Note to self: NEVER attempt to drive in San Francisco again.
I set up a meeting with one of the owners of Green11 in Noe Valley. Bettina and I have talked a few times and she is one of the people in Noe Valley that I feel comfortable talking to. I thought that her store Green11 would be a great subject for my profile piece.
Saturday afternoon I got into my 2002 purple Honda Civic with my roommate Megan, we were ready for an adventure and that's exactly what we got. She typed in the address and we made our way to the 280 North towards Civic Center/Bay Bridge. We then exited Cesar Chavez St./Potero Ave. We realized by all the murals that we were in the Mission. Finally! I have never been to the Mission before and even though I didn't get out, I loved passing through the district. The colors and the happy people dancing to Mexican music made me smile. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I get cut off by a huge MUNI bus. A-W-E-S-O-M-E only not, this preceded to happen for the next few streets, getting cut off by cars, people not turning on their blinkers and not stopping at stop signs.
Megan and I were screaming and cursing every few minutes. Then we realized we were going the wrong way, the little red pin on my iPhone map showed Green 11 was in the opposite direction of where we were headed...cool! We then turned around on another street and went back towards the Mission, and then she said we're going the wrong way again. We stop at a stop sign, no one was behind us and we look at the phone. It seems someone put in the wrong address; we were headed to 3098 24th Street instead of 3980 24th Street. Ugh okay so we just headed toward the part of the map that showed where Noe Valley was, easy enough right?
We were driving and all of a sudden we see this huge hill that my little purple car was expected to go up. I screamed, "Meg, I can’t do this. I have this fear that my car will roll down the hill like in The Princess Diaries!” She told me to floor it and I screamed all the way until we got to the top. Then to my surprise another HUGE hill! Seriously what the hell. I floored it again and we made it.
I finally see MUNI tracks and recognized the place where we were, thank goodness. We pulled in front of Bernie's coffee shop and realize we have a 30 minute maximum for the spot. This is ridiculous, it was 4:45 and my interview was at 5. We decided to wait in the car for 15 minutes and when we get out fill the meter so we can start at 30 minutes.
We waited and put more money in at 5. It turned to 5 and I check in at Green 11 on my Facebook and walk in. A man with an accent was helping some customers so I waited quietly at the entrance of the tiny shop. He asks if I need help and I tell him I am waiting for Bettina, he then informs me she isn't there. UGH!!! He gives me her number and I call her. She said she didn't come into work that day and said she didn't have access to a computer so she couldn't email me.
This was the icing on my amazing day cake. Megan and I headed back home and stopped at Forever 21 for a little retail therapy.
What have I learned: never drive into the city and when you're sad just go to Forever 21 and buy a $15 high wasted blue skirt.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
I Stumbled Upon Stumbleupon.com
How it happened: my roommate Megan was telling me about all these cool things she found on a website called Stumbleupon.com. She had been making these different types of dinners and snacks for the past few days. There was the...interesting cream cheese chicken (well I found it interesting, she liked it) and there was the chocolate cake made out of a hot chocolate package.
It was weird all these things she was finding. As some may know, I am intrigued by anything weird. I watched her look things up on Stumbleupon.com and found some intersting pictures, exercised, recipes and quotes. I WAS HOOKED!
I downloaded the free Stumbleupon app on my iPhone and created an account. The first thing I did was pick the topics I wanted to stumble upon. My list: celebrities, clothing, environment, fashion, fitness, food/cooking, health, humor, movies, music, nature, photography, quotes and relationships. What can I say, I like a wide range of things.
< This is a screen shot from my iPhone of a hourglass, the lower level has writing in it that says "act now before its too late".
As I "Stumbled" I could either like or dislike with the thumbs up and thumbs down symbols at the top of my app. After I'm done with each page I Stumbleupon I click the green and blue sphere on the upper right hand corner of the screen with Stumbleupon's signature SU symbol.
I found myself "stumbling" for hours and hours, I even posted the ones I found most interesting on my Facebook wall.
I have found my newest obsession...I hope I can focus on other stuff from time to time or I'll be stumbling into being anti-social. Everyone should checkout Stumbleupon.com and see what kinds of intriguing things fall into your lap.
< This one is my favorite so far! It says "LOVE take as much as you need"
It was weird all these things she was finding. As some may know, I am intrigued by anything weird. I watched her look things up on Stumbleupon.com and found some intersting pictures, exercised, recipes and quotes. I WAS HOOKED!
I downloaded the free Stumbleupon app on my iPhone and created an account. The first thing I did was pick the topics I wanted to stumble upon. My list: celebrities, clothing, environment, fashion, fitness, food/cooking, health, humor, movies, music, nature, photography, quotes and relationships. What can I say, I like a wide range of things.
< This is a screen shot from my iPhone of a hourglass, the lower level has writing in it that says "act now before its too late".
As I "Stumbled" I could either like or dislike with the thumbs up and thumbs down symbols at the top of my app. After I'm done with each page I Stumbleupon I click the green and blue sphere on the upper right hand corner of the screen with Stumbleupon's signature SU symbol.
I found myself "stumbling" for hours and hours, I even posted the ones I found most interesting on my Facebook wall.
I have found my newest obsession...I hope I can focus on other stuff from time to time or I'll be stumbling into being anti-social. Everyone should checkout Stumbleupon.com and see what kinds of intriguing things fall into your lap.
< This one is my favorite so far! It says "LOVE take as much as you need"
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Learning How to Make Maps
During my second semester at San Francisco State University I have taken my next class in order for me to complete my core for my journalism classes. I am enrolled in Digital News Gathering, JOUR 226.
In this class I am learning about social media sites and how to use them to my advantage. We have posted articles on Facebook and Twitter. Its been amazing learning how to use these sites and recieving feedback from other journalists.
We learned how to create maps for stories using Google Maps. This help the reader see a visual of what's going on in the story; I was actually surprised that not all stories have these maps because they help so much.
View Dig. News Gath. Snow Map in a larger map
In this class I am learning about social media sites and how to use them to my advantage. We have posted articles on Facebook and Twitter. Its been amazing learning how to use these sites and recieving feedback from other journalists.
We learned how to create maps for stories using Google Maps. This help the reader see a visual of what's going on in the story; I was actually surprised that not all stories have these maps because they help so much.
View Dig. News Gath. Snow Map in a larger map
Understanding Government Jargon
The assignment to write a story about on a meeting sounded simple enough. Although I found it hard to find a meeting in my neighborhood. Bummer. Then I found a meeting that I could do for the assignment.
The Board of Supervisor's Budget and Finance meeting was last Wednesday and I would be covering it with a few of my class mates. Doesn't this meeting sound like fun? Yeah right, maybe if you lived for political jargon and feeling completely lost when the item numbers come up. Yep that was my situation but as a journalist there are things that you will have to report on and you'll have to do your best to get the interviews and understand what reserve funds and add-backs are.
Overall the meeting was only an hour, thank goodness. Luckily I had a partner in crime when it came to writing this story; his name is Nick Moone. Nick knew ever item number, all the jargon and what add-ons meant. This blew my mind. He tried to walk me through everything and although still confused we managed to do everything we could to get this story out.
With a few corrections from Professor Daley we realized the legal jargon was confusing the reader. We set up a game plan in class and will begin to rewrite the paper on Thursday. Yay for rewrites and Nick's background in student government. Lets see how round two will go when we write this paper.
The Board of Supervisor's Budget and Finance meeting was last Wednesday and I would be covering it with a few of my class mates. Doesn't this meeting sound like fun? Yeah right, maybe if you lived for political jargon and feeling completely lost when the item numbers come up. Yep that was my situation but as a journalist there are things that you will have to report on and you'll have to do your best to get the interviews and understand what reserve funds and add-backs are.
Overall the meeting was only an hour, thank goodness. Luckily I had a partner in crime when it came to writing this story; his name is Nick Moone. Nick knew ever item number, all the jargon and what add-ons meant. This blew my mind. He tried to walk me through everything and although still confused we managed to do everything we could to get this story out.
With a few corrections from Professor Daley we realized the legal jargon was confusing the reader. We set up a game plan in class and will begin to rewrite the paper on Thursday. Yay for rewrites and Nick's background in student government. Lets see how round two will go when we write this paper.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Curmudgens are the Worst
Let’s talk about it. Those people you see on the Muni. Yes there are strange characters, yes some of them stare and yes some of them smell but do you go up to these people and make rude comments to them? Umm I don’t think so; at least I don't.
I am not someone who regularly rides the Muni. Luckily for me, I have everything I need close by to my house. On occasion I do ride the Muni to go into the city for shopping or just to go exploring. This semester especially, in my reporting class we are assigned to different districts to write about. This leads me to the point of this particular blog.
My roomies and I walked to the M line in front of San Francisco State. They wanted to go see Noe Valley, the district I was assigned to for my reporting class, and we spent a few hours down there walking in and out of shops and people watching. I squeezed in an interview with a local and we ate lunch at the cutest cafe called Joe's. The food was amazing; I ate everything on my plate...literally. I didn't leave a single crumb on that thing. DELICIOUS!
After we ate we decided it was time to go back home so we waited for the J line and it finally came. I had $2 worth of quarters with me and when I got on the Muni I was fumbling with my money. Luckily my roommates were behind me and didn't mind waiting while I searched for my quarters in my coin purse. I eventually found the 8 quarters, grabbed my ticket and sat down.
As we rode the Muni, my roommates and I were chatting about Noe Valley and the cafe we ate at. We were coming up to a stop somewhere by 30th street. All of a sudden a man comes to the side of me and says, "You know you should really have your money ready before you get on the train."
I respond with an awkward/ caught off guard, "Oh yeah haha?"
Then the man continues on with, "I know 6th graders that are more prepared then you are."
After that statement I sarcastically said, "Umm...okay."
The Muni then stopped and he got off. My roommates asked what he said and I told them. I was thinking about how mean this man was. I mean yes, I should have been prepared with my money, my fault but the fact that he said a rude comment like he did. We all have things we would like to tell people that may not be the kindest but the fact that this man went out of his way to say something snide to me isn't right in my book. I'm sorry he couldn’t wait an extra minute while I got my change and I held up his afternoon.
I would never say a rude comment to someone I had never met before. I would not deliberately be rude to anyone. I hope that that man I saw gets realizes he's not nice. I’m sure I’m not the first person he’s said an impolite comment to. P.S. I hope that man magically stumbles upon this blog, reads it and realizes he’s a curmudgeon. Yes a curmudgeon!
Sorry for the venting session. Thank you for listening and reading, until next time guys!
I am not someone who regularly rides the Muni. Luckily for me, I have everything I need close by to my house. On occasion I do ride the Muni to go into the city for shopping or just to go exploring. This semester especially, in my reporting class we are assigned to different districts to write about. This leads me to the point of this particular blog.
My roomies and I walked to the M line in front of San Francisco State. They wanted to go see Noe Valley, the district I was assigned to for my reporting class, and we spent a few hours down there walking in and out of shops and people watching. I squeezed in an interview with a local and we ate lunch at the cutest cafe called Joe's. The food was amazing; I ate everything on my plate...literally. I didn't leave a single crumb on that thing. DELICIOUS!
After we ate we decided it was time to go back home so we waited for the J line and it finally came. I had $2 worth of quarters with me and when I got on the Muni I was fumbling with my money. Luckily my roommates were behind me and didn't mind waiting while I searched for my quarters in my coin purse. I eventually found the 8 quarters, grabbed my ticket and sat down.
As we rode the Muni, my roommates and I were chatting about Noe Valley and the cafe we ate at. We were coming up to a stop somewhere by 30th street. All of a sudden a man comes to the side of me and says, "You know you should really have your money ready before you get on the train."
I respond with an awkward/ caught off guard, "Oh yeah haha?"
Then the man continues on with, "I know 6th graders that are more prepared then you are."
After that statement I sarcastically said, "Umm...okay."
The Muni then stopped and he got off. My roommates asked what he said and I told them. I was thinking about how mean this man was. I mean yes, I should have been prepared with my money, my fault but the fact that he said a rude comment like he did. We all have things we would like to tell people that may not be the kindest but the fact that this man went out of his way to say something snide to me isn't right in my book. I'm sorry he couldn’t wait an extra minute while I got my change and I held up his afternoon.
I would never say a rude comment to someone I had never met before. I would not deliberately be rude to anyone. I hope that that man I saw gets realizes he's not nice. I’m sure I’m not the first person he’s said an impolite comment to. P.S. I hope that man magically stumbles upon this blog, reads it and realizes he’s a curmudgeon. Yes a curmudgeon!
Sorry for the venting session. Thank you for listening and reading, until next time guys!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Drivers that Drive me Crazy
You're beginning to be a habit with me and I'm not too thrilled, shall I explain more?
The drivers in San Francisco are really getting to me. People come on, its kind of getting overboard in my case. Let me set the scene...I was driving home from a mall in San Francisco when a car stopped in the middle of the turning lane because they were waiting for a parking spot. Its definitely a pet peeve of mine when the light is green and I'm ready to go but there's an incident like that in front of me stopping me to go. Due to the traffic in the other northbound lane I was not able to pass this person. They finally gave up and drove on and I followed all the way through the green light, then we separated.
About five minutes later another driving incident happened to me and my precious car Jude. I was driving down a residential area when a car was doing the same exact thing as the car in the previous story. Except this car was waiting for another to move so it could take its spot. After waiting for the cars the one that was trying to take the other's spot gave up and drove away. As I began to drive away the other car that was leaving decided to cut me off. Luckily I slammed on my breaks. Luckily Jude didn't get hit. In this single lane I was almost hit on the right side, where my roommates were sitting. After getting scared I slammed on my horn.
Words could not explain how mad I was. I understand that when driving you have to be agressive and make quick decisions but sometimes thinking about the people who are also out on the road with you can help avoid an accident. I am by all means not saying I'm the best driver out there but I have tried my best to avoid illegal menuvers and have tried to be polite, expecially in San Francisco.
Lets make a deal, the next time we get into our cars pay attention to what you are doing specifically. Avoid getting honked at and flipped off. For one whole week lets see if we can all be responsible. Goodluck fellow drivers and I'll see you out on the streets.
The drivers in San Francisco are really getting to me. People come on, its kind of getting overboard in my case. Let me set the scene...I was driving home from a mall in San Francisco when a car stopped in the middle of the turning lane because they were waiting for a parking spot. Its definitely a pet peeve of mine when the light is green and I'm ready to go but there's an incident like that in front of me stopping me to go. Due to the traffic in the other northbound lane I was not able to pass this person. They finally gave up and drove on and I followed all the way through the green light, then we separated.
About five minutes later another driving incident happened to me and my precious car Jude. I was driving down a residential area when a car was doing the same exact thing as the car in the previous story. Except this car was waiting for another to move so it could take its spot. After waiting for the cars the one that was trying to take the other's spot gave up and drove away. As I began to drive away the other car that was leaving decided to cut me off. Luckily I slammed on my breaks. Luckily Jude didn't get hit. In this single lane I was almost hit on the right side, where my roommates were sitting. After getting scared I slammed on my horn.
Words could not explain how mad I was. I understand that when driving you have to be agressive and make quick decisions but sometimes thinking about the people who are also out on the road with you can help avoid an accident. I am by all means not saying I'm the best driver out there but I have tried my best to avoid illegal menuvers and have tried to be polite, expecially in San Francisco.
Lets make a deal, the next time we get into our cars pay attention to what you are doing specifically. Avoid getting honked at and flipped off. For one whole week lets see if we can all be responsible. Goodluck fellow drivers and I'll see you out on the streets.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Keen on Noe Valley
Sunday morning rain was falling...as I traveled on the M outbound toward a place I have never heard of before. The rain finally stopped as the M passed Balboa Park. I got off off the Muni at Church and 24th, I had reached my destination. Noe Valley.
The quaint district surrounded by three hills was full of pedestrians walking along the sidewalks and chatting at cafes.
As I walked into the stores along 24th Street, I was greeted with the friendliest smiles and hellos. Everyone I came into contact with in Noe Valley was nothing but nice to me. I had never been to that area before and I was surprised to find everyone's personalities were warm and they were willing to tell me a little about this place.
I learned that this place was really into going green. I am very passionate about being green myself; its refreshing to know that most, if not all of Noe Valley feels the same way that I do.
Later that night I talked to my roommates about my time in Noe Valley and how I had fallen in love. I bought each of us mini cupcakes from Noe Valley Bakery. To no surprise we all loved them! We're planning on going back to the stop at Church and 24th street.
The sense of home that resides in Noe Valley is a breath of fresh air so-to-speak. When one thinks of San Francisco they usually think of Union Square or Pier 39. A family oriented town where going green is in and where smiles are a constant. Noe Valley you're an amazing place, don't ever change.
The quaint district surrounded by three hills was full of pedestrians walking along the sidewalks and chatting at cafes.
As I walked into the stores along 24th Street, I was greeted with the friendliest smiles and hellos. Everyone I came into contact with in Noe Valley was nothing but nice to me. I had never been to that area before and I was surprised to find everyone's personalities were warm and they were willing to tell me a little about this place.
I learned that this place was really into going green. I am very passionate about being green myself; its refreshing to know that most, if not all of Noe Valley feels the same way that I do.
Later that night I talked to my roommates about my time in Noe Valley and how I had fallen in love. I bought each of us mini cupcakes from Noe Valley Bakery. To no surprise we all loved them! We're planning on going back to the stop at Church and 24th street.
The sense of home that resides in Noe Valley is a breath of fresh air so-to-speak. When one thinks of San Francisco they usually think of Union Square or Pier 39. A family oriented town where going green is in and where smiles are a constant. Noe Valley you're an amazing place, don't ever change.
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