Romantic Future

Seems I've spent some time ruminating on my romantic future. Will I ever remarry? Who will it be? Will my shoes be fierce?

.. Well, I am happy to announce, in as official capacity as I can muster in this age of technology, that my romantic future has finally arrived. In less than 24 hours, I will be married to the man of my proverbial dreams and in My Beloved City no less!

He is tall and dashing, a snappy dresser (if you like the Early Soccer Hooligan look.), mouth like a sailor, makes me laugh my @ss off, and most impressive of all, knows what I'm talking about when I say I'm going to wear Trina Turk. After wasting too much time trying to pretend we could move on without each other, Mike and I are taking life by the horns, looking it in the eyes, and punching it in the face.

Thank you to everyone's love, support, blessings, and general all-around good tidings! We love you right back and hope to celebrate with grand panache next year with all of you.

Until then, watch out City Hall, here we come!!!
PS. Yes, my shoes are indeed, Fierce....

Tough Crowd in the City

In the last couple of months, I have made overtures to homeless people here in San Francisco. I offer what I have with respect but without pity.

Once, I was headed to the Muni Station after stopping off at the grocery store. I had a bag(my own burlap one, natch) full of randon groceries, topped off by some apples. When I passed a homeless man panhandling, I turned and said, "Sir, I've got an apple here for you if you're hungry." He calmly opened his mouth and pointed to his toothless gums. I felt like an @sshole....

Today, after a refreshing yoga class at the gym, I once again made my way to the Muni station. This time I had a Satsuma orange in my pocket I was going to eat, but I stopped and said, "Hey Dude, would you like an orange?" The man seated on the ground waved both me and the orange away dismissively. For a moment there, I felt as though I did something wrong.

It can be a tough crowd out there in the See-tay.

Four Barrels, One Dog

After months of seeming hibernation, I got the chance recently to step out and explore my neighborhood again. And My Beloved City did not disappoint.

Down a quiet little alley in the Mission there was rumored to be an amazing cup of joe to be had. So the intrepid Sake and I ventured forth to find the mythical Four Barrel Coffee.

Background: The cofounders of Ritual Coffee Roasters are trying a new concept with Four Barrel. Its more coffee bar than café, with some seating, but it will mainly be a space to showcase their coffee to wholesale clients. So no syrups, no nonfat milk, no chai. (They WILL have soymilk, however. *whew*) There will be two La Marzocco Mistral machines and they will be sourcing single origin coffees(bye bye brokers), and doing their own espresso blend. Such dedication!

Could it be? Are we at the right place?

Maybe that guy can tell us something...
And lo,
here we are! Two guys, a dog, and a soy latte!
Seems until their front coffee bar is completed, the Four Barrel guys are serving steaming cups of coffee love out the back door.
I love My City....

Olympic Torch Melee

At home sick today but it has allowed me to stay tuned to the Olympic Torch brouhaha unfolding on tv. Actually if I go out on my deck, I can see the media helicopters in the sky. Its so crazy seeing those familiar San Francisco streets being aired on CNN! I mean, sheesh! Who knew the torch would be running through the Marina??

What a brilliant move to completely reroute! I am all for the protesters and believe in a Free Tibet. But I have also always been a big supporter of the Olympics and have been so excited to have the torch relay come through my Fair City. So glad that the torchbearers have been given their moment to shine.. All these runners with such amazing stories, it always brings a tear to my eye.



Mayor Newsom looking oh so official and concerned with his hair.


Nothing like a bunch of Chinese folks gettin' all kinds of crazy.


All in all, great to know everyeone had their say with no serious acts of violeance and no arrests. If I weren't sick, I'd be down there amongst all this chaos fun!

I Having Nothing to Wear

Although in principle I am vehemently against the slobbification of America, I must concede; there are times when only sweatpants will do.

At those particular moments in time, I know I'm as comfortable as can be.. but I cannot help but wonder.. what message am I sending out? What on earth would people think of my fashion ethic? Do the people of Anything-Goes-San-Francisco even care??? What constitutes San Francisco Fashion anyway?

Meaning... when I think of New York Fashion, I think American Sportswear.. and lots of Black.
And of course, Paris fashion is all about Haute Couture sophistication:


And then there are the English Eccentrics:And even Los Angeles; I think there's LA fashion. It may not be high fashion, but its a look:

But what about my Beloved City? What is the look that cohesively ties together the city's identity?

Its not khaki's and white poplin, god forbid; although the GAP tried really hard to make that happen.
Is it hippie chic?? *barf* Is this the image people all over the world have of San Francisco when it comes to fashion?? *double barf*

And truly, shit like this just makes me mad... WTF????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I call this the Smug Hipster look. Ladies, just throwing more shit on your body does not make it fashion! I know we dress in layers here, but give it up already!

Is it any wonder then that San Francisco Fashion Week seems so uninspired? As a follower of fashion, I am always aware of New York and Paris fashion weeks. But does anyone really know what goes on during SF Fashion week? I thought I would check in with the local fashionistas on the SF Fashion Week website and see what insights they might have.

“San Francisco style is an expression of individualism mixed with a sense of city chic.”

“San Francisco's fashion is as diverse as it's inhabitants, it's neighborhoods and it's ever changing weather patterns!”

Just as I thought! They don't know either! .. This City is so hellbent on diversity and individuality, we use it as a crutch for not having a true fashion identity. Don't get me wrong , I love this City for all that it offers, the crazy melange of characters I come across every day. But what I come across on the Muni J-line does not constitute high fashion.

Where am I going with all this??
*sigh* I see and meet fashionable folks all the time. How and why is none of that being tranlsated into a strong cohesive identity to present to the world? Are we spiting ourselves for the sake of expressing a state of mind? A shame that for all those who love fashion, it seems as though we all end up looking elsewhere for inspiration.