I Literally Run this City.

San Francisco is great for so many things and depending on who you ask, the answer is almost always different. Some love the food, others the culture. People will argue the weather is best, yet still some will say the views. I think for me, it's the combination of it all. I've started killing two birds with one stone (if you will) and running to SF landmarks thus knocking out taking advantage of the beautiful weather and still seeing as much of the city as possible.

This past Saturday, I ran from China Beach across the Golden Gate Bridge and back again. I've driven across it a few times, but there's nothing like running across it (except maybe biking or walking, obviously). I wasn't rushed trying to take a picture through a sunroof which made it much less stressful (yes - it happens literally every time I drive across it). Then Sunday, it was WAY too nice to just go to the gym so I did another running day - this time out to Ocean Beach. It's one of my favorite routes as most of it is through the stunning Golden Gate Park. Regardless, here are a few pictures from my adventure. Enjoy!

Let the Rain Fall Down...

I don't know why I'm so excited considering I bike for part of my commute to work everyday, but I'm thrilled that we're finally starting to get some rain. It's not that I'm necessarily "sick of" the perfect weather CA has to offer. No offense - I just want to wear my rain gear. Above are the two looks I've worn the TWO days it's rained in the past (essentially) 3 months. Please - don't mind the selfie...

1. J.Crew trench, chambray shirt from The Gap, H&M half zip, J.Crew jeans, L.L.Bean 8 hole Duck boots, vintage infinity scarf

2. Levi's jean shirt, Levi's sweater, Uniqlo rain jacket, J.Crew jeans, Hunter boots

Work, Lately

Hello my friends! OMG it's been forever!

I've been incredibly busy recently as I just transitioned roles from a Client Services Consultant onsite at EA to a Senior CSC onsite and Rambus and Synopsys. It's a great promotion and I absolutely love my new manager and clients. However...there are a few perks that I've had to learn to live without since leaving EA: onsite gym, shuttle from San Francisco down to the peninsula, lavish cafeteria, and...cute people. Now, I bike 3 miles in the morning to Caltrain which I take from San Francisco to Mountain View. Then from the train station, I bike another 3 miles to whichever client site at which I'm sitting that day. I've got it down to one hour and twenty minutes door to door, though Cute.

I've said this before, but now that I have so much time on the train each day I'm going to be much better at posting on a more regular basis. Talk soon!

Ryde or Die

I literally cannot. (Of course I mean "literally" in it's nontraditional, but it's "still in the dictionary as "figuratively", but to prove a point" sense.)

Roughly 15 of my SF friends and I drove over to the Easy Bay to Ryde, CA for a "glamping" weekend. I say glamping rather than camping because we stayed in a country estate rather than tent, ate top quality, homemade meals rather than pork'n'bean out of the can, and had like 13 toilets to choose from rather than...I don't know. Like...a bush? It was absolutely insanity from the second we arrived. Spirits were high, tank tops were in abundance, and the liquor (especially Fireball?) was was flowing. Mornings usually started with a shot of Bullet bourbon accompanied by scrambled eggs, homemade hashbrowns, sausage and bacon. That let into total jock life realness activities including full team volleyball, throwing the football, kicking the soccer ball,...rage cage and survivor flip cup. In all honestly, it looked like we were filming an episode of Fratpad.

Basically, is was my favorite weekend thus far in San Francisco. I had a chance to meet and bond with some absolutely incredible guys and build relationships that I otherwise would not have had the chance to. #rydeordie!

Things that happened:
- Sat on the curb drinking slurpies we mixed with alcohol
- Changed into tanks and jean shorts (SF gay rummer uniform) in a gas station parking lot - got some looks
- Jump danced in lawn (4 am) while Vogueing with two speaker balls
- Jump danced in the house
- Man, I feel like a Woman!
- I came in like a wrecking ball. Literally. (don't ask)
- Piano and acapella sing along sessions
- Bonfires and s'mores (yassss)
- Late night pond swimming/kicks to the face
- Multiple trips for more alcohol (you should have seen what we started with, too)
- Apple pie from scratch WITH ice cream (I had 3 servings)

I Got Naked

Oh yes. Katherine (my closest friend in SF) and I went to Baker Beach this past Saturday. Baker Beach has a nude section and we though - no offense, but I mean...why not? I think it was the most liberating thing I've ever done. There's nothing quite like being naked in front of a bunch of strangers (especially when a group of Asian tourists walk by).

We started the day in Hayes Valley (clothed) for Ritual coffee and pastries from La Boulange. While there, we decided to be tourists in our own city and visit Coit Tower in Telegraph Hill. The views are AMAZING from there. There, it was obvious that the weather was just too nice to not get a little tan, so Baker Beach it was. We stopped for snacks and headed out. The day was everything and the night was just absurd. I don't know how I found myself at the top of a hill overlooking the whole city in Noe drinking from a bottle of champagne in my underwear with my best friends...but there I was. Basically - best Saturday ever.

Am I a Vegetarian?

The answer is no. BUT I am making a conscious effort to eat less meat. Honestly, I really don't eat too much red meat, but I was eating chicken twice a day which, after a while, got old. So as a challenge to myself, I'm cutting all that out - at least for a while. So what's for dinner these days? Pan seared tofu and peaches, and fresh avocado. Literally - SO GOOD.

Stinson Beach

Saturday morning, I was just in the middle of saying that I'll never drink again when some friends texted saying we're going to Stinson beach for the day. #getinloserweregoingshopping After squeezing into the car, it was windows down, Gay Top 40 blasting (and a few show tunes and Disney, obviously), and enjoying the stunning views along the drive. It was everything.

Activities included: throwing the frisbee, playing football, basket tossing each other into the ocean (yep), playing cards, scaling rocks while managing to hold on to our wine because we're professional alcoholics, buying more wine, and swan diving into waves. 

Run with a View

Well it's been a while. What's new? Everything. San Francisco has continued to treat me well. It seems like every weekend gets better than the last. Trips to the Russian River, Penthouse watching, Napa visits, and meeting/getting closer to some of the best people I've ever met. Per usual, one of the things I make a point to do every weekend is go on a 5+ mile run and explore different parts of the city. Recently, I've been loving my runs in Noe, Cole Valley, and Hayes Valley. They're much more quaint/family oriented than Castro or The Mission (especially Noe). This picture is from on my favorite spots to stop and take a breather. I need it almost every time as I have to go up (what seems like) a million miles of obnoxiously steep hills to get there.

Big Sur

 

 

Saturday, Kat, Matt, Adam, (my 3 closest friends in SF) and I drove (well...I drove) 2.5 hours south(ish) to enjoy a sunny day in Big Sur. As it turn out, it wasn't all that sunny, but we still LOVED it. These getaway weekends are kind of becoming our thing. How could we not take advantage of the opportunities all around San Francisco proper? Too much beauty, too little time.

Big Sur (per Wiki):

Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big country of the south", referring to its location south of the Monterey Peninsula. The terrain offers stunning views, making Big Sur a popular tourist destination. Big Sur's Cone Peak is the highest coastal mountain in the contiguous 48 states, ascending nearly a mile (5,155 feet/1571 m) above sea level, only three miles (4.8 km) from the ocean.

Ballet in Stern Grove

As part of the Stern Grove Festival, Kat and I attended a free, outdoor ballet this past Sunday in Stern Grove instead of attending SF's Dore Alley festivities (Google at your own risk). Per Stern Grove Website:

Stern Grove Festival Association is a non-profit cultural organization committed to providing the people of the Bay Area with admission-free access to diverse performing arts.

Every year since 1938, the organization presents Stern Grove Festival, an admission-free performing arts series, in Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco.

It was so romantic, and moving forward will become a regular date spot. Even in the middle of July, Kat and I bundled up prepping for the low 60 degree weather, grabbed coffee and a blanket, and eventually found a spot way up in the hills (we showed up a little late - only 45 minute before the ballet began). Yes, we had to duck under trees and branches, but I think that made the experience that much more fun. Yet another example of one of the many offerings this city has. Love.

TMN STYLE: Napa Pool Day

Saturday, Adam and Kat picked me up in the morning before heading to Napa for a day of pooling, relaxing, drinking fancy wine (not that fancy), and eating. Before I contorted myself into the tiny back seat of her mini (along with Adam's guitar) I couldn't help myself - I had to take a picture of Adam's outfit. Essentially, he was serving everything-I-want-to-look-like realness. There was really nothing special about it (sorry, Adam) but I found beauty in simplicity. Easy, vintage, light wash Levi's cut-offs, a muted coral tank, and a basic sweatshirt complete with your standard white Chucks gave a casual but pulled-together look. Top it off with a SF Giants flat-billed hat, and he was good to go. Perfect.

San Francisco Symphony

This past Sunday, the SF Symphony serenaded Dolores Park with their truly magical sounds. Then again, this is coming from someone who their warm ups were actual songs. Literally, they were just making noise. #nailedit. Katherine, Matt, Adam, and I met up with a few friends, threw down blankets, de-layered (the temperature warmed up what seems like 20 degrees after the clouds dissipated), and enjoyed the show. Free, fun, outdoor things like this really make me appreciate living in a city that's nearly bursting with culture and diversity. I love it.

TMN STYLE: 30 Under 30

Last night, Katherine and I met up with our friend, Adam, to attend a 30 Under 30 party. Other than that fact that it was swanky as shit, you needed to be on a list, and free cocktails were involved, I honestly don't know too, too much about it. I will say this - everyone TURNED. IT. OUT. Staying in the Castro bubble, it's easy to forget that people still dress up, hipster out, and w.e.r.k.

In a sea of ombre hair, high buns and bangs, bold lips, and printed rompers stood Katherine (per usual) in a league of her own. Here's the breakdown of her threads:

Shirt: Forever 21
Pants: American Apparel
Clutch: Vintage Haight St. Find
Bracelet: from Jeremy's (high end thrift)
Ring: Tiffany's
Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Well that was a weekend...

Okay - I know this has pictures from a night out which I usually reserve for Facebook, but I couldn't help sharing.

Joe, one of my best friends from Louisiana, is in town visiting for a few days and we decided to start his visit off BIG. It was one of those nights that began with a few drinks at HiTops, my favorite Castro bar that...somehow ended up with Joe, me, and my three best friends in the city dancing until 5:30am at a questionable establishment in SOME called The End Up. Literally, it was nonstop dancing from 2 until 5:30. Like - I know how ridiculous that sounds, but you know how it is. ANYthing can be fun if you're with the right people. What I really loved most was what happened after: We thought it would be a good idea to run to Safeway, wait for 10 minutes until 6:00 when we could buy champagne (see the picture of Katherine (above) perusing the isles to waste time), and head to Dolores Park to watch the sunrise. It. Was. Everything. Granted, I'm a little tired after not sleeping at all, but it was totally worth it. This city...I just can't.