Terminal

At first look, SFO's Terminal 2 seems pretty. Especially for an airport terminal. Not even the Indira Gandhi airport in Delhi is this gorgeous. But, I'm not totally sold on its greatness... yet. 

The plusses are: the Plant Cafe Organic at the Virgin America gates; the super comfy chairs in bright colors; the pre-gate Starbucks; and the nice use of wood and other natural resources in the decor.

The minuses: the security area's kind of claustrophobic, low lighting and weird mustard color pillars (the down-tempo music is not helpful); the fact that one of at least three women's restrooms appear to be closed in the early morning hour.

The Kiehl's and other chi chi stores that are open early could also be considered a plus but, it's way too early for shopping, today. And, I was somewhat appalled when I spotted a TSA agent groping a Sikh man's turban for fifteen minutes but, that probably isn't the fault of this particular airport.

Why Would I Ever Move?

Before I started spending time in Menlo Park and Palo Alto, I thought I might move there. The commute must be 45 minutes or less, I thought. And, as I've been able to make it to work in 40 minutes at times, my thinking may have shifted...

This morning, as I walked back from the Masters of Venice and Ralph Edward Meatyard exhibits at the deYoung, past the Botanical Garden, I wondered why I ever thought I would leave this City. My love affair with San Francisco spent the past three years waning and when I was looking for jobs, I pored over postings outside of the City mostly. Seattle, New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles all made the search. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be re-locating in the next year.

With thoughts of an intimate Renaissance painting of Jesus, Giacommeti-like clay sculptures by Stephen de Staebler, and three beautiful black and white photos of men with bowed heads all dancing in my head, I walked through the Tai Chi practitioners in Golden Gate Park's Band Shell Park. I giggled to myself that I would ever want to give up these mornings by myself exploring art and culture.

San Francisco isn't the only city in the U.S. affording these pleasures, of course. But, I can't imagine moving down the Peninsula and foregoing easy access to the excellent Korean food I partook in last night, the friends (and people I don't know) that I can count on to share my views, the excellent theatre that made me laugh 'til I cried last weekend, and coffee that wasn't mass produced by a chain that has taken over the world.

And, while I doubt I'll be able to move anywhere else in San Francisco in the near term due to the out of control rents, I'm happy to have my apartment from the turn of the century in my diverse and mellow neighborhood walking distance to the Park, one of my favorite places to spend a weekend morning.

Too Much Time to Think

As I sit behind inconsistent drivers, creep along 19th Avenue or wait in the long lines of cars slowly exiting or entering 280, I think about the Commute. Sitting behind what I'm calling "inconsistent" drivers (a.k.a. slow or sometimes slow drivers) probably takes up a good 50% of the time I'm commuting, even if I'm on the road early. So, I think about driving or what is going on while I'm driving a LOT.

When I used to ride the 43 Masonic, I could read magazines or books, listen to podcasts or music on my iPod, tweet or check email. Of course, I can still listen to podcasts or music or books on tape on my iPod or the radio. I can listen to live NPR, which I never could before the car (b.c.). Often, on the bus, I had to contend with co-workers it was too early to interact with or homeless people that smelled like poo, unwashed body, and cheap beer. But my thoughts were often about things other than the Commute. Or so I remember, now.

Shifting between first, second, third, fourth, fifth... and sixth gear, I have the freedom to stop at Target on my way home or at lunch or any time I want. I get to drive to Mill Valley for a hike, this weekend; drive to my parents' house whenever I want without renting a car; and visit my friends in the East Bay or South Bay or Outer Richmond during the week, if I decide to.

And, I get to say I have a Mini Cooper S and get an exhuberant and covetous reaction on a weekend night at a wine bar, in my neighborhood.

Go 49ers

One thing I will say about San Francisco is that it is a great place to be a fan. Especially during the past few years with the Giants going to the World Series and now, with the 49ers playing in the NFL play offs! I'm not a sports watcher and still find it exciting to walk or drive down the empty streets of San Francisco during a big game and see signs outside fancy olive oil stores cheering on the Giants and the entire fleet of MUNI and Samtrans buses with "Go 49ers!" on their location screens. The bus stops downtown even show the current score... It is a citywide phenomenon.

When Obama won the Presidential Election in 2008, I could hear the neighbors of the friends' in whose home I was watching the results cheering as the entire city collectively learned the outcome. And, when I went out to stand at the corner of 18th Street and Church to wait for the bus, all 800,000 plus residents appeared to be driving, walking or riding their bicycles past me squealing with happiness and carrying on. It was infectious.

And so, I would just say that one of the great parts of living in San Francisco is feeling like a member of a community. Of sports fans (or not), of like-minded progressive individuals, of people who compost their garbage.

Ready Set... Go?

It is time to start again....

This morning, as I walked home from Stow Lake, after a multi-month long hiatus from walking through Golden Gate Park, I happily reflected on how much change this new year has already brought my way. Usually, I make an annual plan with a dear friend, create a collage based on the plan, write out all of my successes from the past year, and make a bunch of promises to myself that I break within weeks. This year it all seemed unnecessary.  Instead my October trip to India brought to light what I needed to change and my new job at a huge, prestigious foundation starkly highlighted my successes. However, there is an unanswered question...

Upon returning from the Taj Mahal and the foothills of the Himalayas, I knew I needed to change jobs and in the process, I hoped to move away from San Francisco. It is something I've threatened to do since 2009. The sun that soaked my skin daily in Delhi was what I wanted more of, that was clear. The fog of last summer was something I wanted to leave behind. And yet, despite two weeks enjoying the unseasonably warm January days in the Bay Area and commuting 40 minutes to an hour to my magnificent job (in my cute new bright blue Mini Cooper), I am still undecided on my living arrangement.

Before I started spending time in the Stanford area, I vowed to move to Palo Alto or Menlo Park in Spring. I imagined walking along tree-lined University Avenue and meeting lots of male suitors at Barnes & Noble... My parents were over-joyed and promised themselves to visit me more frequently in the towns that offer more or easier parking than San Francisco. But, after several conversations with co-workers that live in both the family-friendly Peninsula and quirky San Francisco, an evening perusing the shelves in a calm Trader Joe's where the only people of color were those who worked there, and a lunch-hour being stared at by a young Sephora employee at Stanford Shopping Centre because I admitted that my purse was a knock-off of the Berkin bag, I am conflicted.

Of course, my circumstances are different. My week days are spent in the sun-belt of the Peninsula. My lease is up in April when I have the opportunity to move to Potrero Hill or Bernal Heights, two neighborhoods notoriously known for the sun that shines there (and close to the 101 and 280 freeways). And so, there is opportunity. Let's see what happens...

New Additions

Check out the new pages featured at the top of my blog! I'm still on the hunt for more furniture to dress up my beautiful abode, still making my way around the City to new and exciting places begging to be photographed, but, I've been distracted. In October, I went for a three week sojourn to beautiful India and have come back feeling like I need a change of scenery as does my blog.

Until I'm ready to start posting love letters to San Francisco again, check out my holiday shopping challenge where I promise to purchase all gifts for friends and family within a ten block radius of my house. I plan to share my strategy and experience finding (hopefully) thoughtful gifts for all the people in my life, including my teenage nieces who would likely prefer books from Barnes and Noble or clothes from Aeropostale. Let's see if any of my gifts are winners, this year!

Also be sure to check out my exploration of all of San Francisco's excellent dining options from around the world. This page will be host to my quick and dirty reviews of all the flavors I'm tasting in my own neighborhood and others within the City's limits. Indian food made my nose run and my palate dance and I'm on the prowl for similar experiences in my hometown.

Come with me! 

Oh, And...

In related but not local news. Just before the show started, one of our party who happens to be from New York gave us the news that New York passed a Same Sex Marriage Bill, making it the largest state to do so. After some drama, this was a welcome announcement, last night! California, what are you doing?...