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.

The Sisterhood

Looks can be deceiving. While in the Castro over the weekend I was able to catch a glimpse of the day to day hard work of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. They troll the streets collecting money for non-discriminating charities. It was one of the first organizations to fundraise for the homesexual community at the onset of AIDS/HIV. While many across the country may be turned off by their looks and the organization's stance, every time I see them I smile and am reminded of how fortunite I am to live in a City so welcoming and open as San Francisco.