Archive for Random
Basic Bus Etiquette
Posted by: | CommentsI have been riding the bus to and from work for awhile now and I’ve noticed a few things… some (not all) people have forgotten common courtesy on the bus!
Here is some basic bus etiquette:
- Leave the seat next to you open for other riders. (It’s kind of rude to put your briefcase, purse or pile of papers on the adjacent seat when the bus is full.) Also, if there are 2 seats in your row, sit next to the window so the seat next to you is available. If you really want to sit by yourself go toward the back of the bus, it’s more likely that the seat next to you will remain open.
- If the bus is full and an elderly person or someone with a cane or walker gets on the bus and you are sitting toward the front of the bus, get up and offer your seat to that person. (Duh!)
- When a lot of people are exiting the bus at the same stop, it works just like an airplane: row 1 exits first, row 2 exits second and so forth. If you are sitting at the back of the bus please don’t rush ahead of everyone bonking them with your briefcase just so you can get off first.
- Please don’t talk on your cell phone while on the bus. We really don’t want to hear about your sales plan, how your date was last night, what you are having for dinner tonight, or what a jerk you you think your boss is.
- Finally, it’s okay to say good morning and thank you to your bus driver. It’s also okay to say hello to the person sitting next to you.
I wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Golden Gate Transit whose drivers are friendly and the buses are always on time, always clean and always a comfy temperature. Thank you!
It Gets Better!
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Yesterday was National Coming Out Day.
In case you are wondering why we need to “come out”? Why we need to talk about it? Why we have to flaunt it in your face?
Here is the reason: there have been at least 6 gay children (that I know of) who have taken their own life since school started this year. In addition, in the last week there have been 2 more teen suicides right here in Marin County!
Last night I stumbled upon the It Gets Better campaign by the Trevor Project on YouTube.
I just wanted to say thank you to The Trevor Project and all those brave people who participated in telling their own stories.
It does get better! If you are straight, gay or anything in between and feeling alone or hopeless right now please ask for help. It does get better.
The Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
Also, wanted to thank Ellen DeGeneres for speaking out.
Gratitude Pride
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s Pride Weekend. Even though we still have a long way to go we’ve come a long way baby!
On this weekend of Pride I’m thinking about what I am grateful for (inspired by@Jenndydecki at Beyond Mom)
- My Virtual Friends – I have met some of the most amazing and wonderful people online that have turned in to “real” friends.
- My bike – I was at a loss of what to do over the oil disaster. I have trouble blaming BP or the politicians when I know I am part of it. We are all part of it. This blog post says what I was feeling. My Apologies to the Beautiful Creatures in the Gulf. The one thing I realized I could do (inspired by a virtual/real friend @CurtisFinancial was drive less and ride my bike more.
- San Francisco Bay Area – I’m thankful to live in the San Francisco Bay Area where people are accepting of others and okay with differences. I can go to Pride this weekend and feel safe and my friends are there to support me.
- My Family – I’m thankful for Celia, the kids, Poncho (the best dog in the world) and my family in The OC.
- Trails of Marin – I’m thankful to live within walking distance of the GGNRA and to be able to hike everyday with my dog. (even on foggy days like today).
- and I’m thankful to you, my readers!
Unique way to tour San Francisco
Posted by: | CommentsPlease welcome guest blogger (and author) Judith Marshall who discovered a fun way to tour San Francisco.
I had been wracking my brain for weeks, trying to come up with a unique birthday gift for one of my girlfriends. I’d almost given up hope when one day when I was driving through San Francisco, I spotted two people in crash helmets driving what looked like a cross between a bumper car and a golf cart. They looked like they were having a terrific time, talking and laughing. The car was bright yellow with big red letters on the side that read “GoCar.” When I arrived home that evening, I looked up the company on line and bingo! The perfect gift – a GPS self-guided tour of San Francisco in a talking car! I purchased a gift certificate on the spot. I can’t wait to hear how my girlfriend likes her trip.
Judith Marshall is a native Californian and is the Author of
HUSBANDS MAY COME AND GO BUT FRIENDS ARE FOREVER
www.judithmarshall.net
Thanks Judith!
I can do anything!
Posted by: | CommentsI want to be just like Jessica when I grow up!
Thanks Joy from Gioia for sharing this on your Facebook page.
Heckle and Jeckle
Posted by: | CommentsEver wonder what happened to Heckle and Jeckle after retirement?
They moved to the Bay Area!
Dear Trader Joe’s
Posted by: | CommentsDear Trader Joe’s,
I wanted to thank you for the Frozen Chunky Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough I just discovered at your store. They are amazing! I love these cookies! What a great idea to have individually frozen balls of dough so I can make as few or as many cookies as a like at one time. I love that I can just bake one or two cookies at a time because we all know if I were to bake a dozen or more cookies at one time I would also eat a dozen or more cookies at one time.
These cookies are delicious!
Thank you!
Love,
Sally
PS. Many of the people living in Southern Marin would be really happy if you opened up a store in Marin City or Mill Valley and by the looks of how busy your central Marin stores are I think Trader Joe’s would do quite well in Southern Marin.
Fresh baked cookies in less than 15 minutes!
Preheat oven to 350
Open package
Remove the amount of cookies you want to eat NOW!
Place frozen balls of dough on baking sheet
Bake for about 12 minutes
Eat yummy, warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies!
*Bonus: Your home will smell like fresh baked cookies.
PPS. Trader Joe’s did not pay me to write this. They don’t even know I wrote it but I’m happy to accept payments, gift cards or free frozen cookies as a thank you. 
Wordless Wednesday – Dinners
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Valentine’s Dinner made by my brother-in-law Jess.
Heart shaped Beets & Kale.
Arepas – typical Venezuelan meal made by our daughter.
I’m thankful for all the wonderful cooks in my life!
Sallywood
Posted by: | CommentsWe are in Los Angeles this weekend visiting our son at college.
I guess Hollywood heard I was coming and wanted to give me a warm welcome!
Photo from SFGate Day in Pictures February 12, 2010.
Thanks Amy for sending me this photo. 
Thanksgiving Rambling
Posted by: | CommentsHappy Thanksgiving!
I haven’t blogged in awhile because I’ve been away. I just returned from a wonderful, relaxing, sun-filled vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I spent the whole week relaxing in the sun (under the palapa), on the beach and in front of the pool. I went off the grid (no internet or phone) for the whole week. I personally believe all of us should go off the grid for at least one week a year, more if possible. It’s nice to unplug for awhile, slow down and get a new perspective on life.
A friend of mine that was in a horrendous car accident a year and half ago (head on collision on the Golden Gate Bridge) said something that has really stuck with me. Someone asked her how she was doing (she was in the hospital for over a year recovering and was bedridden). She said, she finally had time to finish her thoughts. That statement really stuck with me. Do you have time to finish your thoughts? I don’t. I find that I am often distracted mid-thought and never come back to the original thought. Since she said that I’ve been trying to take the time to finish my thoughts. It’s not easy with so many distractions in the world… Twitter, Facebook, email, Google, the phone, etc.
Back to my original thought… Thanksgiving. What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? I’m laying low having a mellow Thanksgiving. I normally spend Thanksgiving with some version of my very extended family but this year we decided to lay low on Thanksgiving. Two good friends are coming to visit and the four of us are going out to eat for Thanksgiving. We made reservations at a local restaurant. I am so looking forward to this quiet Thanksgiving where the only thing I have to do is show up at a restaurant.
The morning of Thanksgiving Celia is going on the annual Turkey ride in Marin. I think this is one of her most favorite mountain bike rides of the year because she gets to see all of her friends all in one place at the same time. It sounds like lots of fun, almost makes me wish I were a mountain biker.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
