Planning

I'm thinking a lot about some concrete steps to take this fall, once the Kentucky/San Francisco trip is over. This was spurred on in part from a suggestion from Kris to become a Physician Assistant (very good idea, thanks lady) and in part by some other serious talks. It wouldn't be so bad to be living in San Francisco sooner than I thought I would, there's a lot of decisions I've been delaying by being here. It's good to have motivation again. The further I get from those temp assignments, the better. It would be more better awesome to work part time at Homestead Health and put in some medical volunteer work.

Aside from the serious talks, things have been very good this week. There've been events every day. Last night we went out to Boulcott Bistro for Kris' bday dinner, and it was probably the nicest group dinner I've ever been to. We had the whole top floor to ourselves, which was accessed by a staircase 2 feet wide at most, and everyone switched seats constantly during the 4 hour meal. There was note passing, fancy wine, creme brulee, last minute surprise guests, and my friends, who normally for the most part do not put much effort into personal appearance, all looked extra attractive and well-groomed. Francisco wore a sweater which for him is like adding gold edging to a book. He often wears hole in the butt jeans to 3 course dinners. He looked good.

Ah, why do people always look better, the further they are from you?

Seriously looking forward to some time in California, it'll even be nice to ride the #14 bus, er, at least the first time. Every time I ride that bus something illegal or extremely unhygenic happens. Ammonia piss, selling pot, blackened open wound leg rot. Gamble 'til they shut you down or Valencia and Mission X the town.

I'll be renting a phone this time around to avoid the complications of the last trip. Also, we'll be staying in the city. It's gonna be a lot easier than the Xmas trip. I tried Google calendar for the first time, and the group vacation calendar is looking pretty full already, but I promise not to forget to see any of the important people (i.e. everyone who reads this thing).

Oh yeah, another first, today I drove in New Zealand in our new automatic car! And had a minor accident when I smacked the passenger side mirror into a parked car. Whoops, turns out it's hard to stay in the center of the road when driving on the left/wrong side. I fucking hate driving. Up until the age of 10 I spent my life carefully avoiding situations where I would have to ride a bike without training wheels, and from 16 on I've spent my time making up excuses not to drive. I am a passenger, and I ride and I ride. Heh, I haven't thought of my 2 great third grade shames in ages: 1) I pulled my pants down in front of the whole class on a dare; 2) I couldn't ride a bike. Good to know I've been so consistent!

Fucking driving.