Its official...

I hate budgets. A lot.
Due to a lack of funds, I will not be returning to my second co-op for another quarter in the spring. Sucks. But it can only mean that I get to do more stuff right? We'll see how the applying process goes this time. Always stresses me out.

Sutro Baths...

Sutro Baths used to be large bath houses that were burnt down some time ago. Now, the ruins are a beginning urban photographer's dream. So easy to find compositions of nature/dstruction/urban bricks/decomposing steel polls.

Wedding pictures...

An album cover being shot...

And yes, you can have too many pictures of a sunset.

Squatz-tastic...

Look! I made wallpapers at work...

ooooo... oooo... ooooo.. U C

I'm not saying I'm a huge UC football follower but definitely proud to support my school. I went to Palo Alto/Stanford today and popped into a bar where I spotted the UC game on the TV. lo and behold, another UC fan sitting right in front of me, as we both cheered a touch down in the 3rd quarter I was shocked, and then excited to find some Ohio pride at the bar. This alum was sporting a UC bedazzled shirt, with her OSU hoodie.

We talked for a while, and we have a date at Rudy's (the bar I was at) for the next UC game.

I just got FREE coffee...

because I live near Jungle Jim's. Cheers, Cincinnati!

Plugs...

A super interesting article about plugs. No Kate, not those.

Inglorious Bastard...

One of my bosses, went to go see Inglorious Basterds with Tarantino. They are in cahootes.
NBD

Congratulations Mom and Dad!

You have successfully raised two healthy, happy adults!
Fostered their growth through cuteness, non-cuteness, too much talking, cranky teens and finally adulthood. Good work!

Owl (or maybe cat) cupcakes... were a big hit at work. YUM!

Idiot...

I just told someone to have a good weekend. Completely serious too.

Farley's Dog Parade 2009

Bonnie and Clyde won Most Sporty awards, dressing as a 49er and a cheerleader..

There was a free photo booth where all of the animals in the parade got their picture taken. Sponsored by Farley's and Poterero Hill Merchant's..
Little Bo Peep and her Black Lab Peep...
Runaway Bride...

There were lots of lady bugs..

Walking...

I think walking together is WAY overrated. especially when going daily, like say for example to the bus stop. Paces are different, strides are different and unless we are walking the plank, have our hips glued together or in a walking club, there is no need to walk together ESPECIALLY if we aren't talking. I don't like to talk in the morning.

A note to future walking partners:
I mean no offense by walking 15 strides ahead, or behind you. Shouldn't I be comfortable while walking too? Please don't give me behind or front sass. I don't appreciate it. Good talk, see you at the bus stop!

Bicycles...

I got the run down and "safety session" from Allen, our resident know everything guy, on the intern bike. Starting with last quarter, he has been giving the intern a bike that they are free to use whenever.

I never knew there was so much to biking. Its a single speed but not a fixed gear (so I can peddle backwards) and complete with tail light and front light and U lock.

Mostly, Allen told me how not to get my bike stolen.
A. A thief can pretty much steal anything off of the bike, but its not too expensive to replace.
two. Take the front wheel off and lock it up to the back and frame when you lock the bike to a pole.
III. Make sure the pole has a sign or something on top of it so you can't just take the bike and lock off the pole.
Good Talk.

Riding on the street sounds intimidating, maybe I'll just ride on the sidewalk. I'll let you know when I finally ride it for the first time (I have to buy a helmet first).

SFTIMF...

I went to a music festival this weekend with two days of ridiculous line ups.
San Francisco Treasure Island Music Festival

I decided to buy tickets for just one of the days (sunday) and don't regret it one bit, although I would have liked to have dance all saturday too. The shenanigans began around Noon, I didn't get home until 1am.

I helped this guy set a new world record: The most fake mustaches put on in 30 seconds. I think it was 17.

I forgot why I don't go to a whole lot of large concerts, but was quickly reminded. 1. I hate crowds. and B. I'm short. No matter how close I got, there was someone at least two heads taller than me.

Grizzly Bear (this guy was at least 6'2")...


Beirut (at least 6' 7")...



The Decemberists (I could see them)...


and finally the Flaming Lips (these guys weren't really that tall, but tall enough for me not to see)...

Easily the highlight of 80% of the attending crowd and rightly so. Their performance took over an hour to set up and involved, pyros, a giant custom screen and lots of orange.
oh and then this happened:

Yes that is Wayne in a hamster ball. I'm under him somewhere. I had to leave the front because of the pushing (I was so smooshed that I wasn't even supporting myself) and I couldn't see. And as soon as he came into the crowd everyone fell over. It was like a blackhole. So I moved to the back where I could see and SOO enjoyed the concert thereafter.


A link to picasa album for more

Oh Apple...

You are such a tease! Dropped my computer off during lunch, expecting to get it back late next week and I get a call around 4pm saying its ready. 6 days to 4 hours.

This is where I work.

My own desk, complete with computer, screen, keyboard, mouse and tablet. Oh and an official overhead cabinet thing, for files that I don't have.

No computer for a week...

My CD drive in the laptop decided to make a ruckus. Luckily, Apple Care covers it. They are taking it away for 4-6 days. Hopefully they will lose it or something and then just give me a newer one. Fingers crossed..

Yumm...

Fortune cookie factory in China Town... all of the world's fortunes come from here. Its kinda like Santa



Book LIGHTS!


Ghiradelli Square = total rip off chocolate place (price wise)


"Hello? Operator.. I'm at Ghirardelli Square!"


MUNI treat.. JORTS!

I see Su shi...

Well, I tried sushi tonight. And if anyone knows anything about me. They know I hate seafood. But seeing as I had never actually tried raw fish/sushi, I thought I should at least try it before knockin' it.





It's confirmed. I hate fish. The sushi rolls I liked didn't taste like fish and the ones I hated tasted like fish. I think more than anything though, I didn't like its texture. While my tongue said, this is kinda like squash, my mind said GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSS. (I'd be lying if I said I didn't repress a gag when I ate the something raw and pink in the picture). Its a good thing I had Sapporo to wash it down.

The restaurant, although way overpriced, was pretty sweet with this buffet style sushi boats. Pretty sweet but hard to take a good picture of.




My plate vs. Aaron's plate. He likes sushi.

so mom, dad. no more fish. ever. don't try to hide it or guise it. I don't like it. and I paid good money to confirm that. All in all, a great dinner experience.

The Blue Angels are in town...

and it sounds like war outside the building during work. Watch my back men, I'm going to get some lunch.

The sky is falling but I'll take cover after I'm done with my workout...

I joined a gym this past weekend. It's not the cheapest thing in the world but about the same as the UC gym would cost to co-op students. I went there after work today and got on the cardio equipment, noticing the throng of buckets in the middle of the floor. the roof was leaking (from the ac unit).

about 15-20minutes into my workout (watching the news channels.. super boring) I see a small crack in one of the ceiling tiles and it falls to the ground with a loud crash, right next to the water buckets.

A few giggles, smiles and concerned looks were exchanged on the healthy runners but no one stopped. A few minutes later, another one falls. And no one stops. I got out of there. I came for a workout, not to dodge ceiling tiles. I guess the closed the cardio area as I was leaving but I hope I get some perks from having to go through such a trying ordeal at my prestigious gym. Free massage, water bottle or bender ball would all work.

Now I know why I never took dance classes..

I went to my first beginners Lindy Hop lesson today. Yes it is so much harder than it looks and yes, I am awful. It's only 45 minutes so by the time I understood the basic step, it was over. I'm easily the slowest one in the class and easily the dumbest but I can't say I'm not enjoying myself as much as anyone else. I just feel bad for the everyone who has to put up with me! :/

It is a series of 4 classes, where they add a little bit more everytime (but I haven't quite understood the first steps yet. I see practicing in my future)

It is extremely fun. If you ever get the chance to do it, do it. Pics and video TBA.. maybe.

Timing is everything...

BTW. MUNI ligature is so sweet.

I'm pretty sure I have spent more time this weekend waiting for the bus than I have at the place I am headed to. For some reason, the busses here (maybe everywhere) run in packs. so 3 busses will come within 10minutes of each other, but if you miss the last bus there will be another 50 minute wait. Annoying. especially if you are trying to make it somewhere.

Also, some bus stops have a digital screen that says how much time until the next bus, which is a great idea! Except when it lies. For example, Saturday evening (around 8pm) I waited for bus home and then sign said 5 minutes. After 5 min, it said arriving and then changed to 48 minutes. It never came! I waited until the 48 min passed and it said arriving and then another 21 min.

Eventually, I found a different route (thanks to 311) and got home by 945. Silly bus route.

PS SF is also full of spray paintin on the bus teenage fools.

The wind (and wind chill) is nuts...

but not as nuts as the foools who live in SF!
Electrica loving, tektonik dancing fools.
Open beer having on the bus fools.
Fighting with bus driver fools (which is a felony BTW).
Crazy homeless dance loving fools.
and last but not least corporate fools.

Where I live..

This is where I live. The area is known as Potrero and secretly is the home to the nation's curviest street, which, believe it or not, is not Lombard st. I'll go there some day and prove it.


I live on top of a hill and the view is breathtaking. From the bottom of the street (top of the next dip). I walk all the way to the bottom, right where it gets flat in the picture and over about 5 blocks to catch the bus. Its a hell of a walk back up.


And the view from my bedroom window at night...

NEW X-FACTOR

For those of you that don't know, XFACTOR is the name of my bowling team. I made this when I got bored at work today.



PS I googled X factor AFTER I made my logo and this is what I found.. hottie sillohuette on the back of our shirts, anyone?:

Typical day...

when people say that they are working, really they mean they are answering emails.

An email I got at work the other day...

Fireworks by PES is also especially cute.

Uh... wow

Yesterday, I met one of the creators of MafiaWars and visited one of the most beautiful apartment buildings I have ever seen across the street from the Ball Park, which I would love to go to a game.

I work here..

I have officially been here one week, not done too much but I think it's safe to say I'm settled.

I work in this gigantic 23 story, steel framed building that with stood all sorts of natural disasters.

On the floor below me, live an office for Nickelodeon and AddictingGames.com. SWEEEEEEEEET



PS I work on the 13th floor. great view!

I'm Staying in this guy's bedroom

He is a professional and quite famous lindy hop dancer. By the age of 24, he's been all around the world and won a cagillion trophies, which are all sitting in his bedroom still.

311

311 is one of the greatest services San Fran has to offer. Basically, it's a customer service line for the city. From the impression I got, you can ask them anything about the city and they'll answer or direct you to someone who can.

Today, I used this magnificent cell phone service to help me get unlost on the MUNI (bus service). After exploring a little bit on the Embarcado and Fisherman's Wharf, it was time to go home. Using the handy map I had just bought, I found the closest bus stop for Bus 10, one that I take to work and gets me home. Little did I realise, that bus 10 ends service at 7pm on M-F (it was 830).

Handy dandy 311 let me know this, and also told me the best way to get home, with least walking distance and transfers. My customer service rep, Jay, told me all about bus 19 and how close it would get and all with a smile on his face and a pep in his voice. Hooray! Go 311. I'll be using that more often.

Pictures

On the way, we saw a GIGANTIC motorcycle parade. This was a group of BT BA bikers. They didn't even follow traffic lights. No sir, they busted on threw 3 cycles of red lights at this intersection, angry motorists at bay.


Crazy buldings...





Golden Gate's neglected sibling, Bay Bridge


The bathroom, or teleportal. Its questionable


And this crazy bow and arrow. Only one of several scultptures...

I walked this today

It's about 3 miles (there and back). We could have walked all the way to Fisherman's wharf, but the jeans I was wearing started to melt on to my pants. It was hot. The walk was beautiful. We walked along the bay until we reached the Ferry Bldg.

I could totally walk to work but it would take a little over an hour. I think I'm gonna try once or twice, especially since for the first week or so I will need to pay bus fare, $4 by the day.