Okay, so use of “epic” is a little dramatic. Dan makes a Top Ten list every year and I thought I’d try it.
1. Bought a home
Home ownership is something I’ve wanted for over 10 years. Then we moved to San Francisco. A lot of friends told me it couldn’t happen here, but we stayed in our tiny studio and started saving and looking at every possible lending and homeownership program. I read every blog by anyone who might have helpful information, and trekked to dozens of open houses in unfamiliar neighborhoods.Working it all out was a minor miracle, but if we can do it then other people can too. Housing affordability across the US is at a record high but San Francisco is #1 (above NYC) least affordable rental and ownership market. I personally feel this is one of the most urgent problems facing our city.
2. Celebrated 1st Wedding Anniversary
Most of 2010 involved planning our wedding. 2011 was the first full year we were married. Love is good.
3. Started Reading Again
Before I moved to San Francisco in 2008, I read a lot. After moving, not so much. But in 2011 I got back to it. I also started using Goodreads again so I can keep track of what I’ve read over the year and get recommendations.
4. Took Guitar Lessons
There is a saying “Never marry your mistress,” and sometimes the stress and complexities of working in the arts can suck the joy out of a creative experience. Being in a class, away from work, was an important touchstone for me in 2011 and something I will continue in 2012.
5. Moved To The Cloud
Yeah, it’s corny and everyone’s doing it. But in 2011 Dan helped me adjust my habits so that most of my the information that used to clog up my Mac is now in the cloud. Dropbox, rdio, Pinboard, Salesforce, Instagram … it is hard to imagine a time when I didn’t use these daily to read, connect, listen and plan.
6. Discovered The Outer Sunset
I’m stealing this one from Dan, but it’s true … the Outer Sunset was a revelation in 2011. Danny Hess said it best: We don’t have much out here. It’s a short list. But what we do have is awesome. Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Trouble Coffee, Outerlands, Other Avenues, Sea Breeze Cafe, Judahlicious. Window displays by artist Jay Nelson and storefront signage by Jeff Canham. Plus, it reminds me of New London.
7. Started Running (again)
I promised myself that when we moved to the Outer Sunset I would take advantage of the flat terrain and gorgeous vistas and start running again. From September through December I averaged 40 miles a month. Not great, but not bad. Dan and I ran the Dolphin South End Running Club 5k on Halloween and I cheered him on at the San Francisco Half-Marathon in July. In December I set a personal best of 7:50 for the mile which isn’t spectacular but is better than I ever thought I’d do.
8. Embraced Fiscal Responsibility
Sometimes when I’m hanging out with my friends and the subject of money comes up I have this sort of out-of-body experience where I step back and wonder what this conversation was like five years ago. Because I am still under the delusion that we are young-ish, but my friends and I … most of us work for nonprofits or are artists or freelancers and we care about things like security and stability. Maybe it’s the recession, I don’t know. But in 2010 Dan and I created a budget that we share and update monthly so that we are on the same page about saving, spending and debt. It keeps us honest, keeps us real, and it’s a good thing.
9. Enjoyed Queer Art
I enjoyed queer art before 2011. But when I think of what made me sit up and pay attention, collectively, in 2011 it was THEOFFCENTER. It was Laura Arrington’s SQUART! (Spontaneous Queer Art!) at SOMArts and Headlands Center for the Arts. It was Taylor Mac’s 4-hour play The Lily’s Revenge at Magic Theatre, it was Chase Joynt, Ben McCoy, Kevin Seaman, Mica Sigourney, Ernesto Sopprani, Anna Martine Whitehead and the entire ensemble in Jesse Hewit’s performance art festival This Is What I Want. It was the poetry of Kirya Traber at Feast of Words and Michelle Tea’s series about getting pregnant at forty. The photography of Sadie Lune, the culinary artistry of Yasmin Golan. There is so much I am leaving out and so many culturally-driven arts experiences to be had in San Francisco … but *wow*. That was amazing.
10. Adopted A Dog
I didn’t see this one coming, but after we moved we adopted a dog from the SPCA. Riggins is a Boston Terrier / Chihuahua mix (we think). He is utterly adorable and relatively well behaved. We go to the beach and the park a lot more now.
