As much as I could fit in to three days, or, I found my camera in San Francisco

I want to share with you my latest excursion. Sit down, make yourself comfortable.

This was my fourth trip to San Francisco in three years, and the first one where I felt I really knew where I was going and what I was doing. I hung out with different people this time, but neighborhoods were familiar, and walking around and using the BART was easier than ever. It's a good feeling - that familiarity away from the familiar...

I travelled with Brendan, whose brother Aaron is studying animation at the Art Academy. Aaron (and his roommates) were gracious enough to provide a place to stay. I'm thankful, though a note to the bachelors of the bachelor pad: someone should invest in some draino or a plumber or something. 'Nuff said. Seriously, though, thanks Aaron. Brendan and I got a tour of an Art Academy building, which was really sweet. There were inspirational hings all over the walls - many of the illustrators I grew to love from school. Aaron does great work and aspires to cool stuff.

It was a jam-packed trip. I wouldn't have it any other way. Summation: Wednesday night, I drove up to Brendan's and wee early we hopped a plane to Denver then on to California. Met Aaron, then checked out a few galleries. Pop art, masters, illustration. Amazing stuff. After sampling exotic soda and getting kicked out of a store for photographing boxes of live frogs and turtles (for turtle soup?) in Chinatown, headed to Coit Tower, a SF landmark right up the street from Aaron. Then I met e-friend Willo for the first time, and after picking up her friend Ali, we had a great dinner at Curbside Cafe and then on to see Jeff Tweedy at the Fillmore, a sold out show that Willo of course scored tickets to. A fantastic show, with Tweedy playing beautifully and providing some great stories in between songs. He didn't disappoint. After reading so many show reviews from Willo, it was a awesomely bizarre to actually attend one with her. Warning: she yells out things like "Doe-see-doe!" Anyway, afterwards, we hit The Hemlock, a fave of Willo and Ali's, though we could have done without someone stealthily throwing coasters at peoples' heads. And I have to add that I drank Fat Tire all night. Reason enough to love the west.

Friday morning came late. Slept in. Woke up earlier than the Firems (very surprising) and took the BART to Oakland, where I met up with newlyweds Heather and James. We went to an authentic Latino restaurant ("You can tell it is authentic when you ask for black beans instead of red and look at you like you're from another planet") for lunch and then Heather and I drove around Berkeley and hiked around Tilden, which Heather reminded me was the setting for the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Amazingly green and peaceful for being so close to everything. Oh yeah, we also stopped at IKEA briefly, at my request, because it was on the way. You know, why not. It's not like I'll be doing any major IKEA shopping any time soon (Chicago?), but why not grab a catalog when you can (thanks Heather). IKEA envy is big now in Ohio. I took the BART back to town and had a great night with Aaron and Brendan. We ate at a little italian place and then headed to the San Francisco Brewing Co. right down the street, next to City Lights book store. Very fun and spontaneous. I recall being in a particularly good mood and I think Aaron was a bit embarrassed by Brendan and I, um, engaging in witty banter with the waitress. At this point, I feel compelled to say that Aaron's only met me two other times, one of which was when I was in the middle of hiking the Appalachian Trail when I sported a rather larger beard and came off, apparently, as "pious." Not on the list of adjectives I would use to describe myself. His preconceptions were kind of shattered, I think.

Saturday was my favorite day of the trip. I met Willo for breakfast and then hung out with her for awhile, which was great - I got to fill in the blanks with someone I'd otherwise only spoken to on phone and online. She showed me her digs and her new toy, the awesome Cintiq (if clicking on that link doesn't cause you to drool, then you just don't get it). We drove around awhile, went up to Twin Peaks (great views of the city) and enjoyed the awesome weather by driving out to the beach, where I at least got to touch the water. It was an excellent time. Willo's shared a good deal of music with me, and it was fun to drive around and listen to some of it. She's a pretty great tour guide. Around 3, I met up with my uncle Rob and we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to Mt. Tamalpais and did a little hiking. Again, AWESOME views. We drove back and went to the Gordon Birsch brewery (and deduced that they craft beer for Trader Joe's... a-HA!)(wow, brewery #2, hmmm) and then I made it back to bed, and up at 4:30 to hop on a plane back. I slept on the plane.

A lot of walking, a lot of music, a lot of beer, a lot of fun, a lot of distraction, a lot of boy I wish I could stay longer, a lot of boy I'll be back.

Also, I hunted for about an hour and a half, before I left, for my camera. Never found it. Would have loved to have taken photos with Willo and Rob, especially. Late saturday night, right before I went to bed for 4 hours to come back home, I was packing my bag and came across my camera, stowed in a pocket when I never realized it... and it was much too late to actually USE it. I was speechless with "what the hell is THIS supposed to mean?" Luckily, Willo and Brendan (though they did not meet) took photos (and Rob too, though I don't have those yet). Here are a few. For some more, go to Willo's photos.


That's me squinting in to the sun with Willo on Twin Peaks


Brendan, Aaron and I in Chinatown


Infiltrating Sho Ho territory. Love it.


Brendan and Aaron outside Aaron's place


Aaron and I in the shadow of Coit


"We were here."