San Francisco

Glass N of ~20. Gonzo kept sending us bottles of weird and tasty sake. And rolls. Oh my god the rolls.

(dinner at Goemon after cross-dressed cyclocross racing with Shawn, Jenny & Justin)

Heather’s photo only stokes my excitement further about the upcoming reopening of the California Academy of Sciences.

Sleepy. Looking forward to a reprise of this morning, waking up before the sun came up, the world outside was still and the light perfect. 100 crunches, 20 (sad, I know) pushups, then a motorcycle ride to MC for bouldering, flailing on the dozenth v1 without resting, then to Cento where I ended up pairing Blue Bottle with a talk with The Ex over refinances and mortgages. That part unfortunately will be reprised, I’m afraid not for the last time, either.

Looking forward to climbing with Case, Libby and Xis this week. 2nd year in a row I’ve failed to get lead cert in the gym over the summer. Think it’s because I’m so fat.

Yesterday Chris and I split a 9 year old cab and grilled steaks, then went to the Homestead for cheladas and olympics. It’s been a good week for both bizdev and introspection, curious bedfellows. I left my laptop at Chris’ house, and discovered the small joy in not having a computer around at home in the evening. Thinking I might banish the desk from my bedroom again.

Today was about good food, good coffee and good conversations. I <3 my friends.

Played Avenue D at pub quiz last night, and they want more. Discussed the ultrarich in Monaco and the ultrapoor in Punjab over breakfast, microfinance and food supplies, wandered the ferry building and talked about biofuels and the economics of nonprofits before completing the Blue Bottle trifecta of Cento, Boulette’s Larder and Piccino.

Heard gossip about the inner workings of several of my favorite businesses from some of my favorite people. Think I met a new favorite person.

Rode motorcycle and bicycle along my favorite roads. Thought I saw someone who used to be close to me. Planning for the weekend, another away from SF. Planning September and October—Portland, New York, Boston and Amsterdam. Wishing I’d heard from a friend today, but didn’t. Taking a camera to Zeitgeist.

Saw Bloc Party last night at the Fillmore with Arsie—like their first performance there, they played three encores. They really know how to play to a crowd—I’m stoked for Cut/Copy and Yelle coming up!

Walking to the Muni last night before the party, I tried to reconcile the evening’s plans with a nagging sense of post-30 bedroom DJs suffering from Peter Pan syndrome. Was I judging them or myself?

12 years ago a friend offered me a DJ gig at his bar in the lower east side. With no turntables of my own, it was trial by fire—I ended up learning how to spin right there. Practice before the bar opened, play my Sunday set, then spend the meager proceeds around the corner at the record store on more vinyl for next week. Every mistake, trainwreck and serendipitous mix was there for anyone who was listening.

Last night I relived some of that—learning on the fly how to DJ with Ableton Live in a very public way. Simultaneously frightening and thrilling, my train of thought was something like this: “Look, jump, if I fall I fall.”

In the end it worked out. There were no major screwups—that anyone noticed—and my friends came out to dance. <3 to everyone for their support yesterday!

Looking at houses with my friend the other day, the agent showing us around was ecstatic to note the coming redevelopment of the ship repairyard at the bay side of 20th street.

A part of me is a little sad to see the evidence of this neighborhood’s working-class wartime history get mowed asunder. Planning another clandestine visit to the munitions plant before that goes too.

Got asked to spin at a club on Wednesday. Been a while. Stoked.