Thank you to my new recruiter who has placed me in a one week temporary position--at a great hourly rate! Starting tomorrow, I will be back in the FiDi (San Francisco Financial District) during the day. Around people. In an office, with tasks to do, a boss. Fun!
I've been worried of late about ever working again--the thoughts do creep in as resume after resume is emailed or uploaded with no calls, no response but the canned email weeks later that "we decided to pursue other candidates and will not be proceeding with you, but thanks for applying!" I want to be that "other candidate." And I know I will at some point. It just gets frustrating watching the days tick past. I don't want to move home, to give up my San Francisco dream. Yeah, I can last though February, but I'd rather not go through the panic of Christmas coming and still be looking, racing against the clock.
Add to that my feeling that I have been looking for a job forever...yes, a year ago, I had a good job. But I looked for a year before finding it. A year of sending out resumes, interviews. Now, here I am again, after having worked my tail off at that job, thinking it was a good fit, back to sending out resumes and hoping for a chance to wear a suit and answer questions and hope I did better than the other candidates.
I enjoy working as a temp--if the hours were more predictable, I'd gladly do it for awhile. A new company, new coworkers every week or month. A new commute, if only changed by a block or two. Though there are downsides--the desk isn't one's own, working with the permanent person's family photos staring at you, not having any desk drawers to call one's own, often having the more menial tasks sent to oneself...I admit at all my past jobs, I have smiled in relief when my boss said "oh, we'll leave that for the temp." No more.
Especially now that I have been the temp this year--removing staples from files for 7 hours straight. I can just imagine the conversation before I showed up. "Hey, George, the temp is coming tomorrow, we can get that staple project done!"
But work is work and in this economy, work is very good indeed, so I will gladly remove staples for hours, file, learn various telephone systems, and attempt to remember all the names that blur by in my day, week or month as the temp for that glorious weekly paycheck.
Yes, weekly...another perk of temping, a check every week. My bank account loves that.
So, up early tomorrow--goodbye, sleeping until 8! Onto wondering what color F Market Streetcar will take me to Market Street, debating whether I should stop at Peet's Coffee, wearing my adult clothes, making a good impression as this could lead to a more permanent situation. We'll see. It feels good to be back in the game, if only for a week for now. More will come.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Summer has arrived
Ah, summer. Been a long time coming. And no, not the usual "June gloom" that means summer in San Francisco, with all-day fog, grabbing a sweater and a coat to head outside, Birkenstocks left in the closet. We are having sun, warmish days, with the fog coming in on its cats' feet overnight, keeping it comfortable. Perfect weather, in other words.
The sort of weather that makes one want to be outside, to find errands to run, and take long walks. I am doing all of the above, especially the latter. I just discovered that Fort Mason--the incredible bayside national park area--is 1.7 miles from my apartment, meaning a round trip walk is just shy of 3.5 miles, a respectable daily stroll complete with uphill portions. So long as it isn't raining, I will be making that stroll daily. Added bonus (aside from bay views and the scent of cones being made at Ghirardelli) is taking the walk on North Point Street, few tourist crowds. Yeah, Beach Street is prettier, but the people-dodging would make it a nightmare at any real walking speed.
The cats have been enjoying their favorite hobby of watching the pigeons. No nest this year, my balcony is empty of the junk that drew them here last year. They still wander the balcony and gaze at me and the kitties, somehow they know a screen keeps them from danger.
The sort of weather that makes one want to be outside, to find errands to run, and take long walks. I am doing all of the above, especially the latter. I just discovered that Fort Mason--the incredible bayside national park area--is 1.7 miles from my apartment, meaning a round trip walk is just shy of 3.5 miles, a respectable daily stroll complete with uphill portions. So long as it isn't raining, I will be making that stroll daily. Added bonus (aside from bay views and the scent of cones being made at Ghirardelli) is taking the walk on North Point Street, few tourist crowds. Yeah, Beach Street is prettier, but the people-dodging would make it a nightmare at any real walking speed.
The cats have been enjoying their favorite hobby of watching the pigeons. No nest this year, my balcony is empty of the junk that drew them here last year. They still wander the balcony and gaze at me and the kitties, somehow they know a screen keeps them from danger.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Happy feet, Low BP!
Back from the doctor--and my first experience using Healthy San Francisco, the program in place in the city for those without insurance. It was easy as pie and I have a fantastic doctor--young, interested, I really like her. And the facility I was assigned to is one of the city's best, Brown & Toland--in Healthy San Francisco, they get doctors to participate, so the doctor has patients with all sorts of insurance and HSF as well. Once I have insurance, she better be a part of my plan, because I think I finally have found a good primary care doctor after years of searching.
My toe is fine, started feeling better this morning. Why do things get better the day of the doctor appointment? Weird.
She also had X-rays of my knee, which I injured last December in my work building's lobby. All clear there, too, but I will go to physical therapy to strengthen it. My blood pressure is low (86/60), almost too low as that was my reading when I was stressed in a doctor's office. And my tetanus booster is done through my 48th birthday. I'm almost all caught up.
Tomorrow morning, I will go for blood work, it has been far too long that I have neglected doctor's visits. Hopefully it will all be in order. I am happy--for my health and for living in a city that has a program such as HSF allowing access to care even without insurance. I am motivated, to keep up with my doctor, to get back into my college clothes and find my 40th birthday in less than two years in the best shape of my life.
Bye bye ice cream habit :(
My toe is fine, started feeling better this morning. Why do things get better the day of the doctor appointment? Weird.
She also had X-rays of my knee, which I injured last December in my work building's lobby. All clear there, too, but I will go to physical therapy to strengthen it. My blood pressure is low (86/60), almost too low as that was my reading when I was stressed in a doctor's office. And my tetanus booster is done through my 48th birthday. I'm almost all caught up.
Tomorrow morning, I will go for blood work, it has been far too long that I have neglected doctor's visits. Hopefully it will all be in order. I am happy--for my health and for living in a city that has a program such as HSF allowing access to care even without insurance. I am motivated, to keep up with my doctor, to get back into my college clothes and find my 40th birthday in less than two years in the best shape of my life.
Bye bye ice cream habit :(
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Busy Bee
Today was a busy one. Went to the library and picked up three books on hold:
What did we do before books were able to be put on hold from our computers? I learn of a book, put it on hold. Wait--sometimes two days, sometimes two months and it is delivered to my branch library--though I visit once a week just to peruse the new books. This week, a book on a ballet dancer, one on the making of the Constitution and for fun, the Book of Awesome. A balanced diet of reading.
And I just finished making ginger carrot muffins...it is a quickbread recipe, but since I realized after starting that I lack a loaf pan, I made them as muffins. Didn't rise much, but they smell fantastic! I'm thinking breakfast, with honey butter. Is it morning yet?
The freak June rainstorm was fun. What is up with this weather? Very strange indeed.
 |
| Already started The Book of Awesome...fun read! |
And I just finished making ginger carrot muffins...it is a quickbread recipe, but since I realized after starting that I lack a loaf pan, I made them as muffins. Didn't rise much, but they smell fantastic! I'm thinking breakfast, with honey butter. Is it morning yet?
 |
| The witch thing is my salt/pepper shakers. |
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sorry for the delay
Guess it has been awhile since I have written...I won't take such a pause in the future, promise!
This has been a rather quiet month...lots of resumes e-mailed out, not much response. Many books read. Many online debates. A graduation party, seeing family I hadn't seen in years and years (I won't let that much time pass again). Too many sweet treats enjoyed--ok, maybe it isn't possible to eat too many sweet treats.
June coming up. And it's still raining in San Francisco, with more rain forecast for the weekend. I don't remember the rain lasting this late into spring since I arrived in the city fifteen years ago. Cold, yes. Last summer was memorably chilly all summer long. But rain? In June? Is this the East or West coast? Not that I mind so much, if it is going to be gray, it may as well rain.
So that's where I've been this month...how about you?
This has been a rather quiet month...lots of resumes e-mailed out, not much response. Many books read. Many online debates. A graduation party, seeing family I hadn't seen in years and years (I won't let that much time pass again). Too many sweet treats enjoyed--ok, maybe it isn't possible to eat too many sweet treats.
June coming up. And it's still raining in San Francisco, with more rain forecast for the weekend. I don't remember the rain lasting this late into spring since I arrived in the city fifteen years ago. Cold, yes. Last summer was memorably chilly all summer long. But rain? In June? Is this the East or West coast? Not that I mind so much, if it is going to be gray, it may as well rain.
So that's where I've been this month...how about you?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Art Break
In San Francisco, we are fortunate. Not only do we have amazing museums, but many of the museums have one day a month with free admission. Because I've been working hard on my job hunt, I decided to take a quick break and visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA).
The following are some of the highlights of my visit, I've taken photos of the information and the artwork, enjoy!
Mondrian--the one I'd be eating soon...and not be tossed out of the museum for so doing!
Warhol, no information card needed!
Jasper Johns
Who knew that a recycling pile = art?
Magritte
Just because it was pretty much a black canvas.
Another Warhol
Sweets from the Rooftop Cafe
Even the cappuccino is art!
Yum! Tasty and pretty.
Scary!
Calder...taken to commemorate the time at Butterfields when the telephone bidder I was helping set a world record price on a Calder, not this one though. Ah, the olde days!
Funny map of my fair city that I found in the Museum Store.
The following are some of the highlights of my visit, I've taken photos of the information and the artwork, enjoy!
Pollack, me like!
Warhol, no information card needed!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Where Were You When You Heard the News?
It seems that we are at a historic moment. Osama bin Laden's death announcement.
I was in my big chair, settling in to watch Law & Order Los Angeles, TIVO'ed earlier this week when my dad called to tell me to turn on MSNBC.
He said it was some announcement about bin Laden.
I am now watching the reaction from Facebook friends and Newsvine, waiting for the President to speak.
Big night. Big night indeed.
Where were you when you heard?
I was in my big chair, settling in to watch Law & Order Los Angeles, TIVO'ed earlier this week when my dad called to tell me to turn on MSNBC.
He said it was some announcement about bin Laden.
I am now watching the reaction from Facebook friends and Newsvine, waiting for the President to speak.
Big night. Big night indeed.
Where were you when you heard?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Friday Evening Stroll
Friday evening! Yes, even we searching for work types like knowing it is the weekend. What to do? Why not head over to Off the Grid at Fort Mason, the weekly festival of food trucks and music just a short walk from me? Sure, I know, food trucks. Trendy, almost annoyingly so right now. But the food is fantastic and cheap and the walk pleasant--no fog, high 60s and light wind. Slightly uphill through Fort Mason, but manageable.
Top of the hill at Fort Mason, OTG trucks crowd below to the left.
I'm so very indecisive at these things, everything looks good, no fantastic. But I had a big lunch and it's only 5:30PM.
Some chai banana fritters with coconut jam sound good. I'm a shameless wimp when it comes to sweets, though I did avoid the cupcake truck and creme brulee stand this time.
And yes, they were as good as they look. Not too sweet, a nice 5PM snack.
Time to head home.
It's hard to believe that I am in a big city as I walk through the Bay side of Fort Mason. It feels very much like the national park that it is.
Trees!
Some bridge or something, Fort Mason piers in the foreground.....
Trees.
Lots and lots of trees, birds chirping and an island.
But before I knew it, I was on the other side of Fort Mason and on the Wharf. Seeing the Bushman, I decided to stop and enjoy the show:
I'm so very indecisive at these things, everything looks good, no fantastic. But I had a big lunch and it's only 5:30PM.
And yes, they were as good as they look. Not too sweet, a nice 5PM snack.
Time to head home.
It's hard to believe that I am in a big city as I walk through the Bay side of Fort Mason. It feels very much like the national park that it is.
But before I knew it, I was on the other side of Fort Mason and on the Wharf. Seeing the Bushman, I decided to stop and enjoy the show:
How was your Friday?
15 Years Ago
This year marks a milestone: my 15th year in San Francisco. It seems like just yesterday that I accepted a job on Alcatraz Island, packed up a suitcase and moved into the Hostel on Union Square.
Yes, a hostel. My first home in the city was a place vacationers stay, my first job working with those vacationers. It was quite a shock to this then-23 year old who had gone from the family home in Fresno to a safe, cushy dorm at Santa Clara University where 60 of us had our own rooms and a chef. My life in the hostel was an adventure, from sharing a room with four others to having to fend for myself for breakfast, lunch and dinner while learning to navigate a major city. Living with those on vacation while having to get up and head to work is a challenge, though I had little competition for the shower early in the morning!
But I wouldn't have had it any other way. From the hostel, I moved into a residential hotel in the Tenderloin--with a Mongolian roommate who wanted to use my cell phone to call home, to a fantastic sublet in Cole Valley (near the Haight for you non-San Francisco types, a cute little neighborhood), back to the hostel and then to the house at 1906 Great Highway overlooking the ocean with 4 roommates---and from there to my two weeks in Oakland (meant to be longer), my first solo apartment with bigtime wiring and construction issues, to my 250 square foot gem in the heart of North Beach (I had to open the door to smile) to my current very comfortable and big apartment near Pier 39.
I feel as if I earned my way in the city and look back on my early days with wonder: could I do it again? Would I? Yes, to live in the city I love. It was an adventure, every minute of it and I know I can stand on my own and handle a living situation where all I have is a bottom bunk and a suitcase.
Though I do I like my balcony, two cats and 500 square feet.
Yes, a hostel. My first home in the city was a place vacationers stay, my first job working with those vacationers. It was quite a shock to this then-23 year old who had gone from the family home in Fresno to a safe, cushy dorm at Santa Clara University where 60 of us had our own rooms and a chef. My life in the hostel was an adventure, from sharing a room with four others to having to fend for myself for breakfast, lunch and dinner while learning to navigate a major city. Living with those on vacation while having to get up and head to work is a challenge, though I had little competition for the shower early in the morning!
But I wouldn't have had it any other way. From the hostel, I moved into a residential hotel in the Tenderloin--with a Mongolian roommate who wanted to use my cell phone to call home, to a fantastic sublet in Cole Valley (near the Haight for you non-San Francisco types, a cute little neighborhood), back to the hostel and then to the house at 1906 Great Highway overlooking the ocean with 4 roommates---and from there to my two weeks in Oakland (meant to be longer), my first solo apartment with bigtime wiring and construction issues, to my 250 square foot gem in the heart of North Beach (I had to open the door to smile) to my current very comfortable and big apartment near Pier 39.
I feel as if I earned my way in the city and look back on my early days with wonder: could I do it again? Would I? Yes, to live in the city I love. It was an adventure, every minute of it and I know I can stand on my own and handle a living situation where all I have is a bottom bunk and a suitcase.
Though I do I like my balcony, two cats and 500 square feet.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Videos from Nightlife at the Academy of Sciences
In my previous post, I mentioned Nightlife at the California Academy of Sciences. This is a truly "only in San Francisco" event every Thursday. A DJ comes in, cocktails are served, there are special lectures and planet viewings on the living roof and the museum is open only to those over 21 years of age--no strollers!
I've been to several Nightlifes, including the very first one where there was no line for the Rainforest and a relatively sparse crowd. Nowdays the crowd is bigger but just as much fun. And the price is right--half the daytime entry fee.
Here are some videos from most recent one I attended.
Water spider! A big guy, I was happy for the glass between us, though I couldn't stop looking at him/her(?). Though I have yet to see it, he/she walks on water. So long as that doesn't happen in my bathtub, I'm cool with him/her.
Sea Dragons! Though they look like seaweed, they are in fact animals, like even more magical sea horses. Someday when I am fantastically wealthy I will have a tank of these.
80-something year old Giant Sea Bass. This guy is enormous. And awesome, if slow moving. Sorry for the length of this one, but I had a front row view of him turning around. Rather like watching a semi-truck turn.
Finally, this funny guy is a Frog Fish.
I've been to several Nightlifes, including the very first one where there was no line for the Rainforest and a relatively sparse crowd. Nowdays the crowd is bigger but just as much fun. And the price is right--half the daytime entry fee.
Here are some videos from most recent one I attended.
Water spider! A big guy, I was happy for the glass between us, though I couldn't stop looking at him/her(?). Though I have yet to see it, he/she walks on water. So long as that doesn't happen in my bathtub, I'm cool with him/her.
Sea Dragons! Though they look like seaweed, they are in fact animals, like even more magical sea horses. Someday when I am fantastically wealthy I will have a tank of these.
80-something year old Giant Sea Bass. This guy is enormous. And awesome, if slow moving. Sorry for the length of this one, but I had a front row view of him turning around. Rather like watching a semi-truck turn.
Finally, this funny guy is a Frog Fish.
Reading and reading
Being unemployed, I have had a good amount of time to delve into some books--all from the San Francisco Public Library, most requested, then sent to my branch library for pick-up. Whatever did we do before we could request books online? Here in San Francisco, we have a population that uses its library, oftentimes new titles can have a wait list of 80 or more people. But it doesn't take long for the books to come to me as the library buys multiple copies.
So, on my reading list right now are:
The Tell Tale Brain, V. S. Ramachandran--fascinating look at how our brains evolved. It does get a big medical at times, but is overall a good read.
206 Bones, Kathy Reichs--the only of Reichs' books that I have not yet read. She is the one that the show Bones is based on. The books are quick reads, delve quite a bit into forensics and have no characters from the show, thank goodness...even though I enjoy Bones, I wouldn't want to read books that are the show in print form.
Packing for Mars and Bonk, Mary Roach--I am catching up on my Mary Roach after seeing her lecture earlier this month at the California Academy of Sciences Nightlife. Bonk is about sex research and Packing for Mars about the questions we'd all like to ask about space travel. Roach is irreverent and fun, her lecture was fantastic. As is Nightlife at the Academy of Sciences, the weekly cocktail party at the California Academy of Sciences for those of drinking age. Highly recommend it if you find yourself in San Francisco on a Thursday night. Fun to walk through the Academy, the aquarium with a cocktail in hand!
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, Matt Dunn--very funny fiction about a man who has let himself "go" during his ten-year relationship with a woman who has let him go and run off to Tibet. He, thanks to his local TV star friend, gets himself back in shape. I'm about a quarter of the way into it.
So, that's on my reading table these days, what's on yours? What can you recommend? My request list at the library is always needing new material!
So, on my reading list right now are:
The Tell Tale Brain, V. S. Ramachandran--fascinating look at how our brains evolved. It does get a big medical at times, but is overall a good read.
206 Bones, Kathy Reichs--the only of Reichs' books that I have not yet read. She is the one that the show Bones is based on. The books are quick reads, delve quite a bit into forensics and have no characters from the show, thank goodness...even though I enjoy Bones, I wouldn't want to read books that are the show in print form.
Packing for Mars and Bonk, Mary Roach--I am catching up on my Mary Roach after seeing her lecture earlier this month at the California Academy of Sciences Nightlife. Bonk is about sex research and Packing for Mars about the questions we'd all like to ask about space travel. Roach is irreverent and fun, her lecture was fantastic. As is Nightlife at the Academy of Sciences, the weekly cocktail party at the California Academy of Sciences for those of drinking age. Highly recommend it if you find yourself in San Francisco on a Thursday night. Fun to walk through the Academy, the aquarium with a cocktail in hand!
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook, Matt Dunn--very funny fiction about a man who has let himself "go" during his ten-year relationship with a woman who has let him go and run off to Tibet. He, thanks to his local TV star friend, gets himself back in shape. I'm about a quarter of the way into it.
So, that's on my reading table these days, what's on yours? What can you recommend? My request list at the library is always needing new material!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Enough with the Plywood
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
My Favorite Place in the 'Hood
A sunny day! Hooray! I gathered up my book and heading across the street to my favorite reading perch, the Big Wooden Box Thing Near Pier 41:
I love reading here. The views are million-dollar, it's sunny and oddly uncrowded, even when Fisherman's Wharf is busy. I discovered it when I first moved to the city and worked on Alcatraz as the boats we went out on were right next to it at Pier 41. Many days I would arrive early to spend time here...can it really be 15 years since those days?
The book:
The Best American Science Writing 2010. I enjoy non-fiction and this series is fantastic for an overview of the year's best science writing. Geeky but fascinating.
However, the reading was not to be today as the wind was fierce, a risk one takes on a pier in the Bay.
Whitecaps:
It's not always so frothy, thank goodness!
So I said hello to the sea lion neighbors and headed home:
I love reading here. The views are million-dollar, it's sunny and oddly uncrowded, even when Fisherman's Wharf is busy. I discovered it when I first moved to the city and worked on Alcatraz as the boats we went out on were right next to it at Pier 41. Many days I would arrive early to spend time here...can it really be 15 years since those days?
The book:
However, the reading was not to be today as the wind was fierce, a risk one takes on a pier in the Bay.
Whitecaps:
It's not always so frothy, thank goodness!
So I said hello to the sea lion neighbors and headed home:
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Hello world!
Welcome to my spot on the Web. I'm not quite sure where I will be going with all this...a little about my wanderings in San Francisco, a little about my cats, a little ranting about being unemployed for the zillionth time, a little about the treats I find in my City by the Bay.
Who am I? Well, those of you who are quite lucky know me as Gretchen J. TheJonesGirl. Gumdropgirl. I'm a thirty-something woman living very near the Bay in San Francisco. Living near the Bay is great. Well, unless one's father is calling her at 6AM to warn of tsunamis predicted in the next couple hours. But that it more than made up for with the sounds of foghorns and sea lions most every night.
Why San Francisco? I fell in love with the city as a child, going to visit my Great Aunt Martha and Great Uncle Bob in, first, their big house in West Portal...it was so exotic to a Fresno kid. Up the hill from a MUNI station, lots of small, interesting restaurants and shops a short walk away, the fog in mid-summer. Later, they moved to a building near the Castro which was a dream to the teen me. A roof deck! Close to everything I could want. After college, I did everything I could to move to the city and fifteen years later, I am living my dream.
For work, I am an Executive Assistant. I like it, and it allows me free time, to not be wed to my job. I love politics, taking classes at City College for fun, reading and playing in the city by the Bay. I live with two very big cats and am happy as can be.
Hope you enjoy my ramblings and photos as they come, can't wait to share them...
Who am I? Well, those of you who are quite lucky know me as Gretchen J. TheJonesGirl. Gumdropgirl. I'm a thirty-something woman living very near the Bay in San Francisco. Living near the Bay is great. Well, unless one's father is calling her at 6AM to warn of tsunamis predicted in the next couple hours. But that it more than made up for with the sounds of foghorns and sea lions most every night.
Why San Francisco? I fell in love with the city as a child, going to visit my Great Aunt Martha and Great Uncle Bob in, first, their big house in West Portal...it was so exotic to a Fresno kid. Up the hill from a MUNI station, lots of small, interesting restaurants and shops a short walk away, the fog in mid-summer. Later, they moved to a building near the Castro which was a dream to the teen me. A roof deck! Close to everything I could want. After college, I did everything I could to move to the city and fifteen years later, I am living my dream.
For work, I am an Executive Assistant. I like it, and it allows me free time, to not be wed to my job. I love politics, taking classes at City College for fun, reading and playing in the city by the Bay. I live with two very big cats and am happy as can be.
Hope you enjoy my ramblings and photos as they come, can't wait to share them...
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