where to begin? (actually it's all we've been doing...beginning.)

There's no logical place to begin to catch up on EVERYTHING that has been going on as we settle into our new lives. Needless, to say, we continue to "deal" with the people here. Crazy how the mentality of culture is so different. I remember the biggest lesson from getting to stay in Rome for any extended amount of time being something all together different: "Wow...even an ocean apart, a different language, and extraordinarily diverse histories and nothing is really different--just humanity...living." Perhaps it is the expectation of same-ness that throws the wrench into this hope for familiarity and the making of a place home. But, enough there... MANY good things have been unfolding despite our continuing grouchiness about San Franciscans, and in an uncharacteristic (at least for myself typically) superstitious mood I have avoided writing about the anticipation of any of them on the blog! But, now... it's pretty safe (cross your fingers here [x], please).

First, we sold the car! Yeah...in the space of one week, we "smog-checked" it (Cali is "great" for keeping close tabs on emissions...not so much for keeping tabs on jerks...maybe we could suggest a "jerk-check" to go along with all the other crazy paperwork and hoops you have to jump through at the DMV to register a car...but then...who would be driving??), registered in CA, posted it again on Craig's List...and WHAM! This guy called, we showed it to him on a Saturday and passed the keys off on Tuesday. Acutally, it was the same day that I got a call from Kuth/Ranieri Architects (www.kuthranieri.com) that wanted to hire me! Yeah...I GOT A JOB!

Other than these enormous life changes...we've been doing what we can to make our little haven a home. We spent less than $100 and got a full-size mattress and boxspring, a TV, a DVD player, 5 plates, 2 bowls, a broom, and even a vaccuum cleaner. Thank you Craig's List and Goodwill! We've been sitting on the floor so long now...I think we are becoming pretty accustomed to it. I don't think we would feel right sitting on a couch now, and the dog seems to like it alright :)


Let's see...we scored $5 tix to a Giant's game. Totally lucky. Of course, Eric was kickin the SC pride. "What? You don't know what this obscure little deer is on my hat?? It's only the State College Spikes...New York Penn League?? Oldest league in the nation?? Geez...Whatever, brah..."

Our seats were hell and gone from any type of view of the game but the park looked cool as the sun set and we realized we had a full wi-fi signal at ATT park for the iPhones!!! All was not lost that night!

While we save some dough on haircuts...we've (splurged??) on a SWEET new computer. That's right...I'm writing on this speed machine right now. We've been planning on a new Mac mini for about two months now, and BAM! We went into the Apple store and poor little Oscar (the sales guy there) was so disappointed we just wanted to buy the stupid thing and didn't have any questions...That's right. We're not so into the mindless, nicey chatter. On that note...

Mmmmm...it's OK...this is the new hipster look anyway! Quick- off to my fixed gear bike with my skin tight jeans, messenger bag strapped high and tight, shitty "old school" tatoos, and euro glasses...I have expensive coffee to drink and mediocre art to philosophise about!!!!
(unfortunatly there is only one of those things I don't have- tight jeans hurt my junk)

Oh- and just to make sure it isn't lost in Gretta's optimism- San Francisco blows...alot. And all the NASCAR races are listed at east coast time- If I wanted to do math every Sunday to figure out what time to watch them boys turn left for 3 hours I would have gone to a state school...again. Grrrrr. e

green grass syndrome...want to trade?!?

So, at this point it isn't a secret that California isn't really what I favor. It has been almost 2 months here and I feel like the place is revealing itself slowly- perhaps for the best.
SF is different from Marin County. Take the obliviousness of money and insulation from the "common" people and insert the same lack of personal space based upon urban situation and south american/asian backgrounds. For some reason it is easier to deal with people being rude by taking up the entire eisle at the grocery when it is attributable to their heritage. I think it has everything to do with why people suck and why they are just anoying. Marin people suck to deal with for the most part...city people are just anyoying.
The neighborhood is interesting. Gay as you can find- and interesting. Gretta and I are readying ourselves for the Folsom Street Fair in late September. You see, we don't seem to have tourists in the area- we have visitors making pilgramage to the center of thier lifestyle. I have to say- everyone is super nice to deal with and most of the clubs have something on the outside stating that they are responsible for the neighborhood or about being good people or not getting into the bar. Interestingly, if you were to visit us it might seem odd that there are no women around---this is boy land. Big, tuff, hairy, gay boys. I would hate to be some common street thug starting shit with some scrawny guy while his big partner is in the corner store watching...that would suck.
School is along the same lines as everything else. Disappointing. The facilitys are lacking in common equipment, the rules are piling up like never before, and you have to "check out a key" to use the darkroom. Anyone who would be reading this knows that I HATE to have resrtictions placed on when I can get things done. It may be a long two years or a quick few weeks...I can't imagine budging and don't think they will find me charming for pushing as hard as I do. So- there you have it.
California sucks.
SFAI is over priced and full of rules to keep things in order (not very revoltionary, at least in a good way)
The people suck.
Rich kids don't care about much- just looking cool for the first week of school.
Eric