I wrote about the kindness of a SF stranger before. Her departing words to me were pay it forward. Fast forward a week and a half and I had already forgotten her words.
Walking back from the gym a few nights ago, I was approached by some dude who asked me a question. Unfortunately, I didn't like the way he looked, had headphones in my ear, and simply didn't care to stop and listen to his question. Perhaps he wanted to know the time. Perhaps he knew me from somewhere and wanted to find out from where. Perhaps he needed directions. All I know is that as soon as I walked past this individual I regretted my decision to not show kindness to a fellow human being. Pay it forward she said... Have I not learned anything?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Kindness of Strangers
Michele says I need a car. Obviously she has never lived in a truly urban city. Public transportation, zip car, and taxis, "Oh My!". Having a car in SF is highly overrated. If I had a car I would never have had the opportunity to see SF kindness displayed first hand tonight.
Preparation for tomorrow night's dinner required me to buy a crockpot. That required me to go to BB&B. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, I decided to leave the celly cell at home and make like Gump and run run run.
Crockpot in hand (and a few other things for Red) I asked the clerk, "Can you please call me a cab?". The clerk responds, "You're a cab!". Ok, funny guy. 30 minutes later and still no cab. I proceed to ask again (third attempt) for a cab. This time, a woman in line says, "I'll take you.".
My initial reaction was STRANGER Will Robinson! Then I thought about it some more and decided that it was way too cold, I had waited way too long, and hell... she didn't look "too" threatening.
Casual conversation, short ride home, she winds up finally saying that she is actually driving in the opposite direction she needs to go. But, she wanted to show kindness to a recent transplant to SF and that I should just pay the kindness forward. I offered to pay her $20. She enthusiastically declined.
Now, I can't say with a 100% C.I. that this would never have happened in LA or NY. But, yeah...these San Franciscans are a very different breed. Point goes to SF. Thanks Issa (sp).
Preparation for tomorrow night's dinner required me to buy a crockpot. That required me to go to BB&B. Wanting to kill two birds with one stone, I decided to leave the celly cell at home and make like Gump and run run run.
Crockpot in hand (and a few other things for Red) I asked the clerk, "Can you please call me a cab?". The clerk responds, "You're a cab!". Ok, funny guy. 30 minutes later and still no cab. I proceed to ask again (third attempt) for a cab. This time, a woman in line says, "I'll take you.".
My initial reaction was STRANGER Will Robinson! Then I thought about it some more and decided that it was way too cold, I had waited way too long, and hell... she didn't look "too" threatening.
Casual conversation, short ride home, she winds up finally saying that she is actually driving in the opposite direction she needs to go. But, she wanted to show kindness to a recent transplant to SF and that I should just pay the kindness forward. I offered to pay her $20. She enthusiastically declined.
Now, I can't say with a 100% C.I. that this would never have happened in LA or NY. But, yeah...these San Franciscans are a very different breed. Point goes to SF. Thanks Issa (sp).
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Francois
I had brunch today with some friends, from NY, and was invited to go to Thailand next November 6th for their wedding. Excellente! One less vacation I have to plan myself.
While at brunch, I heard a very disturbing story from another couple. Turns out that the new neighborhood they moved into is full of racists. To top it off, these racists are sorta color blind. So... their dog is a medium-sized dog, good natured, loving, and wouldn't hurt a fly (ok maybe a squirrel). While in their new neighborhood, they have had multiple instances of people yelling at them while walking their dog, running away from them, and flat out refusing to have anything to do with them. After a few weeks of this insane abuse, they decide to work up the courage and find out what the hell is going on.
Enter Francois. The old tenants of the house (that my friends moved into) had a black rott-mastiff mix. Yep, you guessed it, he was a Terror. He was often unattended and off a leash biting the neighborhood dogs and causing a general ruckus. Turns out the neighborhood dogs were genuinely scared of all black dogs now. Who would have known! To date, my friends have no intention of leaving and making the neighborhood any "safer"!
While at brunch, I heard a very disturbing story from another couple. Turns out that the new neighborhood they moved into is full of racists. To top it off, these racists are sorta color blind. So... their dog is a medium-sized dog, good natured, loving, and wouldn't hurt a fly (ok maybe a squirrel). While in their new neighborhood, they have had multiple instances of people yelling at them while walking their dog, running away from them, and flat out refusing to have anything to do with them. After a few weeks of this insane abuse, they decide to work up the courage and find out what the hell is going on.
Enter Francois. The old tenants of the house (that my friends moved into) had a black rott-mastiff mix. Yep, you guessed it, he was a Terror. He was often unattended and off a leash biting the neighborhood dogs and causing a general ruckus. Turns out the neighborhood dogs were genuinely scared of all black dogs now. Who would have known! To date, my friends have no intention of leaving and making the neighborhood any "safer"!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The Great Rabbit Cook-off
Last night, I was taken to a restaurant called Tasca. Delicioso! What more do you need? A great Spanish red, tapas, and great conversation. "Red" even did all the driving. I was spoiled with great restaurants in NY, average in SF, and can honestly say that I place LA ahead of SF in their culinary delights.
Anyone that knows me will say that I am not in the least bit competitive nor sarcastic. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to Red that when you doubt my rabbit cooking abilities; you should expect nothing else come November. I'll admit to never having cooked the little hopper before. But, as was discussed in the car, the competitive fire runs a little deep in us. Perhaps it should be kept to the "professionals". However as the young one's say, you wanted it brung! So I will have to bring it...
Red, thanks again for a great dinner, introducing me to princess, and I look forward to seeing you at least in November.
Anyone that knows me will say that I am not in the least bit competitive nor sarcastic. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to Red that when you doubt my rabbit cooking abilities; you should expect nothing else come November. I'll admit to never having cooked the little hopper before. But, as was discussed in the car, the competitive fire runs a little deep in us. Perhaps it should be kept to the "professionals". However as the young one's say, you wanted it brung! So I will have to bring it...
Red, thanks again for a great dinner, introducing me to princess, and I look forward to seeing you at least in November.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Garment Bag
A friend of mine recently posted a status update that said "I'm too young to feel this old." My thought at reading that was I'm too old to think I'm this young!
Last week, I got back from a business trip to Dallas. While sitting at a bar in DFW I proceeded to have a rather adult conversation about the intricansies and functionality of various styles of garment bags. For about 15 minutes, another gentlemen and I discussed hard cases vs soft, having to check vs carrying on, and wide vs narrow (so as to best fit a suit).
At my employer now, I travel more than I ever have before. So the conversation was bound to occur at some point. But I disntictly remember thinking as he left to board his plane, I am so old.
Last week, I got back from a business trip to Dallas. While sitting at a bar in DFW I proceeded to have a rather adult conversation about the intricansies and functionality of various styles of garment bags. For about 15 minutes, another gentlemen and I discussed hard cases vs soft, having to check vs carrying on, and wide vs narrow (so as to best fit a suit).
At my employer now, I travel more than I ever have before. So the conversation was bound to occur at some point. But I disntictly remember thinking as he left to board his plane, I am so old.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Time to renew
It's been a long time since my last post. Interestingly enough I really have no idea why I stopped. It's definitely not as if the past 10-11 months have been boring. In fact, I have done more traveling than ever before. I have had the opportunity to go to Hawaii and see part of a traditional Korean wedding, eat steaks in Omaha, and visit Canada multiple times. I have broken a bone. I even had an epidural. Just another wacky year in the life of Salinas. Yep, time to start sharing again. I credit my friend Annie for giving me the itch.
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