San Francisco Noobs

Exploring and living in San Francisco

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Presidio Adventure: Golden Gate Bridge and Yoda

March 9th, 2010 · Adventures · By: Casi


This past Saturday was pretty much one of the prettiest days in San Francisco this year. Which is very surprising since today it pretty much snowed …. ok, ok hailed! But same fricken thing!

ANYWAYYYYY….

Saturday was a good day for an adventure! I haven’t explored the Presidio too much, so I made my way over on a bus filled with uber tourists. Anytime you go close to the Golden Gate bridge expect an over abundance of non-english speaking people with cameras. Since I was completely outnumbered, I decided to become a tourist myself. All I was missing was a fanny pack!

In case you weren’t sure, this is where
San Francisco is on a globe
This is a creepy tunnel that surprisingly was not
home to a smelly bum
Did you know that Yoda lives in the Presidio?!?!
Yea, I didn’t know that either, and I was pleasantly
surprised to find him chillin in a fountain!
I was also pleasantly surprised to find
that ancient Rome is also in the Presidio!
So random and beautiful! I wonder
how much rent goes for in these ruins?
Bill Cosby?
There was a little fat kid feeding the
swans, creeping closer and closer to the
edge of the water. I was really hoping for
him to fall in since I had my camera ready
for any Funniest Home Video action!

The day ended at Trader Joe’s where I purchased several bottles of wine and
wondered why everyone around me only purchased one bottle…

Casi


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I Got a Job, I Got a Job! – The Big Reveal

March 2nd, 2010 · Job, That's What Kate Said · By: Casi


WARNING The guy in this picture has nothing to do with my job, other than I took this picture on my way home from work. After several sleepy head bobs he unfortunately did not go face first into the pole. Sorry, but that would have made my day!

OK! OK! I’ll spill the deets on my recent employment.

After Several tweets/emails/buzz’sgs(?) requesting to hear all about the big news, I am finally ready to divulge!

To tell you the truth, I didn’t want to jinx anything, but after receiving my very first paycheck, I think any curses that may have been looming have vanished completely. Or haaaaave they….

Yes, they have!

On February 16, 2010 I became the Coordinator of Strategic Partnerships for Real Girls Media. Fancy title hu!?!

Real Girls Media is a group of smart, creative, talented women AND men (YES, men too!!!) working together to create a fun, informative, and unique community at DivineCaroline.com

I personally work with talented bloggers from all over the country to help make DivineCaroline.com the best it can be. I am also on the lookout for new creative bloggers, and I help manage DivineCaroline’s Twitter and Facebook. So. Yea. I read blogs and tweet all day. What can be better than that?!?!?! Ummmmm NOTHING! It’s pretty much my dream job. BE JEALOUS!

*Quick Story* My manager E. (she reads my blog so: Hi E.!!!!) told me that part of the reason they hired me, was because of the recommendation letter I posted on my blog from my BFF Kate. I’m pretty sure Kate peed her pants when I told her that!

I’m so happy to have a job! I’m even more happy that it’s a job I love! Not only am I a SanFranciscoNoob, I am now a RealGirlsMediaNoob. I can’t wait to continue learning and growing with this great company.

Somebody pinch me…I may be dreaming! WAIT WAIT! Don’t pinch me, I don’t want to wake up!

Casi

P.S. My Birthday is in 20 days!! Feel free to check out my wish list


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Shrimp Corn Dogs and Meatloaf Sliders at Urban Tavern

February 24th, 2010 · Restaurants · By: Casi

Yea, that’s right! I said SHRIMP – CORN – DOGS!!!!!

Thanks to San Francisco Citysearch I got the privilege to have one of the most impeccable meal’s and dining experiences I have ever had. As one of San Francisco’s Citysearch Dictators (yea, that means I’m awesome), I am part of a small group of super-users who get the benefit of going to special events at new restaurants, bars and other local hot spots. Another advantage, which I reaped the benefits of Monday night, are awesome prizes for Dictator reviews.

After reviewing my ass off I finally won an amazing dinner at a hotspot I have been dying to try, Urban Tavern. It was a dinner for two, so of course I brought my trusting sidekick (and boyfriend) Greg to this awesome Monday blues buster for some grub and cocktails after work. I’m going to make this a succinct review so I don’t drool all over my laptop.

We started off with a glass of wine each, 2007 Pinot Noir Symposium for him and a glass of 2006 Merlot Camp Masut for me. I won this tasting by ordering the better wine. They were both delicious, but even my Merlot hating boyfriend stole multiple sips from my glass.

We then moved on to appetizers of mussels and clams with chorizo and peppers. Ummmmm YUM!!! This was my first attempt at eating mussels, and I have to say I’m glad I went with the delicious shell fish. The chorizo totally complimented both the clams and mussels which were in a soup of lemony goodness! To our surprise, the Dining Manager Kyle showered us with more appetizers! This is where I was introduced to the genius that is Shrimp Corn Dogs and Meatloaf Sliders. The dill sauce that came with the Shrimp Corn Dogs was good, but I’m thinking a spicy flavorful cocktail sauce would have been better (like a gourmet catchup!) My favorite appetizer was the Meatloaf Sliders, but it was followed CLOSELY by the Shrimp Corn Dogs and Clams and Mussels.

For our main entree (YES! We ordered more), I got the steak and fries. All I can say is “It’s all about the butter sauce!” Who knew a square of butter doesn’t just go on pancakes! Greg ordered the Braised Baby Back Ribs. These MAJORLY tender ribs laid on a bed of toasted farro, which is now Greg’s new essential dinner side dish.

Even though we begged them not to (maybe not hard enough) they sent out dessert for us as well. Colin, the Chef, personally brought out a Sticky Toffee Pudding and their specialty banana pudding in a jar. (*Insider Tip from the chef: Strawberry goodness in a jar will be the next seasonal dessert). You all may know that I have a thing with bananas (if you don’t know, just be happy you haven’t heard the story), but if you like banana’s you will LOVE the banana jar dessert. I’m not a dessert person, but both were amazing and officially put me into a heavenly food comma.

All in all, this was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had! Our waiter was perfectly attentive and full of menu tips. It was great to chat with the manager and chef. And, as expected, the food was GREAT!

Maybe that wasn’t as “succinct” as I had hoped, but trust me, I could have gone on and on and on about my new favorite downtown dining spot. I see many more Meatloaf Sliders and Shrimp Corn Dogs in my future!

If you think you would be a great San Francisco Citysearch Dictator sign up here and tell them Casi sent ya!

Casi

P.S. Sorry for the not-so-great iPhone Pics

P.S.S. They have Anchorsteam on tap, which is one of my favorite beers.


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WITNESSED: Muni Cell Phone Thief

February 18th, 2010 · Uncategorized · By: Casi

Two days as an official San Francisco commuter, and I’ve already witnessed my first crime on Muni! I thought I would at least go a week or two before I would actually see something like this!

I got on the 38L this evening at 6:00pm at Market and Sansome, going outbound with all my fellow downtown workers excited to get home. No one talks during these busy commuter hours, everyone is too busy with their favorite mobile device catching up on everything they missed out on during the work day. While catching up on all my favorite tweeters I suddenly heard a young woman scream, “HEY! He took my cell phone!!” She immediately ran off the bus and after the thief as we all looked around aimlessly and came out of our own little worlds. The bus quickly sped off from the Geary and Divisidaro stop, and we were all left wondering what exactly happened.

I’ve heard stories of this happening before but I was completely shocked to actually have it happen to the poor girl sitting next to me. It could have easily been my phone out that bus door in a second flat. I sure won’t be going into that after work commuter coma again!

With my lack of real world attention, I unfortunately did not see the theif. In fact I barely saw who the girl was, just heard her voice. IT ALL HAPPENED SO FAST! Someone hold me!

Casi


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Help Me Decide What to Wear On My First Day of Work

February 16th, 2010 · Uncategorized · By: Casi

AND THE WINNER IS with 64% of the vote……………


Thank you everyone! You really made getting ready this morning a lot easier!
Casi

______________________________________________________________________________________________
I can’t decide which outfit to wear on my first day of work tomorrow! I’ve ripped apart my closet trying to decide, and I have finally narrowed it down to two outfits. I NEED YOUR HELP!!!! I’ll tally the votes tomorrow morning and post a picture of the winning outfit! THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Outfit 1Outfit 2

Casi


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Great San Francisco Valentines Day Pillow Fight

February 15th, 2010 · Adventures · By: Casi


Reason #543 of why I San Francisco = Valentines Day pillow fight with 6,000+ people in Justin Herman Plaza

What can be more fun that that!?!!?!!?!!?!!?! That’s right! NOTHING!!

Right at 6p.m. the wave of pillow fighters made it my way. I watched for about 2.5 seconds then jumped right into the action! You might be able to see me in the video (I’m the one with the black jacket and leopard pillow).

Tips I learned for next year:

  1. Dress up my pillow in a bright colored case to make it easier to find each other in the MASSIVE crowd
  2. Pick a meet up spot because it’s pretty much impossible to stick with your Valentines Day partner. Or better yet! Get a leash!
  3. Wear a bandana or mask of some sort. I was making fun of all the people who had these surgical masks on before the fight. Then I was SUPER jealous of them. People (including myself) like to rip open their pillows to let the feathers fly. Which means I looked like Sylvester the cat after eating Tweety. I’m still coughing up feathers today!
  4. Don’t wear purple boot covers. Yea, they looked totally awesome, but the massive crowd liked to step all over them!
  5. If you’re claustrophobic fight on the top part of the plaza where less people are grouped together. When I say “less” I mean like 2,000 Vs. 4,000!
  6. Don’t be a whiner!!! This wasn’t me, but I heard several girls getting all upset about getting hit in the face. SHUT UP!!!

All in all, it was the best Valentines Day EVER!

Casi


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Cafe’s With Free Wifi Rule My World and My Goal to Become a Superwoman Bus Commuter

February 11th, 2010 · Adventures, Job · By: Casi

So, like I said in the title: Cafe’s With Free Wifi Rule My World!!!

Finding cafe’s with free Wifi is like finding a bum on the bus. They’re everywhere!!!! I ventured out this week to the North Beach area during the morning commute in search of some free wifi and good coffee. It was quite the adventure getting through the crowds. The busses were filled with people in business suits and SUPER high heels. I kinda felt out of place in my jeans and sweatshirt.

It’s awesome to travel the streets on weekday mornings. The city has a completely different vibe than what I’m used to! School children walk hand in hand through the streets and old chinese women exercise in parks I usually get my drink on during movie night in the park.

Quick tip: Be prepared to get off the PACKED 30 bus WAY before your stop. I learned my lesson when I squeezed into one during peek commute hours and got pushed around by old men and women (of the asian persuasion). My stop came up and I literally couldn’t make it to the door in time to get off (which was in arms length of me)!

I can’t wait to be a part of the in crowd on my daily morning commute to work. Did I mention I finally landed my dream job?! More to come on that when I actually make it through my first week, which is NEXT WEEK!

I need to get the essential commuter gear since my goal is to become the ultimate …. ummmm …. superwoman bus commuter? I have to work on the title.

  • Starbucks coffee mug
  • Back pack to hold “work shoes” in
  • iPod music/podcasts (I’m pretty sure that’s what those little white strings that everyone has peeking out of their ears lead to)
  • Muni Pass protecter (which I’m excited about because whipping it out will make me feel like a police woman showing my awesome badge of authority!)
  • Rain Boots (which are on my Wish List)
  • Fancy Umbrella (I’m thinking leopard)

If you think of any other necessities let me know!

Casi

P.S. Beer is not ok on the bus unless you’re a bum


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Kimpton Hotel Adventure

February 5th, 2010 · Adventures · By: Casi

I have another confession to make: I have a weird obsession with chandeliers and hotels. Not necessarily together, but you can definitely find a lot of beautiful chandeliers in hotels. I know, it’s totally fricken weird! Sounds like something a 65 year old woman would be into. You know, the old lady retires and spends her life savings traveling the world with her mini dog and camera. Staying at all the nice hotels, taking pictures of beautiful things like chandeliers and street art. I think this is also known as a tourist. Awww CRAP! I’m a tourist in my own city! Oh well, I had fun! Let me take you on a tour of the Kimpton Hotels (and some stuff in between):

This window display just seriously creeped me out. I’m not exactly sure what bucket headed blue men have to do with the Barney’s on O’farrell and Stockton
I don’t personally have a dog yet (Yet being the main word in this sentence since I’m destined to become an old lady who travels with her mini dog), but it’s nice to see that all the Kimpton Hotels are dog friendly!
OooOoo Look! It’s chandelier #1 for the day. So, another reason I like hotels is their amazing architecture and interior design. It’s like having a brand new home for a day when you stay at a hotel. Does anyone else get excited by mini fridges? No? Just me?
I have to say, my favorite of all of the hotels I visited was the Hotel Monaco. Mostly because it was like walking into an Alice in Wonderland type adventure. I mean come on! Who else has random bunnies playing ring-around-the-rosy in their hotel?
These need to go on my Wish List. Seriously, these chairs rule! Hotel Monaco again.
This was the topper for me: A monkey smoking a cigar in a tree in the middle of Hotel Monaco. This hotel will definitely be one of my stops on my retirement road trip! Can you imagine what the rooms look like!
So, on my way to the next hotel I ran into this owl. It was lookin’ at me funny!
Naked jogger! Only in San Francisco!
Another chandelier! This time at the Prescott Hotel.
Chandelier #3. This was my favorite one. Absolutely beautiful. I can totally see that in my old school victorian home. That’s right, I’m 24 years old going on 60. Someone better get me a mini dog for my birthday (March 21st BTW).
This is me and the valet at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. This was the moment I officially became a tourist in my own city. No, I’m not embarrassed to admit it!
I want this dress from Saks Fifth Avenue! REMINDER: March 21st. Thank you very much!
This is me in Union Square. HI MOM! (I’m a tourist remember!)
My second favorite hotel was the Hotel Triton. A half man swimming in a pool with a rubber ducky! What’s not interesting about that!?!
Wish List! This is at the Hotel Triton, in case you were thinking of stealing it for me…
I’m pretty sure I can make this. It might have to be my next art project.
I visited China Town for the first time. I’ve been to the REAL China, so I wasn’t impressed. Although, it did smell better than the real China!
Found this interesting graffiti “art” down an alley in China Town. Don’t worry, Asians.com is definitely not as exciting as it sounds.
Once it started raining, the tourist adventure was over. Time for some beer and popcorn. The best way to end any day!

You can see the full set of my old lady tourist adventure here.

Have a lovely day!

Ugh! I’m old!

Casi

**********************************UPDATE**********************************
I just discovered that the man I took a picture with above is called a “beefeater”
Please tell me I’m not the only one who said “that’s what she said”
Anyone?Anyone?
No?
OK FINE!!!!!


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References? Can My BFF Kate Be a Reference?

February 3rd, 2010 · That's What Kate Said, Uncategorized · By: Casi

It’s customary to be asked for references when applying for a job. Makes sense. Your possible new employer wants to be sure you’re not some crazy serial killer or con artist who has come up with an elaborate plan to infiltrate their company. Well, today I received an email from my BFF Kate. You may have seen her past letter of recomendation for me. She pretty much has signed up to be head campaign leader for “Find Casi a Job.” It’s a real campaign, and YES I take donations. You know, for the cause and all.

Anyway, my whole point is, if I could add Kate as one of my references I would. The reason I don’t is I believe she may be a bit too vulgar. Therefor her letters of recommendation/encouragement go on my blog:

WARNING: The following is mostly comprised of facts. If you have any negative thoughts on any of the below statements; just consider it false information.

Actual email I received from Kate: 2:58pm Tuesday, February 2, 2010
[Subject] Things I want:
1. Casi
2. To be sitting on a couch drinking wine with Casi
3. To go shopping at Forever 21 with Casi while she steals fur vests
4. To snuggle with Casi in her Snuggie
5. To not have school like Casi
6. To be laying on the beach working on my tan with Casi
7. To be drunkinly eating a cheeseburger with Casi
8. Oooo, El Coyotes margaritas with Casi
9. To sit with Casi and invent more pet names for ourselves
10. To get a pedicure with Casi
11. To get a manicure with Casi
12. To not write Casi’s name when I am typing at work (this may or may not have happened like 30 seconds ago – allegedly)
13. TO GO POLE DANCING WITH CASI
14. A puppy which I can play with when I am with Casi
15. To be at Casi’s house in SF right now
16. To have an iphone like Casi
17. To play ispy games with Casi when she solves them and they are inappropriately funny
18. To make fun of bad hair days and falic sculptures with Casi after she solves ispy games
19. To live with Casi so my life would never be bleak and empty like now (OOOO, what if we did live together?!? Would we be the fighting roommates though? I hate most everyone I live with.)
20. To go to a gay bar with Casi
21. To go to a hula hoop class with Casi
22. To win the lottery so Casi and I can retire and play together every day
23. To make sure Casi knows this email is probably the creepiest email I have ever sent, and I meant every word
24. To make sure that Casi knows I am not interested in sexual relations with her – I’m here strictly on a snuggle basis
25. Also to make sure Casi knows if she ever talks about period shits with me, I might vomit
26. To go wine tasting with Casi (well, Darren and Greg can come along too because we need someone to drive and someone to pay)
27. To sit and pet Casi’s soft hair (bonus if it has been washed recently)
28. To learn how to be hardcore like Casi and drink beer
29. To learn how to be hardcore like Casi and speak geek
30. To wear sweats all day like Casi (this is purely an assumption, but I would assume you don’t put real clothes on, and if you do – WHY?)
31. To beat Casi’s boyfriend at a burping contest (which for the record I have not lost, I just get too drunk to remember said contest)
32. To one day wear my furry boots in public with Casi when she wears her furry boots
33. To own a bumpit and legitimately convince people Casi and I are related to Snooki from the Jersey Shore and we have been cast in season 2
34. To own a bumpit and just look at it’s amazingness (with Casi of course)
35. To have Katester be one of those words on Casi’s website that grows when you say it a lot – like beer (but I’m clearly superior)
36. For the world to one day revolve around me and Casi (well, more so than it does now)
37. To not get pregnant by November so I don’t have to name my child Casi – mostly cause I don’t like losing bets
38. – Too inappropriate for SanFranciscoNoobs.com – Casi
39. To apologize to Casi for the obscenesss of #38
40. Casi

There is more, but I have to pee, then I have to try and stay awake during a fascinating lecture on commercial transaction law…but mostly I’ll be thinking about Casi. <3

Casi
p.s. Beer


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Confession: I’m A Geek

January 31st, 2010 · Adventures, Noobs · By: Casi


I have a confession to make. I’m a geek!

I know! It’s hard to believe! Right? Ok, maybe it’s not that hard to believe.

Evidence of my geekyness includes the following:

  • First of all, my site has the word noob in it! I would have made it n00b, but I was afraid that was too geeky. (Only geeks understand the difference between noob and n00b)
  • I wear black rimmed glasses. At least they’re Dior! (Further evidence: I just had to remove my glasses to see what brand they were….don’t judge me!)
  • I have a monkey collection that I literally wouldn’t trade for a million dollars (it took me a lot of time and criticism to get this collection where it is today!) Picture above was taken a year ago. The collection has grown since, and does not include my monkey pj’s, socks, clothes, posters, lamp, etc. Yes, I’m embarrassed.
  • My boyfriend is a coder (so, I’m also a geek by association)
  • I own a shirt with a dinosaur on it (ok, FINE! Two!)
  • It makes me angry when people don’t use keyboard shortcuts for copy/paste (come on people! it’s not hard!)
  • I may or may not have nun-chuck skillz (yes, with a “z”)
  • I have to convince myself to finish a book after I find a grammatical error (their/there/they’re – it’s actually a pretty simple concept!)
  • Last but not least, I could listen to geeks talk all day about social networking, web design, start-up disasters, and computer security.

Which brings me to the source of my confession – Since moving to San Francisco, I have found a new hobby: Attending Tech Events.

There are a million events going on in this city and its surrounding areas. One of the most recent ones I attended was called She’s Geeky, held at the Computer Science Museum in Mountain View (I know! How appropriate is that!?!) About 50+ geeky women gathered together to talk about everything geeky. Every hour a diverse group of sessions were created to go over Tech Talk and Geek Speaking, Art and Tech, Podcasting, Community Management Strategies, and other topics that included acronyms I had never heard of. My favorites were: Social Design, Social Networks, Founders Group, and Startup Bootcamp.

If you haven’t fallen asleep yet or stabbed yourself in boredom….you get a cookie! I told you, I’m a geek! These things interest me and there is a big community of fellow geeks here in the holy land San Francisco, so I felt it relevant.

If anyone has tips on good geek meetups in the city let me know (WARNING: I may hug you if it also happens to be a FREE event that serves FREE cocktails). Also, if you see one of my many tweets about events I have signed up for, don’t be afraid to join me! I will hold your hand if necessary.

Casi


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