Something I learned from a past fella who was really into films was to always stay for/ watch the credits at the end of movies, and it’s a habit I’ve been pretty serious about ever since. The dreamboat and I re watched Stranger than Fiction last night and as usual let the credits roll. This sweet little song is played at the very end. It’s “Love” by The Free Design. It’s a bit old, and I’m a bit behind the curve on this one, but I love it.

Oh, and nothings going to happen with the video, it’s just the screen shot.

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July weekend (at least if you’re here in the states) full of good friends, good fun, and general awesomeness. Mine was 100% pleasing and chocked full of new experiences like my first San Francisco picnic and heading out to Angel Island for the day.

I’ve been wanting to head out to Angel Island every since I found out about it a few months after we moved here in November of 2007. I like checking out new “adventure wildernesses.” It reminds me of when I was a kid and my dad used to take me and my family on hikes in various areas around San Diego and makes me feel very Swiss Family Robinson, or something else of that sort. Like some sort of adventurer, even if I never venture off the trail and don’t see any Mountain Lions.

The Island was pretty nifty once you got past the few dead jelly fish and birds in the water, various stinging insects, and all the animal poo that was everywhere. I really hope those kids doing wheel barrow races washed their hands before putting them anywhere near anything. Ew.

We sat up on the hill to get away from the mass amounts of children and animal excrement, and proceeded to enjoy the afternoon sun. A large tree stump proved to be an excellent table for setting up our wonderful spread of deliciousness and all the blankets made the perfect lounging area. One of the fellas brought a backpack boom box which was totally icing on the cake. Nothing like grooving to the top hits of the 90s while munching mimosas, cherries, bread, brie, and peanut butter, apple and banana sandwiches. I fricken saw the sign!

Later in the afternoon a few of us decided to hike one of the trails. Sadly we didn’t make it to the top (probably something we should have thought about more than an hour and and half before the last ferry back to the city), but it was fun anyway. We got about one quarter to the top, and this was the view from there.

One can only imagine what it would have been like from the summit. Beautiful I’m sure.

I feel a yearly Angel Island day trip tradition is in order, yes, yes indeed.

picnic photograph taken by the dreamboat Jared Zimmerman, and used because he said I could.

I decided to walk a large part of the way home after an interview near the stadium this morning. I’m feeling way frustrated because I interviewed for a reception position that I don’t think I’ll get due to my lack of desire to be a receptionist for the rest of my life. Tends to be the story each time. They see I went to school for graphic design and that I want to do that with my life and become wary of hiring me. These days I try not to bring up the fact that I am into design when on interviews that aren’t at creative agencies. San Francisco, darling, I hate your job market.

I spotted this boarded up artwork along the Embarcadero, and really liked it for some reason. The San Francisco Arts Commission, ever hip with their stencils?

I know that everyone swoons over the Golden Gate Bridge due to its iconic nature, but give me the San Francisco side of the bay bridge any day. Well not really any day, cause I don’t like being in the car that often, but you get my point.

I’ve never been in this shop, as I am not a well dressed male nor am I dating someone who would be into such clothing, but I love it just the same. At least I think I would. The jackets, the bow ties, the pocket squares, the hats! Oh the hats. Oh to be a sharply dressed boy from the North Eastern Coast…

For some time now the dreamboat has wanted to swing by It’s Tops over on Market for brunch, so this weekend we finally did it. Turns out its one of the least vegetarian friendly places I have ever been in my life, which I suppose is to be expected from a diner/soda fountain that’s been around since before it was hip to not eat meat, but still pretty good.

Based on photos the dreamboat showed me I went in expecting to love the atmosphere, and as expected, I did. This place is so adorable and so cozy. You walk in and there are old photos and awards on the walls and oldies playing over the speakers. Each booth has a mini juke full of what one can only assume to be top 40 oldies because only the artists are listed and that’s what was playing (sadly there is a review on Yelp that says they don’t work). I love the element of surprise in that! The waitresses wear cute 50s inspired tops along with coffee and syrup stained aprons. The seats are comfy and most of them look out onto ever entertaining Market Street.

The menu is very meat centric, which is great for almost everyone. You want bacon or sausage in your waffles? You got it! An egg breakfast with 3 kinds of meat? You got that too! On the veggie side they have a few things also. I had a hot chocolate, a plain buttermilk waffle (they sadly didn’t have bananas for walnuts inside bananas on top waffles), a scrambled egg and fried potatoes. Nothing mind blowing, in taste or presentation, but a filling “American” breakfast. The two things that made me happiest food wise were the delicious hot chocolate, which is really chocolaty and the perfect amount of sweet, and the maple syrup, which I’m told they make themselves, but I’m not 100% sure of that.

I’m totally going to order a strawberry malt for breakfast next time.

photographs taken by Mike Fischer and Wiseacre used under creative commons.

Hello everyone! Are you ready for the weekend? I am! It’s been extra lovely the past few days here in San Francisco. I hope madam nature manages to keep it up over the next 2 days so we can all enjoy our weekends to the fullest.

Some things you can get up to in the sun, or in the shade this weekend…

On Saturday the 2nd Annual Bicycle Music Festival will be going on all day long. We have had a couple of Couch Surfers for a few days and they have been getting their bikes all dolled up and ready to bike down to Mexico. They’ve been a total inspiration, and while I’m not ready to hop on my bike and trek to another country, I am all for biking to my favorite farmers market and Delores Park in the company of other awesome bike riders on a lovely Saturday, and listening to awesome tunes along the way. :: SF FunCheap , bicyclemusicfestival.com

Are you totally French or French at heart? Or maybe you just like french tunes or french edibles? Why not head over to Justin Herman Plaza at The Embarcadero and Market for the Fete de la Musique: France Music and Cuisine Festival? Enjoy some live tunes near the bay and be French for a day! :: Funcheap SF

Free Ice Cream Sundaes! Really do I have to say more? I don’t but I will. Ghirardelli Square is having its Savour the Square Food Festival this weekend. Go out and enjoy free chef demos, free samples of various delish foods, cupcakes and chocolate, guided wine tastings and free Ice Cream Sundaes from 4-5pm. Happens Saturday and Sunday. :: Funcheap SF

Radio Alice is having a small music fest from 12-5pm on Sunday in Golden Gate Park, and while I don’t know much about the other bands (Lifehouse??) I might swing out to see Ingrid Michealson, cause I like her. Other bands in the lineup? Lifehouse, the Last Goodnight, Marie Digby and Secondhand Serenade. If any of these bands tickle your fancy why don’t you go out, support em, and have an amazing time?! It will make up for all that music you have been illegally downloading. :: Funcheap SF

There are tons of other things going on too, including Community Convergence for Change: The Big ONE 2008, the Dragon & Lion Dance and Celebration Street Festival, and Summer of Love - Free Music Concert and Eco Fair at Dolores Park.

Have an AMAZING weekend everyone.