Gas prices have shot up here in San Francisco, none higher than the Chevron on Fell St. Ouch! Who knew 89 octane would be so dear this spring?
Now, you might wonder what the heck I've been doing with myself since I quit the corporate job. The big answer? Loafing. It's been great. Of course, financial pressure will force me back into the fray in the coming weeks. But let's take a quick look at all that I've accomplished after six weeks of self-employment.
1. Fostered a dog - Little Joey came to us with a mild case of kennel cough and intact gonads. Just two weeks later he recovered, got altered, and was adopted. Good boy! The awesome folks at Copper's Dream dog rescue are always looking for help: donations, fosters, towels, whatever you can spare. they visit high-kill shelters in rural areas and get the cutest freaking dogs you'll ever see. Check out their Facebook page for a history of dogs they've saved. Good people! [Editor's note: I'd like to acknowledge the forbearance of Asa, our cat, who tolerated repeated humping attempts by this unfixed 6-pound male chihuahua. A heroic effort all around.]
2. Got into meditation - After only 12 years of an on-again, off-again meditation practice at the San Francisco Zen Center, I've decided to get serious. I've started meeting weekly with a teacher, meditating 3-4 times a week, volunteering in the bookstore on Thursday evenings, attending Saturday Sangha and learning a temple job (I'm doorwatch), and generally being friendly and learning people's names. Even signed up for a 4-day visit to their monastery, Tassajara, in Carmel Valley. Should be gorgeous in May.
3. Urban Permaculture! Ever wanted to learn how to make a composting toilet? Reuse the greywater from your washing machine in the back yard? I have. Now I'm signed up to get a certificate in Permaculture from Common Circle. Of course, I did just learn I'm sleeping in a tent for two weeks. Oh well.
4. Volunteering - Got involved with Edgewood Family and Children Services out here in the Sunset district. Mostly I write press releases for them, but might also help with their website redesign.
5. Personal purge. Like most Americans, I own too much stuff. How many sweaters does one person really need? Not 18. Probably not even 11. Of course, it all depends on what you consider a "sweater."
6. Looking for love - After the abrupt end to my date-a-friend experiment last year, it's time to find a new partner. I tried Chemistry.com and was put off by their kludgey interface and high rate of non-response (it seems like half the folks in their system are not actually members, so can't respond when you ping them). Back on eHarmony.com, I'm swimming in hundreds of matches, some 15 years my senior, and finding some diamonds in the rough. Wish me luck!
7. Waiting for acceptance. This has been the year of joining groups. I've applied for membership to Editcetera and the West Point Inn. One will give me freelance editing work; the other the best view of the SF Bay $20 can buy. Other potential sources of work: KitList and Women in Consulting's newsletters. There are also business referral groups you can join, like BNI and Partner4Leads, although for the money, I think I can start my own. Want to join?
8. House shuffle - We said a sad farewell to our awesome housemate Mary, who moved down the peninsula to be closer to work. Last week we welcomed Sonia and Duke, her dachshund, to the house. So far, Duke and Asa, the cat, seem to be getting along just fine. Until he goes into her litter box in search of tootsie rolls.
Other fun things to get involved in:
Wigg (short for "wiggle") Party
The Green Arcade
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