San Francisco has got to be the most beautiful city in the world. In addition to the mild climate and abundance of recreational opportunities, it is just gorgeous with the most impressively designed buildings. When we go there, crossing the bridge from Oakland into "the city" (when we first moved here, it took me a while to figure out what people meant by "the city," but now it's become a regular part of my 'local' lexicon), I am always in awe knowing that these landmarks are world-renowned places. For example, the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House houses one of the world's best opera companies, perhaps the world's best childrens choruses (both boys and girls choruses will be performing at Obama's inauguration on January 20th), and one of the world's best ballet companies. The San Francisco Ballet's Nutracker was the first Nutcracker performed in the U.S. City Hall, as well, is one of those places where so much has gone on. The site where so many same-sex couples rushed to tie the knot just months ago became the same site of despair over the passing of Proposition 8, a proposition banning gay marriages in California. While I am, obviously, not gay and have a hard time understanding it, I fully believe everyone has the right to marry. I love that people here are so openly political and opinionate, despite that fact that, admittedly, it gets on my nerves sometimes. It's refreshing coming from a place where speaking about one's political leanings is a no-no. Here, it's really out in the open, but a negative is that many left-wingers (the majority here) tend to shut out right-wing opinions. It's assumed here that everyone is liberal and shares the liberal viewpoint. I am not super conservative, but believe everyone should have a voice. While I can get annoued at some of the things about life here, I just look around and know I live in a beautiful place. This morning, on my morning run, I watched as the sun rose over the lake and the stars slowly faded in the morning light. Seagulls were doing their thing as the midnight blue of dawn gave way to the brilliant blue skies that are the norm here. I am amazed that, even in such a densely populated area, I can still see the starts at night. Despite San Francisco's many problems (mild tolerance of panhandlers and a seeming over-abundance of crazies roaming the streets), the positive aspects certainly trump the negative.
1 comment:
49 miles!!!! Yes I think I will have to pass also. Are you sure it wasn't 49K? Haha. My longest run ever was 15 miles and that was quite an effort.
Here in Illinois I have run in 5 degree weather. There are two things you need to remember- ears and fingers. They both get cold while the rest of you heats up. I use a wide band for my ears, or this hood thing my mom gave me, or you can use a balaclava. You'll look like you are wearing a burka with pants but whatever. Use two layer of gloves, or better yet use snowboarding mittens that are easy to pull off to change your music on the ipod and still keep your fingers toasty. I usually wear 1 long sleeve top and 1 or 2 jackets, can always take one off and tie it around my waist when I get hot.
After you are done running in extreme cold, do not shower right away. Wait a bit for your body to warm up indoors, you'll feel much better this way.
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