HOORAY!!!
I am really proud to say that I have a job in SF at the law firm of Latham & Watkins! To make it all the more interesting, I'll be sitting across the hall from the managing partner. I haven't met him yet but I can tell you he's no Peter Covington. I'll try not to hold that against him.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Step Up 2 The Streets
Yesterday, President's Day (observed in SF by just about all), I indulged a bit. I saw Step Up 2 The Streets. My two friends, who shall remain anonymous, and I brought the average age in theater up at least 18 months. I have an odd weakness for the high cheese factor of the teenage dance drama à la Center Stage, Save the Last Dance, Honey, Footloose, Shag... but I digress. This fantastic film event was a celebratory one. Yesterday at 12:24 pm, I landed an apartment in San Francisco proper!!!
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My new landlord, Julia, is an elderly woman from the midwest who has lived in SF since the 60s. She was very excited to have three young seemingly well-behaved women living in one of her units. That was until I brought up Sadie, "and the dog will stay in North Carolina," she chuckled. So, I let the full power of southern charm loose on this lady. I talked and smiled until she nodded and said, "how about you put down area rugs on the newly refinished hardwoods and give me an additional 1,000 deposit? you remind me of my granddaughter." Naturally, I then cried and gave her a hug. I think she appreciated it.
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My new landlord, Julia, is an elderly woman from the midwest who has lived in SF since the 60s. She was very excited to have three young seemingly well-behaved women living in one of her units. That was until I brought up Sadie, "and the dog will stay in North Carolina," she chuckled. So, I let the full power of southern charm loose on this lady. I talked and smiled until she nodded and said, "how about you put down area rugs on the newly refinished hardwoods and give me an additional 1,000 deposit? you remind me of my granddaughter." Naturally, I then cried and gave her a hug. I think she appreciated it.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tuesday in the city
I've spent an entire afternoon at a coffee shop, Notes From The Underground, that has free WIFI. I started at Starbucks and apparently they are in cahoots with TMobile, seeing as they offer WIFI and then TMobile lets you connect only to tell you you "May purchase a daypass for a mere 9.99." Whatever, I'll be walking down the street now...
Feels like I'm at a stand-still today. I have followed up on so many things, but have received no word of anything inching forward. Job interviews are in place for later this week, so that is progress at least. Apartment search is stagnant, the owners/realtors are elusive and unpredictable.
I have no shortage of hope though! I hope you are all doing well and remember to be sweet to your lovies on V-day! (Not sweet like the t.v. commercials suggest, just sweet like people are from time to time.)
Feels like I'm at a stand-still today. I have followed up on so many things, but have received no word of anything inching forward. Job interviews are in place for later this week, so that is progress at least. Apartment search is stagnant, the owners/realtors are elusive and unpredictable.
I have no shortage of hope though! I hope you are all doing well and remember to be sweet to your lovies on V-day! (Not sweet like the t.v. commercials suggest, just sweet like people are from time to time.)
Monday, February 11, 2008
It's a jungle out there
I am on an apartment hunt in the wildest city in America. There are oodles of different neighborhoods, the prices are obscene at best, and competition is no joke. It is survival of the fittest for sure, and I have unfortunately been on hiatus from the stair master (that was before walking up Lombard Street last Thursday).
Last week I saw a cute one bedroom place in Rockridge (sort of the Dilworth of Oakland) listed for $1400. There was even a yard (gasp) and it's only a block from the BART which zips you across the bay & into the city, traffic-free, in 18 minutes or less. The ceilings were high, the bath room was tiny, but there is plenty of room for 3, maybe 4 to drink wine in the kitchen while cooking a dinner.
Another fab-u-less place I saw was in Cole Valley. Just a 10 minute bus ride towards Golden Gate park (kinda south of the city) drops you into a cute, family-oriented neighborhood with a small doggie park right across the street from the 2nd floor apartment. This place had a backyard too (hard to believe, i know)!! And even a porch overlooking it...no wonder it is $1,950 a month. Inside was fab-u as well. Berber carpet, fresh paint, two large closets, a small room off the living room that could be an office or even guest sleeping quarters. The kitchen opened into the living room via a breakfast bar and across the living room from that are french doors leading out to the open-air porch with a view of the shady yard below and the hills above the city.
So now you've heard about the good.
The bad and the ugly:
Near the Panhandle (an extension of beautiful Golden GAte park--great locale) is a one bedroom for $1995. This price buys you awesome location, bathroom mold, an intersection that is louder than your alarm clock, and kitchen cabinets that look like they conceal something from a horror movie.
Thanks. Neeext.
In Hayes Valley I was one of, ohhh, 26 people lined up a three story winding staircase to see a $1350 studio near the Haight and several parks. Though we patiently waited to see the joint for 20 minutes, it only took 20 seconds to take make up my mind. Hell no. With a double bed, a chair, and a closet, there was possibly 4 square feet of room left of floorspace.
Trust me, there is more, but I'd rather not relive it.
My first week here in SF has been amazing, fun, exciting, and challenging. Thank you so much for your prayers and kind messages.
love, meg
Last week I saw a cute one bedroom place in Rockridge (sort of the Dilworth of Oakland) listed for $1400. There was even a yard (gasp) and it's only a block from the BART which zips you across the bay & into the city, traffic-free, in 18 minutes or less. The ceilings were high, the bath room was tiny, but there is plenty of room for 3, maybe 4 to drink wine in the kitchen while cooking a dinner.
Another fab-u-less place I saw was in Cole Valley. Just a 10 minute bus ride towards Golden Gate park (kinda south of the city) drops you into a cute, family-oriented neighborhood with a small doggie park right across the street from the 2nd floor apartment. This place had a backyard too (hard to believe, i know)!! And even a porch overlooking it...no wonder it is $1,950 a month. Inside was fab-u as well. Berber carpet, fresh paint, two large closets, a small room off the living room that could be an office or even guest sleeping quarters. The kitchen opened into the living room via a breakfast bar and across the living room from that are french doors leading out to the open-air porch with a view of the shady yard below and the hills above the city.
So now you've heard about the good.
The bad and the ugly:
Near the Panhandle (an extension of beautiful Golden GAte park--great locale) is a one bedroom for $1995. This price buys you awesome location, bathroom mold, an intersection that is louder than your alarm clock, and kitchen cabinets that look like they conceal something from a horror movie.
Thanks. Neeext.
In Hayes Valley I was one of, ohhh, 26 people lined up a three story winding staircase to see a $1350 studio near the Haight and several parks. Though we patiently waited to see the joint for 20 minutes, it only took 20 seconds to take make up my mind. Hell no. With a double bed, a chair, and a closet, there was possibly 4 square feet of room left of floorspace.
Trust me, there is more, but I'd rather not relive it.
My first week here in SF has been amazing, fun, exciting, and challenging. Thank you so much for your prayers and kind messages.
love, meg
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Super Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Interview Tuesday
On this politically, culturally, and personally important day, the northern California weather cordially obliged by being sunny and breezy, high of 55. The thoughest aspect of interview Tuesday was the outfit. I had it all planned out--anthropologie skirt, black tights, high heels, edgy grey blouse. I put my no-fail outfit on to find that a button was missing on my blouse and another button was hanging by a thread... cue brow sweat. Fortunately there was a B-team blouse waiting in the wings and I made it down to the bus stop with a few minutes to spare.
I stopped for lunch at a great fresh salad counter place in the Financial District. I shared a table with another single and got to chatting. She was a born and raised San Franciscan, not easy to find those! We talked about how, when you are a native, a city stops feeling like a city and just feels like home. She wished me well on my interviews and off I went to venture to Oakland.
I started clobbering down the windy sidewalks in my 3 inch heels and realized I had no idea if I was going in the right direction. I asked nice-looking girl, about my age, which way to Market Street? Good thing I asked, it was in the opposite direction. She was heading that way so we walked together a little while. I'm not too shy, so by the time we parted she was wishing me well on my interviews as well.
I made it past Market Street and to the AC Transit terminal to catch a bus to Oakland. The terminal is a block out of the Financial District but might as well be miles away--what were suits and gel'd hair were now baggy jeans and skull caps. I got off my stop, a block away from the next interview spot, 30 minutes early. I chilled out at the best looking spot nearby, a chinese burger and donut joint. Yes, chinese food, burgers, and donuts in one family-owned drive-thru restuarant. The lady at the counter quickly pointed out that I was new around here.
Interview time, part deux, was here. I punched the buzzer on the warehouse door at 2:15, the responsible 15 minutes early. The COO, with who I had my initial phone interview, opened the door. She said it was great to meet me in person and then pointed at my Melissa Joy Manning earrings. I said there is a story to these! I explained to her how I opened them, my birthday gift from my best friend Lauren, and came across this job listing the very next day. "So they're your lucky earrings?!" she said.
The interview for the eCommerce Coordinator went famously well. We talked about marketing ideas on how to drive traffic to the site, the company's rapid growth, and how relationships are so vital to business. Tuesday was Super indeed.
I stopped for lunch at a great fresh salad counter place in the Financial District. I shared a table with another single and got to chatting. She was a born and raised San Franciscan, not easy to find those! We talked about how, when you are a native, a city stops feeling like a city and just feels like home. She wished me well on my interviews and off I went to venture to Oakland.
I started clobbering down the windy sidewalks in my 3 inch heels and realized I had no idea if I was going in the right direction. I asked nice-looking girl, about my age, which way to Market Street? Good thing I asked, it was in the opposite direction. She was heading that way so we walked together a little while. I'm not too shy, so by the time we parted she was wishing me well on my interviews as well.
I made it past Market Street and to the AC Transit terminal to catch a bus to Oakland. The terminal is a block out of the Financial District but might as well be miles away--what were suits and gel'd hair were now baggy jeans and skull caps. I got off my stop, a block away from the next interview spot, 30 minutes early. I chilled out at the best looking spot nearby, a chinese burger and donut joint. Yes, chinese food, burgers, and donuts in one family-owned drive-thru restuarant. The lady at the counter quickly pointed out that I was new around here.
Interview time, part deux, was here. I punched the buzzer on the warehouse door at 2:15, the responsible 15 minutes early. The COO, with who I had my initial phone interview, opened the door. She said it was great to meet me in person and then pointed at my Melissa Joy Manning earrings. I said there is a story to these! I explained to her how I opened them, my birthday gift from my best friend Lauren, and came across this job listing the very next day. "So they're your lucky earrings?!" she said.
The interview for the eCommerce Coordinator went famously well. We talked about marketing ideas on how to drive traffic to the site, the company's rapid growth, and how relationships are so vital to business. Tuesday was Super indeed.
Monday, February 4, 2008
My first day living in SF
My first day in the city has been a sunny one. Considering I packed goloshes, my raincoat, and an umbrella, it's only fitting! This morning I headed up to Polk Street for some essentials like toothpaste, cereal, and soymilk. The Bagelry is a small shop up there (where I bought a cinn raisin with peanut butter) that actually toasts bagels all the way to crispyness, joy!
When I got back to Lauren's apartment about an hour later, neither of the house keys she gave me would work on the main door. After 20 minutes of trying, taking a few deep breaths, and trying more, I figured I must have the wrong keys. I was able to meet Lauren for lunch at a Thai place near her office and get all her keys. Turns out there was another key that looked just like the right one on her crowded key ring.
After a warm and moderately crowded MUNI ride back to the apartment, I was relieved to have the key work and realize that my door unlocking ability was not the issue!
While walking through Chinatown and then the creative district of Jefferson Square, I stopped by a storefront and called Melissa Joy Manning to confirm my interview for tommorrow. Kathryn answered the phone warmly and welcomed me to the city. She also said, "This is incredible timing, I literally just pressed send on an email to you to confirm our time tomorrow and to welcome you to the Bay Area!" Insane, I said!
I have picts to share with you all, but the online connection here is not exactly street-legal and gives me an error message when I try to upload the files... stay tuned for more!
When I got back to Lauren's apartment about an hour later, neither of the house keys she gave me would work on the main door. After 20 minutes of trying, taking a few deep breaths, and trying more, I figured I must have the wrong keys. I was able to meet Lauren for lunch at a Thai place near her office and get all her keys. Turns out there was another key that looked just like the right one on her crowded key ring.
After a warm and moderately crowded MUNI ride back to the apartment, I was relieved to have the key work and realize that my door unlocking ability was not the issue!
While walking through Chinatown and then the creative district of Jefferson Square, I stopped by a storefront and called Melissa Joy Manning to confirm my interview for tommorrow. Kathryn answered the phone warmly and welcomed me to the city. She also said, "This is incredible timing, I literally just pressed send on an email to you to confirm our time tomorrow and to welcome you to the Bay Area!" Insane, I said!
I have picts to share with you all, but the online connection here is not exactly street-legal and gives me an error message when I try to upload the files... stay tuned for more!
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