They’re all very different now, freshly painted, fancy new kitchens, refinished floors, and hugely expensive rents paid by a new wave of techies and the development community that preys on them—all that is except the apartment we’ve lived in now for more than 20 years, taking full advantage of San Francisco’s rent control laws—while they last. The apartments I’ve lived in since 1989 have … [Read more...] about The Castro

There's something miniature about Portland, from its tiny streets and blocks to its baby skyscrapers and oh so iconic but mostly boring bridges, especially the new mini Calatrava-esque one. Add to that it's truly giant trees (can't see the forest for them) a taco bar or groovy junk store sticking out of every garage on Hawthorne, Voodoo Doughnuts and the effect is like being on some kind of … [Read more...] about Portlandia-cule

Sitting at one of our usual cafés at Market & Noe (outside because it's all about the dog now); in fact it's the first place we came with the dog, back when we worried if she would behave; the place we also came 3 times a week after ECT (Edison's Medicine) in those dark months after the bridge episode. Soaking in neighborhood vibe - a rapidly changing one - and wondering how changed I will … [Read more...] about Going Home