Day Trippin' Down the Coast

I have been reading some books by Rachel Carson lately - you know, the author of Silent Spring. As it turns out, she also wrote some phenomenal books about the ocean and the shore. So I've been bugging Matt to take me to some tide pools so I could exclaim over what I'd been reading. Then a facebook friend posted about the many star fish and anemones at Natural Bridge State Park in Santa Cruz.

So we headed down Highway One toward Santa Cruz yesterday, only to realize that we would soon run up against smoke from the fire in the Santa Cruz mountains. Instead of keeping on, we decided to stop and check out one of the cards from our Bay Area Back Roads deck - the sequel to City Walks, which we are almost finished with.

First we pulled over at a random coastal access point to have lunch. As luck would have it, there were a few tide pools there, although the tide was coming in. However, we still saw 2 starfish, several anemones, and many many sea urchins. There were also crabs scrambling for cover. And there was no one else there for a long time - fabulous!

We then checked out Pigeon Point lighthouse and headed into the town of Pescadero which was having an Arts and Fun Festival. What a cute little town! I got some fabulous new bags from a vendor called JaJaJa purses. I felt guilty walking away from her stand only having parted with $8. The purses are all "green" because they are made from old material like 1960s drapes or sheets. Loved it!


(Yes the little red bag is attached to a bangle - so I can't lose it!)

We also went to a grocery store that sold awesome artichoke-related products, hot bread, and fresh goat cheese. Both the local grocery stores had outdoor picnic areas as well. And we grabbed a beer at a bar called Duarte's that has been in existence in the same family since the 1800s. Definitely a place we'll go back to.

As we were driving back through Half Moon Bay, we spotted a huge amount of sea creatures frolikcing and pulled over. Awesome!

Team in Training

Because I look silly running.

Visit from Jackie

Hello blog friends! Long time, no chat. Matt and I have been super busy. Last weekend we had a visit from Matt's 14 year old niece. She spent the whole time texting but still really enjoyed all the tourist sites and most of the museums to which we took her.

Here we are checking out the sea lions playing under the Golden Gate Bridge:

And here's a beautiful butterfly at the CalAcademy:



We later saw two mating butterflies fly through the air and land on a man's head, proceeding to continue copulating without shame. One stood perfectly still while the other pumped its wings rhythmically up and down. Over and over. On a man's head. I'm glad I ducked.

Also, in case you haven't heard from any of my other social media, but I have signed up to run a half marathon with Team In Training. My first group workout is Saturday at Crissy Field. What a beautiful place to train! Visit my website to find out how you can help.

How are you doing?

Ya'll Know How I Love Sea Otters

Check this out.

Our Zipcar Trip

We had $75 in free zipcar credits about to expire, so we took a Prius down to Santa Cruz for a little 24-hour trip. Crappy weather, again. Also don't go to Santa Cruz when the Amgen Tour of California is coming through, or you won't actually be able to go anywhere. Will go back in summer.

Hell Hath (Almost) Frozen Over

Happy February!

In case anyone was unaware, the Arizona Cardinals nearly pulled off a Super Bowl victory last night. So while hell was busy freezing over, spring was springing here in San Francisco, with more warm temps, bright sun, and beautiful blossoms on the trees.

I have many more City Walks to report on, but first I must do some real work. So you can build your excitement, because we saw many fabulous things!

Hockey Night

For Christmas I got Matt two tickets to the Sharks vs. Coyotes hockey game. So Thursday night we trekked down to San Jose on the train to take part in this lovely sporting event.

If any of you have been to a hockey game before, you probably know that the clientele is generally blue collar, sometimes maybe a bit snaggle-toothed, often quite drunk, and throwing around the f-bomb.

Well.

Never have I seen a crowd so white collar and stuck up as the one in San Jose. Apparently the Silicon Valleyites are actually hockey fans. For example, the man next to me was dressed in khakis and a button down shirt, but nevertheless proceeded to have a running commentary throughout the entire game about how stupid the refs were and on and on. Also used the f-bomb liberally.

Then we noticed that the stuck-up button-ups were not afraid to tell people what's what. Repeatedly people who came in just seconds into the start of play were told by other spectators to wait on the stairs until play stops before people would stand up to let them sit down. Now I know it is annoying when people have to walk by you, but give me a break.

Next, apparently because they have to fit more than 17,000 people into the arena, you cannot see all of the action without leaning forward in your seat. And folks, we did not pay $10 for obstructed view tickets as we used to do at AWA. No, we paid good money for these seats. So naturally we leaned forward so we could see the puck. Matt was told in no uncertain terms by the girl behind him that she couldn't possibly see when he leaned forward. So he was forced to miss the action for the rest of the game. (Despite the fact that I was leaning forward nearly the whole time and the girl behind me never said anything.)

Then even after the Coyotes lost, as they are wont to do, a Sharks fan on the train told us that Coyotes fans belong in the back. I kind of laughed at the time, and said, come on, we lost! But then I thought to myself: Is it really okay for somebody to joke about sending someone else to the back of the bus?

Honestly, if I ever wanted to go see another hockey game, I would rather drive to Glendale from my parents' house and hang out with the roughnecks. At least they're not elitist.

We're Having a Heat Wave...

...a tropical heat wave.

It's 70 degrees and sunny here in San Francisco. I'm outside on my balcony, working. Who says the weather here is bad in the winter (or all year, for that matter)?

P.S. Dear salmon, I'm sorry that I'm enjoying the lack of rain while it's literally ruining your lives. Miss you, Alison.

Nature in the City

When I woke up this morning, I could see nothing outside. The sliding door was fogged up, and the whole hillside was shrouded in fog. But I could hear the birds chirping, and they sounded happy. And then the sun came out!

I may complain that we're on the wrong side of the apartment building so we don't have a view of the city, or that we have to walk too far to grab a bite to eat or a drink, but I really am glad I have this slice of nature in the bustle of the city.

Everyday when I see the city in the sunset glow, or the sun shining off the bay, or when I drive around a corner and see the Golden Gate Bridge or the waves breaking on Rodeo Beach, I smile. My goal is to not become complacent with these spectacular views. Even my own piece of grassy hillside. So don't let me complain.

Happy New Year's! I hope you can hear birds chirp wherever you are as well.

And One More Passes...

Matt and I have had a busy year.

I quit one job in March to take another one that was going to be the one I kept, only to quit that job in September. I have basically been unemployed ever since - 3.5 months! - and bringing in only minuscule amounts of money from my "freelancing."

We moved twice; once across town in Albuquerque to a house that I thought had better landlords, and where I enjoyed the front porch but hated the gunshots. Next, across the West to San Francisco, where more than twice as much money did not even come close to renting us another stand-alone. But the scenery makes up for it.

Matt was uprooted from his school again, this time much farther away, when he followed me to the Bay. He traded sometime schoolwork for actual paying work, while his adviser still prods him to finish.

We took trips to exciting places like Pittsburgh and Michigan, but my sister was nice enough to bring me to Ecuador.

My sister and brother-in-law returned home to Phoenix from Europe and are now expecting their first baby. (While my sister says my birthday present is to find out the sex, I think the present will be if it's a girl...)

We had a lovely visit from GLOBE while still in New Mexico, and since being in California, we have seen some friends from New Mexico, my parents, and my sister and brother-in-law (all of whom were in town for some other reason but were nice enough to humor us with a visit - my parents on a brief but out-of-the-way stop between AZ and Vegas).

We also spent Christmas at our own home for the first time ever where we ate vast quantities of Italian food.. Although I saw my family, Matt was deprived of his.

Meanwhile, the world got more depressing. The economy tanked, the safe haven for gay marriage was rendered not so safe, people still died in Afghanistan, sexism still thrived, and my preferred presidential candidate lost.

Here's hoping that 2009 will bring peace to more people around the world, as I have found some peace of my own in San Francisco.

[And despite the fact that I took the time to make all these links, I still haven't taken the time to write my AGU blogs or discuss the great museums I've been to. Maybe one day...]

Our Apartment

I realized I have been remiss in actually uploading pictures of our house and Twin Peaks, however exciting they may be or not be. So here goes. (And then I'm retiring from blogging for another two weeks.)

Kitchen and Dining Room:



Living Room:



View from the Balcony (of Twin Peaks):



View from Twin Peaks (and some of my hair):

Shooting Star

I discovered that if I lie on the living room floor in front of the sliding glass door, I can see the stars over the top of Twin Peaks. If I try really hard, I can forget about the radio towers and the light from the public bathroom that I can also see.

But my biggest discovery was the shooting star that fell through my small sliver of sky. I don't recall seeing one of those from my houses in New Mexico, and they were certainly more rural than this giant city. Such a quick delight, I didn't even have time for a wish.

Happy Hallowing!

October is over. I have no idea where the time went. I do know that it will be a boring, wet Hallowing at the Bailliams house. And also, I wanted everyone to share in the shock I had when I read a letter from my ex-little sister, current pen pal who misspelled nearly everything terribly, including Halloween. She is in 5th grade and earns all A's. In New Mexico. I know that not everyone, including very smart people, is good at spelling, but really, I would have thought a 7 or 8 year old wrote the letter. A bit depressing.

In other news, today is Matt's first day of work. The company is actually so nice that when Matt proposed to start on Monday, November 3rd, they suggested that he come in for at least a few hours today so that our benefits can start tomorrow instead of December 1st. What a fabulous company! I am used to companies that try to cheat me out of every benefit imaginable. (Like the 401k match I never got. Although, I must say that while my 401k is in the tank, my New Mexico Retirement fund is doing smashingly! New Mexico did something right for once! Although Matt says he heard a news story that made it sound as if New Mexico just got lucky. Shocking!)

And in other, other news, we are signing a lease this afternoon. Hopefully I'm not jinxing it by writing about it first. It's high on the Twin Peaks, so a bit of a hike from the closest neighborhoods - The Castro and Cole Valley, but it was spacious, somewhat affordable, and comes with off-street parking, on-site laundry facilities, and a balcony. Also located on bedrock, so the lowest earthquake shaking in the City from the various shake maps I looked at.

And as further evidence that we now live in San Francisco, not New Mexico, Mayor Gavin Newsom was on some random radio station this morning. He and the DJs chatted about the Halloween festivities, why Proposition 8 (the gay marriage ban) is terrible, and how the Mayor's lack of a tie made it seem easier to undress him. Really! Mayor Marty was OK and all, but this guy seems fabulous!

A Wine Wedding

This past weekend, JD and I trekked down to San Diego and Temecula for the latest hydrology wedding. Where the temperature was under 50 degrees. Where I had to wear a Harley Davidson jacket. However, the wedding was absolutely beautiful.

Since everyone I knew was in the wedding, after dropping them off I went wine tasting with CR's husband. This was my first wine tasting experience ever, but I survived. And had some fun. Although apparently tastings in Temecula are not free. At any rate, of the three wineries we went to, Filsinger was my favorite. KR thought it was terrible, but then he was drinking reds and I was drinking whites. Despite the fact that the lady at Hart made fun of me for liking fruity wines (apparently she thinks all whites are fruity), I especially liked the fact that the whites at Filsinger were a bit spicy rather than fruity. After all, in general, I am a beer drinker.

The vintner himself was pouring our wines, and KR could not stand the history he gave me about each one. He was German. At one point he offered me a free bottle of wine if I could guess what music was playing, but unfortunately Bernie wasn't with me, so the classical music escaped me.

Maybe, just maybe, I will drink wine again in the future.

Isolation in view of the City

Apparently it’s a feature of Park Service housing – the lack of land lines, cell phone reception, and of course internet. I have been a bit cut off from the world, as I was at Bryce.

But I can’t complain; it is amazingly beautiful here. I remember being in the city and staring across the Golden Gate at the bright green Marin headlands and thinking it must be nice over there. For some reason I never went. I was not one of the intrepid souls who pedal rented bikes over the bridge and down into Sausalito, or occasionally into the park. Luckily, I have been given a second chance, and now I can look across the bridge at the city, draped in fog, lit up at night, or maybe, one day, in full sun.

Here is my World War II era military housing set in the hills:

Here is my World War II era office building (the one in the back) that was supposed to be temporary:

And here is the view from the office:

Not bad, eh?

I still don’t have any pictures of the bridge and the city, as my camera died at an inopportune time. But I’m pretty sure my house is only slightly over a mile from the bridge. I had no idea I was that close.

I’ve also been to parts of Point Reyes as well, which is beautiful in a completely different way. I will try to get the camera out there in the near future as well.

Anyway, if you ever want to reach me I do have the internet and text messaging capability at my office. I am a 1-mile bike ride through a scary tunnel to the nearest location of cell phone service, so phone calls require planning ahead.

My housing is quite dirty, but my roommate is moving out, and if people want to come visit, I will think about cleaning it. Although I’m pretty sure most of the yuck is permanent…

I know New Mexico is beautiful and all, but if I had to choose…I think you know. And hopefully I’ll get my husband back soon!

Sunny Southern California...

...is not so sunny today. At least not yet - I'm hoping the fog will burn off soon, so I can sit out by the pool again today!


comfortinn.com

Other than that, I can't complain too much about Costa Mesa. It makes me want to move back to LA. I just love it, for some inexplicable reason. I mean, we could have stayed here:


ocweekly.com (The Ali Baba Motel)


Next stop: San Francisco Bay

I am Officially Ready

Nothing inspires you to have faith in your upcoming move quite like three gun shots and a lot of angry yelling. I would love to give you further details, but I can't find anything on the internet. Perhaps the victim didn't die, so it's not newsworthy here in Albuquerque. I'm not sure. All I know is I was asleep on the couch around midnight, and I woke up to gun shots.

First the ice cream man was murdered a block or two from our house back in June. Then a man was killed in a downtown parking garage in July (this is probably at least six residential blocks away). So everytime we heard firecrackers, we sort of wondered if it was gunshots. Now I know - there is no mistaking that, especially when you are close enough to hear yelling too.

We have a friend who has lived in this neighborhood for several years, and he has not experienced murders so close by before. Apparently 2008 is just dangerous.

I gave you a chance, Albuquerque.

You lost it.

Hello California

betterworldbooks.com

I have recently read two pieces of information that have made me wary of living in the Bay Area. And this is because I am a geek. Or a dork. I'm not sure what.

1)A workshop or field trip at this year's Science Writers conference in Palo Alto (P.S. Is anyone going to this?) looks at the fault running through Oakland. The fault historically moves on average once every 140 years. The last quake was in 1868. So. Yup.

2) A blog by a company with whom Matt interviewed this morning (yes, I was reading a hydrology blog) was talking about how the levees in California are actually worse than those in New Orleans and that a natural disaster, in this case an earthquake, could do some serious damage. Serious. He referenced the scenario written by Marc Reisner in the above book. Oh, and the same guy told Matt in his interview that most of the buildings in Oakland have no been retrofitted.

So of course, I ordered the book, used of course, off my favorite online bookstore, betterworldbooks.com. Because why live in denial when I can scare myself outright. Although I'd like to point out that Marc Reisner also wrote the fabulous book Cadillac Desert, about water, and I have been told he then changed his tune 180 degrees on water. So maybe, were he still alive, he would change his mind about earthquakes. Maybe?

And before, I was thinking that Oakland or Berkeley might be a good place to live, but now I'm thinking a different part of the Bay Area might be just a wee bit safer. Hey, when it comes to earthquakes, every little thing helps, I imagine. Or hurts.

Also, Matt's prospoects for a job are looking good, so I guess I won't get to run away this time! (Love you...)

Not Me

I don't even have a cubicle. I have a small little office with two windows, with spectacular views of the Jemez Mountains, if I move my balance ball to just the right place. If I close my door, I can pretend I'm not there, even in the middle of the work day. Those of us in the building refer to it as the "country club life."

But it's still not me.

So I gave it all up for yet another internship and an amazing $1000 a month on which to live. In San Francisco. (Although the government is graciously providing me with free housing.) I get to spend time out in the field with researchers, often in Point Reyes, and when I'm in the office writing, I will be yards from a beach with fantastic surfing and kayaking opportunities. Guess I'll have to learn the former.

nps.gov

As I'm writing this, I'm thinking about all the people who have judged me, silently or verbally, for moving to California, and to the Bay Area no less. And I'm starting to get defensive. But I don't need to defend myself. They think I'm young and naive, or they know I won't like it there, or they think I can't afford it. So what. If it doesn't work out, I guess I'll just leave! It's a shocking attitude, I suppose, to life-long government workers.

I am still young, and I want to have some fun. At this moment in my life, I don't need or want a house, a baby, or any responsibility, really. A husband is about all I can handle.

I've been to San Francisco only twice before, and my husband once - on our honeymoon. But we both love it. For years I've thought about living there, only to think, as it is ingrained, that there is no way I could afford such a thing. But why not give it a whirl?

This blog is here to document my attempt.