I Only Work Here...

I don't think I actually live in San Francisco yet. Actually, according to my co-workers, I don't live in San Francisco... I just work here. It's becoming a familiar image to them of me carrying a weekend bag or my small black rolly carryon, every Friday. For the 5 weeks that I've been working, I've only been in SF for one weekend.

This past weekend I went back to L.A. again, for family reasons. With my parents out of town, the responsibilities of Dudu fell to me. Poor guy. After a delayed flight, a long shift-switch ridden shuttle ride from LAX to the park 'n' fly, and then a traffic congested freeway drive, I got home around midnight. The only good thing about that trip was the fact that I was with Sonja and so we amused ourselves the whole way through. Good company really makes a horrible commute much more enjoyable. (And Sonja, it's NYC or bust... but I still can't decide between New Haven or Philly).

I have to say though, my parents really trained Dudu well. Normally he just lays there when people come to our door. He tolerates children, detests cyclists and generally doesn't rouse himself for anyone else. Imagine my surprise when I unlocked the door around midnight and there he was, with tail-a-wagging, happy to see me. Or so I thought. As much as Du and I have built up a friendly relationship in the five months I was home, the truth emerged when he stood anxiously at the screen door and waited...and waited... for my parents. For the next two days I had a very confused dog on my hands. On the one hand he was happy to see me, on the other hand, he couldn't seem to figure out how I had gotten home without his "people." He kept looking for them, at the door, under the tv stand, around the computer desk and in their bedroom. And each time, he'd walk away still hopeful as if my mom and dad were just around the corner. His loyalty is also the reason why I will move in a year even though my apartment is great, to a pet-friendly apartment.

The rest of the weekend was nice. I got to catch up with family. And I got to eat a great meal at Sinbala, a little restaurant that I hear brings in $20,000 a day. While I was waiting for my order I ran into Joyce Lee (by way of AHS and NYC); it was nice to run into the old crowd. The next day I went for a quick trip to Taisho, and had some really fantastic Japanese curry. It's always packed on weekdays, but weekends are the perfect time to go--no lines. Those are my two must-stops, whenever I am at home.

I'm back in SF now, though my mind is already you-know-where. Looks like my condo board will be approving my soon-to-be tenant for my NYC apartment. So it'll really be real then. This week in SF it's the 7th Annual Dine About Town, like NYC's Restaurant Week. So, I am going to take advantage and hopefully experience some of SF's great cuisine.

p.s.: Apparently I was so tired that while I locked and deadbolted the door to my home, I left the keys in the lock. Thankfully my Aunt came by the next morning before anyone else did. :)