A Night in The Mission District

So, this is likely the first of many posts which will highlight something Jay and I did in San Francisco. I know they're gonna start coming like wildfire, especially once life stabilizes again and we have more time to get out and actually see this beautiful city we moved to. I just know it's gonna be one big avalanche of blog posts going "then we did this, then we did this and then this!" per my appreciation for documenting the things I do. So, I feel that this first little, teeny post that will kick off all of that- is kinda special in its own stupid way.

Last Saturday night, we gussied on up and headed out to dinner with local SF friends who were kind enough to invite us out to eat with them! My clothes situation at home is still a chaotic mess so I pieced together some blend of neutral colors.

^If anyone knows what is good for them, they will never take my advice on how to DIY your self tanner. It's too late for me but save yourself!

Additionally, as Jay rushed me out of the house- yet again- to the ballad of "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"- he hastily set the alarms before I was able to give him the clearance. Therefore, my ring wasn't on yet and was across the house with no time to grab. SO, I moved my 'going out' ring to my proper finger for the night. Believable, no? [big ol' wink right about now]

^It looks like an engagement ring from Biff Tannen in B2TF 2.

I was excited as I had read in the past (I believe on a blog) about the incredible food at "Cha Cha Cha" in The Mission. And you know me, weekends = eat away, so I was looking forward to the spread. We ended up sitting in a really, really, really dark corner of the restaurant and no picture I attempted to take of the food would do it any justice. But all I can say is their Cajun Shrimp Tapas + dipped bread = orgasmic eating. Truly. Yum. I'm not convinced Meg Ryan wasn't eating it in this scene, was the dish photoshopped out??

After dinner, we visited another spot in The Mission (Cease & Desist) and I felt so happy to be out somewhere new, meeting new people and getting out of my familiar comfort zone. I've wanted that for so long now. I can't wait to see how it plays out week after week!

Have a great Tuesday!

Dressed for Battle

^VIA

As I restocked my shelves down here in California, I started mindlessly flipping through all of the books I own yet rarely glance at. One of which is all about Jackie O. Like most people, I could look at pictures of her for hours as I admire just how majestically she presented herself to the world. I mean, did the woman ever have an "off day"? So, so artistic that one.

However, after drooling over image after image of her at official events, I decided to search some of her candid images online. After years of admiring her as the icon (and almost as a bit of an object in that regard), I started to see a bit more of HER in these impromptu photos: Smiles at her children, long glances at her husband, struggling to get her hair out of her face in the wind and a woman wrangling two children down the street- their age alone indicating that she was undoubtedly now their only parent.

And you know what? It served as a reminder that I shouldn't question whether or not Jackie O ever had an "off day". It's very well-known that she had many. Perhaps they didn't reveal themselves in the form of unfashionable outfits or unkempt hair - but she was certainly living and breathing them as she navigated the many peaks and pitfalls of her life.

That little hour served as another reminder* to me to see people as the multi-faceted humans they are. Everyone struggles. Everyone is fighting a hard battle. Everyone feels that they are falling short in some arena of their life- no matter how utterly fabulous they can often look in the midst of their war.

Let me continually remember this more and more and more as I continually try to be kinder, kinder, kinder (here).

*A second reminder was the fact that opening books when you pack/unpack will ultimately eat away about 4 hours of your time as you move from productive work to sitting on Google for 10 hours accomplishing nothing. #TheMoreYouKnow

Little Things Lately ...

Reading// My new subscription to San Francisco magazine. Pretty pumped about it, as well as the gorgeous 'welcome to SF' flowers Jay had waiting for me when I arrived Monday evening.

Writing// Blogs. I'll be back with a full workweek of blogs ready to go next week! It's been annoying being too scattered to post them but whenever I thought I should blog in lieu of packing or unpacking, somewhere in the distance I heard a cackling laugh.

Noshing// I went to Rose's Cafe this week for a dang break from unpacking. It's right up the road, looked adorable and had outdoor seating to accommodate my little leashed sidekick (Jay has been in NYC all week for work). Turns out, it's actually a really nice place and when I ordered a side of fried potatoes (because you know, #diet and stuff...) and roasted chicken, I didn't realize I was ordering an entire platter. But yum was it good. And it made for a great dinner the next night too.

Wearing// So many things I forgot I owned and have unearthed the last few weeks. I'd like to thank my hoarding abilities & my lack of organizational skills for always surprising me like this when I move.

Toasting// A goodbye to my Portland office! My colleagues threw me a little going away happy hour on the roof of the building. It was sugar and spice (and everything nice).

Excited to// Have our first full weekend in SF!! We have a lot to do yet and errands to run (we need some furniture after living in a smaller place previously) but it will still just be so nice to be here together. The world is our oyster!

Admiring// That little print I saw while out shopping. I didn't get it because it doesn't really go with my stuff but dangit if that little chin scruff doesn't remind me of my favorite little doggy (he is part JRT after all!).

Feeling// The burn in my legs. We hiked Mt. St. Helen's last weekend (more on that next week) and honestly, the soreness I have from that + all these SF hills has me loudly moaning anytime I go on a walk. OWIE, that really hurt Charlie and it's still hurting.

So happiest Friday to all of you! Looking forward to being a reader/writer in blogland again on the reg next week :)

I live in San Francisco. Officially.

3 states. 

12 hours of driving.

1 exhausted and adorable dog co-pilot who slept in his crate in the shotgun seat.

3 to-go cups of coffee.

3 tanks of gas.

4 water bottles.

2 McDonald's breakfast hashbrowns.

~700 miles.

4 Spotify playlists.

AND. I'M. HERE.

Officially.

We celebrated my 6 PM arrival (left my dad's cabin to start my journey at 5 AM same day) with some burgers and brew at a window seat in a place around the corner from our [box-infested] house. I couldn't be more exhausted or happier to be right here. Big day tomorrow of making a dent in all this clutter and trying to make the new house into a 'home'. 

But for now ... we sleep (in our San Francisco bed, in our San Francisco bedroom).

Eeee!

When You Should Avoid Portland At All Costs

Good morning!

By the time this posts, I will be on my way to California. The drive from Portland to San Francisco is about 11 hours so needless to say, I will have a lot of time to myself over all those miles.  Just as I was wrapping up my time in Portland this last week and shoving all of my belongings into San Francisco bound boxes, the city I was ready to depart was actually trending on Facebook. I couldn't help but go and see what all the fuss was about. 

Well, it was there that I read that Portland was called-out by Glenn Beck as the #1 city to avoid at all costs. My first thought was just this: Shut up. No seriously, shut up. What the h*ll do you even know about Portland, Glenny boy? Who are you to completely demolish the reputation of one city without even having a real understanding of what Portland is and who its inhabitants are? 

Then I started rationally thinking beyond my initial defensiveness and felt that I had reacted a bit hastily. What do I care if Glenn Beck (or anyone else) says that? Why would I let anyone who bases their opinion about a region off of mainstream media's interpretation of Portland (largely based off of a TV show). Sure, it's kooky and weird here but it's also a city full of variety in other arenas and there's so many people who have zero interest in the offbeat vibe that garners the most attention. 

So yes, please DO avoid Portland if you can't appreciate the following:

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE DOWNTOWN VENTURES AROUND EVERY CORNER, EVERY TIME OF YEAR

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE BEING 40 MINUTES FROM THESE VIEWS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE HAPPY HOUR ON POPULATED, ARTISTIC STREETS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE NATURAL BEAUTY AND ALL ITS BOUNTY

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE TOASTING THE END OF A WORK WITH WITH DECADENT WINE AND SEAFOOD MEALS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE SUNSET DINNERS WITH YOUR BEST FRIENDS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE FREE, MANICURED, GORGEOUS PARKS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE OUTDOOR FESTIVALS 

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE MURALS WITH POIGNANT MESSAGES

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE HIKES WITH ASTOUNDING VIEWS

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE HAND-CRAFTED IPAS OR LOCALLY MADE WINE

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE BEING A QUICK JAUNT FROM THE STUNNING OREGON COAST

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE STEPPING OUT OF YOUR HOME AND STEPPING INTO A LAND OF ART

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE MEETING PEOPLE WITH A DIFFERENT VIBE THAN YOUR OWN WHO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE RATHER THAN PLAGUE IT

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE EVER-CHANGING MENUS OF CHEFS' ARTISTIC VENTURES

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE LIVE MUSIC, BEST FRIENDS, FASHION AND SANGRIA ON A SUNDAY.

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE WHITE WATER RAFTING

AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE A CITY THAT COMES ALIVE WITH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

AND ... AVOID PORTLAND AT ALL COSTS IF YOU HATE THE LOVE OF FAMILY & FRIENDS.

Truly. If you do not appreciate all that it has and can't see the beauty in this space- then please do avoid it at all costs.

So as I depart Portland for San Francisco (number 2 on his list mind you) to begin the next chapter, I do so with great appreciation, love and admiration for this city which houses so many of my stories. Thanks for teaching me about the joys of living downtown and my absolute love of walking everywhere. Thank you for showing me that the best cities are made up of a huge variety of people who keep life interesting. Thanks for teaching me faith in many forms. Thank you for the ease of access I have enjoyed to so many amazing people who I love more than I could possibly verbalize. Thanks for great wine. Thanks for hot summers. Thanks for being my home. Yes, thank you so much for being my sacred home for all these years and for helping mold me into the woman I am today. Thank you.

I will miss you (and all that you entail) terribly.

[Turns the page on the chapter]