I think I have too many white hairs to do anything about them at this point. I think I'm going to have to embrace them or go bald by plucking them out. It's bad that it's fun to examine them up close (which one can only do by taking them out). Mine are half colored, half clear/white. Sometimes they are all gold tinted, clearer that not. Ehh? At least they are 'unique'. I guess I'm not going white, I'm going clear.
My eyes have adjusted to their new state. They no longer hurt or go blurry; they have settled into their worsened condition nicely. One day I'll actually make a doctor's appointment. Yay legitimate health insurance.
Ironic...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Louisville, the 16th largest city in the USA, home of Muhammad Ali
I hear all about Louisville's attributes, touted by the mayor on motion sensor as I make my way out of the Louisville Airport. I must say, I can believe that Louisville is the home of Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, but the 16th largest state in the United States. I wonder where all the people have gone, or how far the city limits extend. Downtown is quite small from my perspective, and food options are limited.
In all fairness, I suppose my view of Louisville is quite narrow, seeing as I live two blocks away from the office. Within those two blocks is a Starbucks, Wolfgang Express, and a not so good too hip, I'm trying too hard, fusion restaurant. If anyone ever gushes over the sushi in Louisville, that person has obviously not tried sushi anywhere else in the United States.
Besides the politeness of the South, and the fantastic ribs (find Smokey Bones, it's damn worth it), I've yet to really discover what makes Louisville Louisville. I know it's hiding somewhere, and I'm excited to see what I can see. Moreover, I'm planning some fantastic spring trips with a colleague that promises to take me to the South's finest cities. I'm eager to see more of the United States and that's the great thing about my job, it affords me the chance to do just that.
Along with the proximity to the South, Kentucky also boasts some impressive cave formations and wilderness. A mini weekend trek anybody? I suppose I should save my hotel points for my anticipated trip to Japan (anticipated meaning gradually formulated in my head). If only if only...
In all fairness, I suppose my view of Louisville is quite narrow, seeing as I live two blocks away from the office. Within those two blocks is a Starbucks, Wolfgang Express, and a not so good too hip, I'm trying too hard, fusion restaurant. If anyone ever gushes over the sushi in Louisville, that person has obviously not tried sushi anywhere else in the United States.
Besides the politeness of the South, and the fantastic ribs (find Smokey Bones, it's damn worth it), I've yet to really discover what makes Louisville Louisville. I know it's hiding somewhere, and I'm excited to see what I can see. Moreover, I'm planning some fantastic spring trips with a colleague that promises to take me to the South's finest cities. I'm eager to see more of the United States and that's the great thing about my job, it affords me the chance to do just that.
Along with the proximity to the South, Kentucky also boasts some impressive cave formations and wilderness. A mini weekend trek anybody? I suppose I should save my hotel points for my anticipated trip to Japan (anticipated meaning gradually formulated in my head). If only if only...
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Inside the Vagabond's First Aid Kit
Band-Aids: These babies are top priority, not only do they fit nicely around pinky toes for the pair of shoes that pinch, they can also go around bloody finger nails that crack after hitting airplanes. They can also go around said finger nails as to not get caught in hair, thus preventing further bloodiness.
White ice pack decorated with blue stars: I didn't even know these gems still existed. It looks like an inverted shower cap with a screw lid on top. Make sure you get one that does leak. Very useful on a rainy day whilst wearing leather soled shoes. Slippage is a definite danger. Apply to hip bone and elbow. Sue if you must, but at the very least get a free salad.
Nail clippers: Sometimes the TSA steals nail scissors, so bring these as an alternative. Very useful for the multiple nails that break on tables and chairs, computers and beds.
Ointment to sooth burns: When making white bean soup for roommate on a late Sunday evening, watch out for flying soup. It will burn skin and leave ugly red welts.
Sunscreen: Who knew that Miami sun was so strong. To avoid unslightly bra strap tan lines while eating lunch in the sun, apply generously.
White ice pack decorated with blue stars: I didn't even know these gems still existed. It looks like an inverted shower cap with a screw lid on top. Make sure you get one that does leak. Very useful on a rainy day whilst wearing leather soled shoes. Slippage is a definite danger. Apply to hip bone and elbow. Sue if you must, but at the very least get a free salad.
Nail clippers: Sometimes the TSA steals nail scissors, so bring these as an alternative. Very useful for the multiple nails that break on tables and chairs, computers and beds.
Ointment to sooth burns: When making white bean soup for roommate on a late Sunday evening, watch out for flying soup. It will burn skin and leave ugly red welts.
Sunscreen: Who knew that Miami sun was so strong. To avoid unslightly bra strap tan lines while eating lunch in the sun, apply generously.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Consultant Speak
If I thought I would improve my vocabulary, grammar and all around speaking capabilities as a Corporate Vagabond, I thought wrong.
The English language is expanding by leaps and bounds thanks to my fellow consultanty colleagues. And perhaps not for the better. It's a curious thing how corporate language develops. Who decides to create phrases that describe something oh so perfectly in a nonsensical manner?
So far I'm resisting...resisting the metaphors, the words, the grammar -- Everything! But we'll see how long until I say things like:
- "We have to compare apples to apples" (why not oranges, watermelons? puppies?)
- "I will have more bandwidth on Friday, let's meet then" (Do I look like an wireless internet connection? Oh if I were only that cool).
- "I'll be out of pocket all next week" (I'll I want to know is what does being 'in pocket' entail?)
- "To your point" (To my point what? What is the point of my point?)
- "As you were speaking to in our last meeting" (I was speaking to you and you and you. That's WHO I was speaking to)
- "I need you to create a deck by Monday" (This deck is not made out of wood and extends off the back of your house, if you needed clarification).
And today there was something about a right hand speaking to the left hand. I'm going to leave that one alone.
The English language is expanding by leaps and bounds thanks to my fellow consultanty colleagues. And perhaps not for the better. It's a curious thing how corporate language develops. Who decides to create phrases that describe something oh so perfectly in a nonsensical manner?
So far I'm resisting...resisting the metaphors, the words, the grammar -- Everything! But we'll see how long until I say things like:
- "We have to compare apples to apples" (why not oranges, watermelons? puppies?)
- "I will have more bandwidth on Friday, let's meet then" (Do I look like an wireless internet connection? Oh if I were only that cool).
- "I'll be out of pocket all next week" (I'll I want to know is what does being 'in pocket' entail?)
- "To your point" (To my point what? What is the point of my point?)
- "As you were speaking to in our last meeting" (I was speaking to you and you and you. That's WHO I was speaking to)
- "I need you to create a deck by Monday" (This deck is not made out of wood and extends off the back of your house, if you needed clarification).
And today there was something about a right hand speaking to the left hand. I'm going to leave that one alone.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
When Any News is Bad News
Now that I actually have access to a TV, I'm finally getting a bit more news coverage (also my worldliness is being broadened by rfi.fr), but it's nothing good let me tell you. Besides the death and destruction taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, the Middle East, Asia, African, everywhere, the United States is chock full of home grown, corn fed raised violence.
First of all, why would a 15 year old girl want to kill her little sister's nine year old playmate? Really though? Was is to satisfy some gruesome urge, some uncontrollable, overwhelming desire, bloodthirst lust. I don't know, but I for one never had fantasies of killing little girls when I was 15. Hopefully, no one who is reading this had either, or else I must say that I'm going to have to re-evaluate our friendship.
Most close to home. A school in my school district, a neighboring school, a school against which we'd play high school basketball is in the news these days, for not the happiest of reasons. During the homecoming dance, a fifteen year old girl gets drunk in the parking lot with a whole bunch of guys just haning around and at least four of them decide to gang rape her, out in the open, additionally with 'foreign objects', while all the other guys (reports say fifteen - twenty) laughing, jeering and taking pictures. It only stops, when word got around the grapevine that this was happening, and someone who actually had a conscience, someone who is a respectable citizen of this country called the police.
What the fuck! I wonder what goes through the heads of these guys while they are either participating in this despicable act or allowing it to go on. Fuck mob syndrom. There is something fundamentally wrong with their value systems.
Anyway, there goes my rant for the day.
P.S - sorry friends, but if any of you participate in the aforementioned acts, let me make myself very clear. We are not friends. In fact, I'll call the police on your ass and you will go to prison for a very long time, sharing a cell with Wicked Willy or Big Bertha (I'm very gender equal with my rants aren't I now). This means you! =D
First of all, why would a 15 year old girl want to kill her little sister's nine year old playmate? Really though? Was is to satisfy some gruesome urge, some uncontrollable, overwhelming desire, bloodthirst lust. I don't know, but I for one never had fantasies of killing little girls when I was 15. Hopefully, no one who is reading this had either, or else I must say that I'm going to have to re-evaluate our friendship.
Most close to home. A school in my school district, a neighboring school, a school against which we'd play high school basketball is in the news these days, for not the happiest of reasons. During the homecoming dance, a fifteen year old girl gets drunk in the parking lot with a whole bunch of guys just haning around and at least four of them decide to gang rape her, out in the open, additionally with 'foreign objects', while all the other guys (reports say fifteen - twenty) laughing, jeering and taking pictures. It only stops, when word got around the grapevine that this was happening, and someone who actually had a conscience, someone who is a respectable citizen of this country called the police.
What the fuck! I wonder what goes through the heads of these guys while they are either participating in this despicable act or allowing it to go on. Fuck mob syndrom. There is something fundamentally wrong with their value systems.
Anyway, there goes my rant for the day.
P.S - sorry friends, but if any of you participate in the aforementioned acts, let me make myself very clear. We are not friends. In fact, I'll call the police on your ass and you will go to prison for a very long time, sharing a cell with Wicked Willy or Big Bertha (I'm very gender equal with my rants aren't I now). This means you! =D
The Consultant Regime
Humph, well let me say that there is none, as of yet.
Every week, I bring my exercise shoes (that I've used about 6 times since 2005 when I bought them. Also they are white, pink, gray and extremely ugly, but that's another story all together). And every week, they stay put in the Forever 21 bag in my carry on.
I bring my bikini, in hopes of using either the inside Family pool or outside Tranquility pool, but can't seem to get myself out of my room past 7pm, after coming in from a day of work with my take out.
And you know what I notice, I do exercise in New York, just by going up and down and all around the subway and the city (OMG FREAKING BABY BE QUIET! BEEEEEEEE QUIEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT). And I walk really really really fast. Laugh if you want, but it makes a huge difference. And it's almost painful for me to walk so slowy. Painful I tell you!!! I don't know how slow walkers bear it!
So instead, I do absolutely nothing, but eat eat eat. Being that I'm California, fortunately, I have quite a few choices of cuisine. Sadly, I'm no longer eating a ton of Japanese food, but I get by nicely on fruit fruit fruit, soup, salad, sandwiches, fruit fruit fruit. I eat two fruit salads a day at least, and sometimes a third for dessert. How spoiled I am! Sometimes, however I wish I could have a half bag of edamame, tofu, a bit of pineapple, some sauteed corn, and a papadam or two for dinner. You know, something completely random, but oh so perfectly satisfying my food cravings. Alas!
So what does this corporate vagabond do? Walk to the bathroom a lot (because no one can fault you for using the restroom)...hey what can I say, I drink a lot of liquids. Plus it's a great way to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen. Walk to and from various parking garages and non descript buildings.
But I promise: I shall check out more of the hotel's facilities next week...my last week in sunny LA.
Every week, I bring my exercise shoes (that I've used about 6 times since 2005 when I bought them. Also they are white, pink, gray and extremely ugly, but that's another story all together). And every week, they stay put in the Forever 21 bag in my carry on.
I bring my bikini, in hopes of using either the inside Family pool or outside Tranquility pool, but can't seem to get myself out of my room past 7pm, after coming in from a day of work with my take out.
And you know what I notice, I do exercise in New York, just by going up and down and all around the subway and the city (OMG FREAKING BABY BE QUIET! BEEEEEEEE QUIEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT). And I walk really really really fast. Laugh if you want, but it makes a huge difference. And it's almost painful for me to walk so slowy. Painful I tell you!!! I don't know how slow walkers bear it!
So instead, I do absolutely nothing, but eat eat eat. Being that I'm California, fortunately, I have quite a few choices of cuisine. Sadly, I'm no longer eating a ton of Japanese food, but I get by nicely on fruit fruit fruit, soup, salad, sandwiches, fruit fruit fruit. I eat two fruit salads a day at least, and sometimes a third for dessert. How spoiled I am! Sometimes, however I wish I could have a half bag of edamame, tofu, a bit of pineapple, some sauteed corn, and a papadam or two for dinner. You know, something completely random, but oh so perfectly satisfying my food cravings. Alas!
So what does this corporate vagabond do? Walk to the bathroom a lot (because no one can fault you for using the restroom)...hey what can I say, I drink a lot of liquids. Plus it's a great way to give your eyes a rest from the computer screen. Walk to and from various parking garages and non descript buildings.
But I promise: I shall check out more of the hotel's facilities next week...my last week in sunny LA.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Getting Old
Okay, so one side-effect of the corporate world I'm not at all prepared to handle is all the grey hair I'm getting! Actually they are more silvery-clear, but STILL! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Actually, I shouldn't necessarily blame my poor innocent job, it may have been the traveling this summer. But what I do attribute to the job is my failing eye sight. It's getting really bad! I suppose that's why they include vision in the health plan. Did I mention that I have a health plan? YES
By the way, a few more trips and I'll have earned myself a free International Flight!!! YES!!! The question is, where to go? Some peeps are going to Iceland to trek. Now that's an awesome idea! But it's in the middle of the summer, during which the aurora borealis in not at its best, or so I was told by my space science major friend. Perhaps Japan if my Japan 2010 family trip happens. But you know what I'm thinking: India, subsahara Africa, or Asia (in general). And I mean vagabonding around kind of trip, even though it will only be for a few paltry weeks. Who's with me?? I heard there's a cool mountain in Malaysia. Or Patagonia in Argentina (oh yeah forgot about South America) and a bay in Chile chock full of hump back whales!. Maybe actually get out to the dessert in Africa. Or certification in scuba diving. So many choices, so little time!
I better get on with Rosetta Stone!
By the way, a few more trips and I'll have earned myself a free International Flight!!! YES!!! The question is, where to go? Some peeps are going to Iceland to trek. Now that's an awesome idea! But it's in the middle of the summer, during which the aurora borealis in not at its best, or so I was told by my space science major friend. Perhaps Japan if my Japan 2010 family trip happens. But you know what I'm thinking: India, subsahara Africa, or Asia (in general). And I mean vagabonding around kind of trip, even though it will only be for a few paltry weeks. Who's with me?? I heard there's a cool mountain in Malaysia. Or Patagonia in Argentina (oh yeah forgot about South America) and a bay in Chile chock full of hump back whales!. Maybe actually get out to the dessert in Africa. Or certification in scuba diving. So many choices, so little time!
I better get on with Rosetta Stone!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Hotel Amenities
The hotel I called my home for the past three weeks on and off had magical powers. Supernatural powers. I forgot toothpaste, what's the first thing I see as I step into my bathroom? A dental kit. Along with a comb, manicure set (YES! With nail scissors that don't get taken by airport security), Scope, and deodorant. Ladies' deodorant. How did they know???????? How did they know?
The next week, not only do I get the above mentioned goodies, welcoming me to my bathroom, but I also get a tampon! A tampon?? Again how did they know!? The next evening, I get chocolates welcoming me back to my room. Okay okay, the hotel's pschyic powers were having an off day, as it was not my anniversary, as was written on the chocolate heart, but I'll let that slide.
This week's bathroom gift, the same + ultra thin pads plus a barber's comb along with the regular sized comb. Hilarious. I didn't use half goodies, but nevertheless it was fun to be pampered.
Side note: I'm now obsessed with slippers and bathrobes. Who knew that they're so comfy.
Side side note: Hotel, if you're going to provide L'Occitane products, they will be taken for my next business trip! The soap smells delicious, the shampoo actually suds! The bath gel I can do with out, but mmmm soap! One thing you're missing is face wash by the way!
Creepy Hotel Tip: if you're wondering if anyone or thing is spying on your through your hotel mirror, here's a trick. Place your finger on the mirror, if your finger's reflection doesn't touch your finger, it's just a mirror, if your finger touches, it's a one way mirror, and some creepy man is watching you while you undress and sleep.
The next week, not only do I get the above mentioned goodies, welcoming me to my bathroom, but I also get a tampon! A tampon?? Again how did they know!? The next evening, I get chocolates welcoming me back to my room. Okay okay, the hotel's pschyic powers were having an off day, as it was not my anniversary, as was written on the chocolate heart, but I'll let that slide.
This week's bathroom gift, the same + ultra thin pads plus a barber's comb along with the regular sized comb. Hilarious. I didn't use half goodies, but nevertheless it was fun to be pampered.
Side note: I'm now obsessed with slippers and bathrobes. Who knew that they're so comfy.
Side side note: Hotel, if you're going to provide L'Occitane products, they will be taken for my next business trip! The soap smells delicious, the shampoo actually suds! The bath gel I can do with out, but mmmm soap! One thing you're missing is face wash by the way!
Creepy Hotel Tip: if you're wondering if anyone or thing is spying on your through your hotel mirror, here's a trick. Place your finger on the mirror, if your finger's reflection doesn't touch your finger, it's just a mirror, if your finger touches, it's a one way mirror, and some creepy man is watching you while you undress and sleep.
A Vagabond Weekend in Los Angeles
After two weeks in LA, I actually managed to explore LA proper…kind of…but seeing as LA is a urban sprawl, what is proper? What is downtown? Where do the suburbs start? Where do they end? These are the real questions in life.
Thursday
Tito’s Tacos! Guacamole, salsa, enchiladas, tamales, burritos, chips! Enough said! (oh yeah…never did eat a taco…)
Friday
Note to self: Don’t sync your phone to your computer that’s still on EST time, your phone will change times, and you will wake up at 7am EST for your 7am Pacific Time meeting. Yes people, that’s 4am in the morning. No wonder no one else was on the call! After the false start, I managed to re-wake up on time and make the meeting. Then it was off to Circa 55 (retro décor fitting for 1955) in the Hilton for LA’s Restaurant Week. The apps were simple, but had some clean, complementary tastes. Nice mozzarella, good ham, miniscule pieces of artichoke heart (slightly tasteless, sorry Circa). My goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli weirdly fell apart, the pasta being too dry. The cream sauce was choking and the sautéed mushrooms were decent. The panna cotta was tasty if a bit too sweet, and although cute, the dried fruit and nut tart was just plain odd.
For dinner, I met up with Sai and her fiancé Azan, and we headed to Culver City for Korean food at Gi____. DELICIOUS! Ventilation was built into the bbq grill! Lots of kimchi, pickled cucumbers, salad, veggies! Scrumptiously seasoned beef and chicken. And lots of it. YUUUM! And the most un-cumin-y cumin pear bread pudding. Ehh?
Saturday
I drove in LA. Yes I, Kiyomi Laura Hayashida drove in LA. Scary thought huh? Actually I’m a great driver, although all too slow and cautious for Amy’s LA standards. I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of driving through the city streets at 50mph, fifteen miles over the speed limit. No thank you.
Where did this driving take me? Well to the Annenberg Space for Photography, which as a cool albeit small photographic journalism exhibit. What was the most amazing experience though was the parking garage. I couldn’t find where I was supposed to park, so I parked a few LOOONG blocks away and then walk (unheard of!) to the building. I couldn’t figure out how to get to it, since I was on the side street, so I went into the parking garage (that’s where I was supposed to park) and tried to find my way up. It was eerie. Desolate, unmanned cars, dark corners, garage noises. This structure was immense. I got completely lost in the story after story of parking garage. I wish I had busted out my camera to document my experience. After actually making it up to the photo space and then amazingly finding my way back to Amy in a very roundabout, lost way, I picked up Amy, and we took off to 3rd Street promenade. Who knew that California’s sales tax is almost 10%?? I didn’t. Sorry, CA, I’m going to spend my money in NY!
Dinner was at a Peruvian Chinese place that serves horchata! The fried calamari, shrimp, fish platter with sautéed purple onions and lemon was amazing, and the chicken, veggie, fries dish wasn’t half bad. Better than most of what I ate in Peru (sorry Peru). But then again Peru had the most amazing street meet and potato on a stick and 15 cent tamales! How can you go wrong with that.
Sunday
OOPS! We woke up around noon and caught a bus to the Getty Center, which is perch up on a hill, overlooking LA. Currently on exhibit is Irving Penn’s Small Trades, Penn who incidentally passed away a few weeks ago. These photos were all about capturing the characters of these Parisian, Londoner, New Yorker workers. Clothes define a man, but a man is a man dressed or undressed.
Dinner with my cousin at Hide (that is Hee-De (long e, short e, not hide and seek)). We sat at the sushi bar and had our own personal chef for the meal. I discovered the wonders of Uni, creamy, buttery, melt in your mouth uni. Think salmon and avocado in one!!! The giant clam was pretty damn good too.
I have to say, I forgot how good the food is in California. Especially the Mexican and Japanese and Asian food. Damn. So good.
Thursday
Tito’s Tacos! Guacamole, salsa, enchiladas, tamales, burritos, chips! Enough said! (oh yeah…never did eat a taco…)
Friday
Note to self: Don’t sync your phone to your computer that’s still on EST time, your phone will change times, and you will wake up at 7am EST for your 7am Pacific Time meeting. Yes people, that’s 4am in the morning. No wonder no one else was on the call! After the false start, I managed to re-wake up on time and make the meeting. Then it was off to Circa 55 (retro décor fitting for 1955) in the Hilton for LA’s Restaurant Week. The apps were simple, but had some clean, complementary tastes. Nice mozzarella, good ham, miniscule pieces of artichoke heart (slightly tasteless, sorry Circa). My goat cheese and sundried tomato ravioli weirdly fell apart, the pasta being too dry. The cream sauce was choking and the sautéed mushrooms were decent. The panna cotta was tasty if a bit too sweet, and although cute, the dried fruit and nut tart was just plain odd.
For dinner, I met up with Sai and her fiancé Azan, and we headed to Culver City for Korean food at Gi____. DELICIOUS! Ventilation was built into the bbq grill! Lots of kimchi, pickled cucumbers, salad, veggies! Scrumptiously seasoned beef and chicken. And lots of it. YUUUM! And the most un-cumin-y cumin pear bread pudding. Ehh?
Saturday
I drove in LA. Yes I, Kiyomi Laura Hayashida drove in LA. Scary thought huh? Actually I’m a great driver, although all too slow and cautious for Amy’s LA standards. I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of driving through the city streets at 50mph, fifteen miles over the speed limit. No thank you.
Where did this driving take me? Well to the Annenberg Space for Photography, which as a cool albeit small photographic journalism exhibit. What was the most amazing experience though was the parking garage. I couldn’t find where I was supposed to park, so I parked a few LOOONG blocks away and then walk (unheard of!) to the building. I couldn’t figure out how to get to it, since I was on the side street, so I went into the parking garage (that’s where I was supposed to park) and tried to find my way up. It was eerie. Desolate, unmanned cars, dark corners, garage noises. This structure was immense. I got completely lost in the story after story of parking garage. I wish I had busted out my camera to document my experience. After actually making it up to the photo space and then amazingly finding my way back to Amy in a very roundabout, lost way, I picked up Amy, and we took off to 3rd Street promenade. Who knew that California’s sales tax is almost 10%?? I didn’t. Sorry, CA, I’m going to spend my money in NY!
Dinner was at a Peruvian Chinese place that serves horchata! The fried calamari, shrimp, fish platter with sautéed purple onions and lemon was amazing, and the chicken, veggie, fries dish wasn’t half bad. Better than most of what I ate in Peru (sorry Peru). But then again Peru had the most amazing street meet and potato on a stick and 15 cent tamales! How can you go wrong with that.
Sunday
OOPS! We woke up around noon and caught a bus to the Getty Center, which is perch up on a hill, overlooking LA. Currently on exhibit is Irving Penn’s Small Trades, Penn who incidentally passed away a few weeks ago. These photos were all about capturing the characters of these Parisian, Londoner, New Yorker workers. Clothes define a man, but a man is a man dressed or undressed.
Dinner with my cousin at Hide (that is Hee-De (long e, short e, not hide and seek)). We sat at the sushi bar and had our own personal chef for the meal. I discovered the wonders of Uni, creamy, buttery, melt in your mouth uni. Think salmon and avocado in one!!! The giant clam was pretty damn good too.
I have to say, I forgot how good the food is in California. Especially the Mexican and Japanese and Asian food. Damn. So good.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Vagabond Weekend in the Bay Area
Two weekends ago, I flew up to the Motherland--El Cerrito, CA. Okay okay, I flew into SFO and crashed with my friend Maya in North Beach (the vagabond thing to do), and then headed to the East Bay to see my family.
Thursday
After a quick hour flight, I landed in SFO, caught a cab with a crazy driver, and found my way to Beach Blanket Babylon Ave (aka Green Street). After sipping on an Italian soda at The Cigar Bar & Grill, which incidently didn't seem to have cigars. The pizza smelled good, but I was saving my stomach for dinner with Maya.
Mistake. I guess we didn't think it through when we decided to go for Mexican food in North Beach, but it was nasty. Naaasty, and not in the good (?) way. On the plus side, on the way to the 'restaurant', we passed Al's Attire, the amazingly awesome place where I got my black and cream striped coat. And NOW THEY MAKE SHOES!!! After taking the long way back to Maya's apartment, through the shadowed streets on North Beach, we popped in a movie, and I passed out in a matter of minutes.
Friday
Waking up early to head to the SF Office, I realized that I left my suit and linen and silk skirt in the HOTEL CLOSET! OOPS! But a croissant aux amandes at La Boulange perked me right up for my 1.3 mile walk. Lunch at Cafe Madeleine (watery cesar salad), more work, and then I headed to the Sunset with my parents and Maya in tow for Eritrean/Ethiopian food at the New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar. The food was not on par with the Ethiopean restos in DC, but it did the job. Then off the El Cerrito.
Saturday
Waking up early for work definitely has rubbed off on my weekend. I woke up before 9 (on a Saturday!). I drove (on the Freeway! which was congested and sloooow going) to Emeryville to check out an exhibit of local artists. A berry shake with an old friend in Berkeley, and then over the bridge again to play poker in SF.
I WON $14!! Not bad for a $10 pot =D I love poker. Sigh I friendly poker games, burgers, potato chips, fun!
Sunday
Slow day, a big Chinese Sunday dinner. MMM
The Cigar Bar & Grill
850 Montgomery Street
(at Gold St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-0850
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cigarbarandgrill.com&src_bizid=8rwcx4ZwW_tEj4onnXnEiw&cachebuster=1255495540
Al’s Attire
1314 Grant Ave
(between Green St & Vallejo St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 693-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alsattire.com&src_bizid=BTX6qIRXyT1JVym6t-v_pw&cachebuster=1255496004
Café Madeline
300 California St
(between Battery St & Sansome St)
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 362-3332
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cafemadeleinesf.com&src_bizid=SOZuFpNqQTD5XprPD5XeVw&cachebuster=1255496222
New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar
907 Irving St
(between 10th Ave & 11th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-1288
http://www.neweritrearestaurant.blogspot./com
Thursday
After a quick hour flight, I landed in SFO, caught a cab with a crazy driver, and found my way to Beach Blanket Babylon Ave (aka Green Street). After sipping on an Italian soda at The Cigar Bar & Grill, which incidently didn't seem to have cigars. The pizza smelled good, but I was saving my stomach for dinner with Maya.
Mistake. I guess we didn't think it through when we decided to go for Mexican food in North Beach, but it was nasty. Naaasty, and not in the good (?) way. On the plus side, on the way to the 'restaurant', we passed Al's Attire, the amazingly awesome place where I got my black and cream striped coat. And NOW THEY MAKE SHOES!!! After taking the long way back to Maya's apartment, through the shadowed streets on North Beach, we popped in a movie, and I passed out in a matter of minutes.
Friday
Waking up early to head to the SF Office, I realized that I left my suit and linen and silk skirt in the HOTEL CLOSET! OOPS! But a croissant aux amandes at La Boulange perked me right up for my 1.3 mile walk. Lunch at Cafe Madeleine (watery cesar salad), more work, and then I headed to the Sunset with my parents and Maya in tow for Eritrean/Ethiopian food at the New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar. The food was not on par with the Ethiopean restos in DC, but it did the job. Then off the El Cerrito.
Saturday
Waking up early for work definitely has rubbed off on my weekend. I woke up before 9 (on a Saturday!). I drove (on the Freeway! which was congested and sloooow going) to Emeryville to check out an exhibit of local artists. A berry shake with an old friend in Berkeley, and then over the bridge again to play poker in SF.
I WON $14!! Not bad for a $10 pot =D I love poker. Sigh I friendly poker games, burgers, potato chips, fun!
Sunday
Slow day, a big Chinese Sunday dinner. MMM
The Cigar Bar & Grill
850 Montgomery Street
(at Gold St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 398-0850
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cigarbarandgrill.com&src_bizid=8rwcx4ZwW_tEj4onnXnEiw&cachebuster=1255495540
Al’s Attire
1314 Grant Ave
(between Green St & Vallejo St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 693-9900
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alsattire.com&src_bizid=BTX6qIRXyT1JVym6t-v_pw&cachebuster=1255496004
Café Madeline
300 California St
(between Battery St & Sansome St)
San Francisco, CA 94104
(415) 362-3332
http://www.yelp.com/biz_redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cafemadeleinesf.com&src_bizid=SOZuFpNqQTD5XprPD5XeVw&cachebuster=1255496222
New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar
907 Irving St
(between 10th Ave & 11th Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-1288
http://www.neweritrearestaurant.blogspot./com
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