Surf’s Up April 14, 2007

You know things are getting a bit dangerous when you see surfers wearing crash helmets. Last Sunday, when I was down at Fort Point, a surfing spot underneath the southern end of Golden Gate bridge, this is exactly what I saw. The shore is very rocky and although the waves weren’t huge, some of the [...]

Back on the Bike April 1, 2007

It’s been roughly fourteen years since I bought a new road bike and although a little rusty now, that one’s still going strong. Yesterday I picked up a Cannondale Six13 at a very decent price for the spec. Very light and an excellent, stiff ride. Now the long mission to rebuild my cycling muscles begins [...]

Greek Heroes March 25, 2007

I made my first visit to a huge IMAX cinema yesterday to see 300, a movie depicting a small crew of hard-as-nails Spartans defending their lands from the Persian hordes. I found the story quite dull and predictable but the effects were excellent. The IMAX meant nothing other than straining my neck to see [...]

Urban Chess March 13, 2007

Driving and parking around here is like a giant game of chess. There are strict rules, it’s a constant battle and although you might win skirmishes, one day you’re probably going to lose and end up paying dearly. You might want to move like a Knight by jumping forward two then turning left, that’s fine. [...]

Wheels of Misfortune March 7, 2007

There’s a hipster trend in the city for fixed-wheel bikes, the type where you can’t stop pedaling and freewheel, so you can brake by using your leg muscles. In London these are often used by couriers who demand a fast, light, simple bike that won’t break and won’t get stolen. It also makes sense there [...]

Tie-Dye Tai Chi March 5, 2007

I’ve been busy settling in to my new flat and getting to know my housemate and some of his friends who are a good laugh. They took me to a bona-fide British pub run by an ex-pat from London – the Pig and Whistle. It was so nice to order a pint of Old Speckled [...]

No Place Like Home March 2, 2007

I moved in to my new place today. It smells of dog and just a little cat. My new housemate, David, is stressed out as the previous occupant is an alcoholic on medication who seems to have taken little responsibility for moving out, so right now he’s trying to sort her out. The dogs have [...]

Those Little Differences March 1, 2007

It’s the little things that make a difference. Like when you order a coffee in a coffee shop, they ask for your name. My what? All I want is a coffee! No coffee shop I visited back home ever did that. I asked why and was told it helps prevent people from picking up the [...]

Bingo?! February 26, 2007

I think I’ve found somewhere to live at last! It’s near Golden Gate park, has polished wooden floors, two dogs and a cat named Kid. Coolest of all, my housemate-to-be is a chef and I’ve got some things in common with him like cycling. So I’m set unless it all goes drastically [...]

Need for Speed February 24, 2007

Last night I went out to the Marina district on the north side of the city. It’s a relatively swanky area with shops, bars and some pretty modern apartment buildings that were built after the quake in ‘89. It has a great view of the bay. My friend Ryan and I checked out the local [...]