Anti-Tsunami

My Apartment

I moved to my new Tendernob digs. Yay for the tranny prostitutes outside my front gate. It’s small, urban, and lovely, and replete with a loveseat sofa bed (framed by a brick wall and a fuzzy white area rug that was sold to me on account of the former owner’s baby’s appetite for it) for you prospective guests. Many of you know “Anne”, the furniture lady who keeps on making comments about my anatomy; turns out her real name is Bea. Anyway, she and her helper Lyle were life-savers and hopped around the city with me picking up furniture that I purchased on Craigslist. I spent about $500 on CL. The place looks sweet, and as if I have lived there for eons. I am pretty proud of myself for getting it together so fast and I am finally going to live the way I want. Shout out to the many excellent friends who helped me move: (in chronological order): Steve (car trips), Polina (walking trips), Rakhee (trips up the stairs and organization), Dana (tech maven), Mary (consulting), Andrea (clothes folder extraordinaire), Joanna (carrier), Jill (carrier), and John Urquhart (salesman and organizer). I will throw a party for these people and these people alone as soon as my traveling hiatus ends. Also, I will get pictures of the pad up ASAP. Every time I move I think it’s the last time, so this time I am going to shut the Hell up.

Overwhelmed

Last week in general I felt perhaps the most overwhelmed I have ever felt, and very “on edge” – between the move, furniture acquisition, and traveling, and subletting my apartment, and voice classes, and birthday parties, Macalester alumni stuff, admissions consulting, and closing on my house in Texas, and work, my head was spinning. A friend of mine e-mailed me and said he believed I was overstating how busy I was. It’s hard to express how busy you are without implying that your time is somehow more limited then their’s, when you are still socializing at any level, and when you say you don’t but the “busy” spiel, as I do. But, anyway, it felt really bad, and I don’t feel that right now anymore.

D.C.

So, I’m traveling. The Law School expanded my job into a territory of interest: admissions recruitment. Thus, I’m in D.C., a place that I used to consider a second home because I interned here back in the day and have so many great friends here. Well, I think it’s a function of the age we’re at,:but I’m here, and I don’t at all feel like I’m home. Actually, it’s very strange to be here on a few levels:

1) I used to consider D.C. to be objectively much cooler than wherever I was living, i.e. Minnesota, Hartford. In fact, D.C. prompted my crisis/realization that I had to leave Hartford. I thought on many occasions that I would end up living here, i.e. the Dept. of Transportation fiasco. Now, I am so smitten with San Francisco that anytime I go anywhere else, I enter taxonomy mode, and my love for the beauty, quirkiness, food, culture and vibe of the Bay Area deepens.

2) Tonight, though I know a plethora of people here, I spent the day, and noshed alone in Old Town Alexandria. People in their late 20’s have more complicated lives, bound up in significant others, and the time and distance separating us simply — and quite naturally — makes a visit from me less of a priority. This is also because, unlike when we’re in school, our schedules and stresses and experiences aren’t synchronized. This is not offensive, nor is it intended to be. It’s just more of a somewhat sad realization.  I think this distancing is sociologically "natural" in the sense that after we breed little ones we dedicate ourselves to their rearing and stick to our own more. This sort of thing makes me again appreciate the consistency of my family. Even if my sister and I operate on different planes, she is omnipresent in my life. It’s amazing how that works. It’s almost random who we end up having in that position. I still don’t know if I want any kids, nor do I have to.

Siblings

I’m oh so glad I have a sibling. I think if you have one, it’s perhaps a good idea to have two. This is because, generally speaking, your parents die first. Jessica is the only person who knew me and my experiences since I was a little tyke. She knows the little secrets that nobody else knows — that aren’t ever deemed. And *that* rather than our snippety daily catch-up sessions, binds us. As my parents get older, I appreciate more and more Jess’s position in my life; her constancy.

Being 26.5

So, yeah, I think I’m technically an adult. What puts me in this category is that I have a highly responsible career and a portfolio of investments, I’m living alone and a critical mass of my friends are married or in committed relationships, or freaking out because they’re not.

It’s strange how the time passes (sorry for the cliche). But, for example, I remember entering college with friends who had younger siblings who were in elementary school, and who are now in college. I also feel really old when I go to “thump-thump” clubs, or college towns, like Austin. In that way, the main marker of adulthood is when I compare myself to people who are younger than me who are also technically considered adults; who don’t know the likes of Depeche Mode or Saved by the Bell.

Actually, there was a 19-year old in my ACT class, and we all sort of poked fun at that fact. For example somebody used profanity and I said "not in front of Marla (which is a ficticious name)" and she was really hurt and dropped the class, and I feel really bad about that. I keep on thinking about what if she becomes famous and resents me.

Being an adult is so different than I thought it would be. It feels so natural, but almost surreal. The big secret is that it’s all a facade. We feel the same inside but we have to wear a mask on the outside to conform to the exigencies of our society. Then, we gradually get accustomed to the mask and eventually adapt our insides to its dimensions.

CA Friends

With all this said, I have such an appreciation for the friends I’ve made in Cali. When I moved to CA I knew virtually nobody and it was so scary. Since then, I’ve developed this incredible social network of people who (maybe this sounds selfish) are exactly what I need. They’re liberal, funny, dynamic, independent, and (relatively) flexible (I say relatively, because I think as we get older we become less flexible).

En route

So, I’m traveling for a whole month. I have never traveled so many miles in such a short period. I am acquiring over 20,000 frequent flier miles during this trip. It’s a good experience because I am getting to know myself more (with the company of my rental Crown Victoria’s navigation system), and will prepare me for my venture into living alone. My schedule is booked solid for 5 weeks: Baltimore, MD, D.C., Charlottesville, Williamsburg, and Norfolk, VA; Salem, OR, Malibu/Los Angeles, CA, Walla Walla, Ellensberg, Richland, and Seattle, WA; Eugene and Portland, OR; back to D.C.

Sermon on Essential Goodness

Here’s my new philosophy on anchor relationships from a veteran survivor. Generally, I think it is unhealthy to characterize people as bad and good. Just like victims of domestic violence, we use factors like poor socialization and chemical imbalances, to justify negative behaviors and relationships. This has to stop. Staying in these relationships condones and perpetuates bad form. We’re all a combination bad and good; we are good to some, bad to others. If a person steals your thunder — drop the good/bad inquiry and determine if they’re bad or good for you.

Rude People

I need to let this one go. So, when I got on the plane to Baltimore I had been placed in Southwest’s abominable C queue. This did not make me happy. Then, these two older "classy" women (who reminded me of my mom) who had been sitting on chairs next to the line, slyly cut in front of me. I wanted to say something and sneered at them repeatedly. I think I was so angry because it reminded me of something my mom could do and only she can inspire that sort of childish response. Anyway, I didn’t say anything, and I found a great window seat over the wing. Is it worth it to say something? Won’t they just keep on doing this?

Plane Coping

So, I hate flying because I dont want to sleep (due to a fear of snoring), I don’t like turbulence, and my ears sometimes go nutso, i.e. when I went to Austin and my gums got numb with pain. But the Ipod, meditation, and preventative sinus medication really makes it better. The last leg of the flight was bumpy — due to clouds over Indiana — but with classical music and Lisa Loeb I was able to cope quite well. Also, though I felt air pressure pain coming on, I kept it at Bay with Tylenol Sinus.

Saving GGU

I don’t know why — but I guess it’s good — when I go on these trips I am psychotic about saving as much money as possible on my purchasing card. I feel like it’s coming directly out of my pocket. I don’t know where this derives from, but it’s become a sort of obsession.

Sensitivity

I have a friend who is really sensitive about just about everything I say and do. I really care about them, but I feel like they want me to adapt my personality to their needs, and I don’t know if I can do it. I think my bluntness is something people appreciate. I also think they misconstrue my genuineness for mocking, but there is only one way for me to be genuine. I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place.

Parking Lot

- I think it is HI-LARIOUS how people overstate their IQ’s as fact based on what they think they are. 130, and not 140, is actually genious. A 149 IQ is equivalent to a 1560 SAT score. Here is the conversion chart: http://www.sq.4mg.com/IQ-SATchart.htm

- As I intimated earlier, the rental car company upgraded my car, er boat, to a Crown Victoria — the cop car. It drives well, but parallel parking doesn’t happen.

- It’s nice to be around the history and falling leaves of the East Coast — for a week.

- I am so excited about the movie Rent coming out - I got an extra Frosty yesterday from Wendy’s (and they didn’t charge me for BBQ sauce)

- I saw Will Smith on the street filming a movie

- Went to my 3rd Duncan Sheik concert. He has a beard now. The opening act was great — a guy named David Poe — allegedly the quintessential makeout artist. The concert was held at Bimbos 365, which is quite a classy joint. I highly enjoyed all of it.

- My cell phone battery is dying and as expected the Sprint merger with Nextel is cramping my style — though Delia can call me for free anytime now.

- The Journal (CPILJ) I feel I turned around is now being published in hard copy. I never felt like I was affirmed by UConn for the things I did for that Journal.

- Speaking of age, I now do this thing where I look at people and then flash to them as children, and immediately flash to them at 80, like an Ally McBeal episode.

- I missed Love Parade and Folsom Street Fair on account of moving and travelling.

- I realized that I appreciate Jill and Chris because they are completely immune to my influence, unlike any other friends I have ever had.

- Today I did my first admissions fair at Johns Hopkins. For one, seeing college campuses doesn’t exhilirate me the way it used to. But, I sat next to Hofstra (alphabetical) and there was 3L doing recruitment who was super cool and who I will be on the circuit with for the remainder of the trip, making it much more fun — especially given the lack of friends I anticipated seeing.

- I have started admissions consulting for money.

- It’s hard to run errands when you’re away from home.

- Israel is in the bag from Dec 28 to Jan 9 from LA.

- Two of my good friends: Jason and Steve, replaced me and Adeel in my old apartment.

- A friend of mine may get a job at GGU across the hall from me; exciting!

Last night I went to bed relatively early. After a late night at work, and a little improv (and meeting someone who LOVED Iceland, go figure), at about 11, I walked from SOMA to my apartment, and it was one of my most prized and pleasant strolls to date. I walked down Mission to 5th, dodging some pleasant, disabled, homeless people. I then proceeded to Powell, where there was so much action, diversity, and life there, including drunken dancing champagne guzzlers, jazzy street performers, bachelorettes, older sophisticated retirees who just finished a show, gangstahs, people with hair colored with Kool-aid, and single professionals milling around. I thrive on this stuff. All the while I was looking for sushi like I was on a scavenger hunt.  But, when it came time to actually enter a restaurant, I convinced myself that it was too late to eat and that I should save money. But, it was great to see that there were fully 11 sushi options along the way. I passed a male strip club, little late-night bodegas, bars frequented by locals, and hotels (some picking up the pace, and some winding down). By the time I got to Jones, I saw Cybelle’s pizza, and it started getting quieter, feeling more like home. I make the turn onto Leavenworth, past Blockbuster (where I saw couples scurrying about in search of the perfect romantic comedy or horror movie, with a bag of kettle corn). The 30 minute walk was like a full night of activity, and for free. Turns out I didn’t need the sushi. Breezy city evenings are my favorite.

Unlikely encounters

So since the yogi, I have encountered a host of interesting characters. Maybe it’s because of the yogi.

1) A federal agent called me to conduct a background check on a friend of mine who applied for a federal government job. The agent sounded intimidating on the phone and told me he would be arriving at my home immediately. I did a quick check of my home, he walked in, told me the drill and then served as my ventriloquist. In person, he was more bumbling than anything. He said, "describe __________," and when I said "exuberant", he said (and wrote) "and brilliant, and gorgeous, and witty, and together." After his monologue, he stayed at my house for over an hour trying to recruit me to become a federal agent or to take the foreign service exam. He then used my toilet for a long while and complimented us on our selection of reading materials — especially The New Yorker. This, along with being a prospective landlord, makes me a little more fiscally conservative. This man is getting paid hourly with my tax dollars to interview himself in my name.

2) Then, I was randomly sitting in my office with my door closed and I hear this man with a very loud voice looking for me. I open the door, he plops himself down on my couch, and tells me he wants to endow a very large scholarship for the law school.  He tells me he is a lieutenant colonel in the Army — a former JAG corps member. The man is in his mid-70’s. He has long fingernails, and is wearing a hat covering his long white hair. For an hour he is yelling at the top of his lungs at me. I feel like I am the son in a more outrageous version of Big Fish, i.e. that his wife has a mutant sister who is 6′6. Every time he mentions a name he tells me the address of the person he is talking about. He shows me a host of paperwork to prove who he is, and asks me repeatedly "do you want to mess with me, young man?" For which he answers, "I didn’t think so." I did some research - some of what he tells me is true.

3) Then, I get a voicemail from an anonymous caller about an alleged instance of plagiarism. The caller keeps on repeating the word "disentation" which is his version of dissertation. He also assures me "he has nothing to do with the law - either legal or illegal."

San Diego
As soon as I returned from Texas, I went to San Diego to run an alumni event. I felt right at home there from the moment I landed. It reminded me of Fort Lauderdale without the humidity, i.e. the Gaslamp District was like a bigger version of Las Olas. I rented a car, and for the first time dreamed about living the life of a Ken doll and having a convertible. I spent the day walking around the Marina, and looking for a place to get a haircut, of which there are surprisingly few. I also popped my head into a few real estate developments downtown. They are building tons of lofts down there, and plan for it to have a more urban feel. The downtown definitely didn’t feel dead, but it was relaxed.

The event went well, and so did the fancy seafood dinner afterwards. Turns out the place was so expensive that the other staff member and I split a meal b/c we didn’t want to deplete the school’s funds. That’s love.

After the festivities were over I went to Beachie and Colin’s fine abode. They are the consummate hosts. Seriously. I arrived at 11 and Colin was waiting patiently for me with beer in hand. We had a nice conversation even though I was pretty delerious from a general lack of sleep. I got to see pictures of Joni’s lovely baby, Lila. She is ADORABLE. In the morning, Cristin was sweet enough to get me a bagel and coffee. Overall, after our conversations about eating beef and STD’s, I think Cristin is a very reasonable person who would make a really good President of the United States. I think I will nominate her. They are moving to Minnesota. Even though I barely see them now, it’s nice to know that they’re in the same state. But, alas, real estate prices and conservatism have gotten the best of them. I can’t wait to host them when they visit here in SF.

Frustrations: Small and Large

So, the last week was a sort of frustrating one for me:

1) The good news is I am going to Israel through Birthright with a group called "22+ California Dreamin’" from December 28 to January 9. Getting on this trip is  a huge privilege and is all about timing. At 26, your opportunity tolls. And, you need to be up at the crack of dawn to register (it’s done at 9 am East Coast time). I was supposed to go with a friend who did about 1/2 the registration, but then she second-guessed it and decided she was too busy. In general I think busy is a buzzword for "not a priority." Anyway, this friend has never been abroad and I REALLY wanted her to go for her. I didn’t even care if we went together. But, alas, I need to learn how to let go and allow people to make decisions for themselves, even if they are different than the ones I would make. So, end of this rant. Frustrate-o-meter rating: Low-Medium

2) I have been feeling taken for granted by a person who has been staying with me for a month (and stayed with me for a month in the past). This is one of my very good friends who is a really sensitive person who means well. With that said, he hasn’t offered me a dime to stay here, but will be assuming my position in the apartment after I leave. I pre-paid the full month, and asked him to reimburse me for the one week I will be leaving and he said "no." He’s never bought me a drink or a meal to the best of my recollection. So, I finally confronted him about it, via e-mail. Frustrate-o-meter rating: Medium-High

3) I made plans to watch a movie with my friend last week. 3 hours after our initial meeting time we met. The plans were thwarted by an engagement. When I arrived, I consulted with and ordered for everybody except the newly engaged Vegan, after I was informed by her fiance that she would order for herself. Boy, did I hear it from her. She said to me in probably the most condescending manner possible, "I know you’re hungry, but why don’t you sit down and relax and take other’s needs into account." I don’t know if I have ever been so paralyzed by a situation. I mean, I don’t know this person and she must not be bad because she just got engaged, but she totally disrespected me. I just wanted to flee the scene. But I stayed, but got the heck out of there as soon as I could.
Frustrate-o-meter rating: Very high.

Doctor
My chiropractor wants me to get physical therapy. So, for this I needed a referral and I got a physical for the first time since I was a kid. The doctor waited til the very end to conduct the "cough test" and check me for testicular cancer. It was funny because as he’s doing it, I instinctively uttered (though under my breath), "OK - that’s enough." Then I cracked myself up (in my head). With all that said, I really like my new primary care physician. He’s a musical theatre savant and may take classes at ACT. I am going to go to another allergist b/c the bozo I saw last time is clueless.

Sick Emma
Jessica, Doug, Parker, and Emma were supposed to come and visit last week. But, Emma contracted pnemonia. She had a 106 fever. SAD. She was in the hospital for about a week and wearing the cutest little yellow hospital gown. I was so sad that I ditched a happy hour with my co-workers because I didn’t want to be a wet blanket. She’s OK now though…

Travels
I have even more travels now. My job is shifting to include more of an admissions focus. Turns out I will be doing some recruitment events at in the D.C. Metro area and Seattle/Washington State. I wil be going to UVA, W&M, GW, JHU, Whitman, and Central WA for fairs and do alumni dinners at night — from the first VA trip I will go directly to Portland, OR. Then, I will be in D.C. again the following month for alumni events. There needs to be more direct flights between National and Bay Area airports. Somebody do something about this. Please. (I must get my new Ipod up to speed before then)

Classes
I intended to audition for some musicals at Willows Regional Theatre in Concord, but with my travel schedule this will be impossible. I am sad about this. I started two more classes: Vocal Ensemble and Singing. With these new classes, I only have 2 free weeknights a week.  In vocal ensemble I am again one of two guys. But this time the other guy is a tried-and-true tenor who has been in over 40 operas. So, guess who’s the bass harmony for every frikkin song: moi! I am so scared. Singing is a nice and relaxing class, almost like yoga. There is a hot Indian in it who asked me if Rakhee is my girlfriend, then if I had a girlfriend, and then how old I was. Then, she said that she is too old: 33. I don’t think that’s too old. She says she used to be a model, but she has blue streaks in her hair, and paints on her eyebrows. I may fail my singing class b/c you fail after 3 absences and I am already forced to miss 2 due to travels.

New Apartment
I was so stressed last week; I thought I was going to lose the apartment because I couldn’t provide the deposit b/c I was waiting for transfer from my savings account to clear. I am moving next Friday with a band of wonderful people. I am not as coordinated as I would like at this point. I need a couch badly. I am not sure if my dining table will fit outside the door. I am having a painting party on Saturday. I am debating between the accent wall being kermit green or chocolate brown. Give your suggestions please. I am excited about the move. Not sure it was the right decision given that I will be away so often on work, etc. I could have saved some $ by staying where I am. Everybody in my current apartment seems to be in transition with new jobs, etc.

Parking Lot
- My dad turned 79. I of course sent him kombucha for his present. For the first time I have my family repeatedly inquiring when I am headed back. I am not planning on X-Mas/New Years (b/c of Birthright). I honestly don’t know when I’ll be back in Florida and it’s a little scary.

- Andrea and I are all-star, gold medal cuddlers.

- I now have an investment portfolio. I started a CD, I am buying a house, I have a 403(b) and Roth IRA. Taxes are going to be Hell this year, but it’s a trade-off because it makes me feel important.

- Cara Cutler will be here the same weekend as Melanie Brookes in November! I will see Cara in Seattle in October.

- Edit: my friend Polina is Ukranian and not Russian

- Everyone is giving my mom shit about buying the house in Texas. People are ig’nant. A lot of people just instantly hate Texas because that is where Dubya was governor. I hate this type of judgmental liberalism.

- I hate waiting in line at the bank, especially when the fakey greeters keep on asking you how your day is.

I am a magnet for these kinds of experiences…

I was walking down Sutter Street in the financial district minding my
own business today, and this 70-something Indian guy with a big nappy
white beard gives me this piercing look, points at my forehead, and
approaches me. He smells really good; remarkably fresh. I thought I
accidentally gave him a dirty look, and he was going to tell me off or
something. I actually felt guilty about it. But, I was wrong.

He starts
talking to me in a very thick accent about some "dot" on my head. I
thought he thought I was middle eastern or something, but I think he
meant it figuratively. He then tells me he is a yogi — which is
apparantly some kind of spiritual leader — and that I have inspired
him and that he must touch me and tell me about what is to be. He says
there is something very intriguing about my eyes; that though I need to
pray to God and meditate 1-2 minutes a day, I am still a good and
honest person. Then, it gets scary; he starts rambling like he’s
possessed/ speaking in tounges, at which point he grabs onto my arm
almost violently and forces me to look in his eyes. Meanwhile, a few
people on the street sort of stop to look at what is going on. He asks
me where I was born and what sort of work I do. I tried to be evasive
and told him I worked at a University. He very seriously tells me that
I will have two loves in my life (makes sense); that I will die at age
89 (better than I thought); that I look rich (not so sure); that I had
two bad experiences in my career — one in 2004 and one in 2005 (on the
dot); that I will travel to and fall in love with London in the next
year (unlikely); that I am healthy (I guess sort of). He tells me that
October is a very lucky month for me, and starts writing down all these
numbers to prove it. He tells me I will experience great financial
success. He tells me that, in fact, a string of three lucky things will
happen to me during this month.

He wants me to believe him and
understand that he has no financial incentive. To prove this, he shows me a black and white family portrait with a picture of
him when he was a child. He writes something down on a yellow piece of
paper and crumples it and places it in my left hand. He then asks me
how many brothers I have including myself. I say "3". He then asks me
to write down 4 colors, and circle the one most prominent to me. I
circle blue. I open my hand and he had written "3" and "blue". He then
told me to call the person who I was thinking about when I was walking
down the street, and that was Peter Martino.

The whole time he was
doing this I was wavering between thinking he was going to kill me or
ask for money. I told him I had to go to work, and he didn’t ask for
anything from me. I don’t know if any of this stuff is true. I wish I
had a tape recorder. I asked him for his card, which he did not have.
He said he is not sure but thinks we will meet again, but is not sure.

Why did this happen? Can somebody interpret this for me. Please.

In other news, Kitty informed me that an Indian paintbrush is a common type of flower, so I don’t feel  unMacalester about my purchase anymore.

OK - that was my 15 minute break at work.

I just returned from Austin, TX. What a great and productive little trip!

Texas-y
Austin isn’t quite how I pictured it.  It is beautiful hill country, though the actual city is smaller and grittier than I imagined. The weather was deathly hot and hazy. I want to go back in the Spring when the wildflowers are in full-bloom.

Austin is also more "Texas-ey" than I imagined, which isn’t necessarily bad. I observed that there were actual spurs, and cowboy hats, AND there
were also bumper stickers about misogyny and in support of Kerry. Love that combo. Scarily, I think I could get into the whole Texas thing. Not Dubya and the politics out there, but the Texas pride is infectious. I bought a longhorn shirt and don it proudly, even though I have nothing to do with UT.

Austin seems to have a far more developed night scene than it does day scene.
Walking down 6th Street during the day is like a ghost town, and all you smell is that
beer/cleaning solution combination, which is sort of nauseating.  There
are no outdoor cafes. There also isn’t a real posh downtown shopping scene, even something to rival West Hartford Center, let alone Newberry St or Union St in Cow Hollow. I think Austin could use an area like this, and thinks its development is imminent. I am going to write an editorial about this in the Austin-Statesman.

At night, 6th and 4th Streets are a hub of activity teeming with bars and live bands, with excellent bars vying for your attention with promises of 1-buck Long Island Iced teas and no cover charges. Joanna and I actually went to one place where the band was quite respectable and we were the only people in the audience. The scene reminded me of a scitzophrenic cross between Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Berkeley, CA. There was so much vibrance and life and we had a blast. 

Anyhow, throughout the trip, all the food I consumed there was remarkably good, ranging from BBQ to pizza to Mexican to Japanese.  It was uniformly tasty and affordable.  I yelped most of it already. (Also, my yelp review for the Filipino restaurant I went to last week is today’s featured review). Honestly - I was very impressed with the food; as you know, eating is my favorite pasttime.

We went to San Antonio too, which seemed a little more dead than I anticipated, aside from that Riverwalk thing, which was quite nice and expansive. I swear that’s the only place that gets any play in San Antonio. San Antonio’s second largest industry is tourism. Who goes to San Antonio though? Would you? Oh yeah, we checked out the Alamo, which was a little dinkier than I anticipated, but well-lit. On the ride to San Antonio I noticed a totally messed up billboard advertising a new home development named "Indian Paintbrush." How funny and messed up at the same time, no?

Property
All weekend we shopped around like champs for property viewing upwards of 30 homes.

Our agent is a buyer’s agent (as opposed to seller’s or transactional
agents). Our agent reminded me of my mom’s ex Tom. He is
very Christian and into Bush, which was interesting. He called the city council a bunch of tree-huggers, and accused them of being against growth. He also defended Bush for not acting, because supposedly the governor wouldn’t "let" him; he continued by saying that there are lots of secrets common people don’t know. How does he know?

Anyway, through all this searching, I have full confidence that prices in Metro Austin are primed to skyrocket.  There is so much growth and development, and the prices are just too low. They are building a plethora of 1-Million dollar homes.   Austin is the 2nd fastest growing city in America. Over 16,000 people moved there last month alone, and the number of available listings are 1/2 of what they were a year ago. Historically, the prices tanked during Sept 11, (they were already twice what they are now) and have remained constant since. And, ebbs and flows in these markets are cyclical. Basically, all indicators point toward incredible income potential. The prices there are from the 1980’s or something. If you are skeptical about Texas, please note that Boise, Idaho has increased in value at about 18-percent a year for the past 3 years straight.

If you want to chat me up about investing there, let me know. It’s officially my new obsession. (Finally a lucrative obsession as opposed to cruiseship gross tonnage and liberal arts colleges…yippee!)

My House
I bought a house is 114K for 1,400 sq foot - a brand spankin new spec home. 3/2, 2 car garage, and a respectable plot of land. Here it is: http://www.newhomesource.com/search/home_detail.aspx?refer=DMR269&spid=302113&fp=hr&mid=269&cid=15688

It has a 5-year bumper to bumper warranty. I couldn’t purchase a manhole in San Francisco for that price, or even just a warranty for a house, let alone a house. The house is in a suburb called Kyle right outside of Austin which a South suburb (which is Austin’s good ol boy cowboy country), near a flagship outdoors store called Cabelas (in nearby Buda, pronounced "Bee-yew-dah").  Cabelas is a very interesting place. They have lots of taxidermy (the cleanest I’ve seen), including the 49th largest taxidermied moose on record. My mom bought a house down the street from me. We’re neighbors! Now all I need to do is find a tenant…

OK - I am dying, I have to admit it. I bought a home in that subdivision with the completely racist name, "Indian Paintbrush." Am I evil? I was all against the Illinois and FSU mascots and now look at me. Hypocrite central. There are no negative visual depictions of Native Americans anywhere, in case you were curious. The ghose of the Prairie Schooner of Ogden, Utah is haunting me.

Relatedly, Mom and Basil found a gorgeous home near Lake Austin with an overlook
that looks like the scene on a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing. Here it is:

http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListing.asp?snum=27&locallnk=yes&frm=bymap&mnbed=4&mnbath=4&mnprice=1000000&mxprice=1250000&js=off&pgnum=3&fid=so&mnsqft=&mls=xmls&areaid=1098&typ=1%2C+2%2C+3%2C+4%2C+5%2C+6%2C+7&poe=realtor&ct=Austin&st=TX&sbint=2&presort=sbint&sid=054D7FA42485C&snumxlid=1047750987&lnksrc=00002

This would be a perfect setting, for say a New Years Eve bash. And,
trust me, there is plenty of room!

Pro-Landlord
Speaking of problematic, so I am still a liberal democrat — fiscally liberal even, i.e. I am in favor of tax increases. But, now that I am going to be a landlord I have started to think about the "other perspective". Being in this position makes me realize how people become conservative. I am specifically talking about how relieved I am that TX laws are landlord-oriented (as opposed to Cali), meaning that if my tenant doesn’t pay rent I can drive them out of my house with a pitchfork and I’m all good. Normally, I would sympathize with the "poor proletariat tenant who just lost their job," but now that I am potentially footing the bill I feel dramatically different. It’s weird, sort of sad, but also eye-opening. Can I still call myself a socialist?

Plane
So with all these allergies and sinus problems sparked by Texas, the plane trip was a disaster today. Upon landing I thought I was having a stroke or something, I mean my gums got all swollen — there was so much pressure I thought it might be the end of me.  Thank God I took sinus medication. Hours later, my right ear is still clogged.

As I may have shared earlier. I really don’t like flying. It all started from a fear my mother had after we almost crashed en route to Italy. This psuedo-fear has never stopped me from actually taking a flight, because I have wanderlust and the marginal benefit of seeing a new place is too high. But when I fly I am tense and can’t sleep and all I do is watch the wing and think, usually about my mortality. My logic tells me that the chances are low that I will die and that turbulence is not dangerous. But, I suspect it’s more about the lack of control that I have as a passenger and the fact that I am in mid-air. I pretty much forget the whole experience when it’s over. But, while I’m flying , every minute feels like a year.

Ironically, though oftentimes I feel profiled as an Arab-looking person when I’m flying, I was neither pegged in Utah or Texas. Go figure. Overcompensation?

I read the New Yorker on the plane and this article by Malcolm Gladwell about this cookie competition totally piqued my interest. He is my new author of choice. I totally identify with him Edward Albee, and Michael Moore — except for his whole perspective on Indian Paintbrush (I guess I might be anticipating what his reaction would be…but I heard he does drive a fancy import.).

San Francisco
So, I was talking to Steve while I was in Texas. He has a love of TX, though he lives in SF. I kept on comparing it to San Francisco. He urged me to stop comparing, but I couldn’t. I am officially a Bay Area snob. I am willing to live in a shoebox that costs 1K a month just so I can be here, which is exactly where I want to be. Maybe I will eventually retire on Lake Travis and shut my pie hole. But, as soon as I got off the plane I felt so at home. The clouds over the Bay, the breezy cool night air, all felt so comfortable and right to me.

Parking Lot

- Didn’t check e-mail for about 5 days. Very refreshing, though stressful to see all the mail in my work and personal inboxes.

- Austin was a major relief center for hurricaine Katrina survivors.  It was really sad to see all these displaced people from New Orleans milling about downtown Austin. You could identify the displaced by their fluroescent wristbands, which functioned like a scarlet letter, as thousands made their way to the Salvation Army. Sadly, many of the survivors were drunk. Apparantly many of these people are under the illusion that they will be returning to their homes in weeks.  The saddest part was seeing the children walking around with their eyes wide.

- My allergies were in full effect this weekend. San Antonio in particular almost killed me. My eyes were red, I had hives, and I could barely breathe. Austin had a far less dramatic effect on me.

- I was so disengaged from the world this week, that I didn’t even know Rehnquist died until today.

- I also sort of picked up a ever-so-slight twang. Trust me, it’s really easy to pick it up.

- The big grocery store in Texas is called "H-E-B", but as good Jews we referred to it as the "Heeb" during the whole trip.

- Austin had every franchise I ever saw in full effect, including ones that I thought went under years ago. For example, I rediscovered Sonic, the best fast food ever (aside from Pollo Tropical), which is omnipresent in Texas. Go cherry limeade! There have been great intervals between my visits to Sonic. I used to go after school in middle school. Then I went my senior year of high school in Kentucky. I haven’t had it since then.

- San Diego this week for work…

My Own Apartment
The big news is I got my very own 1-bedroom apartment. (Yay for not a studio). It is not 100%, but my approval is a formality. I will post pictures as soon as I get ‘em. I was planning to move out in November or December but with the thought looming in my head I got obsessive. I looked at an apartment that I absolutely hated, which of course immediately prompted a more intensified search. I found this wonderful little place with lots of light, hardwood floors, an open kitchen, and a bathtub with my name on it. It has a lobby downstairs and digital washer and dryer.  I can’t wait to paint and decorate it and make it my very own; to live the way I want to live — to only contend with my dishes and mess.

The past year has been a great experience overall with my roommates, but I am ready to move
beyond the frat house, including the smoke, the dishes, the noise, etc. My roommates are such a part of my identity here that it will be interesting to reconceive of myself without them. They have been so great to all of my guests and are fantastic hosts. The impending move has made me reflect so much on what a salvation their call was when they accepted me.

Last year I had the option of living in a very antisocial, almost studio apartment with a guy named Lyman whose girlfriend lived in the Sunset and I freaked out about it. When I consulted her, even my mom said I was too social to live in that sort of scenario. I was scared. I knew so few people in California. Everything was so tentative, including my relationships with people here. It’s amazing how a year can change things. Now I am ready. Very ready. I never knew how ready I could be.

I move on September 23. (I was originally planning on going to Big Sur that weekend, but will have to put it off). Yes, my rent will increase markedly. I just want to bitch about rents for a second. My new German friend has a loft in Sausalito that is 2 stories, and has
a pool and hot tub, and a view of Alcatraz for $100 more a month than I am
paying. The pains of living in the City! Anyhow, I will get a second job to make up the difference. Specifically I am applying for a job at San Francisco Day School to teach an afterschool program. (Made a new friend named Gabi who is a teacher there). I want to get some teaching experience under my belt for future endeavors. I will propose a few class ideas, including a class called "Africa" where I will teach African history, language, culture, dance, and cuisine. Sounds interesting, no?

Dinner Parties
Lately, my friends have been hosting dinners, brunches, BBQ’s etc. I love
this stuff. You get to try new recipes, and bring people together over food and wine, which inevitably turns into laughing, telling stories,
and just having old fashioned fun. It’s cheap and splendid.  I love rooftop decks. That’s one of my new appreciations. In my new apartment, especially with my new nifty open kitchen I plan on hosting bi-weekly dinner parties. I know it’s ambitious, but you’ve got to aim high. I just love cooking with people, (and remember I have an open kitchen) and think it will be lots of fun. My current roommate is a chef extraordinairre so he will be integrally involved in these occasions. Keep your ears peeled for invitations to such parties.

Birthright
Let me preface this by saying I was recently rated 5.1 on Skoggle’s highly methodical Jew scale. So, anyway, I had wanted to go to China or Argentina, or a cruise, but now that my rent is increasing it got me thinking about taking a different option. Though I went to Israel when I was a kiddie (and my kindergarten teacher didn’t believe me b/c all my classmates went to places like EPCOT), but I really don’t remember it. So, this is my last year to take advantage and doggonit I am going to Israel with Birthright — all expenses paid — for 11 days. I am hoping to go with a more mature group, and am trying to entice my friend Kitty to join me. I am thinking about going with the Berkeley Hillel group per Sacha’s suggestion. If anybody has other suggestions for groups, let me know. For some reason, I am less scared of crime or terrorism in the Middle East than I thought I would be. Everyone that has gone has assured me that it’s an afterthought when you are actually there. I am psyched! I am thinking about doing it in December. Apparently, this trip is geared toward me, an un-Bar Mitvahed, agent of change. Maybe I’ll come back a rabbi. I swear the most Jewish thing I do now is make Jewish lemonade.

"Alumni Guy"
San Francisco is getting increasingly smaller for me. On the street, I keep bumping into people, friends, friends of friends, people who take classes with me at ACT. Yesterday I bumped into those two old lady twins who are SF landmark, and who I usually see at the Nob Hill Cafe. It’s more like a village every day.

What’s even worse is that I constantly bump into people, i.e. students, who know me through my job and I have no idea who they are. I was nonchalantly walking down Van Ness this weekend with Jason and all the sudden this stranger is like, "Hey alumni guy - can you tell me how to get to Jones and Hyde?" Later that night, I go to a friend’s housewarming party, and while I am about to reach for a fizzy vodka shot, these 1Ls are like: "HAHAHAH - it’s alumni guy - the guy in the video!" Thank BeJesus they said something, because otherwise I would take it for granted that I could be the funner version of me.

Stuck on the Bus
I often opt to take the 14 bus to get to the Mission over the BART of J-Church Muni b/c I like talking to my mom on transit (I know it’s obnoxious, so spare me). Today, I got my payback. I was chatting it up with Delia and hopped on the 14 express instead of the 14 and got stuck on the highway. It took me to an area that I was totally unfamiliar with — the Excelsior or what I call OUTER OUTER Mission. It’s actually a very cool, diverse, "real" area, and totally unpretentious. Kitty totally bailed me out and for that she rocks. While I was waiting for her I came across an interesting little Filipino restaurant and ate chicken on a stick and this purple rice dessert. It was an experience.

Strange Agent
I am leaving for Austin soon. I found an agent about 2 months ago who was great at first but got weirder and weirder as the time progressed. She finally flaked out on me 2 days ago after I couldn’t guarantee her that my mom and Basil would buy a 1 Million+ home. I try to speculate about why she flaked and I can’t for the life of me figure it out. Sometimes it’s hard not to have a justification for such anomalous behavior. I found a new agent and all is well. It is just so bizarre to me. What agent would give up the assurance of purchasing at least 3 homes, and potentially the addition of one high-end one? I can’t wait to report on Austin to ya’ll. I am particularly excited about the BBQ, which was sorely lacking in Connecticut and California. The Salt Lick is supposed to rock.

Natural Disasters
I had no idea that hurricaine Katrina was as bad as it is. The Tulane website has turned into a blog operated by the University president, which is eery. Students are being bussed to SMU, GA Tech, and Jackson State. Imagine starting college like that! It’s almost surreal. The scope seems similar to that of the tsunami. Whenever this stuff happens I can’t help but consider an impending apocalypse.I know about 90 years ago that was the scene right here in my neighborhood, where most of the fires burned as a result of the 1906 quake.  I am not a religious man, but it feels like the Earth is fighting back.

Lesbian Bar
So Mecca on Thursday night is the closest thing to "Sex and the City" for lesbians in the world. Literally. I went to it on Thursday. Got my behind grabbed this time. I am sensing a trend, and I like it. I bumped into people there too, and found out a friend of mine lives on a boat in the Marina and has parties there all the time = fun as Hell.

Parking lot
- I hate everything about buttercream frosting. Cream cheese and/or merengue are the ways to go.
- Steve is back and staying in the guest room. He found dog poop in the shape of a happy face before he went to bed one night. This was not done in anticipation of his arrival nor do we have a dog. Steve is very talented at impressions.
- I don’t know if I’ll get internet in my new place; I’ll probably break down. I want SF to go wifi.
- I interacted with my ex Karen for the 1st time in 7 years over IM and it was nice. I am ready to reconnect with Ruth.
- Jessica is coming into town soon with Parkie and Emma. Emma asked who the guy on the $20 bill was. Doug responded "Andrew Jackson" and she thought it was me.
- My chiropractor is about a month younger than me.
- I ordered cufflinks today for Jason and I from "cuff-daddy.com". Clever, no?
- I can’t believe Hartford has apartments downtown for 3K a month. What a rip!
- I can hardly wait for my newest ACT classes to start on Sept. 12, and for Rakhee to come Sept 7.
- Work has been busy, busy, busy. I am officially going to D.C. for work in October.
- Why is it that people in relationships always whisper bickeringly/or passive aggressively to each other about the appropriate time to leave a social gathering?
- Saw Emily Stasko this weekend. Gina Fabiano just moved to Sonoma. Yippee!