Bicoastal Tales: Spring 2011 SF Work Adventure

I’m back in NYC and predict that this recent trip is worth documenting for future Daniela. I spent the last four months working for Current TV in San Francisco, with a short stint at the LA office. I also went to the Sundance Film Festival in January (my first time at the fest).

What I regret the most is that I didn’t blog or keep a physical journal. Thankfully, I did take many mental notes 🙂 as well as some photos. I still haven’t gone through my 7D cards, but I wanted to share some memories and Droid snaps with you all.

When I wasn’t with my family, I bonded with my flatmates in my Oakland sublet, explored SF — the city I made many trips to on my own ages  17-22 — after work, road around on the BART, and marveled at how much Oakland is becoming this mecca for artists and activists (and noting the permutations of gentrification).

So much has happened in the past four months — I left New York in a long-term relationship and returned single; I discovered a miracle skin product that I am in love with; I defined my future parenting goals; etc. But here are the top 10 highlights (NOT in order of importance) from my trip that I hope are beneficial to anyone who stumbles across this and are curious about what it’s like to make a home for yourself on both coasts:

1. Cali People Vs. New York People

Only after spending several months back in Cali can I finally admit to myself that this stereotype is true: Cali people are most definitely more laid back (generally speaking) than east coasters, particularly when it comes to office personalities in a media environment. East coasters are more direct/cut to the chase and tend to be workaholics who party as hard as they pursue their endless goals. Cali folks like to make small talk, are more likely to go on lunch breaks (a totally healthy thing to do!), and take work/life balance more seriously.

One of the greatest gifts to myself while in Cali was cultivating a stronger ability to chill the fuck out and to connect with different personality styles. I may be from Cali, but I definitely have an – ahem – more “intense” personality than the average Cali person and I appreciated the chance to balance myself out. I’ve promised myself that from now on I am going to eat while at work, take breaks (when possible), and value my own peace of mind just as much as I value my work environment.

2. Salmon Salad At South Beach Cafe in San Francisco

I literally ate here about three times a week just to have this salad. It is in my Top 3 foods of all time. I would take a leisurely stroll down Embarcadero and treat myself to this delicious meal. I am actually a little sick of salmon at this point… I’m lying. I crave this salad and hope I can find an east coast equivalent!!!

The only salmon salad that came close to this was the one I had in Utah while at Sundance in January. It was pretty orgasmic too:

3. Nolita Selector, Fruitcake, And The SF/Oakland/East Bay Queer Scene

My flatmate Nolita turned out to be an amazing, intelligent, and charming young woman who also happens to be a talented DJ/photographer/party promoter/Jill of all creative trades (thanks for hooking it up, B!). I never did end up going to any of Nolita’s Fruitcake parties (womp) but we did spend a lot of time bonding in the kitchen and I met her mom, so that’s cool, right? This blurb in OP Magazine describes her better than I could. As does this video from one of her parties:

I do regret never going to any of her Fruitcake parties — I saw a bunch of raw footage while she was working with her editor and it looks super fun.

I am hoping she moves back to NYC very soon so hopefully we can collaborate on something together.

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Finding Obama: Inauguration Weekend Tales, Pt.1

The closest I’ve come to President-Elect Obama was last fall, when I pretended to shake this cardboard cut-out version’s hand in Union Square.

It’s incredibly surreal, being able to look forward to a progressive president who I actually care about. I have a huge grin on my face because a few hours ago I was told that in less than ten days, I’ll be in D.C. (my first time) for inauguration weekend!!! I’ll be working with my colleagues to cover many aspects of the ceremony and related events.

My role will be as an additional shooter and digital producer. It’s going to be an amazing, historic event and I am thrilled to be a part of it in any capacity. I was working through election day in November and missed out on celebrating in the streets with my friends. This more than makes up for that.

When I was in elementary school, I remember one of my teachers saying there will never be a black president. This was the same teacher who skipped over the Martin Luther King, Jr. chapter in our history book. This was the same teacher who spoke glowingly about manifest destiny and ridiculed me for daring to challenge that. This was the same teacher who made me dress up as an indian for our Thanksgiving project and wondered why I was offended. I wonder, what is she telling the students now? 🙂

It’s tiny actions that alter world views. My mother owning her own business altered my world view (based on everything I was exposed to) that Latina women were property and not supposed to be independent. Obama deciding he would ignore negativity and not give up has changed history. Obama’s candidacy inspired my long-standing Republican step dad Larry to change parties, just so he could vote for Obama. Tiny actions change the world.

I am hoping while I am in D.C. that maybe – just maybe – I’ll get the chance to shake Obama’s hand.

It may not happen, but still. Even the idea that it could be possible blows my mind.

ps: My initials are D.C.

IT’S DESTINY! 😛