The internet is my homeboy.

My name is Melissa Jordan
I am a 27 year old wife, mother to two small dogs and completely obsessed with knowing everything.
I come by it honestly.
My father's nickname for many years has been "Professor Know it all"

and now, I realize that I've got the same insatiable need for knowledge.
But I'm selective in my quest.
I don't really care how you make a hydrogen bomb
or the exact date of Custer's last stand
but I will spend hours researching the last years of Emily Dickinson's life
and all of the various styles available in Duncan Phyfe antique couches.

2 years ago I could tell you every reason not to buy a 2001 BMW 3 series
and what recalls and deficiencies you could expect in a 2002 model.
2 months ago I became a know it all of vintage bicycle makers - old Schwinns and Raleigh bike styles and how many different seats were available for my vintage Murray Monterey cruiser.
Last week I learned that Minnetonka Moccasins offer 6 styles of women's boots.
My favorites were the ones with the silver studs.

Right now my obsessesion is all things San Francisco.
More specifically all things regarding the neighborhoods Haight Ashbury, NOPA, and Western Addition.
I have been living virtually in our neighborhood for a month now.
I know that Robert's Hardware employs a guy named Stan that can help you fix anything.
I know that the DMV on Baker St. is cleanest and friendliest in the city.
I know that 4 blocks away from our apartment is an organic grocery store with a nice bulk dried fruits section
and that there are 5 pet stores within a mile radius of our place.

I want to meet the two Middle Eastern gentlemen that run a corner store down the block.
Apparently they are the keepers of the neighborhood.
They keep spare keys for people who often lock themselves out of their apartments and give bananas to any child that steps foot in the door.

a month from today we will be in our new home.
on our new street.
with all of our new neighborhood places.

and I'll most likely be on the internet researching my next obsession.
Most likely, I'll be trying to memorize the bus schedule and the MUNI routes
but it could be organic dog foods or comfortable walking shoes.

I am a wealth of selective knowledge.

M

Honey mustard and fuel efficiency

Today over a 12 piece chicken nugget from Chic-fil-a
I started thinking about all of the southern delicacies that I am going to miss
in California, like:

bojangles.
and finding texas pete hot sauce on the grocery store shelf
and the ability to order sweet tea in restaurants
and fried okra
and eastern north carolina barbeque

but don't you worry about me.
because i've got plenty of new delicious places to discover.
that city has some of the best restaurants in the country.
and fresh crab and fish!
and the most amazing indian and chinese food.
I'll just have to do what my brother does and have mama
ship a gallon of texas pete out to us

and on a completely unrelated note...
guess what we're getting.



woohoo. watch out. Melissa on a scooter is going to be interesting.

Pretty darn cute isn't it?
don't tell Brent I called it cute. I've had to call it "vintage inspired" in order to convince him that this is the kind of scooter we need.

In NC, if you drive a scooter, it means you got a DUI
In CA, if you drive a scooter, it means you understand the absurdity of gas prices and the non existence of parking in the city.

I haven't been this excited over a two wheel vehicle since my friend Ashley got a sweet moped for Christmas when we were 10.

zoom zoom baby.

M

see for yourself

Just a short little blog today - Thought I'd put up a few pictures of our new neighborhood.

This is Haight Street.


Here you can find many eclectic shops, clothing boutiques, restaurants, etc.

One of the most well known vintage stores on Haight is called Wasteland. Brent's already scored a sweet '80s style puffy coat from this store:



As I've previously mentioned, there are a number of beautiful parks nearby. One of our favorites, Buena Vista Park, has gorgeous views of the city. Just look at this shot taken from the top of the park:


A well known landmark, the painted ladies at Alamo Square are also only a few blocks away:


I fly home today, so I'll be sure to upload the rest of the pictures from our trip.

M

Welcome home.

We are jumping off the walls right now.
I have to tell you all about our experience of house hunting.
First of all, this is the most expensive city in the country.
Second of all, it is incredibly competitive for good apartments.

So we show up to an open house and there are 20 people there.
And everyone is feverishly filling out applications.
and we visited one that we just love.
It had big windows, high ceilings, hardwood floors and lots of charm
the best news of all...
they take pets!

So we submit our application along with everyone else
and just held our breath and pray that they will pick us.
We looked at many other apartments afterwards,
but they were either in sketchy areas,
or had a weird layout or were far away or too expensive.
Today I looked at one where two... how do I say this nicely,
"unsavory characters" were yelling on the corner
and I had to step over a homeless man to go in the place.

"This isn't going to work" Brent said.
"I'm not leaving you in a place like this by yourself, we'll just keep on looking"
On the way back to our hotel we were feeling pretty
down and out.
We had one day left to lock in a place.
Just then the phone rings.
It's the leasing agent from our favorite apartment.
We were chosen to be the new tenants!

I can't tell you how good it felt.
It was like being told we won the lottery.
and in a way, I guess we did.

Our new place is on Baker Street
right near Haight Ashbury and NOPA.
Alamo Square, Panhandle Park, and Buena Vista park are all within a short walk.

Here is a picture:


We're going to sign our lease in 30 minutes.
We are dancing around and making "eeeeeek" noises
and just can't stop smiling.

More pictures to come!

M

Haight Street and open windows

My calves ache today.
My greatest hope is that I walk as much as I did yesterday, everyday.
I'll be down to my slim and trim college jeans in no time.
Yesterday we decided that we loved Haight Ashbury.
Of course we would, it's like living in a history book.

We looked at an apartment a few steps from a costume shop
and an outdoor restaurant
and the most wonderful little dog park where rottweilers and weiner dogs
frolicked in collective happiness.
We met a cocker spaniel named Mia.
I fed her some of the croissant I had hidden in my bag.
I could see my own dogs in that field and I felt easy.

Later, Brent and I hung out in the bathroom of our hotel room.
We're on the 14th floor over looking downtown and for some reason
the locks on our window is busted.
It's a big window right next to the tub,
so we've been opening and listening to the street musicians
and Brent bought his guitar
so he sang to me with his songs floating out the window.
I requested all my favorites
and admired the way his lips curl when he sings.
I couldn't even hide the pleasure in my face.
He looked so beautiful with the late afternoon light falling across him.

Both of our bodies are still adjusting to the time difference
and we ate dinner at what would be 11pm on the east coast.
We met up with some friends and I took them to Belden Place.
It's this little alley in between two buildings,
ball lights were strung from building to building above our heads
and we had 5 little restaurants all with al fresco dining to choose from.

We decided on the southern italian restaurant.
Our food was incredible and they gave us the most delicious bottle of chianti
at half the menu price.
They brought us complimentary tiramisu, the best i've ever tasted.
and our waiter, in his heavy italian accent said
“because you are the nicest table I've had all night”

I fell asleep early.
Dreaming of bay windows and dogs in fields and city buses.
Even as I sit in bed this morning, with disheveled hair and sleepy eyes,
I can barely lay still. The anticipation of this city
and all it holds for us,
stirs me to wake.
The city waits.

M