on a bit of a shoe-craze.  I went from driving to work (where I didn't have to walk more than a few blocks) in a pretty casual environment, to working downtown where I walk about 2 miles per day next to people in business suits and super fresh outfits.  Fancy!

Granted, not everyone walking about is in Prada and Gucci, but a girl has to step up her game in such an environment!  It came to my sudden realization that I am severely lacking in the shoe department.  But what am I to do when I walk at least 1.5 miles during the day?  I can't walk around in stilettos!

Now that I've been thinking about it so much, and peeping at other people's shoe choices waaaay too much, I decided to come up with a fail-safe list of shoes that are completely necessary for a San Francisco girl on the run.

1. Flats, duh.  Like these cuties from Nine West.  Not exactly as comfortable as a tennis shoe, but they get the job done.

2. Sandals.  Holy hell, it has been hot downtown lately.  There is nothing worse than being hot and sweaty in your office.  How can you get any work done this way?  Answer: you can't.  Invest in a cute pair of sandals like these from Chinese Laundry, you'll thank me.






3. Casual heels.  Sometimes, you want to be fancy too, eh?  I suggest taking a peek at The Walking Company's selection of dressy heels.  These shoes were MADE for walking.  I absolutely love these peep-toe pumps.









4. Boots.  Ah yes, boots.  Get yourself a nice pair of flat boots and you will be dancing on sunshine every day.  These puppies are so comfortable, I'd be wearing them every day if it wasn't hot as Hades lately.  Can't wait for the winter season!

Bibliophile

Not a few seconds ago, I came across this word.  It tickled me pink, and made me feel like I had finally found the word that would describe me best.  What a lovely and exhilarating feeling!  Bibliophile.  Yup, that's-a-me!

From the tangy smell of the binding to the dry softness of the pages, I have been in love with books since I was a young girl.  Currently, I am reading Stephen King's The Stand, and I just simply can't put it down.  Although anything with the suffix "phile" always seems disturbing (bringing to mind pedophile and necrophile... eek!), I think I can make an exception just this one time.

If you love books as much as I do, I would love to know what some of your favorites are.  The genre I enjoy the most is science fiction, and if you have never read any Robert A. Heinlein, then I urge you to start with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Time Enough For Love.

A couple weeks ago I finally read Pride & Prejudice and fell completely in love with it.  Aaaaaah how I do love books!

*Sigh* Don't you just want to LIVE here?

Christmas in... September?

OK, OK, I know that it may be a wee bit early to start talking about Christmas.  A good friend of mine recently confided that she had already purchased most of her gifts, and was also already listening to Christmas carols!  Although you could never accuse me of planning months ahead for anything (except when I moved out of my parent's house and bought stuff over a year in advance), I've had "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" stuck in my head ever since I heard her confession!

I can't help myself!  My reasoning for never buying presents too far in advance is simply this: the person will more than likely end up getting whatever I may buy for them before I get to give it.  I simply hate returning things, thus I wait until 2 days before Christmas.  Admittedly, not the greatest of plans, so this year I think we can find some middle ground here.

Luckily, this time I will finally be not-exactly-broke and have the funds to purchase some very lovely gifts for my loved ones. 

Also, I keep thinking how much I am looking forward to the weather!  I love snuggling up in boots, coats, scarves, and hats.  I love drinking something hot and watching the rain come down outside.  I love all the time I get to spend with all of my families.  I LOVE the food I'll get to eat.  Turkey & cranberry, pumpkin empanadas, Spanish cookies, a ton of tamales, and my dad's mashed potatoes from HEAVEN.  Not to mention the sweet delicious vino I will get to drink, all in the company of the people I love the most.

It's no wonder I love the holidays!

A Festival for Science?!

I am total science geek and I just found out (not two seconds ago) that there is going to be a SCIENCE FESTIVAL at AT&T Park in November!  I am so there!

Check out the deets here!

Boozy

I have been thinking a lot about booze... and age.  I was recently looked down upon for *gasp* drinking a vodka-red bull (how college freshman of you!).  It got me to thinking: what's the big deal here?  Why does it matter so much what a person prefers to drink?

I think that perhaps there is a hierarchy of cocktails, one that most people might agree to, but would rarely adhere to.  Perhaps we can find a pattern within my own tumultuous relationship with booze.

High School/First Drunk: I think my first real drink (when no parents were home and my friends and I were having a sleepover) were four or five chugs of Bailey's.  At a mere 117 pounds, I found myself a bit tipsy and stumbling about in my Betty Boop pajamas.  No hangover to speak of the next day, of course.

Post-High School/First SERIOUS Drunk:  I believe it was a concoction of Pepsi (ugh) and Southern Comfort.  This drunk caught me by total surprise and I remember the world spinning as I flopped onto the hood of my car after attempting to walk to a gas station bathroom (no, I was not driving!).  Hangover was a maggoty stomach and extreme headache, the likes of which I have never experienced again and wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

College/Sorority/OMGIWASSODRUNK Drunk:  Ah, the golden years.  The years of mixing shots of Stoli with shots of tequila with cocktail-shots like Slippery Nipples.  Oh, and let's not forget jungle juice, whose main ingredients were... fruit punch powder and a plethora of cheap spirits?  This could also be known as my "Sapphire and Tonic" era.  Inspired by my dad, this was my drink of choice for many years.

Later College/I'd-like-to-get-drunk-but-not-THAT-drunk Drunk:  This was the time when I was disillusioned by sorority life, but still liked to get my drink on.  Did I mention that it was during college that I developed a sincere and lasting relationship with beer?  Mostly only drunk as a chaser, or with greasy pub food, but a relationship nonetheless.  This was also the time that I cultivated my taste for wine (thanks Dad!) and also found out the Cabernet Sauvignon was the most delicious substance on the earth.  It was also during this time that I began to rely on vodka-red bulls in order to stay awake past midnight for those parties that I was "almost" too old for.  Hey, working full time and finishing up my degree part time makes me a cranky girl!

Post-College/Sophisticated Drunk:  It was at this time that I realized Grey Goose martinis didn't taste like rubbing alcohol!  I had tasted martinis before, and though I don't know what cheap-ass vodka they used, I knew that they sure didn't taste like my Grey Goose martini!  Ooooh the deliciousness of a well made martini... with three olives, not two, thank you very much!

I am still continuing to learn and experience all that the bar scene has to offer, recently I sampled a drink mixed with Hibiscus and found it quite delicious!  Who knows what the future may hold!

"Here's to you,

Here's to me,

Sisters forever we shall be,

If we should ever disagree,

F$#* you! Here's to me!"

-my badass sister, Mari

Relax

Today, I coined a new term: STRESSEXPLOSION *caps necessary*

It's when your stress level skyrockets until it explodes your mind and you can't do anything but stare into space, with drool hanging from your lip.

At these times it's best to think about all the things you like to do to relax, even if you can't actually do them at that very moment.

Here's my list:

1.  Snuggle under big fluffy covers.  There's no law against snuggling with yourself!

2. Smoke 'em if you got 'em.  I love smoking hookah (flavored tobacco).  It is fun and relaxing to practice blowing those perfect little "o" smoke rings.

3. Take a bath.  No time for that?  Take a shower.  Trust me, you'll feel better.  There's something about the freshness you feel from being warm, clean, and smooth.  Sometimes it feels like the shower is washing away all the negativity of the day...

4. De-clutter your immediate area.  If you have a cluttered home, you have a cluttered brain.  Maybe you have been too stressed to clean the house, instead just organize the area you'd like to relax in.  That way your mind can focus on... nothing instead of focusing on that pile of unopened mail on the floor.

5.  Watch a Disney movie.  Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, or The Little Mermaid.  Remind yourself of a time when the only thing on your mind were your Legos.

And this is just the short list of what I do to relax.  What do you do?

What Do You Enjoy?

I don't remember when it happened, but at some point in my childhood I made decisions on things that I like and things that I don't like.  It's funny, I don't remember the first time that I found I was different than some of those around me, but I remember feeling empowered.  I found something that made me... me!

Here are some of the things I like best.

Coffee.  When I was a younger, I would take the old coffee my mother would leave in the pot from that morning, warm it up, add tons of sugar, and sip away in my fake plastic teacup.

Old books.  I remember searching through my mother's book collection when I was a little girl, trying to find something, anything, to read.  I ended up with an adoration for both science fiction and the signature smell of old paperbacks.

Writing with chalk.  There is something... almost yummy about chalk.  The way the dust gets on your fingers.  The way that white chalk looks a lot like those sugar sticks that came with Willy Wonka's Fun Dip...  My grandmother had a chalkboard in her kitchen and I could write on it for days and days.

Tea.  I have loved tea for a very long time.  If you can catch a hint from the title of my blog, you know this already!  Recently, my man's mother heard about my love for tea and gave me a pretty little teacup along with her favorite type of tea.  Thanks Wendy!

Kitties.  Cats.  Felines.  You get the picture.  Cats have so much personality, they are so haughty yet so clumsy!  I used to volunteer at the SFSPCA just to be able to play with kitties.  I have a particular bias towards big orange tabby cats :)

And there are so many more!  To be continued....

It ain't easy, being cheesy

For the past few weeks I have been up to my ears in projects and tasks.  All, of course, are number-one-top-priority-get-it-done-AQAP!!!  (As quickly as possible!!)

It has come to my direct attention that at these times, I find it most difficult to actually lift a finger at home.  I mean that quite literally, I found that even my best motivational techniques on myself could not even spur me to answer an email, or cook myself a decent meal.

It is also during these times I eat the most horrible greased-up, terrible-for-you foods that you can imagine!  Delivery.com, anyone?

It ain't easy, eating right!  My ideal day of meals includes:
A breakfast of oatmeal or granola cereal and OJ
A lunch of one avocado sushi roll, or some sharp cheddar cheese with wheat crackers and a golden delicious apple
A dinner of BBQ chicken and steamed vegetables with rice

Yum!

However, this has been my meal plan for the past couple weeks:
A breakfast of... coffee and perhaps a large bagel with cream cheese on the go
A lunch of... whatever is quickest and easiest, like a falafel pita with extra cucumber sauce or a burrito with carnitas
A dinner of... half of a completely unsatisfying turkey sandwich and 6 chocolate chip cookies

Blech!

Except for the past couple weeks, I have pretty much adopted the Abs Diet Food Strategy for years, and I must say it has worked quite well!  It's not a crazy restrictive diet, it just focuses on whole grains and fruits, lean meats, and the like.  I like it because it focuses on what humans were made to eat, biologically.  I'm a total science dorkus, I know that humans are animals and like any other animal, there is no room in our diet for processed foods and sugars, let alone the gargantuan tons of preservatives we are consuming at increasing rates.


All this makes it clear that there is a reason why people in America are so damn fat.  Put down the chili cheese dog, America!!

The downfall: Man v. Food

What can we do about this??  I'm not sure, but I'm thinking that stuffing myself with fried chicken and mashed potatoes isn't the answer.  I've never felt worse than right after I ate 5 slices of pizza in one sitting.  I can't imagine how people eat like that every day.  Oh wait, yes I can!

Food is happiness, right?  ...RIGHT!?

I'm not hating on fat people at all, just the ones that complain about their bulge.  After all, you are the one that feeds yourself... I'M JUST SAYIN.

Mother's Day

It may be a "Hallmark" holiday, but I don't see any reason why all mothers shouldn't be celebrated for one day a year.  What could be the harm in taking one whole day to let your mum know that you appreciate her?

I like to make sure all the mothers in my life know that they are appreciated.  Today is the day that I thank them for being the strongest women I know.  I always make sure to make time to send over a little note or a little gift, everyone loves to get a little something!

Here are some good ideas on keeping it simple and sweet for you last minute jo-jos!

1. Overnight a small care package including things you know your mother likes.  Little dried flowers, a small note, a picture of the two of you, little charms for a bracelet or necklace, perhaps even her favorite sweets.

2. Order her an edible arrangement, but make sure it's a small one if she will be the only one consuming!  Get the fruit dipped in chocolate to boot if she's a sugar hound.  If that doesn't sound like your mom, go zero calories and make her a photo bouquet including pictures of the two of you.

3. Call her and schedule some time to be together, make a date to go visit a museum or even just take her to lunch.  Even if you schedule it for the future, it will mean something to her if you make the effort on the day.

4. Spend some time getting crafty, take her to a Color Me Mine studio, or pick up some scrap-booking supplies and spend the day making a memory book.

5. Take her to a movie, bring her an orchid, make a meal together, or just do something that she likes to do!  My mom prefers baseball games :)


Every mom or mother-figure loves a little acknowledgment for her hard work and tender loving care in raising you.  Tomorrow is a great time to remind her how much you appreciate her!

Food & Naughtiness

My sweet love affair with food is never more prominent than when I am starving!

Crepes with Nutella, strawberries, and whipped cream from Genki Crepes

 Super burrito with carnitas and extra sour cream from Gordo Taqueria

Gloriously rare steak from House of Prime Rib

Sweet vanilla cupcakes from Kara's Cupcakes

Baja-style fish tacos from Woodhouse Fish Co. on Fillmore

Double double animal style and a neopolitan shake from IN-N-OUT's secret menu

Good lord, somebody feed me!

Stomping Grounds

One of the things I love most about San Francisco is how culturally saturated the neighborhoods are.  I love it when you step across that invisible border and all of a sudden the words on the buildings change languages, local advertisements posted on windows have a completely different flavor, passersby are chatting in a unrecognizable articulation, even the very feeling of a neighborhood changes.

Living in the Sunset for years, I never really understood how a neighborhood could be a "little Italy" or "little Russia," I just thought that people were being overly dramatic about the restaurant selection.  But it's true, I'm sitting here in Cafe Enchante, around the corner from my old apartment and listening to these two elderly Russki ladies chatting next to me.  It got me thinking... there are a crap ton of Russian people here!  And trust me, I love me some Russkis... they make the best neighbors!

Here you can find Russian bakeries filled with deliciousness, delis, funny little advertisements in Russian script (that I obviously can't read, but are very delightful to look at.  Я не могу читать России... see?), and so many interesting little nuggets simply walking down Geary.

The same goes for nearly every other area in San Francisco with all sorts of differing cultures, but the Richmond district will always be close to my heart. 

Working in the local hardware store, I made some interesting acquaintances.  One of my favorite stories to tell is of this stoic old gentleman who would come into the store at least once per week.  Even though I greeted him with a friendly hello and a smile every time, he never said a word or broke a smile for over a year.  A year!  Then, one day, I was having some difficulty with another customer who didn't speak anything but Russian and we looked at each other and both laughed!  After I got over the shock, we had a little conversation about Russian natives and I found out that not only did he immigrate here from Russia, he was a professional carpenter and owned the property around the corner.  He had a thick accent and I am pretty sure that was the only reason he had never initiated conversation with me.  I felt like I had just won something at a fair, getting this gent to speak to me!

But I think that's just how those Russkis are, and I love them for it!

Here's a photo of a White Russian cocktail since I couldn't find any good pictures of old Russian ladies!

And whenever I think of White Russians, I think of The Dude.  Or His Dudeness.  Or El Duderino...

Favorite!

To me, there is absolutely nothing more adorable than a Boston Terrier puppy.  I have long adored these little frog-face creatures, and recently have come down with a serious case of puppy fever.  I have wanted a dog since I moved out of my parents' home ages ago, and still have yet to commit.  

Why Boston Terriers, you might ask?

Look at that punum!  Need I say more?!

My first puppy was a Boston Terrier/Poodle mix and needless to say, ugly as sin.  But I loved her even more for it!  Since then, I have wanted a pure bred male Boston Terrier for my very own, and I will have one soon.

Until then, countless adorable pictures, video, and live puppycam feeds will have to do!

I'm coming soon Jack!  ...or Jay!  ...or Mr. Toad!

Sound Sculpture - Neat!

I absolutely adore unique and interesting forms of art, and I recently came upon something very cool that falls into that category!  There are always those few artistic types that have the ability to see the intersection between two mediums.  The creative studio Dentsu teamed up with photographer Linden Gledhill to produce these beautiful sculptures, originally it was part of the campaign for the Canon Pixma Ink Printer.

See the video here.

Using sound vibrations and paint, the studio and photographer produced pieces that are elegant, completely unique, and beautiful.