May 31, 2007 when the lights go down in the City
So, I did a similar topic at the start of the month, but as I've thought more about it, I need to severely revise the list. This time, I'm going to concentrate on the City proper, in the hopes that I'll actually be able to accomplish some of these in the remaining weeks before the Big Move.
Thirteen Things I Need to Do Before I Leave the City
See Barry Bonds hit a home run Considering the slump he's in right now, this may be more of a long shot than I'd like. I've got tentative plans to attend Giants games with a few different friends and I'd love to see a Splash Hit before I go. Actually, I'd love to just see a Giants win, but if not, a Barry home run would do very nicely.
Feed the ducks in the Park K and I always said we'd play hooky one day and go feed the ducks at one of the many ponds in the Park. Of course, we'd say this as we were driving from the Presidio back to school or vice versa as we struggled to run errands, plan graduation and finish our senior year. It's been over a year since graduation, but still no duck feeding, so that's something I need to rectify.
Run through Alamo Square Park like the opening of the Full House credits This is from the first list, but it stays because it's way too cool.
Visit at least one art museum Okay, so we have some of the awesomest art museums in the country here and I haven't been to a single one. R and I talked about going to the MoMA one time, but then we never did. The DeYoung has since opened and I haven't been to it either. It just seems wrong to leave the City without participating in some of its fine culture.
Do the paddleboats in the Park I've never had a chance to ride in the ones at the Tidal Basin, but ever since I've learned that the Park has them too, it's been on my list to do. K and I always said that we'd cut Prof C's class one day and go, just for the hell of it. She and I haven't been in a class with him in over a year and I still haven't done it, so it's time.
Go on a Bay Quackers tour of the City I've seen the vehicle around the touristy places in the City, but I've never had the time or money to do it myself. I read SFist's take on the tour and it sounded right up my ally. Anyone want to get in on this?
Dinner at the Starlight Room Okay, that movie "The Bachelor" was horrible even if it had Chris O'Donnell, but it piqued my interested in the phenomenon of the Starlight Room and I'd like to see it first-hand. I probably can't afford it and it would probably be pretty depressing to go there alone, but still.
Complete a Stairway Walk Also from the original list. It fits perfectly with my plan to get some more exercise as well, so I just need the weather to cooperate with me and I'm golden.
Pick up my State Alumni sweatshirt Though I have a bunch of State apparel, I still haven't been able to buy the coveted ALUMNI shirt that is rightfully mine. I found the one I want, but I haven't been able to get it in my size. However, I have to have it before I leave the state for sure.
Do a cartwheel on the Golden Gate Bridge Original list refugee here. I probably won't do this one unless one of the many people who are have mentioned visiting me before I move is there to witness it. But I'd love to try, nonetheless!
Take the perfect photo of the Bay Bridge Though it is the ugly stepsister to the more famous GGB, I have always loved the Bay Bridge. In the words of my SF history professor, it's a very honest bridge. No matter how bad a day I was having, when I crested the hill to my apartment, I could see the Bridge and it would make me feel better. But I don't have a great photo of it that's my own and I should rectify that.
Take some of C's suggestions A while back I posed the hypothetical to C about what he would do if he was leaving the Bay Area. His response ranged from hysterical to profound and I think it might be onto something.
Just live it up I've been so lucky to live in one of the greatest cities in the world and anything I do here is an adventure that I won't soon forget.
Yeah, that seems much more doable with the time that I've got left.
Jenn posted at 11:40 PM |
May 30, 2007 back from the East
Memorial Day weekend was a whirlwind of ups and downs in my soon-to-be new home on the East Coast. I looked a bunch of apartments and tried to find my way around this collection of boroughs and townships. I know enough now to be dangerous, I think.
Mostly, I'm just exhausted from changing time zones twice in three days and getting up way too early this morning. Nothing really to report from the trip however. No leases signed or magical insights gained.
Saw the cute doctor at work again today, but he wasn't very flirty this time. Could be because I looked (and felt) like crap - definitely wouldn't hold it against him. And I found out that cute young guy who runs errands for another section of our department is leaving on Thursday to go back to school. I need more eye candy at work.
Jenn posted at 12:29 AM |
California My home state for the past six years (officially on the Tuesday after next), this state has everything I could ever wished for between its borders - sun, surf, sand, mountains, liberal politics, no smoking anywhere, Hollywood, the City, redwoods, Yosemite, Tahoe, etc. I love this place and I'm loathe to leave. Here's hoping I can find my way back here after I finish writing!
"Center Stage" Man, I love this movie! Ballet, cute boys, drama and friendship - it's all there! I first watched it with my cousin for movie night and have since become addicted. Most the actors are ballet dancers in real life and it's been fun to go watch them with their companies through the years.
cousins! Having no siblings, my girl cousins on my mom's side have become my sisters without us actually having to live with each other (with the exception of Kristen and Ellen, who are sisters). Ranging in age from 32 to 13, we're a diverse group of four, but we support each other, through and through. Julie added the first boy to the group, when she married John, who has been an awesome big brother to the rest of us and fit in fabulously. We have rituals and rules, known only to the cousins and it's a special bond that cannot be broken ;)
cherry-flavored things I don't know what it is, but I love all things cherry. Cherry yogurt, chocolate-covered cherries, cherry Popsicles, Cherry 7-Up - you name it, I'm into it. It's my go-to flavoring on unknown things.
coloring Even in my advanced age, I love coloring. One of my favorite lessons from Prof C's class was the redistricting project because we got to spend the whole class period coloring in our new districts to gerrymander according to the partisan group we were assigned. Something about filling in blank space with color, while staying within the lines, is cathartic for me.
C Not the letter - the person. I've often described him as the big brother I never asked for, but he's been a great mentor and friend as well. He's the provider of Giants tickets and funny email exchanges as well as career advice and advice for life in general. He's made a huge difference in my life in the Bay Area and I'm going to miss him and his family when I move.
chocolate Now I'm not as huge a choco-holic as my mother or my cousin, Kristen, but I do enjoy the occasional candy bar or twelve to get me through the afternoon. Being in the land of Ghirardelli has spoiled me, but I think I'll survive being close to Hershey all the same.
Meg Cabot books She's most famous for writing the Princess Diaries books, but I'm really into her adult fiction books. They are quick reads with interesting characters, usually written all in email (and such) form. A unique idea that works well, if you ask me.
chick lit I'm a twenty-something girl who likes to read about twenty- and thirty-something women, who are trying to make it in the world, just like me. With the heavy reading I have to do for classes, delving into tough political and theoretical issues, I don't think it's any surprise that my pleasure reading is on the other side of the spectrum, full of fluffy misunderstandings, cute boys and lots of shopping. It may be cliche, but I like it!
Chandler and Monica Friends has been off the air for three years now, but they still reign as one of my favorite television couples. Best friends falling in love after all those years being friends. Plus Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox had fabulous chemistry that could sell some of the stupid storylines they were given where other on-screen pairs would have failed.
Christmas songs One of my goals in life is to record a Christmas album. I know that's never going to happen, but there's something about Christmas music that just lights me up. I collect Christmas tracks (currently have 182 songs in iTunes) and I just can't get enough of the holly, jolly sounds of the holidays.
candles When I was a teenager, I collect candles. My parents made fun of me, but when the power went out, who did my parents come running to for a light source? I am partially to the ones in various shapes as opposed to smells, though there's a set of Christmas candles I got at Pottery Barn that are perfect for setting the scene during the holidays. My favorite candle was given to me by my BFF Erin 8th grade. It was in the shape of a wizard, with the wick at the top of his hat. It was pretty funny to melt him down ;)
Cinderella Because no matter what my mom says, I wanted that costume when I was four and she wouldn't buy it for me. What? I'm not still bitter. Seriously. Just waiting for my Prince Charming sans gorgeous blue dress.
Today was like the perfect City day! I took a walk in the Park during my lunch break and it was fabulous :) I had a slight altercation with a squirrel, but really, it was great fun. I love the weather being so fab and working so close to the Park. I think tomorrow I'll go feed the ducks. On Friday, I think it might be a day for the beach!
Jenn posted at 1:07 AM |
May 23, 2007 strange feeling of sisterhood
The first story I read in the Chron this morning was about Chandra Levy. It's been five years since they found her; over six since she went missing. No leads, only vague "persons of interest." A United States Congressman lost his seat and is now living in Arizona, managing an ice cream franchise because of his association with her. Without knowing the motivation behind Chandra's decision to go to Rock Creek Park that day, the case is simply cold.
She disappeared in the weeks leading up to my escape from DC. I was a naive, young twenty-year-old, going to take Hollywood by storm. While my past history with leaving home made my friends and family anxious about my move west, I was anxious in a different way. She and I were nothing alike except for our vague connections to two places - DC and California. But she went missing and it was all anyone could talk about. I got to LA and the story followed me there too. Rumors swirled, details surfaced, reputations were ruined, but nobody knew how or why a twenty-something intern left all her stuff behind and vanished into thin air.
For whatever reason, her disappearance affected me in a way that I hadn't felt since little Rosie Gordon was abducted from her bicycle and murdered only a few miles from my house; we had been the same age at the time. Living on my own for the first time, Chandra's disappearance made me wonder things that still stick with me today. If I went missing, who would notice? How long would I have to not answer my phone, respond to email before someone got worried? Maybe these are the age-old worries of single women everywhere (perhaps single men as well), but I'd never really thought of them before.
In the years that have past, I've modified my habits and become a little more paranoid. I always have ID. I always have my phone. If I'm going running, I call and tell someone before I go and I call when I get back. I check in with the folks every day, either by phone or email. I try to keep up with my friends, so I could return the favor if necessary (God forbid). Maybe I'd do those things anyway, even if a DC intern from California hadn't gone missing before a California intern from DC left home. But I still wonder what happened to Chandra. I guess I always will.
Jenn posted at 1:02 AM |
May 21, 2007 no place else like it on earth
I love my state. Though I haven't lived in Cali for the requisite ten years to truly call myself a Californian, it has quickly become my home. There are many things here that you simply cannot find anywhere else and every day I'm reminded of them as I contemplate my move East.
One of those things is the completely unique Bay to Breakers race, described in the Chron as San Francisco's 96th annual rite of spring, a 7.46-mile jaunt from the Embarcadero to Ocean Beach that was graced by sunshine as well as rock stars, brides, pregnant men and Scrabble pieces that formed words upon request. Alas, this marked my third year in a row of avoiding downtown and not running almost 8 miles across our fair City, but I love the idea of it all the same.
Of course, we have our problems too. One of Prof C's favorite statistics is about California's prison population. And it turns out that we starting to feel the effect of that little factoid. I guess it's a good thing I was educated while we still got the larger of the two small slivers of the California budget not locked down by legislation. Now the pendulum is swinging the other way.
Now, if we could only get those two crazy whales to go back out to sea, I think we'd be alright.
Jenn posted at 11:54 PM |
May 12, 2007 Look behind you, Radioactive Man!
So far, I have not developed super powers a la Spiderman and the radioactive spider, but I still have my fingers crossed. It would be really nice to cut down my commute in the mornings!
The nuclear bone scan took a lot more time out of my day this morning than I had thought it would, but it wasn't as freaky or painful as I thought it might be. I killed time between procedures at Borders and ended up taking advantage of their sale by picking up a CD and a DVD box set.
I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend. What about you?
Jenn posted at 1:56 AM |
May 10, 2007 all about Bee
I'd like to take credit for the alphabetical idea, but I actually got my inspiration from fondofsnape, so I need to credit her for the awesome idea.
Thirteen Things I Love that Start with B
Baby Payton I was never a baby/kid person, but then my high school BFF reproduced and voila! I'm smitten. But really can you blame me? Such a cutie!
Beverly Hills 90210 I love both the television show and the actual place. I worked in the famous zip code while I was in junior college and it was really cool. I didn't particularly like my job, but I loved walking out on the broad, sunny streets to have a Jamba for lunch and people-watch on Rodeo.
attending baseball games There's something about the crack of the bat in a gorgeous ballpark that just gets me every time. I love eating hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, soft pretzels, snow cones and cotton candy while watching my favorite team duke it out for 9 innings. Yeah, I like ballpark food too.
the Bay Area It's been my home for the last three years and I'm loathe to leave at the end of the summer. We've got low-hanging fog, left-leaning politicos and just the right amount of crazy. I've made fabulous friends and had so many memorable experiences. I knew from the moment I drove into the City that I had to live here once and I hope that once I'm done with my edumacation, I can come back here to settle down.
blogging I started over six years ago, first on LJ and then quickly moving over to Blogger. I've blogged with varying amounts of frequency, but I've loved how easy it is to catch up with my friends without having to call or write tons of emails. I never feel far away from my pals because I can read about their day and adventures. I like sharing my experiences with them as a way to keep them close to me as well.
Bill Clinton No matter what Nancy thinks, since I've been politically aware, I've been a Clinton-ite. I loved most of his politics and his personal charisma. I've been trying to finish his autobiography for the last four years (since I met him), but it's just too heavy to use as a commute book. I will finish it one of these days!
books And speaking of them, I just adore books. When I was a kid, if I was being punished, my mom would ground me from my books. I devoured all types with a passion. My fervor has worn off a bit since those days, but I still enjoy a good story, whether it be in print or online. I credit my parents with instilling the value of reading in me at a young age by reading to me every single night from the time I was born.
The Bart vs Australia episode of The Simpsons This episode never fails to make me laugh. I've talked about it before, but it bears repeating. "Here in America, we don't tolerate that kind of crap, sir!" Ha!
the beach I just love squidging my toes in the sand while the waves roll in on a clear, sunny day. I grew up on with the beaches of the Outer Banks on the Atlantic Coast, but I have come to love the expansive, lush coast of California and the massive Pacific as well. It's too cold to go to the beach in a bathing suit here (at least for me), but I still love a good walk or run along the water as the sun is setting.
"Beautiful Love" by The Afters Maybe a greater thing will happen Maybe all will see Maybe our love will catch like fire As it burns through me I listen to this song first every morning on the way to work. It never fails to put me in a better mood and help prepare me for the day ahead.
blue eyes Having plain brown eyes myself, I'm completely besotted with those who have blue eyes, especially those of the male persuasion. Perhaps explains my little crushes on Matthew Perry, Patrick Dempsey and Joshua Jackson.
ballet I've always wanted to be a dancer, even though I don't have the grace or the build. I just love to watch ballet dancers who absolutely glide across the stage and drawn you into their world without saying a word.
Blades of Glory That movie just cracked me up! I dragged my parents with me on my last night in town back in March and I was laughing so hard, I was crying. Will Ferrell never fails to make me laugh and this was no exception. I'd been excited about this movie since Jenna Fischer wrote about it on her blog and I wasn't disappointed. I definitely have to get the DVD when it comes out.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
May 9, 2007 a smackaroo on the back of her hand!
I was going to write a witty post about my day and how it went so much better today, what with it being 20 degrees cooler and all.
But I just tuned into the first ten minutes of The Daily Show and I can't stop laughing. Seriously. I could listen to Jon Stewart voice over footage of the queen all day long.
And then he offers the former CIA director a Fresca. Just awesome.
Jenn posted at 2:08 AM |
May 8, 2007 standing on the surface of the sun
Man alive, it was hot today! At lunch time, Accuweather.com clocked our temp at 85 degrees, with a RealFeel of 95. Now, perhaps there was a time when I could have withstood such temperatures, but I'm now a total NorCal wuss. Of course, it could have something to do with the fact that it "never gets that hot here," so none of the buildings have any air conditioning.
At 7am this morning, it was stepping into a sauna as I walked out of my building. I ended up having to walk to the subway station since I woke up 10 minutes too late. Good thing too since apparently some production crew had taken over part of my route to work and traffic was being redirected. Some AP/PA had the nerve to tell me that I was "allowed" to continue up the street as long as I stayed on that side of the street. Oh hell no. I told her that I was trying to get to work and continued on my merry way. By that point, my legs were tired, I was sweaty from top to bottom and I had 3 minutes to catch my train if I had any hope of getting to work on time. I left LA because of crap like this. I was not amused.
Here's hoping the film crew got their shots today and will leave me alone during tomorrow's commute. And that perhaps the temperature outside will dip down to scorching instead of blazing. Fingers crossed!
Jenn posted at 1:47 AM |
May 6, 2007 just one of those days
We are having an incredible California day today! I was driving back from the Valley and the sun was just shining on the Bay and the City. On days like today, I wonder how crazy I must be to pack my bags and jet back to the East Coast. Grad school? Psh! Give me sun-soaked weekends in my City by the Bay :) Hard to believe that in a little over three months, I'll be driving on East 80 with the Bridge in the rearview, off on a new adventure.
In celebration of this fabulous day, I went shoe shopping! I've been dying for some spring shoes, but Kohl's has had nada so far. I braved the Evil Empire (i.e. Macy's) today in the WC furnace, not wanting to try my luck on the detours from the Meltdown. I tried on a bunch of shoes, but in the end, I got two pairs of black, open-toed slingbacks. There were a few really, really cute bright, spring-y shoes, but my work wardrobe doesn't work with such bright shoes. And at this point, I'm not really into buying new clothes for work.
I've now come home, cleaned the kitchen somewhat and tried to get organized in the rest of the apartment. Eugenia is coming in just about a week and while she's not staying with me, I'd still like the place to look nice in case she comes over ;)
Okay, breaktime is over - back to work!
Jenn posted at 10:36 PM |
May 5, 2007 on one hand
I had to update my tetanus today. It sucks. I'm a total baby with this kind of thing, which is not very attractive in a person of my age. So, my arm is killing me and I'm trying hard not to overexert it and make it hurt more. I suppose it's a good thing though - now I can step on all the rusty nails that I like for the next ten years. Score!
I love a bagel with cream cheese with my coffee. Of course, when I say "coffee," I really mean grande Cinnamon Dolce frappaccino.
Summer can't arrive too fast!
My friend Eugenia is coming to Cali in less than two weeks and I can't wait!
Days like today when the sky is clear and the weather is sunny, but crisp are so awesome!
I am still struggling with your lack of communication. (directed at one person in particular, who will likely never read this)
Daisies are my favorite spring flowers.
This weekend, I'm going to sleep in and relax. I also hope to get started on my list.
I think I will head on to bed and see if I can get some sleep without rolling onto my left side.
Jenn posted at 2:33 AM |
May 4, 2007 I've Got a City (to) Love
Thirteen Things I'm Going to Do Before I Leave The Bay Area
Finish My Graduation Scrapbook Of course, I'd actually have to start it before I finish it. It's been almost a year since graduation and I have yet to finish page one of my scrapbook. It's just...I've never done a scrapbook, so I'm not sure how to start. But I really want this to be something I'm proud of because it was such an amazing experience. I don't want to take the pieces with me when I move - I want to take a finished product.
Visit Yosemite Technically, I've been to Yosemite, but I was like three years old, so I don't really remember it. And as we all know, if I don't remember, it didn't happen. This national park is a California treasure and I want to experience the beauty before I have to head back to the east coast.
Run through Alamo Square Park like the opening of the Full House credits I was never a Full House fan, but this is definitely a City thing that I just can't leave without doing. And watching Conan and Bob Saget do it during his show the other day just pushed it up on the list ;)
Tour the Jelly Belly factory I'm a sucker for food factory tours and I love Jelly Bellies. Every time my mom comes to visit, we always say that we are going to go on the tour, but we haven't made it yet. However, I definitely need to go before I leave the state for good.
Tan at Lake Tahoe Tahoe is one of those places that I just need to go. Since I don't ski, it works out well that my last months in Cali are in the summertime. I'm not sure how I'm going to work out staying there without spending any moolah, but I've got to have the Tahoe experience.
Attend one last Giants game My connection for free tickets is no more, but I can't leave without seeing my boys play one more time. Hopefully, I can get a good group together to sit in the outfield and cheer them to victory. Perhaps I'll even get to see another Barry home run - fingers crossed!
Drive through a redwood There are three that I know of and it's just one of those things that you can only do in Cali.
Complete a Stairway Walk I bought this book during one of my many visits to Pier 39 before I actually moved to the City, but I have yet to actually go on any of the 24 walks detailed in its pages. Before I leave the land of cable car hills and their stairways, I want to take a walk.
Buy a Santa Clara sweatshirt I collect college sweatshirts (and long-sleeved t-shirt) from the universities that I have visited. Ever since Santa Clara U was featured in "Bend It Like Beckham," I've wanted to pick up one just like the one in the movie. Yeah, I'm a huge dork, but I don't care ;)
Do a cartwheel on the Golden Gate Bridge I hate bridges and I always swore that I would never walk across the GGB because it's just too freaky. However, after seeing photos of a college acquaintance doing cartwheels on the Bridge with her best friend, it inspired me to face my fear and try something new. This will probably be the hardest one for me to accomplish, but at the same time, I think it's the most important. Sometimes you just have to stop being afraid and jump into life again ;)
Hike to "Land's End" I've seen gorgeous photos taken from this spot and I've always wanted to go out there. The Pacific Ocean is one of my favorite things in the world and I really want to see what it looks like from these cliffs.
Drive down "Devil's Slide" I haven't been down to that section of Hwy 1 since it was rebuilt after the mudslide destroyed it. I've wanted to drive down it since I read about it in my pre-move research. Now that it's been rebuilt, it's probably even cooler ;)
Get together with my West Coast family And last but not least, I just want to spend time with the people who have made my life in the Bay Area so wonderful. We may not always agree on everything or see each other as much as we would like, but they are the reason I fell in love with San Francisco in the first place. Sure I love the hills and the fog and the architecture and the Bay, but really, it's the people I'm going to miss the most.
I'm sure there are plenty of other things that I need/want to do before I leave California, but these are the first 13 that I thought of ;)
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
May 3, 2007 it's May? already? R. Kelly Writes New Song for Va. Tech - It's a nice gesture, but does the tribute song really have to come from an indicted child molester? I mean, really? Sigh.
The commute still sucks. I now have to be at the subway station half an hour before my usual time in order to have a hope of getting a parking space. Which means I have to actually get up earlier and that makes me crankier. I get sleepy on the train ride home as per usual, but I get my energy back around 7pm. So I can't even get to bed earlier because I'm not "tired." Luckily, the Chron is now reporting that this mess may be over by Mother's Day instead of my birthday. I'm not quite sure how the estimates could have been off by so much, but this one works in my favor, so I'm going for it ;)
Now, I should really try to get some sleep because tomorrow's going to be a LONG day.
Jenn posted at 1:58 AM |
May 2, 2007 Conan in the City
Seriously - this made me laugh until I cried. I definitely have to add one of these little City landmarks to my list of Things To Do Before I Leave. Can you guess which one?
My life in the city isn't nearly as interesting. Work is slow as all the head honchos are at a conference on the east coast. I'm actually enjoying the downtime because it's probably the last bit I'm going to get for a long time. The commute still sucks, but I'm learning to adjust.
Dirty Dancing tomorrow! Whoohoo!
Jenn posted at 1:02 AM |
