Bottle of White Lightning

On the twenty-second of July I wrote that I interacted with a coworker a bit about software and then did my typing.  I interacted with another about our employer too.  After that I caught the shuttle at 4 and bought a bottle of White Lightning at the liquor store in MV.  I caught the train then and shared a photo of the bottle with my friend.  I was concerned about the seal on the bottle.  She asked me to go to the Exploratorium with her.

I got on BART and barely finished the paper.  On the ride home I asked my sister and brother to go to the Exploratorium with us and he said sure but my sister said she would be in Monterey.  She was home when I arrived.  Mom was making chicken.  Dad asked me about surveying—he had met a guy on 41st and Pacheco.  I told my sister about the new job and she smirked.  My niece had gone to cheerleading camp in Davis and I asked my nephew about Stanford.  He and I cleared the table and I did my posting and started to review my applications.  I went running and my sister saw me in the street.

I noted that I spent much of the rest of the evening alone in my room.  The job I was looking at required a letter so I quit.  I went up and watched TV.  My niece was trying to sleep on the couch.  I was in bed by 12.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I awoke early but the trip to work was the same.  I caught a limited.  I noted that my friend was in Santa Rosa and the shuttle driver said that there was a concert in the evening that would affect my trip home.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Off The White Dog

On the twenty-first of July I wrote that I had left the day before from work thinking I was late because I had to get my bike.  The VTA came just fine and I had to move my bike twice on CT.  Some people were in the way of the turnstile at Mib and I called dad.  I noted that I had made plans for Saturday to meet my buddy earlier that day.  On Brotherhood I had to set my back wheel because it had gone out of alignment—I checked it but found nothing wrong.

At home I had to wait a bit for dinner.  My friend messaged to say that I would be having dinner with her brother-in-law’s family.  Mom served salad and spaghetti—same as the night before.  I made a comment about dad eating salad that dad didn’t like.

I went downstairs to post by myself and eventually started looking into the state and Federal jobs sites.  They all insisted my credentials were wrong though that wasn’t true.  I noted that the Fish and Wildlife job wasn’t really worth it.  I was able to update my resume and also my CalHR profile.  My friend called in the middle of this and I was really distracted.  However, my friend understood.  I discovered after she called off that I wouldn’t be able to render my application for technical reasons so I gave up.  I watched TV until 12 and finished off the White Dog—the Paddy’s had gone the night before.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I awoke seconds before the alarm went off and made the bus, drank water and rode to DC BART with no incident.  I caught a limited and took the shuttle.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

His Powder Blue Bike

On the twentieth of July I noted that dad had given me another Giants ticket and that there had been discussion of my brother and sister-in-law staying in my room for the weekend.  I noted too that I had quit typing and had gone up to see the parents.  Dad was asleep at the dinner table and mom was in the back.  I then started tidying up the room.  I contacted my friend while I was scrubbing and we agreed to meet.  I made a mess of my iPod.  I got a call from my brother and we discussed the room and he said that he would bring me his powder blue bike.

I went back up to see the parents before going and found that they had traded places but that the dishes still needed washing.  Mom said that dad would do them the next day.  I rode to Irving and asked my friend if she would do stuff.  I went to Wells at 9th and continued on pretty quickly afterwards.  Her roommate went away.  We did a few things.  We drank water—it was really hot.  I was asleep at 1130.

I awoke at 530 but didn’t get out of bed until 715.  I did stuff by myself to leave.  I had interacted with my friend who noted that she had already begun work but we had breakfast a bit later.  I got to 16th with just enough time to get the Mib train.  I was bummed I couldn’t drop the bike.  In fact there wasn’t even any parking at Mib.  I took the limited because the bullet was late.  I sat across from a fidgety Stanford student.  The shuttle had to wait at MV and then I dropped the bike off in the cage.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Guy had a Banjo

On the nineteenth of July I wrote that I quit working on the Friday before and had to attend the monthly mixer, which was also a farewell party.  The director showed up and then I sat down to listen to the speeches and the toast.  Later I noted that the shuttle wasn’t leaving yet so I took the VTA to CT and was texting my friend.  We agreed to talk around 8.  I got the bike at 4K and rode to the Ferry Building and tried to find my Snelle on line but gave up and boarded the train to Mac.

When I got to Mac I tried to stop by Bespoke but the proprietor wasn’t there so I rode the rest of the way down 40^th to Ikea and found my chair.  I interacted with my friend and she said I wanted to get her a couple of frames.  I crammed everything plus some mirrors into my bike and headed back to Mac.  I got off at Civic and then went to Duboce and Valencia.

There I found my friend were watching Amy Schumer on Youtube with her roommate.  We had some drinks and then talked about the window.  That went on for about an hour.  We went to Chow and beer.

On Saturday I was slow to get up around 10.  My friend asked me to meet her sister about her new bike and my mom was going to the Park for Flower Piano. I ended up having coffee with the girls.  We talk about a contractor photoshoot and the new bike.  When I left I had a shitty interaction with a driver at Haight and Scott.  I then dropped my phone.  At the Botanical Garden there was no bike parking.  Mom had waited for me at the store but I was late so I had to find her at the fountain.  We went to the Redwood Grove then and I found out mom could see Eric the next day.

Mom and I saw some rack-a-billy guys singing stuff for an hour and then I went and found my friend after she rode up to the Bandshell.  She had had some trouble navigating to the garden but thankfully the parking situation had improved.  We went in and watched some amateurs play some really good stuff and I had to find mom some water.  Later we walked to the front of the garden and then to the tea shop on Lincoln.  There we had a good time and conversation.  Eventually we decided to go.  We got the bikes and walked mom to Saint Anne’s and dad picked her up with my Ikea stuff.

My friend had expressed interest in going to contra-dancing on 43^rd but when we said bye to the parents we decided to just get her a new dress instead of going to her house to get ready.  I got a hat and she got a dress and a belt.  I saw that the erhu guy had a banjo while shuttling between Shamrock and Wells later.  Eventually we settled on Fresca for dinner.  However, the food took too long and we decided that we would miss contra-dancing.  In the meantime we had stopped by Le Vid and I discovered that I had left y keys in my bike lock.

We rode to 43^rd and peaked in at the dancing.  My friend told me that was enough for the time being so we went to the beach and watched the last of the sunset.  After that we went to my house to rest and eventually watched “To Catch a Thief” by Alfred Hitchcock featuring Cary Grant.  I was asleep at 1130.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 7 and went to 7-11 for a paper.  Then I went to Java Beach to read with a friend.  We talked about the week she wanted to go to Tango and would work in Alameda staying at her sister’s house Monday.  We had plans to go to the Giants on Saturday.  We looked at the real estate section and watched some drunk guy with his two girlfriends.

When she left I sat with my coffee and the paper.  Mom said that she would leave at 1000 so I went home and had some time in the room with myself.  She and I ended up waiting for 40 minutes before the bus came.  We went to the back of the botanical garden to a gazebo called Zellerbach and my twitter friend was playing piano with a singer.  They sang until 12.  I introduced mom to the people and then mom and I caught a bus home.

I settled into dong work alone then.  I did a mix of activities.  I learned in the meantime that my friend wasn’t going to tango.  I did laundry and typed.  I took the bathroom apart and prepared the job search stuff.  At 6 I sat with my drunk father and mom to eat spaghetti and then I had a conversation with my older brother.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Waiting at The Parklet

On the seventeenth of July I wrote that I gave up on trying to write and caught a shuttle to MV.  I made it home with no problems.  I noted that the ride up Font is likely the best way to get to BART.  At home I got into my post and the class stuff.  I gave up pretty quickly though.  I was off on my own when I discovered that my phone was on mute.  My friend had arrived to meet me early.  I didn’t rush but was concerned about having left her.

She was waiting at the parklet when I arrived.  We went into Thai Cottage and had a delicious meal.  It took some time to catch up with each other.  I knew instinctively not to talk too much about specific things but still needed clarification.  We talked about her trip to Vegas and it was clear that she had family concerns.  We talked about Friday and eventually we left and got the bikes.  We had some things to sort out but we were able to get through that.  I spent the evening moving my folders around and realized that I needed to get to class stuff a bit late and was asleep at 1130.

On the morning of the day that I wrote this I slept in and left around 7.  I got to the Mill at 745 and spent an hour there with my friend.  I noted that she wasn’t interested in going to Ikea with me.  We revisited our discussion from the day before and discussed our different takes on criticism.  It was clear that we agreed that criticism was not exactly desirable but differed on how to cope with it.  She asked me about Saturday.  I noted that these interactions are clearly central.

We walked to Alamo Square and I said bye.  I had to cut some corners on my ride to Caltrain.  I was not proud of myself for some of it.  I was able to drop my bike off at the bike shop and even get a paper in my rush.  I texted my friend Charlie and she said she was glad.  I was totally tired until Redwood City.  Later I took the shuttle.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Broke The Ikea Chair

On the sixteenth of July I wrote that I told my coworker I was done and grabbed the shuttle.  There was a replacement driver.  At CT I tried to interact with my friend.  I napped on the train and had little trouble on the ride to the house.  I was a bit surly near the bulb.  I sat for a while on my iPod and reading emails.  I noted that I needed to begin my turn down procedure and that I should probably have worked on it that night.  I noted that the stuff needed to go back at some point.

I noted that after my initial sit down I went to have dinner with mom.  We talked about politics and we had potato chips in addition to the delicious split pea soup mom had made.  Mom said she would be going to the piano thing at the botanical garden.

I went downstairs and finally broke the Ikea chair.  I noted that I should figure out a time to visit Ikea to replace it.  I noted too that I should call and make a new appointment for the doctor.

My friend and I started interacting later.  I took some time to be by myself too.  I forced myself to go running.  When I got back I was typing up loose ends when I started interacting with my friend again.  I finished the night with TV.  I went to bed at 1230.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I caught the 18 and made DC no problem.  My friend and I made plans to have dinner when I got to Mib.  We were interacting all the way to Redwood City.  I almost missed my stop because I was napping.  The shuttle was late.  A colleague told us about his political views on the ride over.  There were guys setting up cables when I arrived and I went to coffee when I was finished writing.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Pork, Kale and Mushrooms

On the fifteenth of July I noted that I had left work with my coworker and took the shuttle to MV and had no problem getting home via Font and the bulb.  I used social media and went running.  I interrupted dad’s dishes and ended up doing them for him before making pork, kale and mushrooms with a glass of whiskey.

I went down alone, posted and worked on stuff.  I discovered four emails in the spam folder and that was new.  I only corrected two.  Dad confirmed stuff and then I watched TV.  I was in bed at 1230.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I took the 18.  I accidentally called my friend.  I was buzzed by two cars as I rode to DC and I had a yelling match with one of the drivers.  I caught the SFO train by accident and had to go back.  I saw a person at MV and took the shuttle.  I noted that my friend had been really chatty.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

On Their Way Home

On the fourteenth of July I wrote that I caught the VTA at four but should have taken the shuttle.  There was a bus bridge.  I caught the CT though.  My friend and I texted until Mib and I called her.  We agreed to hang out in a few days.  I rode Font to the Bulb at the end of Ocean.

At home I went running and then to the store and at home I made dinner.  I learned then that mom and dad were on their way home.  I was alone there until my sister dropped them off.  I did class work until late and watched TV until 12.  I was in bed a bit later.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Bit Under the Weather

On the thirteenth of July I wrote that the day before I wrote up my notes and watched some TV.  I had to close the windows when I went to bed.  The weather caused me to be stuffed up most of the night.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was two hours late in heading to work but I really only left an hour late.  I knew I was taking a new route over to Ocean and up Font.  I was really tired though and feeling a bit under the weather.  Some lady on Font honked and honked at me and I didn’t enjoy much of the rest of the ride either.  I noted that I want a better route.

I caught the first train at CT and continued to Palo Alto.  I got some drip and a pastry.  I interacted with my friend and then took the train and shuttle.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Some Free Samples

On the twelfth of July I wrote that I had gone to 12^th and Geary the night before and locked my bike.  I took the 38 to Amsterdam and hung out with my pianist acquaintance.  It was a lot of fun.  I tried a couple of beers I liked and hung out with his connoisseur friend who gave us some free samples.  The acquaintance went outside at the end and I ended up drinking his portion.  I went out and said bye to him.  Then I caught the 38 to my bike and went home.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up late and had a bit to eat.  I tidied and read the paper.  I then went down and worked on stuff for a while.  In the meantime my friend came home from Las Vegas and was clearly tired.  I got a message and helped him for a while.  I was alone at home all day.  In the meantime I interacted with my friend a bit but was obsessing over my work and didn’t get a chance to talk to her.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

At the Presidio Contraflow

On the eleventh of July I wrote that I left work at 5 and took the shuttle to MV and got a falafel wrap and a few beers.  I took the CT to DC and grabbed the bike.  My riding partner had told me the meet up location and my buddy said he was on his way.  I went to the Plough.

At the station I took a photo and saw an old friend.  I followed my friends a bit and we went to a park in West Oakland.  I met a guy named from Concord and hung out with the people I usually see.  I tweeted to my bike fashion friend and noted that the Bespoke group had done the previous East Bay Tweed.

While we were heading to Downtown I interacted with a Bike Party leader.  He insisted that I be more of an entrepreneur but wasn’t interested in anything I said or did.  His friend was the same.  We headed towards Fruitvale but ended up under the freeway near Laney College.  I found only half of the people I had seen at the earlier stop.  I saw the crepe guy but didn’t have any money.  I caught a train home and was in bed at 1.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I got some tweets back from people and went to Java Beach.  My friend had tweeted stuff to the 3D printing guys.  I went home and started writing because I wanted to see a well-known advocate talk at Velo Rouge.

I wrote later that I made it three minutes late but it was alright because the guy went on to talk for twenty more minutes.  I got a coffee and a pastry.  I was surprised to see an acquaintance was there.  We rode to Euclid where the advocate showed us the new bike lane.  Then we went to Clement to look at a parklet.  I interacted with a bunch of people that worked at MTA.  I gave a flyer to a passerby who knew the speaker.

We rode to Lake to see the first bike lane in SF.  I interacted with some car free people I knew.  Then we rode to 15^th to look at the Presidio contraflow.  I talked to one of the few people in the group that didn’t work for the MTA.  We said bye to some people after we looked at the roundabout at 23^rd and climbed to Fulton.  After that we made a couple of stops on Balboa and then to Sutro Heights to look at the view.

We finished the ride at the Chalet.  There was a pretty big crowd but it was alright.  I was home around 630 and when I got there I decided to get ready to meet a pianist I knew at Amsterdam. 

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Finish the Paper

On the tenth of July I wrote that I left right after my coworker and took the shuttle.  I got a beer and a wrap at MV and wasn’t able to finish the paper by DC BART because of it.  The ride through Park Merced went predictably.  I noted that the last block of Font I should slow down.  I went running and then solitarily worked on my posting and other stuff.  I finished stuff but didn’t finish the final steps because that would oblige me to give congratulations and I didn’t want to do that.  I noted that that may have been a mistake.

I watched TV and tweeted.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I caught the bus at 645 and went to Starbucks.  I had an incident on the 280 flyover at John Daly.  I noted that this type of incident happened too often.  I was preoccupied with it the rest of my trip.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

The Shuttle I Speculated

On the ninth of July I wrote that I had left the day before from the office at five and had dinner.  I finished quickly but the VTA placed me on the 558 CT and I ended up at home around 715.  I went running and enjoyed the solitude.  Afterwards I got into my work and interacted with my friend.  I started in on some work.  A student had a question and the professor responded.  I responded too.  I worked on until 10 and watched a bit of TV and was asleep at 115.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was on the bus at 7 and left the bike at DC.  On the shuttle I speculated that I wouldn’t like my new employer’s terms.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Gone to The Museum

On the eighth of July I left at 3, caught a VTA and fell asleep on the CT.  I missed a BART train and at DC my friend suggested we go to a movie.  The Galido/Font location was a problem again and when I got home I started the dryer and posted in the lonely house.  I did some things and spoke to my friend on the phone—she suggested that any other day would not be good for a movie.  I called Box Dog about her bike and then headed to Kabuki.

We bought a ticket and went to Wakara—a fine restaurant.  I told her that I wanted to make a doctor’s and dentist appointment.  She told me that she and the girls had gone to the museum.  She told me about her choices and that her friend had chided her.  The meal was great and we went to see the movie Spy.  I noted that my friend’s roommate was just like Melissa McCarthy.  I caught my friend laughing at the trailers.  When we rode away she was really happy the whole experience.  I was asleep at 1.

On the morning of the day that I wrote this I had a head ache until around 830 and I felt bad about getting up late.  I went to Four Barrel with a friend and she said a lot of things that made me realize that she was changing a lot.  I left her at 16th and caught a BART train to DC.  Some people yelled at me as I rushed to drop the bike off and at CT I discovered that I had to wait 15 minutes for the next train.  I got in at 1145.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Mail and Opened Windows

On the seventh of July I wrote that I tried to leave at 3 but neither the shuttle nor the train would accommodate me.  I got a wrap at MV and at DC took the bike home.  Galindo is a real problem—it isn’t the rise but the parking area.  At home I was alone.  I got the mail and opened windows.  Later I lay in bed doing nothing.  Eventually I had a bit to eat.  I posted and then started the laundry.  I answered one email for the class.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I dozed a few extra minutes and made it out fine.  The bus was early though and the driver yelled at me when I caught up to him.  I made the rest of the trip tired.  There was a bird strike at the front door of the office.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Berating Myself

I wrote that I went to bed at round 1130 after watching TV and was up at 430 berating myself for my accomplishments in life.  I left at the right time though and made every step to the shuttle on my commute.  I did a lot of typing when I arrived and then got some coffee.  Later I registered for and tried to make a doctor’s appointment.  They didn’t help at all.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

We Had Sparklers

On the fifth of July I wrote that the baby made very little noise while I was writing.  The ladies got back a little later and they gave me the trike and we made a stop on the way to the BBQ.  My friend’s brother-in-law caught up to use along the way.  Some of our friend’s were there.  The host was making guacamole and his wife brought out a blanket for the kids.  We ate BBQ corn, flat bread and made grilled cheese.  One of our friends told us about her fellowship.  There was cucumber salad and grilled zucchini.  Later two people showed up with a cake that was really good.  They told us about summer camp.

We had sparklers and slowly put everything away.  The host took the trike out for a bit before we headed back to the house.  The locals were shooting off fireworks in the street.  We sat in the dining room for an hour talking and then watched a TV show before bed.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 630 but went back to sleep.  The cat go me out of bed after that.  My friend’s sister and brother-in-law made us coffee and then left for Santa Rosa.  I lubed up the bikes and filled the tires and we sat down for some air but she was restless.  We went to do some errands and went to Little House on their suggestion.  We balked at the crowd but then sat down.  My friend at this point was getting tired and the ride to Civic Center was hard.  I had to check in on her when I got home and then hung out alone and napped.  Several hours later I went to Thai Cottage because Celia’s was closed.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

The Fireworks in Vichy

On the fourth of July I wrote that we left the Public Market for the motel where we charged the phone and got my keys.  After that we took Main through the town and crossed a small creek to a development on Big Ranch.  My friend had a bag of poppy seeds that she was distributing everywhere.  Then we ended up at Montecito Winery where we happened upon the bike tour that we had read about.

The first pourer was nice and then we interacted with a retired Michigander and later a nice older lady.  The Michigander showed us the wine tour guide and how to access the local bike trails off Redwood.  There was a story of a Christian Brother and there was also a story about riding bikes with his son.  Everyone had a bike story.  The Pinot was the best.

We rode to Oak Knoll then and took Silverado Trail.  The road climbed a bit and we found Odette Winery in among the rocks.  I filled the water and my friend ordered us the Adaptation Flight.  Later we had a glass outside and talked about Dune.  We also saw hawks fighting and an itsy bitsy dragon fly landed on her glass.

We rode up Silverado Trail to Yountville Cross Road and passed over the bridge and the approach to the town was easy.  I tried to get her to see the whole town but she was really hungry.  We went to the R+D and split a burger.  The coleslaw was good.  The service was really good—one server thought we were leaving without coming in because we were walking away from the building afterwards.

We crossed the highway and headed down Solano.  We stopped twice on the side of the road.  A bus tried to pick us up twice.  After that we crossed into town on the railroad track’s bike path and entered the downtown.  I had to take a nap because I was exhausted from the daytime heat and exertion.

Much later we went to the local Mexican restaurant and then we walked out to the bridges and watched the fireworks in Vichy.  From there we walked into town and had a beer at Henry’s.  Then we returned to the motel.  We ended up asleep at 11.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up around nine and when I interacted with her my friend thought we were late.  The clerk at checkout was friendly.  We discovered the streets were closed for the parade.  We went to Model Bakery and my friend was not impressed.  When we left she was still concerned about getting out.

We went to the edge of town and I discovered that the turn I wanted was an overpass that we missed but Kaiser turned out to be the better choice for the ride anyway.  We went under the bridge and onto the Airport road.  We climbed Kelley to the edge of the county and on the rail over pass I discovered that Lombard would have worked.

From there we took City Streets through American Canyon and were worried about making the ferry.  We took Broadway to the bike path and headed to the bay trail.  We passed under the bridge there and were soon at the ferry terminal.  My friend upped her Clipper and got me a ticket.  We boarded and I used the Wifi.  I had received some tweets due to her.  A lot of people liked my photo from the trip.

At the ferry building I got a cup of coffee and my friend got strawberries from the farmers market.  We caught the Alameda Ferry and rode to my friend’s sister’s house on Santa Clara.  Her friends were there.  They left me alone with the baby later to go shopping.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Talk Smack on Neighborhoods

I wrote that I left the office easily and was sad about having deleted a database that I had been using.  At the VTA I texted my sister, mom and my friend.  At MV I boarded and called her too but she was packing.  The train left me at Mib and I hadn’t noticed that my friend had asked if I wanted her to bring her lock so I was too late.  She did say she bought a food for us.  I got the bike and on the way to the Ferry Building I saw Sev in the station.

When I found her she was in line for the boat.  We boarded and the attendants told us to place the bikes in a low spot so I bungeed them in.  We had bubble water and she said that she had had a hard time packing but took a nap and was better.  She made good with her connections after that and then met me.

She was mesmerized by the view of Mare Island.  The bikes were cruddy when we got off.  I didn’t realize that Vallejo was so hilly.  We crossed the tracks at Kentucky.  On Colusa and Amador she said don’t talk smack on neighborhoods when you are visiting.  The ride through the rest of Vallejo saw some really squeaky breaks and a lot of compliments for my companion’s outfit.

I called the hotel at Safeway in American Canyon.  Later we had to get on the highway and eventually we took a side rode called Kelley past giant wine storage areas and back to the highway and then on to the 221 where we had to cut over to the college.  My friend was really impressed by the sunset there.  We followed the train tracks then and that was not worth it.

We found the hotel just fine and then went to a restaurant and watched jazz.  The meal was delicious.  We went to two bars then and had Fernet.  The second—Henry’s—was a lot better.  I was in bed around 1100.  In the morning of the day I wrote this my friend and I had wanted to go Model Bakery but met at Public Market where a smoker was getting everything sooty.  We wrote up plans to take Big Ranch to visit Odette Winery on Silverado Trail.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Put the Garbage Out

On the second of July I wrote that I was desperate to type the day before and skipped a lot.  I missed the train anyway and ended up waiting for the 558.  However after transferring, getting the bike and even picking up water at the store I made it home by 715—two hours.

My friend a wonderful woman made me dinner.  While eating we discussed the Napa trip.  I kept forgetting to call mom.  I went to my room and I posted and checked the professor’s emails.  When I was done my friend and I went running.  Later I found her with the same embroidery she had been working on for years.  She often deprecates it and I told her not to.  I looked at the map to Napa.  I was in bed at 12.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 640.  I packed and did a couple of other things.  I realized too late that I had not put the garbage out.  I rode to see some friends at Andytown at around 710 and then headed to Civic where I caught BART—I wasn’t certain how I had chosen to do that.  After dropping the bike I noted that Peet’s had sold their location to Scooter’s.

I barely made the 815 train and took the Shuttle while texting my friend.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

A “Bad” Job Ordering

On the first of I July wrote that I said bye to the boss at 3 and had to take the VTA.  When I and the transferred to BART I saw a designer from the college.  I got the bike and went to the college.  At the college I was alone and locked myself out.  People came in.  I helped a person when the professor came in.  I reviewed the materials—Passport and ArcGIS Online.  I told him about my job.

I did a couple of things and then started.  It went really quick and everyone had the stuff.  I went back to reviewing the materials.  Then I asked people about help and checked in with others.  I went and sat with a couple of people.  At first I didn’t know what to do but later everyone started to get it.

Eventually the professor turned on the projector and I thought he would start addressing everyone but I realized he was just helping.  I finished and noted that it can be hard for me to show enthusiasm for stuff.  When I was done the professor took the podium to talk.  I went for water after passing out materials and spoke to a person’s mother in the hall.

The professor asked me to meet him at Liberties.  I got the bike and called my friend.  He got there before me.  I sat down and immediately said my performance was unimportant but he still wanted to know.  He believed that he has no opinion and when given the opportunity he would use his manager voice to say things like “facts speak for themselves.”

I described my perspective and steeped it in my overall career/work situation.  He had some criticisms but they were few.  I noted that he doesn’t like to share.  I started talking about curriculum and moved onto materials.  I talked about my process.  Eventually, we discussed how to improve.  It was important for him to know that I thought our interaction was prestigious for me and I wanted to help.

When we left I found my friend at her home.  Her roommate had just moved out and he told us when we were outside that we should go to Nopa.  We walked to Safeway and rode to Divis.  Some girl was out front on the phone.  I was alone in the back of the restaurant for a moment.

We sat down and I did a “bad” job ordering.  My friend selected our meal.  She apparently didn’t know about my career situation.  The bill was too big but it wasn’t until I was leaving that I realized that I had over paid.

We rode to the Panhandle.  In GGP we were a bit more muted and at we may have seen a dog in the middle of the road there.  She slowed down but I wanted to go.  I was asleep that night at 115.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I didn’t want to get up but did so anyway.  I had to wait 30 seconds for the bus and went to Walgreens after I got off to buy a CT pass and then to Starbucks before boarding transit at DC BART.  On the shuttle a guy told me that he would take my job if I didn’t want it.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Sympathetic About my Career

On the thirtieth of June I wrote that I saw the boss on the way out of the office—I had dropped off my bag.  I took the VTA and the CT was on time but was slow in coming and I slept until Mib.  I skipped getting a new ticket and the ride to the house through Park Merced was easy.  The whole trip was an hour and fifty minutes.

Mom and dad were eating.  I made soup that got cold while I was texting my friend.  Mom’s meal didn’t sit well with her and I asked her if she was alright.  Dad did a lot of huffing and puffing.  Later I made the mistake of doing stuff before posting.  Later I posted and I noted that my sister and a buddy on Facebook were sympathetic about my career issues.  My friend and I interacted for a while.  I watched TV and mom was awake for a bit.  I was in bed at 1130.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I got up and made the bus fine.  I went to Starbucks, DC BART, CT and the shuttle with no incident.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Convinced Myself

On the twenty-ninth of June I wrote that the day before I had finished typing and began class prep.  I didn’t want to do it but just kept trying.  I discovered after having a meal that I didn’t have access to certain things.  There was no lab either.  That made things a lot easier.  I reviewed the power point and then watched TV.  Later mom was on the couch when I went to bed at 1130.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 530 and didn’t want to go to work but sat on the bed and convinced myself.  I had two minutes to spare at the door but wasted it on stuff.  I was waiting with my bike when the bus arrived.  I went to Starbucks and some guy was acting strange on John Daly.  I left the bike at BART and the trip went smooth through the shuttle.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Not Good at Math

On the twenty-eighth of June I wrote that the day before my friend and I had brought the food upstairs and started the preparations.  I got her out of the kitchen eventually and we had some snacks before dinner started.  Dad had opened presents at this point.   We sat down as my sister set the main dish on the table.  My niece had two dolls set up and the nephew was lying on the floor at some point.  There was wine, beef, salad, potato salad and mashed potatoes.  We talked about raising kids and my siblings. 

Later mom showed my friend and I grandma’s butterflies and then we had cake.  My niece came in and tried the ice-cream but couldn’t eat it.  We retired to the living room.  My brother-in-law and I had been disagreeing on just about everything at this point and I was apprehensive about it.  My niece played the piano and mom helped her with that.  Later she played with math flashcards and insisted that I was not good at math.

My friend was beside herself with excitement.  Mom showed us a family friend’s Christmas Letter and my friend sent it to her old coffee customer.  When the in laws were getting ready to leave I helped them out to the car.  I saw a guy fall off his skateboard and I made certain he was alright.  After that my friend and I said good night to my parents.  I went to my room to get some stuff and then we rode to the Panhandle.  I was in bed at around 1130.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I walked to the Mill through the Square to have pastries with a friend.  We talked about our plans and killed the rest of the weekend.  I met a guy that had worked at Blue Bottle.  My friend got some flowers.  On the way back through the Square house we talked about the upcoming week.  I noted that mom and dad were off to Chicago the coming Tuesday and that I had some stuff on Tuesday.  I noted that we planned on taking a ferry to Vallejo.

Later I helped her tidy the apartment and we got the bikes and laundry.  We went to her house and I left a little later alone for my house.  I took the Wiggle to the park.  The parents were in and my sister came by while I was writing.  Later I went up to eat and then took a nap.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.

Trans March For Pride

On the twenty-seventh of June I wrote that I was nervous about not catching up with my friend so I rushed.  I interacted with her on the VTA and CT.  We made plans to interact after I got my bike at DC BART.  I waited for her at Civic Center while watching the Trans March For Pride pass.  We rode eighth to Mariposa and over to Indiana and 22^nd.

We arrived just as everyone did.  The host greeted us and we met the cats—two Scottish folds and another.  One was a real acrobat.  The host had three cupboards of whisky and we got to try a lot.  His wife helps him with his habit—they said that they like the Japanese stuff.  My friend had given him some Intelligentsia coffee.

When we realized it was late we went to the Smokestack.  My buddy had asked what we were up to but was on his way home.  We ordered great BBQ and had a good time.  The group agreed that my friend and I would go on a bike ride just the two of us on the fourth.

The men got to know each other on the way back to the house and the visitors said bye to the host and rode over Mississippi to 17^th and I yelled at the bouncer at the Uptown.  My friend and I said bye to the others at Mission.  I was asleep at 1130.

In the morning of the day that I wrote this I was up at 830 and went to Arlequin.  I interacted with my friend about my experience in Hayes Valley over croissant sandwiches.  There were birds.  We finished and walked to Blue Bottle talking about identity.  I met her friend and then we walked to the green and looked at the Burning Man sculpture.  We walked to the cat’s house and and I looked at finances.  She called her mom for a recipe and we went to the market.

Later we had drinks and she made food.  The cat and I watched the birds and I ordered a room in Napa.  We did other stuff and then got together and headed to the bikes.  We climbed to Page and walked at Divis.  At Alvord Lake we reported a chop shop to the Park Police in person and then rode Irving to my house.  My friend was really tired and so took a nap while I was writing.  Mom and dad were preparing to accept guests for dad’s birthday when my sister’s family showed up.

This is an occasional series chronicling my life. This Notebook Analysis series is meant to be contemporaneous piece developed as an agglomeration of my notebook pages. In each of these posts I used my notes to develop my recent thoughts.