San Francisco

As of last Monday, I knew very little about the city of San Francisco. I’d heard it was full of liberals and knew it to be the home of the Golden Gate Bridge, street cars, and the infamous island prison of Alcatraz. I underestimated.

From the moment we entered the city, the character of the place was apparent. Each apartment building has ornate detail and the fire stairs add a peculiar uniqueness, making the plainest building oddly beautiful. Our drive to the hotel was naturally a long climb. We’ve all seen the hills of San Francisco in pictures, but photos don’t do them justice. They are steep, they are long, and they come from every direction. A step outside means a workout. Walking down the hill requires caution and the walk back up determination and stamina. I’m not sure my calves were sore from the hills or my massage, but I definitely worked off the food I ate by the hills I walked.

Chinatown. I have now learned that Chinatown in Washington, D.C. is purely a tourist attraction and this is not the case in all Chinatowns. I have yet to travel to NYC, but the Chinatown in San Francisco is exactly what its name says. My first introduction was at about 6:30 a.m. on a walk down to the bay. The streets were quietly filling with people preparing for their work day. Only their work day didn't require a suit or a briefcase. It was cartons of giant fruits, types of fish I could never name, a truck filled to the brim with pigs (no longer living…), and smells that I’d prefer to have never smelled. Later, in the weekend, we visited the shops. If I had had any need for statues of Buddha, cute china cups, or scarves, I would have been in heaven. As it was, the knock off purses were pretty cute and more than one shop had employees pulling us into hidden back rooms to show off their stock of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, and others. Sad to say I didn’t find one that I loved enough to purchase, but it was still an experience..

Let’s see…what else. Oh. The people were very friendly and I didn’t see any gay couples. Cliché San Francisco didn’t appear to be real San Francisco. Just FYI.

Alcatraz was awesome. It IS a National Park, so if you have a National Park passport bring it along or be seriously disappointed (I stamped a piece of paper to paste into my book…it would have been my first West Coast stamp. Dangit.) The trip out was gorgeous and it was pretty neat to hear the history of the place.

Of course all it really made me want to do was watch the movies about it, but I may pick up a book as well. Oh AND I really want to do the ‘Escape from Alcatraz’ swim, but I’ve always wanted to do that. There were actually people swimming in the bay when we were down there at about 7 a.m. MAN that had to be icy water. It’s a 1.5 mile trip and despite the fact I swam much more than that in college, I have no illusions of it being an easy feat. Plus, the verdict is still out on the rumor of it being shark infested. That may change my plans. Obviously I’dneed Bekah by my side. Did you know Alcatraz was built as a fort during the Civil War? Crazy. Also, on New Year’s Eve, the inmates could sometimes hear the parties on shore. The guard’s families actually lived on the island—all pretty interesting.

We saw a movie being filmed on the way back to our hotel—some guy in all black was standing on top of this huge black vehicle/machine. So if you see a movie being filmed in San Francisco with that in it let me know. Or just look for the tour bus in the back of that scene.

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to look for the Golden Gate Bridge. The concierge looked at us with skepticism and told us it was over 3 miles and that it was very foggy, but we charged on. From a distance we could barely see Lombard street, winding it's way down the steep hill. We got down to Pier 39 and walked along the water for a while.

Saw the sea lions making a racket and this neat WWII Liberty ship and submarine! I was hoping they were in early for Fleet Week (which is next week, unfortunately), but they are always there. We stopped for some Monopoly pieces at McDonald's and saw the original Ghirardelli chocolate factory. Alcatraz was looking especially creepy and barely visible in the fog. To Diana and Carrie's delight, we got to see a bit of the bridge, but we didn't make it in time to walk across. Next trip!

Sunday afternoon I just spent wandering the city. Union Square has some great shopping that I could never afford (Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co. , etc..), but also the biggest Macy’s and Banana Republic I have ever seen. I was perfectly capable of walking back up to the hotel, but the street car was calling my name. Did you know that to turn it around at the bottom of the hill they actually manually turn the wheel in the ground that it stops on? (See picture). A bit of classic charm in a very urban setting. I lucked out and got to ride standing up hanging out like in the movies.

All I needed was someone to wave to as we pulled away…or something romantic like that. It was a good end to my weekend. I considered trying to squeeze in something else, but I was asleep by 7:30.

There isn’t really a better way to see San Francisco than from the comfort of a marvelous hotel with a great view in the heart of the city, but either way, I can see why people leave their hearts in this place. Didn’t work that way for me, but I just love that city!

It's the real thing.

If you know me, you know I love Coke. I love the taste, I love the antiques, I love the classic feeling, and I love the songs and the commercials. I gotta say though, it nearly just totally let me down. I’m listening away to Disney on Pandora quite content with today’s music selection until an instrumental Jungle Book piece came on and I was (naturally) forced to skip it and listen to an ad. To my delight, it was a Coke commercial. Old school and starting with something about being heart broken. I changed windows to check it out and saw the above option to 'cheer up a friend who is feeling low' and needs a "frothy Coke." I’m that person today, so I clicked their "Happy Playlist." Aaand was blasted with Michael Buble. HELLO? What ‘heartsick person who is feeling low’ wants to hear anything similar to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, or Michael Buble? I took my headphones off like they were poisonous, chuckling at its serious failure to pick me up. A few moments later I decided to give it another chance and skipped ahead only to have my faith restored:

Don’t Worry, Be Happy—a classic and family favorite. Things are looking up.
Next? Dynomite—a personal favorite.
Pocketful of Sunshine—love Natasha and saw that one live.
Celebration…okay, a bit old school, but not worth a commercial, so I won’t skip. Yep, it’s making me dance a little bit in my cubicle.
I Gotta Feeling…not sure this is quite up to par, but it has some good memories and I won’t complain. The next one will have to be extra good though.
Love Story. Fail. Skip.
Rhythm of Love. Off it goes. Can’t handle that.

All right. Well, pretty good work, Coke. Next time just alter your advertising or target audience. I still had a fountain Coke for lunch, so I guess you were doing something right.

Tune back sometime soon for additional Coke plugs :)

So, this is a tropical storm?

Alexandria, Virginia-- Not sure what this storm will bring, but I'll give you my first hand report from the Nation's Capitol! While I am taking this storm seriously and everything on here is true, take it with a grain of salt ;)

Sunday, August 28

10:45 am: Lots more trees down than I expected on the GW parkway. Pretty big ones had fallen, but none blocked the road or me from getting to church!

9:45 am: We didn't even notice, but apparently our house did suffer a bit from Irene...probably partially because of the earthquake, I'd imagine. Our landlord heard a thud around two and this section of the stairs had fallen.

9:20 am: I think this is my last update on the storm. Not sure there will be much else to tell. I'm still glad to have been prepared, better safe than sorry. If there hadn't been major warnings in the area and there HAD been great damage, half the recovery would have been playing the blame game and that doesn't help a thing.

I feel bad that the lack of visual damage in my area was kind of a let down. I know there are people up and down the coast who have suffered great loss in the past 2 days and my heart goes out to them.

8:30 am: Amanda and I decided to go out and check things out. To be honest, it looks nothing worse than a normal thunderstorm. I was actually scared at a point last night, but the damage is next to nothing in Old Town. Smaller branches down and large puddles, but no flooding or trees down.

8:11 am: Okay...maybe it isn't that much calmer. I think we need to go investigate.

8:00 am: Waking thought: There was a storm last night? Just kidding, but it is much calmer today. Still very windy, but the rain has stopped. It may also be a little less menacing since the streetlights aren't making the trees reflect on my wall.

3:05 am: Still the strongest winds we've felt. Making it pretty hard to sleep!

12:30 am: Well, I was actually sleeping quite soundly until Ben texted and called and then I was jolted fully awake by strong wind. First time I considered moving to my floor to be away from the window. This is definitely the strongest wind yet, even though the radar is no longer showing us at the center. It has actually sounded almost like rumbling thunder, but it is really just the wind. Lightning now for the first time too.

Saturday, August 27

11:04 pm: Calling it a day and hoping to sleep tight.

9:57 pm: Amanda and I decided to go check on the cars to see if any big branches are down. We were feeling adventurous until we stepped out our front door. I think the umbrella against the wind made it feel a lot stronger because clearly the wind won. Amanda thought she was being blown away and walking West back toward the house was a wet one so we ducked close to the ground as we walked. We wanted to walk to check out King Street, but only got about 50 yards in that direction. The wind was so strong we ended up hiding in a stairwell until the biggest gust passed. I was just waiting to get beamed. While I blame part of it just on not being able to control the oversized umbrella, it still scared us enough so that we probably won't be going back outside this evening.

9:21 pm: No further mention of Georgetown...not sure that was a correct report. Waiting for the power to go out. Ugh.

9:05 pm: About to hit DC. Tornado Warning in Georgetown. I will not be leaving this evening...unless it is to check on the car. Higher winds expected. Ahhh....

8:36 pm: I keep hearing noises in my room. Pretty sure it's more brick/sand falling from the walls like during the earthquake. Great.

8:34 pm: Window on West side of the house still wide open and giving us great sound effects, but no rain. Wind starting to make me a tad nervous.

8:26 pm: Supposedly it is supposed to get worse tonight and 100,000 in DC area are without power. Towel by my window is soaked, but so far so good. Amanda and I are debating trekking out. Can we see anything in the dark? Movie at Lauren's? Local pub? Staying put for now.

8:07 pm: Hear brakes slam and some choice words from the street. Jump up to look out my window to only see a car stopped. False excitement.

6:09 pm: Listen to the Oldie "Come on, Irene" in honor of Irene blowing and learn that the song is actually "Come on, Eileen"...change the title of this blog. (Google it right now though and there are plenty of people who were mistaken!)

5:17 pm: First drips of water come in my window. I feel like the movie Signs. It’s here.

5:10 pm: Observe trees blowing in circular motions.

4:48 pm: First heavy rain.

3:15 pm: Grabbed our umbrellas and go for a walk. Got on a "news reel" and probably in the background of several others as there were trucks everywhere. Observed lots of sandbags and not much happening on the Potomac.

3:05 pm: As we prepare to find the "eye" of the storm I try to rewrite the lyrics to "Eye of the Tiger". Fail.

3:00 pm: Put on my rain boots.

2:00 pm: Rain starts to pick up, but windows are still open and wind isn’t ready to blow us away. Preparing to go down to check out the waterfront. Amanda declares it is the first time ever she wishes she had rain boots. (Radar: 2:16 pm)

12:00 pm: Still drizzling and still contemplating the couch.

11:00 am: Drizzling. Should we get the couch? Charging my camera. Question of the day: Where to park our cars?

10:00 am: Cloudy. We remember we’re supposed to pick up our couch today.

8:00 am: Decide to go get gas and pick up some batteries from Target. Hear it is supposed to start storming here at 10. Tropical Weather Storm watch? What the heck am I doing here?

12:15 am: Roommate tells me it has changed from “orange to red” on the map, so it’s getting worse. We discuss moving our cars and inspect the walls as she worries we’ll lose the roof. She is the only one who experienced the earthquake from our home and knows how old it is, especially during natural disasters.

Friday, August 26

8:45 pm: Friend calls offering to pick up water because it is out at several stores.

5:15 pm: Amanda finally seems a bit concerned.

5:05 pm: Dad tells me to keep him posted and he's kind of excited-wishes he was here with me.

3:30 pm: At this memory, I decided I’d rather be prepared for Irene then not. I drove down to Giant where I was unpleasantly surprised at the crowds. I figured I would miss them by going before 5:00. Wrong. There were no carts left so I picked up one of the last big things of bottled water and stood in line. I was charged a clearly inflated rate of $11.59 for that water and carried it out to my car before going back in for some food items. As I walked around the store and picked up apples, wine, crackers, and bread, I was thankful for the polite attitudes people were keeping. Walking back out to my car, however, I had visions of New Orleans after Katrina and I put my water in my trunk so people couldn’t see it if things got nasty. How terrible is that? I hate that my mind would even go there, but you never can tell in our fallen world.

3:00 pm: As I discussed the hurricane with my roommate, I recalled 2010 when I had first moved to Virginia. For several days, I watched my neighbors flock to the stores and buy out necessities such as Milk and shovels. I laughed and bought cookie supplies and wine. Fast forward 24 hours and we had 17 inches of snow and it stayed on our street for 3 days, fell again, and it was a full 6 work days before I could get into DC.

Morning: Kiki’s dad: You better just bail. Drive 100 miles west.

8:01 am: Text from dad: Will you maybe have to evacuate?

7:15 am: Text to Amanda from her dad: You need to go stay with your aunt in the mountains.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, "for our God is a consuming fire!" (Hebrews 12:28 & 29)

Since I'm updating about the hurricane I feel like I should share about the earthquake that took place earlier this week!

August 23, 2011--

I was sitting at my desk on the 6th floor of our building, about 5 blocks from the White House and started to feel some rumbling. I stand up to look outside, thinking a big truck must be going by. As it continues and I don't see anything strange outside the rumbling/vibrating turns into our building swaying from side to side. My reaction is to stay rooted in my spot, staring out the window, as I wonder if our building is going to collapse. The wiser people in my office were calling us away from the windows and we all stood there for a moment. We quickly see that people are leaving the building so we grabbed our phones and purses and followed.

When we got down to the street, we realized that it was not just our building. I immediately contacted a couple of people in the case that cell service wouldn't be around long and I didn't want them to worry. At this point we didn't know if it was a terrorist attack or earthquake and I was still waiting for something else to take place. People were saying it was like 9/11, my biggest thought was that it was the metro. Others mentioned a plane crash. For about 8 minutes no one had any idea what was going on. Cell reception was spotty, but from within our group we heard from the Capitol, Alexandria, and North Carolina and knew that at it couldn't be an attack, thank God.

We stood out there for some time and really didn't know what to do from there. Thankfully it wasn't chaotic, but an excited uncertainty filled the air. Can they predict another one coming? Can we go back in the building? Should we get away from the buildings? After a while we went inside to close up our computers and leave for the day. I was still pretty shaky by the time I made it to my car for the traffic jammed 8 mile drive home. I envisioned buildings falling or the 14th Street Bridge collapsing with a big aftershock. I really was quite shaken with the whole thing.

At home my frames were off the wall, a shelf had fallen, and in the intensity of the day I didn't even notice until Wednesday that there was a layer of sand/rock around the sides of my room from our ceilings. I live in a pretty old building so apparently it was pretty noisy when it all took place!

The events of this week are just a powerful reminder of what little control we have in this world. God can move mountains and oceans, people and hearts, and it can be so hard to trust in His plan. I sit quietly, clinging to His promises and amazed by His grace.

Interesting mentions of earthquakes in the Bible!

Take me out to the ball game

It is no secret that I love baseball. Whether on the backyard patio listening to the crack of the bat over the radio waves or at the ballpark, it generates a certain feeling that only baseball can. Working in the garage with a cold lemonade nearby being serenaded by the announcer’s commentary on a hot summer day. A father and a son walking to the park, the son with a hat too big for his face and a baseball mitt dangling by his side. Men standing on the street corners pawning off tickets, hats, or programs. The crowds flowing into the stadium with a sense of anticipation. The sights. The sounds. The smells. It’s something special. 162 games a year, yet every game is exciting. Game 1, game 100, game 162. They will all be attended with enthusiasm. A blow-out turns into a late game rally with a walk-off run. A manager gets ejected. A leap into the stands. A wild pitch. A grand slam. The 7th Inning Stretch. A bobblehead. Doesn’t matter what game it is, but big things happen.

People come together from all over into this one place and bond. On a typical night you wouldn’t talk to the man standing next to you on public transportation, but on your way to a baseball game you’re the best of pals. Sharing stories from the past and discussing, to the best of your ability, the obviously high chance of winning tonight’s game.

Robert Frost once said, “I never feel more at home in America than when I’m at a baseball game.” I’ve always loved this quote and only recently did I discover it’s origin. In one of the last possible places I would have looked, I found it in a Sports Illustrated article from 1956 about the American All-Star game. It’s worth the read.

"It has been a day of prowess in spite of its being a little on the picnic side and possibly not as desperately fought as it might be in a World Series. Prowess, prowess, in about equal strength for both sides. Each team made 11 hits, two home runs and not a single error. The day was perfect, the scene perfect, the play perfect. Prowess of course comes first, the ability to perform with success in games, in the arts and, come right down to it, in battle. The nearest of kin to the artists in college where we all become bachelors of arts are their fellow performers in baseball, football and tennis. That's why I am so particular college athletics should be kept from corruption. They are close to the soul of culture. At any rate the Greeks thought so. Justice is a close second to prowess. When displayed toward each other by antagonists in war and peace, it is known as the nobility of noble natures. And I mustn't forget courage, for there is neither prowess nor justice without it. My fourth, if it is important enough in comparison to be worth bringing in, is knowledge, the mere information we can't get too much of and can't ever get enough of, we complain, before going into action. As I say, I never feel more at home in America than at a ball game be it in park or in sandlot. Beyond this I know not. And dare not.”

Okay, but enough already. Painting a vivid picture of one of my favorite hobbies was not the point of today’s blog. Rather, I wanted to tell about a D.C. tradition that I recently attended. The Congressional Baseball Game. For over 100 years (with several breaks in between for war and other American hardships), Congressmen and Senators have convened for an evening of baseball. This year, the game was at Nationals Park and it certainly far surpassed my expectations.

The game was like a squished peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The PB was the politics. The jelly was the baseball. They oozed together into a somewhat unexpected, yet enjoyable evening treat. Not knowing what to anticipate, I wore a College Republicans shirt and my Twins hat. While comfortable with my decision, leave it to D.C. to show up in business attire to a 90 degree baseball game. Most people were in work clothes or campaign shirts for their congressman or boss. Surprisingly, the Nats pre-game happy hour was still open outside the stadium, but we still made it in before the game. The next surprise was seeing them down on the field, it could have been the Nats hanging out in their dugout and I wouldn’t have known the difference. They were each in full uniform (of their home team) and they stood around looking pretty focused on the task at hand.

As with most baseball games, the crowd came together for a moment of American pride as the Anthem was sung and then we went our separate ways. Blue or Red. As I saw the donkey or the elephant show up next to each player’s name as they stepped up to the plate, it dawned on me. This wasn’t just a baseball game, it brought in another one of my hobbies and made it personal when the Democrats were cheering in victory. Oh how I wanted to win. Unfortunately their cheering that night far out-weighed ours largely due to their freshman congressman who pitched in college ball. No chance of hitting that.

We lost the game, but I had the opportunity to meet my MN Congressman, Eric Paulsen, and share a Minnesota-nice moment. I was happy to hear they had held many practices and to observe the players taking the game seriously. Some, like Paulsen, had their whole staff and their families there to watch. It wasn’t for show or even for their constituents, it was just good old American fun. It was nice to see that with battles raging all around us in Congress and out, everyone can take a break long enough to enjoy a little baseball.

I'm a big kid now...or so I thought?

Lessons from Arlington Mill Drive

1. Don’t clean soot out of fireplace by placing it in a cardboard box in your plastic garbage bin.
2. Strong chemicals only get so much burn residue off of bricks.
3. Fire extinguishers must be “serviced” after being used..unless they are cheap, in which case you must replace them at a special store for $34.00 (or $8.00 if you use the appropriate amount of sweet talking to the employee)
4. Comcast does not pick up their cable boxes after you cancel your service, but they will charge you if it has not been returned within two weeks of canceling.
5. Speaking of Comcast, you will spend 45+ minutes on hold if you push the number 4 “If you are calling to disconnect your cable service” option. Your fastest route through the intricate maze of phone options is lying.
6. Always have flashlights and candles handy.
7. Wet leaves smell terrible. Don’t pile them up without disposing immediately thereafter.
8. Everyone has a different plan for saving on electricity costs. They are worthless if you can’t turn off lights.
9. Cars get hit. Cars get towed. It’s reality.
10. Mold grows quickly when you have a leaky faucet. Bleach is the answer.
11. Dishwashers are overrated.
12. Harris Teeter is open 24/7.
13. The library is closed on Thursdays.
14. Cockroaches move fast, but not necessarily far. Don’t give up. They’re too big to hide for long.
15. Hide a key.
16. Your cable deal may end, but call them up and they’ll find another one to keep it cheap. Sometimes more channels = less $$
17. Never trust your landlord. Always cover yourself.
18. George Forman Champ Grill = awesome
19. Gym memberships are worth every penny so long as you go.
20. Learn to pay bills, it’s good for you.
21. Get a real Christmas tree. It's worth every. single. needle.
22. Always have a back-up plan.
23. Everyone has a different opinion, but that doesn’t mean anyone is right.
24. Bones is the best show ever.
25. Be fair with money and no one has to get petty.
26. Happy hours are overrated. Sunflower seeds on the front steps with a friend is all you need.
27. Eating healthy is expensive.
28. Mattresses are virtually impossible to dispose of without backbone, courage, and a sense of adventure
29. Don't jog through a dog park.
30. Keep your flag flying.

Hope.

Pej•o•ra•tion
–noun
1. Depreciation; a lessening in worth, quality, etc.
2. Historical Linguistics. Semantic change in a word to a lower, less approved, or less respectable meaning.

Around the year 1200, the word “silly” was spelled “sely” and it meant ‘happy, blissful, blessed, or fortunate’. As time went on, the word slowly progressed. The blessed are also innocent. Innocence can be perceived as being unaware of one’s social surroundings, sometimes choosing the moral path rather than the one the world deems choiceworthy, and suddenly you become foolish. This is what the word means today.

“Gaudy” is derived from the Latin word gaudium, or joy.

“Hierarchy” was originally referring to a host of angels and now is a term used to explain the roles in the corporate world, not focusing on all the important pieces, but only the top. The elite. The ones we envy.

“Dawning ‘gay’ apparel” meant being festive for a joyous occasion, but now it calls for snickers and smirks from the children who hear it.

Hope was something Biblical. Something we had in Christ, not in a president or a country. Hope is the word that prompted this blog today. I was reading some Patrick Henry speeches and I just had to chuckle at the irony of the words he spoke in 1775:

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." (Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775)

Isn't it crazy how relative this is to the United States today? After dwelling on that bizarre fact for some time, I realized I was sad too. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is about "hope" and we've let, or maybe it is just me, I've let the word grow tainted!

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:1-5)

The sheer magnitude of this verse should make us tremble in this grace in which we stand. The power that is in that glory of God is something that our earthly minds cannot even fathom and we are being told to put our hope in it! What an awesome truth.

Our world today seems to have lost the true meaning of the word "hope." Even Patrick Henry, one of my favorites in American history, cheapened it by calling it an indulgence. I realize my interpretation of this word is hardly something to stand by. I am no etymologist, and I certainly don't claim that it has gone through the pejoration of the words mentioned above. Just some parallels that I saw and felt the need to share, if only for the opportunity to remind people of where our true hope must lie.

The Captain and the King

I only wish I could write as well as Peggy Noonan. A columnist at The Wall Street Journal, former TV producer, and one of President Reagan's top speechwriters, she writes intelligent pieces with poise and purpose. A co-worker passed this article on to me and I wanted to share. Click here to read: The Captain and the King

Disclaimer!

9 months of a picture a day and October-December ended the year with no posts! I was, however, still taking pictures, and even writing about some of them, so here are some that were saved and only now being posted!