Good Morning

I am glad fewer people are out in the morning. Not to be selfish but I don't like sharing this perfect time of day with too many people. The streets are not crowded, the air is fresh and clean, you hear the sound of birds and critters instead of buses and bustle.

There is a certain comraderie among people who get up and enjoy the morning together. My run this morning took me to Baker Beach, nothing unusual there. Out of the five people I came across three of them said "good morning". A simple saying that may mean nothing to most, but to us morning worshipers it is secret password knowing we belong to a privileged fraternity of morning fans. If the freaks come out at night, what comes out in the morning? Whoever we are, we just hope the majority of you stay in bed.

Great Dick-ens Fair

I had no idea Victoria London was so full of sex. Went to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair expecting Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the like and instead saw busty broads, horny men in top hats and heard many sexual inuendos. There was a rambunctious caberet show singing songs about husbands with 'no balls', many ladies in corsets so tight their breasts overflowed (not that I am complaining) and commentary not fit for a child. All of this did not register with Michelle who loved all the costumed people walking around. "It's like I am in an old movie."

No Doubt About It

Flipping through the channels last night I came the movie Mrs. Doubtfire so tonight I decided to run by the Mrs. Doubtfire House. Located on the corner of Steiner and Diviadero the house is great shape, as all in this toney Pacific Heights neighborhood. The only bad thing about it is having to see it at night.

The Park

Sometimes old running grounds are my favorite running grounds. There was time when I used to run in Golden Gate Park every other day. I had not run there by myself in quite some time. Some things never change. There are scattered groups of Chinese doing Tai Chi, bikers starting their ride all decked out in vibrant colors, homeless waking up for a restless night, dog walkers and running buffs like myself. One thing is different now. With the opening of the Academy of Sciences there are now families lining up to get into this amazing, yet overpriced attraction. I went by the other day later in the afternoon and the line must have been 2 football fields long. Glad to see science and education are still thriving in this economy.

burrrr runnnnnnn

I saw two Oscars today. Running through the Presidio and the Lucas Arts campus I ran by two offices displaying an Oscar. Nice. Whatever is in your office can not top that. The Emmy in my office now seems insignificant.

It is always tough to get out and run when it is cold but once I do it is usually always rewarding, invigorating and one of my top runs of the week. I woke up today and it was a chilly 43-degrees. Yeah, I know, it is not really that cold but for SF it is. A put on my long-sleeve thermal, gloves and a top layer. All this stuff for my torso and only shorts for the my legs. My place to the base of the GGB at Fort Point, touching "Hoopers Hands" and returning.

Glorious Place

Heading back from sunny Napa as soon as you cross through the Waldo Tunnel toward SF this billowing blanket of fog had rolled in and covered The City. It was a beautiful and peaceful sight. The sunset was not bad either. I love this place.

Napa Colors

Fall is probably the best season to experience Napa with all of the vineyards changing colors. Those colors have just about vanished but not quite, so while Michelle was enjoying a spa/massage treatment I took the opportunity to take in the last burst of Napa's changing colors.

Musical Experiment

Here is a unique experiment. What where the top albums the year of your birth? Not the top songs or hits, but albums. Works that encapsulated an entire year and a musical feeling.

I looked up the top albums of 1971, the year of my birth. It is an interesting capsule. Many of the albums I know very well and have in my stash of music; Marvin Gay's 'What's Going On', 'Sticky Fingers' by the Rolling Stones and 'There's a Riot Going On' by Sly and the Family Stone. Others I have heard of but never listened to (T Rex's 'Electric Warrior') or cared to listen to (Joni Mitchell 'Blue').

I have decided to give these albums a try, along with others. I want to listen to the spirit of 1971 in all of its glory.

Here are the top albums of 1971 according to this one particular list:
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Marvin Gay - What's Going On
Carole King - Tapestry
Elton John - Tumbleweed Connection
Allman Brothers - Live at Fillmore East
Black Sabbath - Paranoid
Led Zepplin - Led Zepplin IV
Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies
Doors - L.A. Woman
Nilsson Schmilsson - Harry Nilsson

Korean TV

Michelle and I were watching some Korean TV over the weekend, some celebrity profile or entertainment program. I noticed most of the shows used some type of American music for background music. One caught my ear and jumped out at me. They used one of the nastiest, dirtiest songs ever recorded by Snoop Doggy Dogg. If they only knew what was being said in the song.

Proud to Vote

I voted for President Elect Obama.

The rest of my votes went almost exclusively to Republicans and Libertarians. In looking at the Democratic platform, there are a few things I agree with, but on the economic side, other than being ok with him raising my tax rate, there isn’t a lot of his economic policy that I do agree with him on. So why did I vote for him?

It's simple. Having an elected black President will do more to energize this country than any economic or social policy ever could. In a single day of voting, our amazing country once again reinvigorated the dream that any child in this country, no matter what circumstances they are born into, can grow up to be anything they want, including President of the United States.

That dream, staying viable, being reinvigorated, will do more for this country than any economic policy or any legislation that could ever be passed.

That, and I am tired of hearing Black America say it does not have any role models, as if that was the reason for its troubles.

Nike Club Run SF

Here is a photo of my fellow Pace Leaders for Nike's Club Run San Francisco. Each Saturday for the past 16 weeks we have been leading and helping runners train for this weekend's Nike Women's Marathon. CRSF is a pretty darn good group and a great resource for first time or experienced runners. Yes, I am a bit biased. The whole thing is free, the support is great, you can get a bunch of free goodies, and you get to run with some fun, friendly Pace Leaders. Plus, you don't have the burden of having money like some training programs. CRSF is open to all with abilities ranging from walkers to sub-8 minute milers.

What a Deal!

Wow! This is what I call great marketing. Bet no other store can offer this.

Bailout Pork Barrel

So, you thought the Senate was only concerned with helping the economy and the mortgage crisis? By now we all know Hank Paulson's original 3 page bailout plan has grown to a massive tomb exceeding 400 pages. In doing a quick (okay, not so quick) scan of the Senate proposal, you find several admendments extending provisions to certain groups.

Page 279 — Rum excise tax to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
Page 280 — Mine rescue / mine safety
Page 290 — Motorsports racing track facility
Page 290 — Hurricane Katrina and Gulf opportunity zone
Page 295 — Wool modifications
Page 296 — Permanent authority for undercover operations
Page 297 — Child tax credit
Page 300 — Children and wooden arrows

Look, check it out for yourself.
http://www.docstoc.com/search/senate-bailout-bill-text/

This is the reason why so many of us have a distaste in our mouth at the very thought of government. Instead of focusing on solving this enourmous problem, our elected officials are still concerned with special interests. No matter what the bill, no matter how important, these pork barrel items are always present.

Flat and Boring

Not all runs in San Francisco have to involve hills, bridges, coastline and spendor. This one is flat, one small hill, and one bridge to run under. This was my run on Saturday.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2283270

While many people enjoy running along the Embarcadero I am not one of them. I would much rather prefer running through downtown and The Tenderloin than this. You do pass through tourist filled Pier 39, the overpriced farmer's market at the Ferry Building and AT&T Park but there are few things to challenge the mind body on this route. What it does do is give you the mileage. 12 miles with an up and back along the Embarcadero. ugh!

Expensive Pears

I have come to learn, as with many cultures, Koreans like to call certain things 'Korean'-something. Take these 'Korean Pears' for example. The Japanese call them Japanese pears. If you are Thai you call them Taiwan pears. Another example is the 'Korean Grape', which is a Concord grape.

The nashi pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, is sometimes called the Asian pear, as well as sand pear, apple pear, bapple, papple, and bae, from the Korean or li in Chinese. In India is it called nashipati and in Bangladesh and Nepal it is called nashpati. Nashi pears are widely grown for their sweet fruit, a popular food in East Asia. They are sweet on the tree and are eaten crisp.

My real reason for this post is the price. 30-bucks for seven (7) pears, over 4 dollars each. Koreans pride themselves on their pears and they are very sweet, juicy and delicious. I am not a big fan of pears but these pears are delicious. But $4.20 for a pear!

While I was in Korea I passed several pear orchards with each pear wrapped in paper to protect it from bugs and elements.

Happy Chuesok

Chuesok (chew-sock) is the Korean Harvest Moon festival. This holiday is scheduled on the lunar calendar so it will fall on a different day each year. In particular Chuesok is the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar; however, the day on either side is also celebrated. It is a lot like the U.S. Thanksgiving, but with gifts and special games.

Michelle picked up some Songpyeon (pronounced song-pyong) which is a traditional Korean food made from glutinous rice. Songpyeon are half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with sesame seeds or chestnut paste steamed over a layer of pine needles, which gives them the fragrant smell of fresh pine trees. They used to be made into various shapes with the participation of family members and were often exchanged between neighbors. They are eaten on Chuseok and other festive days.

They are not loaded with flavor and are quite chewy.

Dumplings

Our kitchen turned into a dumpling factory last night as Michelle made dumlings (English) Gyoza (Japanese) or Mando (Korean). Two kinds, beef and shrimp. After she chopped and mixed she allowed me to scoop and wrap. They turned out quite good. Now we have enough dumplings to last a month.

2 Days 40 Miles

Saturday 13 miles.
Sunday 27 miles.
Yes, Sunday was on bike and Saturday was running.

Here is my Saturday run:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2262006

Here is my Sunday ride:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2261987

Tomorrow I am going to take the bus for 4 miles.

San Diego

We made the trek down to San Diego to get away and just relax. We ended up gorging ourselves with fish tacos. You can have your SeaWorld, keep your Mission Beach and Torrey Pines, the fish taco is the real reason to visit San Diego. Fish tacos anywhere else do not compare to these tasty treats, and cheap. Fish tacos here in SF cost around 7-bucks. In SD they are around 3-bucks and so much better. Sorry, I do not have any photos of said tacos as I was too busy stuffing them down my face. I do have a picture of this so-called Korean BBQ beef. Michelle and I tried to figure out what made it 'Korean" but really could not. It made us think what 'passes' as ethnic food in some places. What makes adding won ton bits enough to call it an 'asian salad'? Does adding curry to something really make it Indian?

Chihuly

I finally got around to checking out the Chihuly exhibit at the deYoung. I get good use out of my membership but it really came in handy on this visit as non-members have to wait to see the exhibit using timed tickets. Members can just walk it. Glass-blowing never looked so fabulous.

Face to Face with Giants

I had the great opportunuty to interview Willie Mays back when I was in college. While my experience was anything but enjoyable it did not diminish my respect and reverence for this Giant of baseball, some would argue the greatest to play the game. Before Saturday's the Giants dedicated a new statue to The Baby Bull, Orlando Cededa, and Willie Mays was there stealing the show. Orlando was the man of the hour but where ever Willie went the crowd buzzed.

Natives on the Beach

Once again while running I happened to stumble upon something cool and unexpected. An artist was recreating a historic photo featuring Buffalo Bill and dozens of Native Americans on horseback. The playwood cutouts were quite detailed and the backdrop of the ocean made very dramatic.

Today's run was along the Coastal Trail. After a week of unusually high tempertures the fog and chill returned making the run pleasant and enjoyable.
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2243363

San Diego

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Victorian Uprising

Victorians side by side with modern structures. As cities mature they are shaped by the constant tension between old and new, tall and short, broad strokes and fine grain. Now there's a fresh example of this tension in San Francisco, and it's not some cloud-popping tower downtown. It's a synagogue in the largely residential Richmond District that rises just 40 feet - but commands a prominent corner with a strong modern design that pushes the notion of neighborhood context to the breaking point.

Battle Among Friends

My friends and I have a Tradition but the only tradition that is taking place is Cuban domination. Fidel may be on his last leg but the Cuban I know is going strong. Once again, Omar was the winner of this year's weekend games. The highlight competition for me was the revised Gaunlet and the water balloon target practice (pictured here).

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Aloha Running

I wish I had a picture to go along with this because my feabile words just will not suffice. Little unexpected discoveries often make my runs the treasure they are. Simple observances of things we don't notice driving or peddling by. Not small things like the way a certain bush looks like a train but items out in the open for all to see or unexpected treats bringing a smile to all those to happen to come across it.

Heading back home this morning running up from the Marina through The Presidio I stumbled upon a large group of people practicing what looked to be traditional Hawaiian dance. The group was diverse, from the expected Hawaiians to Caucasians. The majority were women with a few men scattered in. There was one woman with purple hair. They were lined up in six neat rows with each row consisting of 15-20 people. One large beautiful dance. In front was a lone ukelelee player amplifying his soothing sounds through a megaphone. They were not in full costume, although most were wearing colorful wraps, most paired with a t-shirt. Each face glowed. Their joy could be seeing flowing from their hands and hips. I could only smile and think what a wonderful way to start a day. I think we are all blessed to live in a place where we can find a connection to ones culture and share the beauty of it with others.

It made the short trip home so much easier.

Telephone Classified

"If you want to sell your car, call Jeff," said the sign on a Russian Hill poll. Strange. What kind of connections does this Jeff have? Is he better than craigslist? Better than going to some car lot?

No Seat for You!

This annoys me and thrills me at the same time. Hey, lady, what are you thinking? The bus is crowded and you have the nerve to keep that seat next to you empty. Scoot over and make room. You make it a pain in the butt to have to climb over your legs and shimmy by you. But that is just what I do. Take that.

Paid to Run

It sure is great to get paid for something you enjoy doing. For me, running. For the second time I have been hired to be a training 'pace leader' for the Nike Training program leading up to the Nike Women's Marathon in October.

This is a huge training program for Nike and its running marketing efforts. Last week there were roughly 600 people who showed up to run. Thankfully for me, my group was tiny. There were only 9 people at the 8-minutes per mile pace. There were something like 75 runners in the 9-minute group. I take a group of runners and make sure they stay on pace while making sure they enjoy the experience of running. For example, tomorrow we'll go on a nice, quick 6-mile run.

While there runners can try on and run with Nike shoes, experience the Nike+ system, enter a raffle for great prizes plus get free goodies.

I am not a big fan of running in groups as I have always enjoyed the solitude of running alone, but this is a nice change. The enthusiasm from the runners is quite infectious.

Yosemite

Yosemite has always held a special place in my heart so it was with great joy I got to show it off to Michelle for the first time. I miss being able to make the drive from Fresno after class to read in El Capitan Meadow. I even fainly recall a childhood memory about being stuck in the park after dark because of truck trouble.

We stayed in the canvas tents of Curry Village. While we brought food to cook on our little grill we also ate at one of the many Curry Village restaurants and were surprised at how reasonably priced they were. In a place with few choices you would expect businesses to jack up prices. We had a buffet for about $13; a burger, fries and coke for $8; a big 'ol scoop of ice cream for $1.50. You likely pay more where you live. Coffee was $1.50. What was high was the temperture, 100-degrees on the valley floor. Thankfully the Merced River was up to the task of cooling us down.

While there we were able to climb the Mist Trail up to Vernal and Nevada Falls and take the trail to Mirror Lake (now more like Mirror Meadow). Much to the chagrin of Michelle I would not let her feed the squirrels.

Pride and Proud

No time makes me prouder to live in San Francisco than Pride Weekend. This year was more special and emotional due to the Same Sex ruling. This year's parade was filled with families and couples and with each one of them passing by it was hard not get overwhelmed by the moment.

It is not who you love it is how you love.

Bing

Here's a great idea, let's head out to the orchards in the Central Valley and pick some cherries! They'll be cheaper than we can get here plus it will be fun to find that perfect cherry. What!? You're charging 2-dollars a pound for cherries!? And I have to pick them?! You've got to be joking?!? I can buy them at my neighborhood produce store for cheap and I don't have to work at all. 2-dollars for pick-your-own cherries!?

Burrrr!

Herb Caen once wrote that the coldest winter he ever had to endure was a summer in San Francisco. Oh, how the wise, great Herb was. It has been downright cold in San Francisco. 50-degress in the afternoon and if that was not enough the wind has been blowing harder than political windbag. Walking home tonight I saw somebody wearing earmuffs. I see more scraves now than I did in January. Walking to the produce store last night I found myself at my closet reaching for my parka.

I love San Francisco but the weather is starting to get to me. As I approach my ten year anniversary of living in this magical and mystical place I find myself wondering how much more of these tempertures I can take. How long can I battle the wind whipping my face as I step outside in June? How long must my summer clothes be relegated to only two weeks every year....in January? How long must I shiver in shorts running against the wind while others melt? Then I think to myself...and I look around...and it is at that moment I realize I do not want to be any where else.

Sunset

I may not own a house, have a backyard, BBQ, or be overly crafty but I enjoy Sunset Magazine. There. I admit it. Sunset is based in Menlo Park and it had its annual Sunset Celebration Weekend featuring cooking demonstrations, design ideas and crafts. There were tons of free samples, goodies and hand made things to take home.

Crankie Old Man

Okay, I am going to sound like a crankie old man but I am tried of being nickle and dimed for every little thing I do.

I am getting charged for services at the restaurant, at the gas station, and even at the shoe repair store.

You may have heard that San Francisco passed a measure months ago forcing restaurants to pay for employee health insurance. Meaning all this time the wait staff either had no insurance or had to pay for it entirely by themselves. Now, when you go to many higher end establishments you see on your bill a 'health service charge' ranging from a dollar to as much as two bucks.

Filling up for cash I see more and more stations charging a fee if you use a debit for credit card, usually something like 50-cents.

Now, to top it off, I went to a shoe repair store to replace a buckle on a shoe and was charged a 25-cent handling fee. I asked the clerk what exactly was being handled for my 25-cents, since I brought the shoes in and paid cash. When she could not answer and became frustrated with my incessant questioning she called the manager over who then, in an annoyed and un-businesslike manner said it was for recycling. "We recycle, that is what it is for. We recycle. We recycle." In the process he dragged a trash can full of bags across the floor as if to make his point. Recycle? How does that cost me 25-cents? Now, 25-cents does not break my bank but I am one customer out of many. I think this guy is making a enough to pay for his staff's lunch once a week off this small charge. I am not fully against the charge I am against the way it is being sold to the consumer. I am sure many like me feel the same way about being charged for every little thing. Instead of placing a separate item on the bill just add it into the cost. Raise your prices a bit to cover whatever added expense you may have. If not, business owners run the risk of making more customers angry at this petty charges.

It is more expensive where?

I was doing some research on U.S. cities and comparing the cost of living in various places. In doing so I found this great site:

http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

You type in two cities you want to compare and 'wahlah.'

I come to find out my hometown of Denair is more expensive than my college town of Fresno. I would have to make more in Denair to maintain my standard of living than if I lived in Fresno, 13% more, meaning Denair is 13% more expensive than Fresno. Why is that? Housing. Housing costs 42% more in Denair than Fresno according to this site.

The site is addictive and fascinating giving users a statistical breakdown in over 100 categories.

Flowers Like a Baby's Head

One of the most entertaining parts of having Michelle's parents here was seeing her mother oogle and oggle over all of the flowers everywhere. We walked over to Golden Gate Park and strolled through the Rose Garden and Michelle translated what her mother said, "They (the flowers) are like a baby's head." What? A flower that looks like a baby's head? I have to see this. "No. The flower is as big as a baby's head."

In-Laws No More

I know I have not written as many entries as I would like and I have not posted since Michelle's parents left. They stayed with us for a week after the wedding. Nice honeymoon. It was pleasant and enlightening having them around. I kept trying to get a feeling of what they thought of the U.S. and things here in the states. All I could get out of them was "goood" and "biiiiig". Michelle said they enjoyed themselves, especially seeing the Golden Gate Bridge since that was the only thing they knew about San Francisco. Besides hitting the SF biggies and Monterey I think another highlight was visiting an American supermarket.

I was also reminded of how isolated parts of the world are. Or to be more exact how large the generational and cultural gap is between us. Standing at Coit Tower looking at the Bay Bridge Michelle's father found it hard to believe that we crossed the bridge all the time. There were other instances of what I feel is basic world knowledge that had me scratching my head...and they were scratching their's upon seeing us on the computer getting information in a moment's notice. This, despite that fact that Korea (mainly just Seoul) is more connected than the U.S.

Mid-Week Run 5.27

Tonight was a good night to run. Okay, for me anytime is a good time to run as long as it is not windy. 6 1/2 miles of sheer beauty. The tide was coming in and the dogs were out at Baker Beach. Blue skies over the Golden Gate Bridge and underneath the Presidio's canopied trails I was alone. Inspiration on two feet makes for one happy night.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1939460

Married

The ring on the finger feels natural yet awkward at the same time. Thanks to all those who joined us in making Michelle and my day so special.

Emotions and words often fail us in important times and there was so much we wanted to say we could not on our wedding day. That said we both could not be happier that each of you are in our lives and we look forward to enjoying many more memories together.

The idea that two people from two far away lands could meet in San Francisco is an amazing concept. Then knowing that Michelle is sacraficing being so far away from family and friends to be with a me is beyond my comprehension.

To see so many of you make what we do every day matter.

City Treasures

New York has the money. Washington has the power. San Francisco has the freedom. Freedom is really want we all want, right? Freedom from obligations. Freedom to be creative. Freedom to be who we want to be.

This staircase out the the Sunset caught my eye and got me thinking about freedom and the creative spirit.

Basketball Bronze

Let me win. But if I can not win, let me be brave in the attempt. That is the Special Olympics motto and a fitting motto for the San Francisco Mercy Vipers, the basketball team I coached at the NorCal Championships. Their normal coach could not make it so I stepped in. Lucky for me they did not need much coaching and took home the bronze medal.

Raccoon

One does not expect to see a raccoon in San Francisco. I was sitting at my dining room table looking at my laptop when a moving image caught my eye climbing down the stairs of the building next to mine. I got up to take a closer look and it was indeed a raccoon. It probably traveled over from the Presidio or Golden Gate Park. By the time I scurried over to the window to get a better look it had scurried away itself.

Hybrid Hype

I have heard a lot of commercials lately for the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Radio commercials touting its highway MPG as 34! 34?! That is it! I find this to be a ridiculously low number. I did a test in my 1998 Honda Prelude during the last two full fill-ups and I get 28 mpg. My car is 10 years old and this so-called eco-friendly, gas-saving hybrid only gets 6 more miles to the gallon than mine. What a joke. The hype over hybrid car is nice but lets be honest about certain truths. These cars still use a lot of gas. If those who drive hybrids were really conscious about saving the environment they should not buy a car in the first place. Not only do these cars still produce exhaust, use gas, but we rarely take into account the material used to make these cars. And I wonder what these new car owners did with their old cars. Are they filling up some junk yard somewhere?

I find it absurd that the auto industry has not developed a car that gets more mpg than what we currently have on the road. The cars of the 50's get the same as today.

Drivers of these hybrids make the social statement they are interested in but if they really wanted to save the environment and nowdays save money with rising gas costs, don't drive at all. Ride a bike. Get an electric car. Don't buy the hybrid hype.

The Mayor

I have had the opportunity to work with Mayor Gavin Newsome on several occassions. Nothing of grand nature or public policy but small, lone projects. Today, was a public service announcement for Bay to Breakers. A quick shoot at City Hall. Today, like the rest, I came away impressed. A lot of politicans come across fake and plastic. While Gavin may have plastic hair, his personality and love of The City is anything but fake.

Just Cherry!

Walking to and from work, which I do maybe once or twice a week, I pass through Japantown. This weekend and next will be the Cherry Blossom Festival, pretty much just a street fair expect with a little Japanese flair.

The past few weeks have been a joy to walk around San Francisco thanks to the cherry blossoms being in full bloom. Now, many of the trees have already shed their blooms and gone on to greener things.

With tempertures rising this evening's walk was especially pleasant and I was happy to see some trees are still blooming, perfect for this weekend.

Streeeeetcccchhh

I started taking a yoga class this week. My first. I have always been a bit scared and intimidated by yoga knowing I am not too flexible. That is one of the reasons I wanted to do it as well. I decided to bite the bullet thanks to KAJ's inspiration (photo). After two classes I don't feel all that bad. While I am not nearly as flexible as others in the class, the instructor said I was quite strong and balanced for only attending two classes. That made me feel good.

A Flame In San Francisco

You would think San Francisco would be used to seeing a flame on the street and not go crazy. I had my brief brush with the Olympic torch today, unexpected. Thanks to the last minute route change instead of going along the Embarcadero it was diverted to right in front of my office. The torchbearers started carrying the torch about two blocks away. It was a mad scene along Van Ness Avenue as people scurried outside and before long there was a massive crowd. It was all quite exciting.

Quick Wednesday Run

The route for this run was nothing out of the ordinary but the sunset was. I left around 7pm heading west and the sunset was brilliant. While running I started thinking about the upcoming Bay to Breakers on May 18. If you want to run for free let me know.

Snow Day

By now you should know that Michelle and I are getting married. To escape from all of the madness we headed up to Tahoe for three days of skiing. The snow at Heavenly is great but the the best thing about the place is the view.

Back to Basics

It has been a while since I posted a run. The reason I started this blog was to keep track of my runs. It has since strayed. Not that I have not been running but my running of late has been more of a quick task rather than an escape or enjoyment. That changed today. Today I was reminded on why I run. We all need an escape. A time to drop into an abyss and enjoy the world around us. Our world.

I heard the sounds of birds I have never heard before.
I raced a fuel tanker and lost as it entered the bay and went under the Golden Gate Bridge.
I saw tulips ready to burst into bloom under the windmills of Golden Gate Park.
I saw generations of old yelling silently at their bodies as they stretched and slapped old age in the face.
I passed fellow San Franciscan's as we smiled and said good morning as if we were both in on a little secret.
I felt the cold waters of the ocean, tasted the salt and mentally jumped in.

There has never been a real substitute for running. My feet in some magical form that separates me from the ground.
I am free.
I am running.

Quick reminder, as with all of my runs you can click on the title link to check out where I went courtesy of Google Pedometer. Thanks Google!

This is for Omar

Spicy enough?

Organ and a Movie

Attending the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival over the weekend was not only a great time to see some wonderful movies but the chance to hear the great Castro Theater Organ. Before one of the shows the organ rose up and this majestical music filled this ornate theater. If only going to the movies could be like this all the time.

If you have never been to the Castro Theater it is truly a must see. It shows great older movies, cult classics and special screenings. Plus, it seats something like 14-hundred people.

BTW, I would highly suggest you to see 'West 32nd Street' when it comes out later this year staring John Cho and Grace Park.