Freebie Alert!

It’s me here, keeping you budget savvy and magazine happy. Click here for a complimentary subscription to 7×7 Magazine. There’s only one catch — you have to live in the Bay Area!

Happy reading!

xo.

Summer of SoMa

I will be the first to say: you will not find me regretting my move outta the ‘hood. Back where I used to live (ahem, off of Sixth Street), I saw the worst of the worst — the runoff from the T-loin as I not-so-fondly remember. This is where I saw the San Francisco that I never want to see again. Let me describe it: people lighting up their crack pipes on the sidewalk, homeless people gettin’ it on in plain daylight…I was even the victim of a crime against humanity – a homeless man spit in my hair (eek).

Photo courtesy laughingsquid.com

And it seems as if the neighborhood is turning more violent despite all of the efforts for redevelopment, as The San Francisco Chronicle reported last week.

Wall art at it's finest.

While some tend to pigeonhole SoMa as a dirty, industrial neighborhood South of Market, I am here to tell you: it is not all horror stories and drug deals! It’s true, there are some parts that you just need to avoid. But I’ve included a positive article by SF Station with a complete recap of the new restaurants poppin’ up in this ever evolving enclave. It totally breaks the stigma!

While you’re out there, check out Passion Café‘s rooftop patio or Show Dogs and their fine sausages. Be off my little readers and be fearless!

xo.

Fro yo, Fo sho

In light of recent events (ie. near 90 degree temps), I’ve decided to include your guide to keepin’ cool on these hot Indian Summer (err Fall) Nights. Thanks to SF Station for the Fro-Yo Revolution! And thanks to Lily Ko for the impossible task of doin’ the dirty work and sampling each dispensary.

Having only tried Yocup and Cultive, I need to get on it!

'Nuff said. Photo courtesy iheartyogurt

Now back to my office sauna (NO JOKE)!

xo.

Let the Weekend Begin!

So bummed I will be gone this weekend! I hear the forecast for The City is one for the books. Who woulda thought, on our first weekend of Fall it would be better than the entire month of June put together? Well, I guess that’s “typical”, San Francisco.

Anyhoo while mama’s away, the kids will play. So ya’ll enjoy your days off! Duty calls — I’ll be at a wedding. Here are some cool things happenin’ this weekend:

Saturday

• 26th Annual California Coastal Clean Up Day. Do some good for yourself, and the environment!
• “Off The Grid” Grand Opening Street Cart Fest. Comin’ to a hipster hood near you.
• SF Cocktail Week Bar Crawl: Drinking with Dominic. Starts at 11:30am so put your drinking shoes on!
• Film Night in the Park: “The Big Lebowski”. Those White Russians better be flowing!

Sunday

• Folsom Street Fair. Prudes be warned! It’s all about the bondage, leather chaps and nipple rings. Children, cover your eyes.
• 46th Annual Big Book Sale at Fort Mason. $1 books? Get it!
• All You Can Eat BBQ on NFL Sundays at Elixir. I just said “all you can eat”. Need I say more?
• Alice Now & Zen Fest 2010 in Golden Gate Park. Deal alert: free concert!

Here’s to not hearing your alarm for the next 2 days!

xo.

Addicted to Grey’s

Rarely ever do I become addicted to a television show. I mean — who can afford to cancel all of their social obligations to be home, plopped in front of a television at xxpm? Not I. Well, usually. But this is a special occasion!

In t-minus 45 minutes the premiere of the beloved Grey’s Anatomy begins! Can I get an ahmen?! How about a hallelujah!

C’mon ladies (and even gents): I know I’m not alone out there. I’ve prepared a refresher course for those of you in need of a recap from last season. (Please note: these are in my own words, sorry ABC).

• A crazy mad man terrorized Seattle Grace, gunning down nurses, doctors, patients and innocent bystanders.
• Meredith found out she is pregnant with Derek’s baby.
• Yang and Owen break up because he can’t answer if he loves Teddy or her.
• Karev was shot — but that macho man will survive. And little Grey found out she is in love with him.
• Reed died. She was a not a nice person and tried to barter sex for surgery, so boo-hoo.
• It was confirmed (once again) that April is a bumbling idiot and should have STAYED fired.
• Derek lives! Miraculous! After being shot!
• Crazy mad man was a coward and took his own life over Richard’s.
• It was also confirmed (a million times over) that Grey’s Anatomy is an AH-mazing show and the McDreamy/McSteamy duo will always keep us drooling!

Three cheers for season 7!

xo.

Rollin’ with the Homies

I apologize to all of you out there, but I am breaking from my usual positive voice — you are going to hear me gripe. Permission to gripe, granted!

Photo courtesy sf.streetblog.com

One of the things I admire about The City is it’s expansive public transportation system. An individual can get virtually anywhere using Muni and utilizing the bus or train as a your primary form of transport not only cuts down the amount of cars on the road, but you can bet your sweet ass it’ll save you headaches, parking tickets, and hours trolling the neighborhood to get a spot. While as of late SFMTA’s management leaves much to be desired, I still appreciate the system. Heck — I’ve lived here for 2 years, with no car and you can bet I’m saving a bunch on my car insurance by switching to Muni.

Photo courtesy alcatrazlanding.com

That being said, there is much cause for complaint. Not only are fare’s increasing, but routes have been cut and while SFMTA claims it has restored some of its original cuts, I have yet to reap the benefits.

Photo courtesy munifarestrike.net

Sometimes I wonder who is crazier — the drivers or the passengers. Early one morning during rush hour, I recall a driver parking the bus, yelling to us that she had an “emergency”, and running into a restaurant in Chinatown (complete with roasted ducks in the window). I’m a female, so I understand when you just have to go — but low and behold, this woman ran in to buy herself fried chicken! That’s not the first time I’ve witnessed a case of a disappearing driver. The best part is when they go on breaks: one fine evening I watched a Muni operator practicing calisthenics in the back of the bus.

Photo courtesy sfist.com

On to the passengers: in true San Francisco form, I’ve been on board with a chicken and no folks, this bird wasn’t frozen. It was alive! Apparently it’s customary in some circles to purchase live animals for dinner.

Photo courtesy sfgate.com

Let me tell you, if a rider gets kicked off for one reason or another, they won’t go without a fight: while riding the historic F Wharves line, I witnessed a passenger crawl underneath the car and wait there for police in non-violent protest.

Photo courtesy sftravel.com

There are many lines known for the crazy folk they attract, but you can never get away riding the 14 without witnessing a strange scene. Once I listened to a man rant and rave about Jesus and circumcision, and I hardly think he knew myself and those around us existed, let alone that he was on a bus.

Photo courtesy sfgate.com

My stories are colorful and you can bet there are more where they came from, but I won’t bore you with all of the details. While I do complain a bit about the strange situations I am faced with at times, I do realize that this is part of what makes San Francisco what it is. What would be my morning without a flat tire on the bus? If there’s two things I’ve learned living in this city, they are to roll with the punches and have some patience.

Photo courtesy sfgate.com

Now I think I have imparted enough wisdom on you all for the day; over and out!