Rainy Days and Mondays

Today was the 100th running of Bay to Breakers. Don't be fooled by the legit runners featured on the home page. While Kenyans probably won the race (haven't checked yet), mostly the news around here centers on the lack of port-o-potties, insane costumes and people that insist on urinating in other people's yards or vomiting in the street. I thought about going for approximately two-nanoseconds. Crowds and costumes and drunkards just cause my anxiety to go through the roof. Also, I must be getting old because a very long evening on Friday (complete with being a spectator for a bar fight and a scavenger hunt) apparently wiped out my energy for the rest of the weekend. Awesome.

Instead, I met a friend for a phenomenal brunch at a place called Toast. The MUNI bus driver on the way there decided to abandon his route before it was finished, which was a little odd but it let me walk an extra block before devouring a few bloody Marys and some awesome eggs Florentine. Apparently I have no ability to order stuff from the healthier portion of the menu. Following brunch, we enjoyed a pleasant, windy walk to Sundance Cinemas to see Bridesmaids. Hilarious. Seriously - go see this movie.

This weekend was also my first adventure into Marin County. I met a friend with a plan to hike to the ocean on the Tennessee Mill Valley trail but had to change routes last minute due to a ban on pets on that particular trail. What's the point of heading out on a hike if I can't take Pax with me? Still, we ended up hiking a pretty awesome and strenuous 3mile loop. The views around here are just amazing. I'm going to make a point to head over to Marin more often.

Did I mention that after taking Pax to the park on Sunday afternoon I saw Pac-Man, Superman, 80's dance crew and a man in a unitard? Yep - just another day along the Bay.

Down By The Water

I guess part of the goal of our new blog was to showcase the awesomeness of various parts of the United States. I think all members of the Coastal Brothers and Sisters clan have serious desires to see (and possibly take over) the world but the truth is we're doing a pretty good job of valiantly exploring various areas in our own homeland. Side note: I plan on attending the Norwegian Festival on Sunday. Something tells me that I won't stick out as much as I did during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown. Plus, I might get to meet the curling team from Norway. Totally worth the $12 entry fee.

But I digress. Now that it is light outside for a few hours after work, I've been taking advantage of the incredible location of my apartment to hit the trails with Pax after work. A typical trail is one in the Presidio called Mountain Lake. I usually pick it up about a mile from my house and run/walk/rulk until I get to Inspiration Point. These pictures aren't mine (thank you Google Images) but I thought you deserved to see what I get to see anytime I choose. This first one is the one from Inspiration Point. That's Alcatraz over in the Bay. Pax loves this spot too. He jumps over that concrete wall and then expects me to come save him and lift him back over. He is so demanding. He is also getting a little old - but more on that in future posts.

I hope that I don't get in trouble for including these pictures. You all know that I do not have the patience to learn the nuances of a camera. I am looking toward putting a canvas back in my apartment so that I can start painting again. Right. That one will come along the same time as my book of short stories. How cool is this image though? How crazy is it that I get to view spaces as cool as this whenever I want? I mean, technically I have to wait until the fog clears, which is pretty rare, but still. Unbelievable. Every Day this is available to me. I live a blessed life.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Blog managers LDL and LTD have reminded me many times that I've been a slacker on the blog postings. I have no defense.

One of my favorite things about California has been the complete access to outdoor space. I live within 3 blocks of a pretty decent sized park full of stairs for outdoor workouts, tennis courts (as soon as I find a partner) and plenty of mud puddles for Pax. Also nearby, is a giant area of land owned by the National Park Service. Sometimes, when I'm feeling super charged after work (so, not that often). I take Pax for a run through the Presidio. Usually we head down to Chrissy Field where he can play in the surf until his tail falls off. Typically these kinds of outings end with me waiting for him to drag himself up the hills on the way home. I think he's getting old.

One of my least favorite things about living in California is being so far away from my nephew. He is just the coolest new toy ever (he thinks the same of me). Recently, I got to spend some quality time with Peter man while his parents were busy moving boxes. Luckily we had some serious tunes (thank you iphone and Pandora!). Plus, his mom brought us Chick-fil-a for lunch. We danced and danced and danced. I'm pretty sure he does think I am a toy. We laughed for a good ten minutes at absolutely nothing. Just the sound of the other one laughing was enough to set us off.

Other than that, I'm just doing my best to stay warm and dry and try to meet some new people. I've definitely got prospects but being friendly all the time is exhausting! I've been to a handful of new places for lunches, brunches, dinners and happy hours. I've spent time with my co-workers after business hours. I've gotten in touch with old friends from camp and college and I have to say, I've been pretty lucky with the big transition out west. "There's just too much to see waiting in front of me. . ."

Next time I'll have to post about some of the bizarre things that come from being an enginerd desperate to break from the cubicle. . .