I thought I hated spiders...

If you asked me last year (before my new country living lifestyle), I would say that my most disliked bug would be the spider.  Not so much the tiny-bodied-long-legged spider that you might see in the corner of the living room, but the BIG-bodied-short-legged spider that you would see in the shower which you try (with terror) to kill with the shower head by running it down the drain.

That was before I met the ant colony. 

When I used to see the stray, straggler ant, I would maybe lead it to a piece of paper and fling it out the window.  I would not squish it. (Nor would I squish spiders. Not that I thought a terrifying chase and ultimate death by drowning was more humane... I just got squeamish.)  Boy how the story is different now.  I quickly got over the squishing part after maybe the second or third ant invasion.  I think it was when they got to my newly purchased local organic honey.  I Windex-ed the life out of them and when they would try to escape, I would squish them with my BARE hands.  And I would roll them between my fingers to confirm the kill.

Now I understand why they are referred to as an "army of ants."  They really are.  And even if you made sure that everything you have is closed up and in zip lock bags, they still manage to find the one place you missed and invite they whole army to invade.  Like my bag of Mission brand restaurant style tortilla rounds that I reached for the VERY NEXT DAY of opening the brand new bag to finish up leftover (delicious) shredded chicken nacho toppings.  At first I thought that it was cracked pepper.  Until I saw them moving.

Actual photos of that event would be too graphic for this blog.  More innocuous photo below.

My Neighborhood: List#2

Okay.  There are still 7 more days until my lease officially ends at my Polk Street neighborhood place, but I'm planning to be completely packed and moved this Sunday.  THIS Sunday.  So really, it's only 3 more days...

Time for another Neighborhood List (since I can still now officially call it my 'hood)!

1. Polkers: Although they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I think of it mainly as a breakfast place.  The menu is not unique and has very simple ingredients, but it never fails to hit the spot.  I usually get the Denver Omelet, which I consider my side because I focus on their potatoes which are cooked to perfection every time.  I consider ordering just a side of potatoes for my entire breakfast each time I go, but I don't, for fear of judgement. 
2. Russian Hill Bookstore:  I've never purchased a book here, but I have purchased countless cards.  They have such a wide variety and a nice selection of letterpressed ones.  I come here when I need a card, and even when just browsing (often when waiting for a table at Polker's, which is right next door), find a reason for sending one.
3. Eclipse Hair Salon:  Gary and his team are fantastic.  And fantastically fast.  I can be in and out with a fresh new haircut in 30 minutes (including wash, cut, and style).  Do not think that they are being rushy rushy or cutting (ha!) corners, they are just that good.  He does compliment himself as he's cutting my hair, "Wow... this is so good.  Wonderful.  Just wonderful." and as I get up to leave and say thank you to him, he says, "Yes, you're welcome. That is a great haircut.  Really, very good."  But hey, he lives up to his own hype!
4. Starbucks:  Yes, I know.  This is a (rather gigantic) chain.  But the one on Polk and Vallejo feels like a family joint.  I used to go everyday since I walked right passed it on my way to my (former) office so they knew my name and drink (tall coffee in a grande cup), but even now, when I go mayyybe once a month on the weekends, they still remember!  It makes me feel special.  :)
5. Smoke Signals:  Isn't that a cute name for a newsstand?!  They carry newspapers and magazines from more (wayyy more) countries than I can name which came in very handy during my slight obsession with the royal wedding when I would go in to stock up on Hello! and OK! magazines.  And I did cave and got this a few times too.  To people in this neighborhood:  Please come and support this place for your newspaper and magazine needs.

(not so) Public Open Spaces

It may appear that downtown San Francisco, especially in FiDi, doesn't have the option of parks for outdoor seating.  Looks can be deceiving - there are several areas where you can go and have a quick lunchtime picnic.  These places, called POPOS (Privately Owned Public Open Spaces) are wonderful little escapes, but are not very well publicized.  Maybe on purpose, which I don't mind.  No offense, tourists.

To take advantage of the nice warm weather yesterday, I went for a lunchtime picnic with coworkers on the sun terrace of 343 Sansome.

On our way there, I realized how unique this city is.  Not only to have things like outdoor garden seating in select skyscrapers open to the public and cable cars which are the "obvious" city things.  But what about the not-so-obvious?  I wonder if I will come across the following in my new town...




Advanced and confusing options for throwing away trash.
I think someone will get a non-recyclable plastic fork in their recycled paper cup from me someday.



A line zigzagged inside, out the door, and wrapped around the corner for delicious, but over $10 organic salads.

 

Garbage Day

Garbage day is Tuesday morning.  I've never been a fan (to say the least).  I'm actually hoping to retire that chore after moving in with PD... Anyway, I digress.

I took out the garbage last night and dare I say, really enjoyed it.  I carried the smelly garbage bags down our dark and creaky staircase to the garage, and dropped them in the black plastic bin (our has white graffiti on it) with my arm stretched out and my head turned far away as possible while holding my breath.

As I rolled the bins out the garage and up the alley to the sidewalk, I noticed the full-ish looking moon and a happy group chatting as they were leaving the Italian restaurant across the alley from me.  I paused and took it all in, right next to the smelly trash bins, and felt really lucky.

I felt really lucky to be able to take out the trash in such a charming little spot.  As I headed back towards the open garage door, I almost decided that it wasn't that bad.  But came to my senses quickly and ran back in to scrub my hands with soap.  It was a one-time slip.  Taking out the garbage is still gross.

Average Friday

Friday night.  San Francisco.
This past Friday:

• After work, and this amazing bootcamp class, I walked over to the 30x bus stop to head over to Zushi Puzzle where I was meeting my roommate D for dinner.
• Getting on the bus, I see my old roommates Y and C (who also ran in to each other randomly on the bus).
• Zushi Puzzle is only 1.5 blocks from C's place, and I was running a tad early so we hung out there for a bit.
• I met up with D and we splurged on an amazing sashimi omasake dinner (with a few bottles of Sapporo to boot) in celebration of, well, just life ... milestones, changes to come, and the general awesomeness of our friendship.
• After dinner, we decided that we needed even more of a treat, so we taxied over to Swensen's for some ice cream and wrapped up our night walking home, with ice cream cones in hand.

Each bullet point is not that significant (okay, the omasake was kinda fabulous).  But together makes for a perfect night, that just can't be recreated. 

My Neighborhood: List#1

Polk Street, San Francisco.

For the past 4+ years (4 years, 1 month, and 10 days to be exact), California St to Union St has been my cozy little ‘hood.  And now I only have 21 days left.

I have really loved (more like LOOOOOVED) everything this place has to offer.  It makes living in a big city like San Francisco warm and cozy – like a friendly little town.

Some local places I’ll miss.  In random order and definitely not comprehensive.

1. Cheese Plus:  I have my local cheese shop where they have a fabulous selection of local cheeses as well as freshly made sandwiches (Willie Bird, anyone?), wines, flowers, and snacks.  What I appreciate most is the friendly and very knowledgable staff who provide the best advice from which type of cheese and wine would make the best fondue to which treats to bring for dessert for a dinner party that are sure to be a hit.  Also, they let you sample the cheese before you buy.  And they give very generous sample sizes.  And lots of them, too.
2. Tai Chi:  One of the two default take-out places I visit on my way home from work when I need some good comfort food while watching my DVR-ed shows of the day on the couch.  My usual: General Tso’s Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice with brown rice.
3. Little Thai:  Now called T2J (not sure what that stands for).  My other default take-out place.  Pumpkin Curry with chicken and a side of brown rice.
4. La Boulange de Polk:  Excellent.  I repeat, excellent bread and pastries.  Can’t mess up french toast when you use their challah bread. 
• *Flashback* I was there one evening catching up over coffee and a tart with a former coworker and lost track of time.  by the time we noticed, it was 15 minutes past their closing time and not only did they not pressure us to leave, but as we headed out, we got offered us a giant shopping bag of bread and croissants galore from the day!  both a blessing and a curse – delicious goodies, but i totally overdosed on those oh-so-tempting carbs for an entire week!
5. The Jug Shop: Think independently owned BevMo where the staff is passionate and knowledgable about the alcohol they sell.  They gave me great tips on which kind of tequilla to use to make margaritas with, that when making mulled wine I should just go for the giant, very inexpensive jug (yes, they actually downsold me on my wine), and special ordered for me two cases of this fantastic beer I had when I visited Texas.

Numbers 1-5, I promise I will not take you forgranted for the next 21 days.



Window displaying awards at Tai Chi... How awesome is it that my default take out place is famous!
And they don't use MSG.



Condiment selection at La Boulange.