I’m starting this without a title because I have no idea where it will meander. It’s before 9am and I haven’t had coffee, but I figured it’s rare that I think about writing before the end of the day so I may as well seize this opportunity. C is out taking pictures. Janie is still sleeping upstairs. Dough is rising. the Pet Shop Boys are singing, “Send Me an Email That Says I Love You.” Thoughts are reeling.

Two things set the morning in motion.

I woke up from a dream about work. No surprise. It’s all my mind seems to have room for lately. The dream dealt with the agency who’s doing our site redesign and a colleague. It ended with them disappointing us, me feeling trapped by our contract, and no hope for a solution. Vague, I know, but that’s all the detail you’re going to get. The stress i felt when I woke up was real enough. I was relieved it was just a dream, but I felt cheated of a night of sleep. Sunday mornings aren’t supposed to be agitated and questioning what really just happened.

time passes

And, like that, we’re at the end of the day and I’m in bed post-Mad Men. I didn’t get to compose my thoughts about the second thing: reading about a friend of friends sudden passing on Friday night after being found unconscious by his partner who had just returned from a business trip. It was unclear how long he had been unconscious. I enjoyed his off-color and bitter humor on Twitter and read his blog for years. Not even 31 and a rising career as a DJ to complement his daytime gig as a Virgin Airlines trolley dolly. I’ll miss laughing at his wry observations.

I have no idea how I intended to wrap this post all up, other than a melancholic “life is too short,” but that seems trite. On one hand, I want to see the dream as a sign that I need a change. The other situation makes me want to embrace the joy that I’ve got. We owe it to ourselves to find meaning and grace in the day-to-day. To live is to love hard, laugh with others, create and be inspired by creativity and beauty that’s everywhere. It’s not supposed to hurt all the time. Feel, but don’t fall down the abyss of reaction.

My “off” Sunday reminds me that even though I may not have participated in the marathon, the street far or the food wars bake-off that all took place in my neighborhood today, I am glad they are out there. It’s not as bad as it can seem. I can’t bring Sam back to life, but I can be aware of my staying in my head and missing the big picture.

We’ll see how that helps on Monday.

I’m not good at blogging.

It’s a struggle for me to make the time to write something here. Regardless, I’m trying to type put something – anything- each day. Even if it means falling asleep as I thumb away on my phone. Typos and all, it’s a quick record of what’s going on in my life, not necessarily meaningful content. I’m approaching this right now as a practice. A daily devotion to take a moment to reflect and perhaps create.

Things I know am good at make me sound like a 3 year-old. I know I like sleeping, eating and pooping. Unlike a toddler, I enjoy being active, knitting, and spending time trying new things.

Forgive me if posts end up being repetitious meditations on the same things. That’s just life.

Today was sleeping in with Janie, Sightglass Coffee, reknitting a toe, working at Tsunami Tsynchro fundraiser watershow, the pictured kimchi on a vegan hotdog from the underground market, C’s Canadian Flickr friends, more coffee and a new local Ethiopian restaurant that recently opened. Shiro? For sure! And more knitting.

A very full day that now demands rest.

Welcome to the best I could do.

This was the most productive bit of my day. I’m just ready for this project to be launched so I can move on. It is what it is.

Technically this post falls outside of the 24-hour period that is Friday, but I am just heading to bed now at 1:09 am.

I’m counting it as good.

Today at lunch, I got to leave the office with a friend and learn a thing or two about coffee. She’s investigating sourcing coffee from a local roaster. Naturally, I suggested Sightglass Coffee. It was inspirational to say the least.

Justin and Jered took us through the cupping process, first smelling the freshly ground beans then after they infuse with hot water for four minutes, breaking the crust to get the aroma. Then it was time to aspirate (or slurp) many spoons as they cooled.

With about 8 varietals to try, plus an espresso and macchiatto, I was feeling pretty darn good! It makes me want to get more involved with my own coffee preparation. There’s just something about listening to people discuss their passion. And pass that onto you.

I learned more today about what I enjoy in my coffee as well as what’s out there. I look forward to learning and knowing more.

Here, here to local experts who are generous with their knowledge.

These are my new pals at work. Well, they are not mine, per se, but I share a desk with them. They were “rescued” from an aquarium store to be filmed as a live fish cam in our office for the next month. After that, they’ll be given away to a colleague or a friend.

Anticipating there arrival, I didn’t think much about them. We had been cycling the tank water since last week, so I thought nothing much about their addition to the table. A pleasant sound and visual distraction, perhaps.

Once they were here, I was mesmerized by their movement and grace. (on a side note, I missed swimming again tonight—so much for my return!) But it was stressful too.

Would they live? Were they happy? Does their new home stress them out? A few hours (and some Internet research) later, I fond myself invested in the well-being of Mr. Pickles, Pat Finn and Heidi. Did you know they can live 10-15 years? [ETA: Mel says the record livespan is 40!]

Contrary to popular belief, they have more than a 3-second memory. You’re supposed to rearrange their living space for the sake of variety. I can relate to that. I don’t want to be a little guy trapped in the same cycle, day-in, day-out.

Again, with the late night and not clearly developed thoughts. There’s just not much of note going on ’round these parts. Not in my daily life. Not to record and remember.

The one experience that occurred was sharing an elevator with a chef or cook from the restaurant in the building and the giant buckets of freshly made lobster bisque on his cart. Friendly words were exchanged. It was a lot of bisque. That’s all.

What I have to share is a link to an essay I came across on Twitter from Jad of RadioLab fame at WNYC. A powerful story of a mother loving her daughter so hard and the ugliness of life’s relentless challenges. It’s not about pity or using this to gain perspective. It’s beautiful words and the author’s truth. I hope you enjoy: For Jessica.

I gotta start earlier than 11pm if I want to ever find happiness or get a slightly considered post up here each day. I also gotta remember to take pictures when I’m in parts of SF I’ve never visited before.

Tonight, that was behind Levis Plaza on Sansome. 6:00pm meeting at the agency’s office to discuss a change order and what was and was not within scope. Riveting, believe you me.

Note to self: you have a phone with a camera. Use it. You’re typing this on it right now. Pull it out and shoot something outside of the apartment.

Time to start reading.

Chris works on Sunday nights at Walzwerk. I often end up waiting around at home until I decide to go there and eat by myself, if I can’t rustle up any dining partners. And, I’ll probably do it again tonight.

With one exception.

Before dinner, I’m going to the movies. A real, live movie theater! I don’t think I’ve gone to a flick since February. Its been even longer since I’ve gone solo. A spontaneous decision and showtimes that synch have made this possible.

I feel like a kid, catching a summer blockbuster on its opening weekend. I hope Inception lives up to the hype and raves of friends. But even if it doesn’t, the adventure of taking myself out was thrill enough itself. At 2h28, I’m sure I’ll find something to enjoy.

No photo, of course, because it’s too dark. Shhhh! It’s starting.

And they say that the Internet is making us more isolated.

Not so, not today.

After much napping, neti potting, tea and ibuprofen, I finally felt good enough to get up and at ‘em. So I took my couch mate, Nurse Janie to a dog park. The little miss doesn’t get to too many parks, but by the grace of the ‘net and meetup.com, I knew there was a French bulldog gathering today, although we were pretty late. The five remaining Frenchies weren’t as interesting to Ms. Sparkles as a tennis ball, so I was the social one with strangers and their pups.

Then it was off to coffee. The closest to home and most dog-friendly is the cart at Sightglass. In addition to being so delicious, they are on Twitter and that was how I first learned of their cold-brewed spiced iced coffee. (it doesn’t hurt that a Twitter founder is an investor.)

Janie had a spa appointment in the afternoon (which turned out was a false alarm, no need to “express” herself). Afterwards, we found ourselves jonesing for a lunchie-type snack. A quick check of Twitter revealed that the taco bike by Weird Fish would be at Dolores Park, but I knew parking would be a nightmare. Luckily, just then, a friend checked in on FourSquare at the American Grilled Cheese Kitchen, a restaurant I’ve watched in blogs and on social media. Roasted wild mushrooms with gruyere and fontina? It was worth the wait, and I’ll be back for more, for sure.

The afternoon happened, with more recovery naps, and dinner loomed. Lucky for me, for the entire month of July, Hapa Ramen, a husband and wife food cart/tent duo, was setting up outside at Coffee Bar. You guessed it, both are on Twitter. The cafe posted their guests’ stint a few weeks back.

I’ve been trying to check out Hapa Ramen since I first started reading their saga of perfecting their broths and the chef giving up his gig at a respected restaurant for the life of a vagrant vendor. I even went by on their first day at the Ferry Building, to only find lines and that they were sold out by 12:15. Every other time I read about them being somewhere, I had conflicting plans. Homemade noodles, fresh sweet corn and an earthy miso broth with a beautiful sous vide egg did not disappoint. I’m now a devoted follower of the chef, his wife and the business from now on, because I could eat a bowl of that almost every night.

So what’s this about the web ruining the real-world of communities? It has connected me more deeply to my city and people who are doing interesting things in food and experience creation. Heck, all of them are trying hard to connect people more deeply with those who are growing and preparing the food. Technology is getting me back to basics and close to our roots.

And, pardon the pun, it feeds my soul. Yum.

I am.

I felt “off” riding home from work. Felt, not fell.

Muscles were weak, chilled to the bone, sore throat. Took a nap with Janie until dinner. Food made me feel slightly better, but it’s going to be a mellow night. Thus, not much to share.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

(did you get the “I am under the weather” title?)