Kokochi

tu lan

On the way to a dorkbot meeting, we had a fantastic Vietnamese dinner at Tu lan (6 and Market). Bustling, no frills, and big servings. People coming in from the street to sell stuff to the cooks as we ate...

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

A tree

At least for me this is rare: an actual unfinished tree trunk with grooves and knots as a tel. pole.

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

Huff

Was on bus riding home when bus turned a different way. We all yelled to ask where he was taking us and were told the bus terminal. Obviously none of us needed to go there but he wouldn't stop as if it was our fault we stayed on. In Tokyo, I felt the never-ending announcements were too much but this is the other extreme...So now I got a walk home over the hills.

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

Going downtown

I signed up for a workshop on how to write a business plan run by the small business administration. I don't have a job yet so i am exploring options. The bus this morning was so uncrowded! Compared to Tokyo that is...

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

And on the way home

We passed a muralist hard at work. There he was just doing his work in the sidewalk. So very cool.

p.s. now it looks like I can post directly from my phone...so I can actually moblog from tomorrow. Yippee!

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

A great Sunday...

The weather has been gorgeous here. I feel like I'm having summer all over again! I wanted to go to the farmer's market on Embarcadero, so Dav and I got out our playa dusty rickety bikes and rode down there. On the way, we crossed some cool looking bikers...and then when we got to the Embarcadero, I realized I had been there last Saturday (when there were a ton of tents with mouth-drooling goodies galore). Not much going on Sunday, however, as I sheepishly explained to Dav...we still enjoyed the magnificent view! Did I tell you SF is beautiful? I love Tokyo's uncomprehensible mixture of everything and anything packed into a tiny space...but I also love the open sky and bay. I won't compare, but I'm still in awe at being here.

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

Continuing

Still working out kinks in sending / uploading pics, so I'm uploading the continuation of the Burning Man stuff clean-up. After organizing everything, we hauled it to storage, then ate a feast at a local burrito joint.

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

One big task outta the way!

HI!

A few updates: I got my spanking new phone! A Nokia 3650 with camera and video capabilities. Dav is working out the details so I can post easier since it's different from my AU phone, but I'm already jazzed up and couldn't help but start taking photos. This posting is my antsy "look at my new pics!" attempt.

So other than being busy setting up life here, we actually STILL had our Burning Man camp communal stuff in our garage by default. We needed to get it organized and into storage since our poor neighbors with whom we share the garage were patiently dealing with all the playa dust. Today, finally, a good solid 10 of us got together and went through the stuff that had accumulated and been hauled around for the past 5 years...which included an amazing amount of strange items that made us wonder and laugh just imagining why such things got brought to the playa in the first place: a life preserver, beach ball, skanky wads of cloth, a handmade plaster-of-paris animal head, molding kitchenware, a mysterious bag we opened with caution full of knicknacs...we eneded up with enough to warrant a run to the dump. But, we did get all safely in a storage unit and our garage is free now. Yeah. That's a load off for me.

About Tokyo Tidbits, once I get the phone working, I'll get cracking on setting up a SF site...thinking of a new site name as I write. TT will remain up and seperate from my SF site...Friends from Digital Eve will have access to it and they might do some of their own posting. So there are still changes yet to come, but I'm taking my time...

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits

Where do I start?

Yes, I am alive and kicking. I have much to say, but at the same time have too much to cover, so I'm overwhelmed as to where I should begin. I'm gradually figuring out my groove here, and thanks to Dav, I have an eye on a mobile phone with picture and video capability. Once I get that up and working, my posting urge should be more regular.

You see, posting in Tokyo really was a natural part of my daily life. Kinda like brushing teeth. And even though I've lived here before, I've never blogged. So I've been feeling a bit awkward. Been wondering how to get started. I certainly don't want to force myself to post something just because, so I've been waiting for some sorta moment. Even now, actually, I'm more explaining where I've been instead of rambling on a random experience or observation. I guess we'll have to see how things develop. Having a phone ought to make me feel whole again!

Things have been crazy busy though. Only in the past few days have I had the space to think about blogging.

In the 2 days after landing here in SF, I had to get prepared for Burning Man (living in the brutal desert for over a week can't be taken lightly), drop my freaked out cats at my friend's, and help prepare load the 24 ft. truck our camp rents out together...all the while dealing with the worst jet lag I've ever experienced (probably cuz I hadn't slept much the days before leaving Japan so I was pretty messed up).

I had planned that once BM was over, Dav and I could work to get my alternative sight up and running, but he got called away on business for a week the day after BM! Talking about a harsh transition back to reality. And the server for the site went haywire so it was down for a while. During the 3 days after BM, I helped unpack, return the truck, and attend to the other post-party to-do's. Meanwhile there was/is much to do to make my new home function and feel homey. So I've been running around getting my stuff out of storage, buying necessities, learning about the neighborhood, etc. This is all quite fun for me, and I can only say that I'm treasuring every second with Dav!

Things that have made me think, "ah, I'm in this fabulous town/city SF that is bursting with diversity and creativity that *almost* makes me wanna wear a 'I love SF' T-shirt":

* got a $6 haircut in the Mission by a sweet old woman who couldn't speak English. I don't speak Spanish and the cut is one of the best I've ever had. It took 10 minutes. Then I walked down the block and had a wonderful (and cheap) falafel sandwich.

* I drove over the Bay Bridge from the east bay towards the city at dusk and saw how amazingly beautiful this place is. This is a quaint city that still has the natural beauty to take your breath away.

* Going to Trader Joe's and just walking up and down the aisles drooling and laughing at the incredibly low prices. I can buy all the peanut butter, Nancy's yogurt, and cheese I want! Can't get better than this!

* Dealing with the huge pile of garbage from BM for our whole camp, it was way over our weekly allowance. I was expecting to be slapped with an extra charge, but upon meeting our cheerful garbage men one morning, they said they'd take care of it all for a 6 pack of beer. Works for me...especially after dealing with Tokyo's nazi garbage and having to buy special tickets and make reservations to throw away anything that wouldn't fit in those designated Tokyo Garbage bags.

* Trying to buy the best deal for kitty litter and finding myself with a 50 lb bag. Luckily a very friendly store person loaded the bag in the car for me.

* When picking up our 24 ft. renta truck, finding they had a 15 ft. one for us. Took a long time to get that straightened out. Then for a minor fender bender, I followed up on a fax report I submitted only to hear that they couldn't find it. I faxed it again and am still waiting to hear from them. Everyone is just so damn relaxed!

*Craig's List. Need I say more?

Good to be back with you!

(this post was originally on Tokyo Tidbits