Day 20 :: Street Festivals

Both girls with dad, on ponies!

Today was our neighborhood's annual street festival. Four or five blocks were closed down, to make way for the food stands, sponsor booths, and farm animals. SO exciting, for 2 little girls.

We've been going every year since Emily was born, so this is her 4th. The first year she was only 5 months old, and it rained the e-n-t-i-r-e time. The past 2 years (when she was 1 and 2 yrs old) she got really excited for the pony ride, only to panic just as they started to move.

This year, however, was different. My 3 yr old got on her pony and stayed on. And so did her sister. It was a great day! And on top of that it was my birthday. Lucky me :)

Day 19 :: South Park

There's a tiny park downtown, in the middle of a city block. It's tucked away so nicely it'd be easy to miss if you weren't looking for it.

It's called South Park and one of my favorite brunch spots is inside: The Butler & The Chef

Finding myself with a rare Saturday morning to myself, I met my sister there earlier today. Getting to have brunch with her is itself a treat. So heading to this place was icing on the cake.

I snapped this pic at the end of our meal (we dug into the eggs benedict and French toast too quickly to capture them on my phone). They always bring those little chocolate truffles with the check. Another reason I love this place.

Day 18 :: Strike

If BART can strike, I'm giving myself permission to also. For one day. It's been a long week.

Day 17 :: Local Radio

My commute, particularly to work, is made much more enjoyable by several local radio stations: 99.7 / 97.3 / 104.5 / 105.3

I tend to flip back and forth between morning shows, and when doing so this morning I heard a familiar voice. It'd been years (maybe 15?) since I'd heard him on the air. But there it was: John Heffron! (He was part of a Detroit morning show when I was in college, and his sense of humor is spot on with mine. I listened to his show religiously.)

He actually won Last Comic Standing years ago, but I don't if anything came of that. He still tours, and this weekend he's going to be here in SF. I haven't seen him in a while. Maybe we'll have to plan a little date night... !

Day 16 :: Medical Professionals

We're lucky to have medical coverage. But in some cities that's not enough. I have friends across the country, also covered, who find themselves without good professionals to see. Seems there are great ones, sought by all, and then mediocre ones who don't instill much confidence in their patients.

Here in SF we've been really fortunate to have, almost without fail, good experiences with our healthcare providers. Guess our supply & demand ratio is at a harmonious level.

My older daughter had her first teeth cleaning recently. Such a big girl, opening wide just as we'd practiced. Did you know chocolate is a toothpaste flavor?! Chocolate?? She was thrilled.

Day 15 :: Anthropologie

http://studiodiana.com/2010/01/inspiration-anthropologie-style/

Another perk of living in SF is my proximity to Anthropolgie. I've loved these stores since walking through one in Chicago, by chance, like a million years ago.

Out here I cross paths with 2 rather regularly. One on 3rd Street in Berkeley and one in downtown SF. It's always worth ducking inside to take a peak. Their window displays and interior décor never cease to inspire me.

 

(PS - I may have spoken too soon yesterday when I was moaning and groaning about a possible BART strike. Seems that another transit authority out here is also talking of striking this week. Would make for even more traffic than I'd imagined. Ugh.) 

Day 14 :: Public Transportation

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Cell-service-stays-
on-during-BART-protest-in-SF-2335111.php

BART is one of SF's largest public transport systems, running between SF and the East Bay.

I used to ride their trains to/from work all the time, but with 2 kiddos at different schools we finally gave in and got a second car a few months back. Our 10+ years of carpooling came to an end because practicality won out. {What we needed was more hours in the day, and not having to carpool anymore was a way to "buy" more hours. Or at least minutes.}

Today I'm reminded of the quote "you never know what you have until it's gone" because our BART system might go on strike, over disagreements about their new contract.

If a strike happens, the roads will be JAM PACKED with traffic. So today I'm appreciating the trains and how they keep lots of potential cars and their drivers off the roads. My commute will probably double in duration if all those public transportation riders are on the road with me tomorrow. Oy vey.