It's been a little bit since I last wrote, but I seem to find that once I get up, catch the ferry, go into work, feel sufficiently like I know nothing about dental insurance, catch the ferry again, brave the 101 home and make dinner, there's very little left in terms of inspiration.
That being said, I realized today that I had failed to share with you the first of the mis-adventures. It all started with a rental car.
We did, if you recall, have a pretty nice Mustang rental car, which barely fit all the luggage. However, it was a better deal price wise to exchange the car mid-week, thus avoiding the week-long rate. Car number two ended up being a Chevy POS. I say that because I have no idea what this car was, but it was little and clearly powered by hamsters. Thus it was called the Hamster Wagon.
The Hamster Wagon had brakes that squealed and sometimes locked up. It also had no suspension. If you've ever driven on California roads you probably know that shocks are a good thing. All of this was nothing compared to the smell. Apparently one of the hamsters powering the car died at some point and the smell permeated the interior. This meant that you had to ride with the windows down. Sure, I could have traded it in, but that involved a trip from Marin County to the airport and that was not going to happen mid-week. So I braved the Hamster Wagon. And it was all made worthwhile when I picked up Matt in the horrid vehicle and he got to experience the squeal, shocks, and smell first hand.
By the way, in case you didn't know, when you get into such a terrible car, you simply have to make fun of it in order to bear it. So, we would usually say, "Hamster Wagon AWAY!!! Doodle-loodle-loo" (picture the old batman serial for that sound effect). Followed shortly by, "Oh, urgh, roll down the windows."
Thankfully, my car arrived on Monday, which led to the mis-adventure I was speaking of. Having a car delivered is like having someone come your house to put in cable. "We'll be there between 11 and 1." Sure, 11 and 1 in some other time zone maybe. In actuality, they came at 2:30.
The problem being we were attempting to meet them so I wasn't lounging at home waiting. Oh no. I'm cruising Oakland in the Hamster Wagon. I finally picked up Matt at his interview (which went well by the way) and we proceeded to the final destination to pick up the finally arriving car. So where's the mis-adventure you ask? The car was being delivered in West Oakland. In a place that I later found out is known for "violence and blight". It was a bit gritty. You have to picture, in your mind the worst neighborhood you've ever been in, and then picture me and Matt in a white Chevy Hamster Wagon circling the block waiting for a tractor trailer to pull up with my car. It was not one of our better moments. I kept thinking that we must be a sight to the locals. Actually they were probably thinking "what a horrible car they have there and what the heck are they doing here." (this might not be the correct phrasing...)
Ultimately, the car was safely delivered. And in point of fact we met the nice lady that lived in the neighborhood who was having her car delivered as well. Now, I'm not gonna sugar coat this, that neighborhood is bad news. I strongly suggest you not take a recreational trip through there in the wee hours of the morning. But just to give the story its full flavor, I must say you can meet nice people anywhere.
So, I have my car and learned where to park in the city and that it's expensive. I also can now state with all certainty that San Francisco and the surrounding areas have the most narrow lanes I have ever seen.
And I can report that the Hamster Wagon was returned.
We really wanted to leave a note in it that said:
"You've just rented the Hamster Wagon. This is the most horrible car ever made. It smells of something indescribably awful. The brakes squeal. Don't drive over rough roads. Good luck and God bless."
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Letting go of Perfection and Finding Perfection
As I tried to undertake another blog entry, I realized that following through with an actual web diary is difficult. Primarily because a new blog starts out with promise and then normally ends up with a resounding thud. So I started an entry and then started it again. And again. Then I gave myself a talking to about how this is not meant to be a perfect work of literature. So, I might as well get on with the imperfection.
Today's entry falls in the category of "let me catch you up on the mundane details".
We landed at Oakland's airport on Friday and were greeted with a rather overcast and chilly day. For those of you who haven't been to California, let me give you a piece of advice. Pack warmly. All those movies with babes in bikinis on sundrenched beaches are, in my opinion, a total figment of Hollywood's imagination. Maybe in southern california you can bounce around like a David Lee Roth video - although even in LA I think it's way too cold for that kind of attire. NorCal can be downright chilly. It was maybe 60 when we landed and felt like relief after the blistering weather in the east. Every day since has felt like a perfect fall football day. Which I'll admit is disorienting as it is July.
We loaded up a smart cart with five suitcases and a golf bag (Matt's) and we headed out. You have to be somewhat impressed that I got my wardrobe in four bags - or you should be completely disgusted because really that's still a lot of clothes. Matt gallantly took the bus to pick up the rental car, which turned out to be a Mustang. Okay, I know, it's a cool car I guess, but recall I mentioned five suitcases and a golf bag? Man am I glad that I married a UPS man, they sure do know how to load a trunk.
So we loaded up the car (otherwise known as "they packed up the truck" Beverly Hillbillies style) and headed for the studio/cottage/room in Mill Valley that I would be renting on a short term basis. I admit that I was pretty wary about the whole thing. I know that Craigslist is how you find a place to live out here, but in Kentucky you look at Craigslist with a suspicious eye. Well, I worried for absolutely no good reason. My landlord had fixed up a coverted garage into absolutely the most welcoming and cozy space. She had covered every necessity in a sweet and thoughtful way - including tea in the cabinet and a kettle. Matt and I definitely breathed a deep sigh of relief. A major bonus is that it is in fact bigger than a shoebox. It's at least a breadbox.
I expected a move to a big city to teach me to be wary of people. I had no idea that it would also remind me that no matter where you go people are capable of generosity and kindness. I guess I had no idea that I needed to relearn that lesson, but apparently I did.
The beauty of the location of the studio/cottage/room is that it is a just a few blocks from restaurants, grocery stores, biking trails. It makes an amazing difference in how you feel if you just walk to the grocery to get dinner. Or walk to a restaurant. Even if said restaurant is a thai place where you can eat your weight in basil fried rice.
We spent most of the weekend exploring Mill Valley and Corte Madera and Tiburon. My general thoughts on all three are they are a little slice of near perfection. They each have a small town feel but are within thirty minutes of San Francisco. Honestly, I've seen more Porsche's parked on the street with the windows DOWN than I have ever seen anywhere else. I usually double check the Honda in Georgetown and these people are leaving luxury automobiles completely unsecured! People are laid back to say the least and frequent small bistro like restaurants and the whole foods. Tiburon, which is clearly out of my price range as I saw two Aston Martins parked in one neighborhood, even has stores, offices and houses with little farmhouse type half doors because the weather is conducive to leaving the top half open. It's idyllic. In a way it's so charming it's ridiculous. About the only thing that makes these places less than perfect is the home prices.
I'll close this rambling entry with one last picture of true perfection. My landlady put an orchid in the living room/bedroom. Orchids are sold all over San Fran. They are perfection. Elegant, fragile, beautiful. This one is a soft white. The petals are ruffled like a fancy party gown. It makes the studio/cottage/room feel like an exotic hideaway. And that just can't be bad.
Today's entry falls in the category of "let me catch you up on the mundane details".
We landed at Oakland's airport on Friday and were greeted with a rather overcast and chilly day. For those of you who haven't been to California, let me give you a piece of advice. Pack warmly. All those movies with babes in bikinis on sundrenched beaches are, in my opinion, a total figment of Hollywood's imagination. Maybe in southern california you can bounce around like a David Lee Roth video - although even in LA I think it's way too cold for that kind of attire. NorCal can be downright chilly. It was maybe 60 when we landed and felt like relief after the blistering weather in the east. Every day since has felt like a perfect fall football day. Which I'll admit is disorienting as it is July.
We loaded up a smart cart with five suitcases and a golf bag (Matt's) and we headed out. You have to be somewhat impressed that I got my wardrobe in four bags - or you should be completely disgusted because really that's still a lot of clothes. Matt gallantly took the bus to pick up the rental car, which turned out to be a Mustang. Okay, I know, it's a cool car I guess, but recall I mentioned five suitcases and a golf bag? Man am I glad that I married a UPS man, they sure do know how to load a trunk.
So we loaded up the car (otherwise known as "they packed up the truck" Beverly Hillbillies style) and headed for the studio/cottage/room in Mill Valley that I would be renting on a short term basis. I admit that I was pretty wary about the whole thing. I know that Craigslist is how you find a place to live out here, but in Kentucky you look at Craigslist with a suspicious eye. Well, I worried for absolutely no good reason. My landlord had fixed up a coverted garage into absolutely the most welcoming and cozy space. She had covered every necessity in a sweet and thoughtful way - including tea in the cabinet and a kettle. Matt and I definitely breathed a deep sigh of relief. A major bonus is that it is in fact bigger than a shoebox. It's at least a breadbox.
I expected a move to a big city to teach me to be wary of people. I had no idea that it would also remind me that no matter where you go people are capable of generosity and kindness. I guess I had no idea that I needed to relearn that lesson, but apparently I did.
The beauty of the location of the studio/cottage/room is that it is a just a few blocks from restaurants, grocery stores, biking trails. It makes an amazing difference in how you feel if you just walk to the grocery to get dinner. Or walk to a restaurant. Even if said restaurant is a thai place where you can eat your weight in basil fried rice.
We spent most of the weekend exploring Mill Valley and Corte Madera and Tiburon. My general thoughts on all three are they are a little slice of near perfection. They each have a small town feel but are within thirty minutes of San Francisco. Honestly, I've seen more Porsche's parked on the street with the windows DOWN than I have ever seen anywhere else. I usually double check the Honda in Georgetown and these people are leaving luxury automobiles completely unsecured! People are laid back to say the least and frequent small bistro like restaurants and the whole foods. Tiburon, which is clearly out of my price range as I saw two Aston Martins parked in one neighborhood, even has stores, offices and houses with little farmhouse type half doors because the weather is conducive to leaving the top half open. It's idyllic. In a way it's so charming it's ridiculous. About the only thing that makes these places less than perfect is the home prices.
I'll close this rambling entry with one last picture of true perfection. My landlady put an orchid in the living room/bedroom. Orchids are sold all over San Fran. They are perfection. Elegant, fragile, beautiful. This one is a soft white. The petals are ruffled like a fancy party gown. It makes the studio/cottage/room feel like an exotic hideaway. And that just can't be bad.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
The End of Chapter, the Beginning of a New One
In the last six weeks, I've come to realize how wonderful and blessed my life really is. I remember very clearly moving to Lexington, not knowing anyone, wondering how I was going to survive law school, make friends, or stay warm during the bitterly cold Kentucky winter. I never thought that I would stay past law school, I figured that I would move home right after graduation. But as it has been said, you just never know where life will take you. I met Matt right before I graduated and decided to take a chance on him and on a job with a little benefits consulting business. Now, here I am, leaving Lexington twelve years later and feeling like I'm leaving behind a rather large piece of myself.
To my dear friends, you've been so kind to me over the years. You have taught me that it's okay to be whoever you are. That there are people out there that love you for you, even with all the ugly bits. I've found more than my fair share of kindred spirits in the Bluegrass - people I plan to stay friends with for the rest of my life.
I have been so fortunate as to work in two great jobs in my time in Lexington. Each one taught me so much and day by day gave me the confidence to believe in myself. I never planned to be an insurance attorney. But what you may not know is that insurance is where all the fun people work. I've had a blast, even on the bad days. For those of you I've worked with, you made the work funny and rewarding and I am a better attorney because of you.
Lastly, being a part of Faith Lutheran Church has been the most rewarding experience of all. I never did attend church regularly before coming to Kentucky. But Matt and I have been a part of this congregation for almost a decade. This parish reminded me that Church is about God and serving others as Jesus did. Elementary I know. Lest we all forget, we are all works in progress full of our own sin and error. So, far better to love others than judge others. Something I still work on, but still true.
It is hard to close the door on this time of my life. Matt and I decided to go to California for a lot of reasons. But the primary reason was that we felt that it was time to get on with our lives. I still feel that's true. But it doesn't make the leaving any less painful.
So the Beginning of the Blog is an ending. I have told many of your that I don't say goodbye. I don't because I hate goodbyes and because you never ever know where life will take you. I am often amazed at the way people are brought back in our lives. I know that I'll be back from time to time and that many of you will visit me in my new place. So this isn't a goodbye. Instead it is a little note to tell you that I love you all, I will miss you all, I will see you all again.
Peace, A
To my dear friends, you've been so kind to me over the years. You have taught me that it's okay to be whoever you are. That there are people out there that love you for you, even with all the ugly bits. I've found more than my fair share of kindred spirits in the Bluegrass - people I plan to stay friends with for the rest of my life.
I have been so fortunate as to work in two great jobs in my time in Lexington. Each one taught me so much and day by day gave me the confidence to believe in myself. I never planned to be an insurance attorney. But what you may not know is that insurance is where all the fun people work. I've had a blast, even on the bad days. For those of you I've worked with, you made the work funny and rewarding and I am a better attorney because of you.
Lastly, being a part of Faith Lutheran Church has been the most rewarding experience of all. I never did attend church regularly before coming to Kentucky. But Matt and I have been a part of this congregation for almost a decade. This parish reminded me that Church is about God and serving others as Jesus did. Elementary I know. Lest we all forget, we are all works in progress full of our own sin and error. So, far better to love others than judge others. Something I still work on, but still true.
It is hard to close the door on this time of my life. Matt and I decided to go to California for a lot of reasons. But the primary reason was that we felt that it was time to get on with our lives. I still feel that's true. But it doesn't make the leaving any less painful.
So the Beginning of the Blog is an ending. I have told many of your that I don't say goodbye. I don't because I hate goodbyes and because you never ever know where life will take you. I am often amazed at the way people are brought back in our lives. I know that I'll be back from time to time and that many of you will visit me in my new place. So this isn't a goodbye. Instead it is a little note to tell you that I love you all, I will miss you all, I will see you all again.
Peace, A
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