Saying Goodbye with Food

The title really says it all. When people ask me what I want to do while I'm still in San Francisco my answer usually involves eating, be it trying a new restaurant or going to one of my favorites. I think it's fair to say that my relationship (yes, relationship) with food is completely altered now that I've lived out West. I care more about eating locally and sustainably, eat less meat, and eat more organics when possible. I've researched farmers' markets in Philly, and I've carefully perused the menus of my favorite restaurants, deciding on my order days - or weeks - before I actually go.

My last dinner in the city, fittingly, will be a burrito from El Farolito. There is nothing organic or sustainable about it, but it's what I've eaten on my first visit and my first day as a resident here in San Francisco. I know I'll be happy for real slices of pizza and cheesesteaks back East, but I know I'll miss the burritos. Chipotle might be good, but it's not the real thing.

Then there are the meals I had this past weekend in Tahoe with my book club. The best pesto ever (besto, and yes, Nicole, it really was the best), countless truffles, scrambled eggs, mounds of cheese, all washed down with plenty of wine. Then there's my last (sob) book club meeting tomorrow night, where I know there'll be even more cheese, wine, and snacks. It's safe to say book club has always been about eating, and talking, and eating, and talking....I'll miss the triple cream brie, but I think I'll miss the girls more.

The last few meals I have in my remaining week here will be decadent, to say the least. There's my last work lunch tomorrow at Plouf in Belden Lane (I'll have the roasted cod, please). Dinner on Friday is at Espetus - what was that I said about eating less meat? Then there's NOPA, my hands-down favorite (hello, bacon flatbread and roasted porkchop...again with the meat thing) on Monday. Wednesday morning I'll spend my last few hours in the city drinking coffee and eating eggs at Chloe's before I get back on a plane headed East.

So yes, I think it's safe to say I'm saying my goodbyes to this city with food, but not just food. It's my goodbyes to the people I enjoy this food (enjoy so, so much) with, because what doesn't say "goodbye, and I'll miss you" like burritos, hot cups of coffee, glasses of wine, hunks of cheese, and breakfast. Nothing.

Bullet Points

Woah, yesterday was a doozy. I'm still tired from it despite 9 hours of sleep and a large serving of caffeine. In short, dentists and health insurance companies are not my friends. However, let's keep things a little light around here for now. Here are some bullet points of thoughts/things going through my head lately.

1. I can't wait to eat breakfast and lunch somewhere besides at my work desk. Cannot. Wait.
2. Along those lines, I have 7.5 work days (including today, and it's almost noon, so let's call it 7) left in the office. Squeeeee.
   
3. I will be on a plane in 2 weeks exactly. I think it's safe to say the reality of the situation is sinking in.
4. Tahoe this weekend. Sun, champagne, and an all-girls weekend. And more champagne.
5. It is 59 degrees in San Francisco. It is August 19th. You can imagine my total dismay at that particular situation.

Hmm, okay, not a really thrilling list. Wait, YES it is: see bullets 2 and 3.

Maybe it's time to crawl under my desk for a mid-morning nap....

Brighten Your Monday

Here are some things I like to do on Mondays when I'm alone in the office (9 days left, not that anyone's counting).

1. Read my two new favorite blogs:

• No Pink Jerseys. It's sports for girls, without the girly aspect. Want to know what's actually going on in football this season? Read this. Written by 5 hilarious, kick-ass girls, I see it getting big. You want to be the first to know, right? Right.
• 2birds1blog. Snort-milk-out-your-nose funny, with a DC/NY twist. That means you know it's good.

2. Listen to Pandora. Current favorites include: Lykke Li, Santigold, MGMT, and Lily Allen. They'll add a little pep to a normally dreary Monday.

3. Watch turtles have sex. Didn't see that one coming did you? It makes me feel a little dirty, but I haven't laughed that hard in a while.



4. Watch Pot Psychology. Want to see some hilarious, snarky, and stoned bloggers answer reader-submitted questions? Look no further. It's also where I found the turtle porn (God, what kind of traffic is that going to drive to this site). Example:

Do I Have To Change My Tampon Every Time I Pee? from Pot Psychology on Vimeo.

There you have it, your Monday afternoon cup of sports, sarcasm, sounds, and a little animal sex. And alliteration.

Real World DC Run-In

Before I forget, and in addition to the pictures I've been meaning to put up from Wildwood/DC, I wanted to share that while walking to Froggy's on Saturday we came across the Real World: DC cast. They were eating at La Tomate in Dupont, and we were tipped off by the multiple camera men hovering in the outdoor patio. Jenn took a picture of them, and there may or may not have been some heckling, including but not limited to comments about the camera adding 10 pounds.

Woopsie.

Apparently they've been a real pain in the ass to local DC-ers, so I don't think any of us felt all that guilty about it. I guess that's what happens when people start getting real.

100th Post? Let's Make It a Good One.

100 posts. That's a milestone, right? I guess it's only fitting that my 99th post promised big news, because I've got some. I didn't even plan on timing it with the 100th post! Okay, ready?

......

Last Tuesday I gave notice at my job. August 28th is my last day in the office, and it's looking like September 1 will be my last full day as a resident of the West Coast. September 2 I'm flying back to Philly, where I'll be living at home through the end of December before I head to Asia and Europe for the first half of next year. Good LORD it feels good writing that. Of course, this isn't news to many of you, as I shared the news far and wide this weekend in DC, and I've been wanting to share (blog) about this for a bit, but of course had to wait til it's all official. Let me just say it again though:

I'm SO EXCITED! I feel there's been a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. It took me a while to make the definite decision, but ever since I made up my mind that I'm moving home I've become increasingly convinced that I'm doing the right thing. Needless to say my mother is thrilled, as is my wallet for no longer having to pay rent, food, etc. I'm also thrilled to be back East, where I can make easy trips to DC, NYC, Boston, and beyond, eat as much Wawa as I wanna, and play PADA fall league!

Yes, this is a great 100th post. I'll post some recaps of Wildwood and some pictures of this weekend soon, but I thought it only fitting to share the big news as soon as possible. West Coast, it's been a good run. East Coast, I <3 you.

I Know!

It's been forever. I promise, in 3 days I'll have a lot to tell the 4 of you who still read this.