Ani and I drove up the 5 yesterday.
I guess you could call this the soft opening to my roadtrip, making a drive I’ve made at least 12 times in the last seven months (I just did a rough count, and rounded down!) to a place (yes, the exact apartment) where I lived for pretty much the entire year called twenty o’nine, with a lovely travel companion who did more than her fair share of the driving (thanks Ani). So, I’m not exactly roughin’ it, yet. But, boy am I having fun!
In the car we listened to a couple of mixes that I got as going away presents. Yeah, people’ll give you stuff just to go away! Thanks Jill and Damud!
I listened to a little tbtl (too beautiful to live) while Ani napped. Then, I made her listen to my crazy life theories, while she was awake. I did collect some valuable life advice from my wise sister. Apearantly, I need to flirt more. And I ought to be an equal opportunity flirt (not too picky). Hmm, thanks Ani?
Today was a great Oaklandy day! I woke up in my old apartment (Ani traded me in for an upgrade: Husband)! I did a little work on the couch with the great view of dt oaktown. Then made my way down to my all time fave coffee shop in the whole wide world: Farley’s!
I love Farley’s because:
- The coffee is always good. (free refills)!!!
- The food is a-maze-ing! today’s special: vegan white bean panini.
- The folks who work there are friendly.
- They have nice local art on the walls.
- It has a giant skylight.
- It’s always busy, I like a busy place, more than a empty place. An empty place is sad.
- It’s busy but… there are plenty of seats and plugs.
- The wifi is reliable.
- The owner looks exactly like a slightly younger Sean Penn. (seriously, I was in there once, and heard a gentleman tell a lady, “My son owns this place… He looks like Sean Penn”).
On my way out of Farley’s, I said Hi to Sean Penn, and he said, “Your hair got lighter, it looks good!” I haven’t lived here in months! What a nice fellow!
Then Biryani and I had Indian food for dinner (indian food pun, ft-dubs), at an old favorite, Indus Village.
Once last story for today. We did some grocery shopping and something tragic happened… I was looking at a lady, and she looked at me. Hooray! New friend! I must smile at her. But, just as I started smiling I felt a sharp pain in my lip (I’m a total sicky right now, and stuffy nose = much mouth breathing = supa’ dry lips). Ouch, too dry to smile! I gave the nice lady a weird/creepy grimace. Sorry, nice lady of Emerville. Hopefully, next time, we’ll meet under more favorable circumstances.
So, for the sake of not ending on a sad note. Tomorrow, I’m heading into San Francisco, the Golden city, to work for Photojojo at Photojojo. It turns out I do work for the nicest people on the planet, and tomorrow, we get to hang out!
Tags: coffeeshop, driving, oakland, roadtrip
Umm, what does Ani know about flirting? She hasn’t flirted a day in her life!
Yay! You’re off! Have a wonderful time!!
haha, sounds like you had some good bonding on the way up. i say take advice from the wise and use it on your trip!
Nice post! In which I come off simultaneously looking like a flirtomaniac and an old married lady with an Indian joint-with-husband nickname. Hehe – great review though – you make the Bay Area sound like a sweet place to live
Yeah, it took me awhile to figure out your pun; I was like, “Oh, how nice, Laurel has some Indian friends.”
P.S. Weren’t you doing a nice friendly project for Photojojo that included me? I see this dude (http://content.photojojo.com/diy/make-a-photo-weave/) had a friend who did a project with him in it, and look how attractive he is (shakes head).
Wish I could have been a fly on the windshield, except inside, not smushed on the outside, to listen in. My 2 bits: It’s not about being flirty, it’s about feeling free to be yourself instead of leaving yourself locked up inside, because who you are is quality, people ought to know you. And on a long road trip you better not be flirty, there’s people out there who…. (read: wise and earnest parental concern).
Did ya flirt with Sean Penn? No….not taking advise already…sigh! Got this site on my favorites. Keep us posted. Have fun…I knowl you will.
Did ya flirt with Sean Penn? No….not taking advise already…sigh! Got this site on my favorites. Keep us posted. Have fun…I know you will.
Hey girl–great fun to read–not a phone call, but I’ll take it! Glad you got to Farley’s. When I left for school this morning, I walked past your empty room. sigh.