San Francisco Doesn't Make Sense

Alysia grabbed me from San Jose and we were off to the Mission District in San Francisco where we hung out with Stephen who joked about the golden handcuffs of rent control of the city.  He had been living there for at least 3 years and was enjoy the spectacular space and reasonable rent.  I remember running into Stephen in a speedo during Bay to Breakers... he was slippery... from sunblock.

Mission Dolores Park.... as if San Francisco only had one park... not sure why people enjoy being in this herd with barely any shade.  We stopped by after an awkward SoMa StrEATfood Park visit.  Cover and overpriced okay food?  SF... give me a break.

There was this guy staring at Mony and say, "look at that gaysian..." and then he approaches Mony to give an awkward hello.  I liked his sweater though, learned that Mony hooked up with him and he forgot his name.  Yes.

The highlight was just enjoying beer on Mony's balcony on the 28th floor.

Continued to keep it simple by having dinner at Super Duper.. I actually really like this burger joint.  Met John's new boyfriend and celebrated his birthday really quickly before he headed to BootieSF

Stopped by The Mix where I was absolutely disgusted at sweaty ass bouncing above people's drinks.  I think I was dry heaving at the thought.

Caught these guys walking from the Castro to the Ferry building fro some reason.  Yallz crazy.

Check this out $11.69 for Miso Ramen Broth, Thai Curry & Lime Broth and Vietnamese Pho Broth.

Are people in San Francisco idiots?  I find this absurd and offensive... and mind numbingly stupid.  What is happening to this city?  This market is competing with Whole Foods.

Luckily Alysia grabbed me to go back home to Los Angeles, but first a quick stop at Bravo Farms which has a faux western town for children.  There are hidden slides and climbing areas in these small buildings designed as banks and churches.

Across the Golden Gate

Back in November, Jimmy and I planned a spontaneous trip to the bay area.  My number one activity was to bike across the bridge since it was something I've never done before.  The Sports Basement was the perfect rental with free parking and exceptional prices ($15 for 3 hours!)  Remember to check Yelp! for deals.

Before actually crossing the bridge, Jimmy and I discovered the many many views of the bridge stopping for many pictures.  Though Jimmy has all of the pictures of both of us, I have some cute pictures of him to share.  What a stud.

And off we go!  Here's a shot of us on the bridge.  Remember to stay on the side reserved for bikers for max efficient cruising.  It was windy, but we were well equipped!

We made it to the other side to discover Sausalito!  It's a really cute town, but we didn't have time to really explore.  We were exhausted by the hills and were in a rush to make our return time.  The ferry back option seemed like a bit of a cluster so we decided to bolt back!  It was a physical challenge!  And the bike lanes weren't as clear on this side of the bay area.  I found myself cramping up.  It seemed like most people opted to just get a ferry ticket so that they didn't have to deal.

We made it back!  And just in time to grab a dinner.

We returned to So for their famous spicy chicken.  But I noticed it had been watered down.  The waitress proclaimed that I was the first one to notice!  "Yes, we got complaints, people even walked out because it was too spicy for them to eat!"  Well, I have to say it was more manageable and enjoyable when we weren't dying from the heat.

That evening we went to the Castro and watched our friends get messy.

The next day we explored the Mission District and Valencia street with Mony.  Interesting to see the Latino community hanging on to a thread while Valencia gentrification spills over.  The sad reality.

All the grit is being replaced with artist anal chocolate and oozey pastries.

Got to spend a few minutes with JV and Andy before heading across the new bay bridge.  Not sure why this picture is so yellow!

I Left My Boys in San Francisco

The view from Mony's appartment at 6AM when I had to catch the AMTRAK back to San Jose

I've been using the Umano app to listen to interesting articles during my commute to and from work.  Today, I listened to "Getting off the Google Bus" from London Review of Books which discussed the displacement of poor communities due to rising housing costs that are driven up by a richer class of tech people moving in.  These buses are a private solution that doesn't really benefit the public and is a symbol of privilege as they take up the space of bus stops without having to pay a government fee.  I usually refrain from really complaining about these things because I feel like just as responsible for the problem by working for a Tech company and living in a poor neighborhood.  But I do my part by paying very low rent, accepting the fact that my car was driven into and buying tamales from the local stores that have been around for decades.... right....

I was reminded of my adventure in San Francisco in November of last year.

I got dropped off in the Mission district... not the cool section of the Mission, but the area that was clinging to its Latino roots as possible.  It was like Westlake in LA - full of people and strollers and trash.  I met up with Matt for a light brunch to catch up on things and later met up with the boys for two rounds of overpriced Dim Sum in the Castro at Mama Ji's.  The workers were amused that we basically spent 3 hours there.  I was entertained by Mav's shade slinging; I was in the splash zone.

We found ourselves taking silly pictures while watching our friends play tennis in Dolores park.  These guys make me laugh.

Mony showed us the hotel that he works for and all of the bars that surround it.  He gave us some history while we had cocktails in multiple venues.  Mony was showing us his territory - the gentrifying part of the Tenderloin and I was pretty impressed.

Redwood
Jones
Redford

Randomly had some Peruvian food for an 8PM dinner at Pisco Latin lounge.  Eric joined us for more cocktails.  We cabbed it back to Mony's place and took a fatty nap until Chris J. arrived to take us out around 11PM

I really wish I blogged about this sooner.  The details in-between are pretty blurry.  I just remember having a really wonderful time connecting with good friends and feeling like I was vacation splurging, exploring and drinking non stop.  I also remember being upset for not bringing my point and shoot.  These mobile pics suck a bunch.

I remember Mony opening up a bit and getting a text from him a couple days after saying how much fun he had.  Which is nice since Mony has a really high wall... at least with me.

I remember being in shock after paying $30 for late night Denny's because SF has about 5 addition taxes and fees.... and watching JV stress about a boy.  Nights like these.

Bay Area - Catching Up

In mid July I took a pretty good bay trip to visit family and work.

I drove up with my cousin and visited my family.  Enjoy San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose.  The mexican joint there is terrible.

I reached out to San Jose friends and discovered a Night Market.  After having a large chicken cutlet, Japanese Hotdog and pork fries - really nothing special. They had ping pong!  

And then I found myself at the San Jose Obon Festival.  Finally participating in the dance and playing bingo!  The highlight was this nickel game.

I spent the next day catching up with Aaron while he got his picture taken for the NoH8 campaign.  We chilled in Hayes Valley which is my new favorite SF neighborhood.

Got dropped off in the Castro to congratulate Jon on his triathlon. 

Had a really good dinner with Joe at Perilla in Inner Sunset.  Really impressed with this place.

The main purpose of the trip was to take personality tests to strengthen our team at work.  The middle picture is the financial-like SF office that I felt was really dreary.  The bottom is the corporate office near Palo Alto.

Check out what this personality test had to say about me.  Wow.  I'm always impressed with this sort of stuff.  I'm a gold blue which means that I like making notes and creating lists and staying organized along with being a people person to put it simply.

That's all I remember from the trip, but I had a good time catching up.

Bay to Breakers 2013 - Part 1 (Instagram Sharing #)

I am obsessed with Bay to Breakers.  This is our fourth year and I still feel like more needs to be experienced.  Everyone is drunk by 9AM walking along the path of a 7mile race in ridiculous costumes.  It's impossible to see everything, but I feel like I found the plan: start the walk at 9.  Dance party at Fell and Cole until 12:30PM.  Pass out in a park.

I had my theme set months in advanced and I was thrilled to find each piece!  Top hats at Daiso, tuxedo shirts at goodwill and monocles from a costume store (though Eric was able to make his own at a fraction of the price.)  Bay to Breakers is about being creative and resourceful especially since every year another rule is added.

2010 ...

2011 - No floats (Because people kept getting run over)

2012 - No nudity or Alcohol (Because people got too rowdy and peed on everything)... if they see a beer, they pour it out... but if it's concealed... whatever.

2013 - No backpacks (Boston)

2014 - No ... music?!  OH GOD SAVE US!!!

Though I feel incomplete, because there wasnt enough alcohol in our beverage satchels.. there wasn't enough music or creativity.  Everyone is being so cautious, but that's the price you pay for safety.  As I figure out the best mode of party.. so does the city of San Francisco - more fences to prevent property destruction  more urinals to prevent public peeing, more "rule" to deter over doing it.  I just wish I had known about this sooner.

Thank goodness for Instagram, I felt closer to the strangers that I partied with and caught images of things I may have missed.  I also found my group in some pictures.

My Favorite #BaytoBreakers Instagram Photos 
(credit in the photo file name.)

Best Outfits:

Tons of Cards Against Humanity Sets

Passed Out:









A ton of hot guys practically naked wearing speedos or... chicken costumes.




Found Us!!










Next Year:

I want more.  I'm already thinking about next year.  I found this picture and I wish it was me!  I wish I had the opportunity to release my confetti canons sitting on a street light watching everyone cheer at The Park at Fell and Cole.

This will happen.  This is on my life to-do list.