The San Francisco Marathon
NARRATIVE
Sitting alone in my friend's house catsitting over the Christmas holidays I was feeling pretty lonely and unaccomplished. A posting on craigslist changed my mind. From it I began my journey to my first athletic pursuit since finding white water rafting in 2002.
What began as 30 minute walks three times a week turned into 13.1 miles on July 29, 2007.
CONTACT INFORMATIONURL:
www.runsfm.comThe San Francisco Marathon
PO Box 77148
San Francisco, CA 94107
phone - 415.814.2823
fax - 415.276.4179
HOURSSummers in San Francisco (Check the website for dates.)
PRICE RANGE$30 - $115 depending on when you register and which event (5k - Full Marathon). Register early to save on progressively priced registration fees.
SUMMARYHaving not done athletic with my legs since marching band in college, I was wondering whether this event would stink of athletic pretention.
The Expo was a large marketplace of swag and wares - some decent (MMMMM almond milk and Zola Acai with Pineapple!) and some crappy.
The signage to get one's bib and t-shirt was a little confusing, but once I got my bib, chip, and t-shirt I was BRIMMING with pride. I was joining THOUSANDS of runners to do this thing and some of them looked like me (brown, not particularly svelte, and totally motivated).
My mom wanted to volunteer, but the information booth didn't seem to have good information for folks who wanted to sign up to volunteer during marathon weekend. (This is why I only offer 4 stars.) It was a missed opportunity.
The maps and little goodie bags were cool. I loved my honey sticks and am looking forward to my wine tasting in Napa.
The t-shirt is really cool!
Morning of I was IMPRESSED with the arsenal of port-o-potties to accomodate so many bodies needing to evacuate.
We were called in waves with a PERKY announcer and that helped the whole lining up and psyching myself up thing.
I was also encouraged when I saw someone else with headphones. I had been training with music and was HEARTSICK when the official guide said "please no headphones" and I couldn't figure out WHY. Naturally I hid my gear as I lined up and then put on the earphone when I saw earbuds a-plenty!
The run was GORGEOUS. The fog made sure to leave a sense of mysticism on the morning. The land gave way to familiar views with a gorgeous veil of cloud. Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge and crossing it twice was magic. The traffic honking in support and the large drops of condensation falling on my forehead felt like a type of baptism.
The water stops were well-staffed and having our names on our bibs meant we were greeted by name by the volunteers. AWESOME.
Bathrooms were plentiful and I used them to my benefit throughout the run.
After mile 9 we rounded near the beach and headed into the park. The waves lapping below our path was an amazing site and matched perfectly to my personal soundtrack. The song that came on as I saw the beach below was "Agua de la Vida" by Salsa Celtica which celebrates water as life-giving through salsa.
The final 3 miles seemed like a tease as the elevation increased over 3 hills in the Richmond before we skirted and then entered Golden Gate Park.
I would have loved half or quarter mile markers toward the end of the run just to get a sense of when the end was REALLY coming.
I crossed, excited...and then realized my friends and family had NO idea where I was because there were SEVERAL rose gardens near the finishing line! AUGH!
But it was SO awesome to cross the line, get more water, and be efficiently recognized as finishers and given our medal then and there.
SERVICEGreat volunteers kept our spirits and fluids up at the water stations. The registration process was fairly painless, save for some signage confusion.
The Volunteer coordinators missed out on an opportunity to sign up last minute help.
RESTROOMSPort-o-lets and park restrooms made for the happiness of THOUSANDS of runners! Well spaced and stocked!
SUGGESTIONBetter signage for the event, including partial mile markers and clear signage for supporters to know where actual finish line is for first half-finishers.
Labels: 2007, San Francisco, San Francisco Marathon
dp American Brasserie, Albany, NY
NARRATIVEMy friend and I were lost in downtown Albany in search of My Linh, a locally celebrated Vietnamese restaurant but were famished and reaching the Cinderella hour of 10 pm. The parking guy who graciously took our $10 suggested Yono's restaurant in the Hampton Inn. We walked into the wrong door, but into the right spot as the dp American Brasserie offered a variety to delight hungry, but still discretionary tourist palates to Albany, NY.
Chef Yono Purnomo and staff set us at ease.
CONTACT INFORMATIONdp American Brasserie
located in the Hampton Inn & Suites Albany Downtown Hotel
25 Chapel Street
Albany, New York 12210
Phone: 518-436-7733
HOURSMonday-Saturday,
11 am - midnight
PRICE RANGEMedium to $25 (Kobe) beef burger
SUMMARYWe walked up the stairs and into a quiet lounge where we asked for the menu. Upon quick review we noticed a range of flavors taking us from Italy to Indonesia.
The dining room was lit softly and our hostess sat us right away. Since we had eaten a late lunch we declined some of the main dish offerings like the rack of lamb simply because we didn't want to over-dine, but instead opted for small plates. My companion had the mere $10 burger and I had the Indonesian-style chicken salad.
He also had a Heineken and I asked the waitress for a sweet white wine. I was happy to be served a lovely Riesling that I am sad I do not recall the name. After a few sips we settled in and discussed our directional mishap that led us to this dining gem.
Moments after that our meal arrived. Much more than either of us anticipated.
My Indonesian salad was a rainbow of vegetables...green beans, carrots, tomato, greens, skewers of chicken seasoned with a tang and a spice that were out of this world. The salad was similarly tossed with the dressing and the portion was generous.
The burger was served open faced with a generous and tasty portion of cheese and julienne cut fries, avocado and other trimmings that make it more of an open-faced Salisbury steak than an ordinary burger.
SERVICEWonderful. The hostess and our server were both helpful, kind, welcoming, and generous. (We actually saw our waitress at one of the bars we visited later an her demeanor remained the same-- tres cool.)
RESTROOMSWe dined, but, alas, we did not stop by the restrooms.
SUGGESTIONThere was a dissonance between the "light 80s-pop" inspired jazz and the sophistication of the dining room. The music could have been softer in volume and better matched to the venue. Perhaps a more traditional jazz soundtrack or gentle electronica/lounge with a global bent to it? The menu features hints of global sophistication. The music should, too.
Labels: "Albany, NY" "dp American Brasserie" Indonesian American
The Crucible Fire Arts Festival
NARRATIVEApproaching and passing the West Oakland BART Station giants and giantesses constructed from metal begin to fill the skyline.
As the sun sets, fire tongues lick and leap from metal sculptures. Robots lumber and throw flames. Leather pants, and fire tools abound to the marvel and disbelief of the attendees and to the satisfaction of the artists and performers.
CONTACT INFORMATIONThe Crucible
1260 7th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-444-0919
Email: info@thecrucible.org
HOURSWednesday-Saturday, 2nd week in July
8 pm - midnight
* Fire & Arts Soiree is held on Saturday.
PRICE RANGELuxurious (but worth it!) or ask to volunteer!
SUMMARYAfter 7 years of watching this flaming spectacle from the freeway and that BART-way I finally decided to volunteer to get a grounds-eye view of the goings-on.
From the gorgeous Serpent Mother to the stories upon stories of metal sculpture gods and goddesses surrounded by a flaming garden of spectacle, art, robotics, pyrotechnics, demonstration, and interactivity (DANCE DANCE IMMOLATION!), the entire site is alight with elements that entice and delight all ages.
Last night I served as a youth escort and worked with another youth escort to introduce the little 5 years olds to the fire arts and explain how it all worked. Their eyes (as well as mine) opened wide at the wonder of so much fire, noise, music, performances, and characters that abounded on the grounds.
The Fire Oddesey combines dance, theater, opera, live and recorded music, humor, acrobatics, aerobatics that filled the bleachers and held the audiences delight.
All hail the Fire Arts Festival and the Crucible for an excellent event!
SERVICEAwesome. Well organized from the layout to the volunteer experience and the participant logistics.
RESTROOMSPort-o-potties with handwashing stations! (Always appreciated.)
SUGGESTIONMore demonstrations of the how these pieces were created or perhaps a pre-festival gallery walk where we can ask the artists how these pieces were created!
Labels: Fire Arts Festival, robotics, The Crucible
