After a month in San Francisco

I would say that it's sunny San Francisco, but it's been mostly cloudy while I've been here.  Why didn't anyone tell me that the city is not perpetually sunny and warm as it appears in all the postcards?

I suppose it's my own fault for not having done the proper due diligence.  As of right now, the jury's still out as to whether I enjoy living out here.  The one big plus so far: Asian food is everywhere, and it's of very decent quality.

Some other observations:

• There are a lot of Russians, or Russian-speakers here.  It started with four or five Russian-speaking women in the Newark Liberty International terminal, and now every day I can hear Russian being spoken on the street.
• Walking through Chinatown here is almost exactly like walking through parts of Hong Kong or Taipei.  Everyone is speaking Chinese and people are everywhere.
• Cost of living here is the same or higher than New York City.  Amazing.  
• Walking up the hills in the city is not as much fun as I imagined.

One thing is for sure, if I move out here I'm definitely going to need a car.  This ZipCar business isn't cutting it.  

The evolution of toilet paper preferences

When I was a wee lad, I swore by orienting the toilet paper so the paper would hang from the back.  'There is no other way!' I thought.  

However, sometime in the last ten to fifteen years I have done an about-face.  Now, I much prefer the toilet paper oriented with the paper hanging from the front.  It just seems better.

I guess this is like how I hated ginger as a child, but I kind of like it now.  

Roll Bounce

I met a nice girl from Taiwan a few weeks ago, and have had a few dates.  Problem is, I can't seem to find a way to convert, maybe because my hints are too subtle/wimpy or because Taiwan/Asian culture is more nuanced or conservative or something.  Usually I don't have to work too hard, girls just throw themselves at me.  Ok, now that you all have had a laugh... (I didn't say that girls I am attracted to throw themselves at me...)

So for last night's date, I thought, let's go roller skating!  It will be fun, carefree and of course, an excuse to hold hands or something while I gallantly keep her from breaking her hips.  

We roll up to the rink (pun intended) and it kinda looks shady.  It's in the middle of nowhere, kind of off on a side road.  Pretty dark.  We get inside, and it's 99% African-American.  Ok-- now, there is nothing wrong with this, and I am certainly used to it as a former inner city schoolteacher.  However, I can only imagine what is going on through my date's mind.  1st, she's from Taiwan, and Black people are so few and far between there that when you see someone, you ask to have your picture taken with them.  2nd, it's all kids and teenagers.  

So it's hormones flying, boys trying to be tough, girls trying to be cool/sexy.  Also a lot of showing off going on, so there are bodies flying and sliding all over the floor.  Not to mention, little toddlers just learning how to skate going every which way (fortunately, you can avoid them by them going through your legs).  And not only that, but everyone is skating in groups of 10-20, entering and exiting the floor in a pack.  If you can imagine this, then you can see how dangerous this might be for someone who is not good at roller skating.  Which describes my date perfectly.  

We spent about an hour, hour and a half there.  I think mostly to be polite.  How would it have looked if we just turned tail and left?  Personally, I was comfortable, but I felt uncomfortable for her.  She was adamant about staying, so we did.  But in the end, I think it was a decent time and she probably learned how to skate a lot better due to all the flying obstacles.  Plus, I made up for it later, if you know what I mean.  With Cookout.  Supposed to be the In-n-Out of the South.  You can judge for yourself next time you all visit.

Oh, and "roll bounce"?  Yes-- we saw some guys who worked at the rink do backflips and kip-ups in their skates.  Daaaaamn.

Wasting time

Why is it so much easier to waste time when you have important things to do?  When I have nothing to do, I'm bored out of my mind.  Yet, when I have something pressing or some sort of deadline, I can find an infinite number of ways to entertain myself.

Latest achievement

'Bacon Candy'

1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 lb. thin sliced bacon

Coat bacon in brown sugar on both sides, just as much as will stick.  Place strips on crumpled aluminum foil on a baking sheet or shallow pan to allow fat to drain.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 min per side until golden brown, broil at end for extra crisp bacon.

It is truly one of the most delicious things I have tasted. 

My best purchases to date

For 2007, my best purchase was a used washer/dryer set in great condition, looks fairly new, for $100.

I'm so glad that I got the w/d since there's nothing better than fresh-out-of-the-dryer underwear, and the convenience that goes along with it.  

I still remember the days when Tedd and I would schlepp our laundry to the laundromat on weekends by car, or carrying it to Plex in a jam.  I'm amazed that I put up with the inconvenience. I mean, it's almost like making my own sandwich. Who does that anymore?

Second best purchase: 20 pack box of Shin Ramyun.  Damn Koreans know how to make an instant noodle. 

Current Status

Pantry: 

1 box of spaghetti

1 box of penne

1 jar of pasta sauce

1 box of stuffing

3 boxes of granola bars

2 boxes of oatmeal packets

1 family-size box of honey bunches of oats

2 bags of chips

8 lbs. of haribo gummi bears

1 jar of peanut butter

Refrigerator:

half a quart of milk

sweet relish

1 summer sausage

1 block of cracker barrel cheese

orange juice

2 eggs

beer

wine

Freezer:

1 package of hotdogs

1 econo-size box of johnsonville brats

1 package of thomas' english muffins

1 loaf of whole wheat bread

1 carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream

1 package of frozen dumplings

1 box of jalepeno poppers