and the sun shines on the bay…
After a long heat wave it rained today, 65 degrees and misty outside, and I was surprised I had to actually wear a sweater. Normally I hate gloomy weather like that but it was such a sudden and rare shift that it made me really happy and nostalgic for San Francisco – in a good way, not in an “I wish I was there and not here” way, but just a little nudge of a reminder that there is no greater place than home. I know I was just there two weeks ago, but it was so hectic I didn’t have time to soak in the city fully before I was back on the plane. I miss taking the N Judah down Irving Street and Green Apple Books and driving down Portola to the Castro and eating food I can’t afford in North Beach and I miss our crappy, trash-filled beach by the Pacific Ocean.
I made an impromptu 70s KOIT playlist at work and listened to it on repeat, and then it really felt like home: an overcast sky outside and REO Speedwagon in my headphones. I wanted to take BART down to Powell and go to Boudin’s and read a book in Union Square until the wind made it too uncomfortable, and then watch an indie movie at the Landmark where Jo used to let me in for free.
This is a crappy picture John took of me with my camera’s black and white setting during one of our downtown adventures back in high school (or was it college?) that kind of sums up where I’d like to be.
And in case you’re curious, here’s the playlist I came up with:
REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
Firefall – You Are the Woman That I’ve Always Dreamed Of
Hall & Oates – Your Kiss is On My List
Stealer’s Wheel – Stuck in the Middle With You
Dobie Gray – Drift Away
England Dan & John Ford Coley – I’d Really Love to See You Tonight
Peaches & Herb – Reunited
Hall & Oates – Every Time You Go Away
Loggins and Messina – Danny’s Song
REO Speedwagon – Can’t Fight This Feeling