Where It All Started

I'm back in San Francisco for a one day meeting and happily, a partial weekend with Marv and MeiMei. Starting from my 20s, I lived in San Francisco for 13 years and I dearly loved this beautiful city. But I was also reminded today what I did love and disliked about it when I was a a resident. Specifically:

Loved:
-The bay is pristine. There's no bad view of the the inlets surrounding the azure blue of the Bay. It's a town constructed around a bold body of water and it's consistent and respectful in its outward flow.
-People are so incredibly considerate here. There is authentic engagement. Every stranger displays good manners. There is a small town familiarity here. I love that. Frankly, I crave that. It heightens your mood and in Manhattan, it's like every man for himself, every man a stranger. I don't like to feel like a survivor--I like to feel like I am part of a community. And that, I do miss.
-San Francisco is committed to the environment. Their theories of "green" dwarf the actual practice nationwide. Some may call it politically correct--I call it "putting money where the mouth is." I'm there. I have been for ten years.
-Damn. Mexican food. "Pancho Villa" at 16th and Mission is Valhalla.
-PacBell Park. The most perfect ball park.
-Golly, the streets are really clean here.

Hate:
-The fashion here sucks. Tennis shoes? Flannel shirts? Slacker dudes in windbreakers? And hello--lack of accessories? It's bleak.
-The men are way unattractive. They are so geeky. It may be my penchant, but I like a man with traditional machismo and swagger. The men on the East Coast have that in spades.
-People drive slow. They are all in hybrids. And uber-cautious. And forget to signal for turns.
-The homeless. Not that I am against the homeless, but they gather in great number in SF and are psychologically challenged. They are violent and vocal and scary. I do not like being attacked in the street just because I am a blond.
-Political correctness. It so lacks earnest intent but they practice it anyway.

Regarless, so nice to be home. I call this home because it is my home. I was born in California and I have appreciation of this place. I totally get the psychology of being nice to people and to taking time out to chill out. I absolutely get appreciating nature, people and honest dialogue. That is my DNA and something I have never reconciled with my existence in Manhattan. Manhattan is solitary, discreet. mysterious yet bold. I've lived on the East Coast nearly ten years and I still don't get the blunt expression.

Still, today has been a really pleasant day. Marv, MeiMei and I had breakfast at some chic place in Noe Valley. We went shopping and all the salespeople were charming. I made a big pasta dinner. We chilled. And the lack of urgency--for one day in my life--was heaven.