Flowers on a bicycle

A network of how of.jennism looks like. I am assuming each node refers to a page within my site. The gray circles? Blue circles? Green? Orange?

There are only a few sections to my site. The archives that date back to 2002. Then my bio pages (which have not been updated for months). Then each of the individual posts.

All it’s telling me is that my site is wheeling down a hill at a frantic pace.

EDIT: Sam informs me of the correct mapping of the colors.

Documenting an adventure in the Opera House

Last Tuesday, I ran back to my apartment to get dressed for the opera after moving my car. I threw on the dress I neglected to dry clean, hoping it didn’t smell like smoke from the last time I wore it. In the bathroom, I stared at myself in the mirror, applying the little makeup I had learned to use recently.

My phone rang and I yelled into it, “I am not going to dive into your car yet!” I heard a voice laugh and he said that he wasn’t even at my apartment yet, just had exited the freeway. I got my shawl and struggled to get my stiletto heels on. Did the straps go behind or in the front? About 15 minutes later, I finally emerged (after one more phone call where I insisted that I still wasn’t going to dive into the car while it was moving).

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Waking up early

This morning, I woke up early at 8, an hour before my alarm was set. I woke up with a feeling that I was at home in Lafayette–the birds chirping outside and my mom making breakfast downstairs. There’s no place like home, but I am making my apartment in San Francisco one even if I wake up to the engines of cars rushing by me on Mission Street.

I cooked my breakfast of sunny side up eggs (the only way I like them), peach yogurt and lichee red tea. And made my lunch for the day. Surrounding myself with my favorite songs from Metric and Wolf Parade, ready to start the day.

Rescomp and Greenery

Nowadays, I talk of working at Rescomp like it was the good old days. One of my greatest moments in Berkeley. The best of friends. Rescomp, that student organization, that I often say if I hadn’t joined, I would be a completely different person, for better or for worse.

But it wasn’t always like that. Tonight, I went through all my old emails from rescomp–the account I still have there as an alumni. I first was involved as an intern my freshman year and finally joined my junior year–more than 4 years ago. Back then, I was still somewhat introverted and socially awkward around most people–often a surprise to people who know me now.

I came across party invitations. Invitations that I had dismissed, thinking that I wouldn’t fit in. I didn’t even try. And then there were the invitations out to random events. At the same time, I had my own things to deal with. For all that I missed, but it’s interesting how I meet people who I used to work with…that I barely knew…but with just this connection, we have something to start with. Even if there’s no “do you remember when…”

The Stomping Grounds

“Do you miss Berkeley?” I was asked several times over the weekend.

Strangely enough, not so much. When I first went to graduate school, I missed the people and the food. The ability to walk to Durant Food Court (aka Asian Food Ghetto) to get a quick fix of korean food or across the street, cheap wannabe Mexican food. I missed Jamba Juice and how I used to have it for a meal.

But it’s more than 2 years later now and I don’t have a need to return. What it is now isn’t what it is now. Now if I can say that about Pittsburgh. But February 2nd, here we come!

Phone calls and lists

Phone calls in order of increasing anxiety
10. Tech support
9. Parents. The I did something very bad and need your help type.
8. Scheduling doctor appointments
7. Trying to overcome language barriers
6. Phone interviews
5. That unexpected call at 4 am
4. Apartment management companies. At least when I rented from Walnut Capital.
3. Calling someone I don’t know well to…hang out because they don’t do aim.
2. Restaurants for food delivery. Every time I do it, the other party gets irritated because I don’t speak clearly and/or loudly.
1. Insurance companies

Telemarketers fit there somewhere, but when was the last time I experienced one? Right.

There is a reason I love the automated systems. That is, if I get my question gets answered. I <3 511. But my favorite calls in random order 1. Birthday wishes (me to you) 2. "I have arrived. Where are you?" Goal-directed. 3. The unexpected call from a friend to say hello 4. The unexpected call to hang out spontaneously 5. "FREE FOOD"