the good life
Bits and bytes: This week I finally felt “at home” at work. I did things that needed to be done, and I understood the how and why of them. I attended meetings that made more sense. I felt comfortable enough around my new coworkers that I could let a little more of my personality come out to play. I even went to a work-related happy hour, and had a really good time. My iPod mini, Magritte, died. He started to act up a month or so ago; the scroll wheel stopped scrolling unexpectedly, and the screen faded to the point of illegibility. This week he just … keeled over. The screen was trying to do something, as was the scroll wheel, but neither were willing to function enough for him to be usable. It made me sad, but I got over it after I took...
Read Moregnat poem
New poem, no title, first draft, your feedback requested: The weekend of the gnat infestation — I still think they were gnats and not fruit flies — we spent hours in solid concentration with the gadget, the electrified tennis-racket contraption, the thing that killed sometimes silently, sometimes with a sparkler-sized spark. Tiny bodies piled up. Brown or grey bodies too small in motion to see piled up. Suddenly we were a team again, banded together despite last weekend’s argument: Red Team All Systems Go. Was it the gnats, the series of bugs with brains and wings smaller than dust that somehow outfoxed us? We fight something we can barely see, and leave the rest for whatever comes whenever. I hope these are with you. I’ll answer your question...
Read Moreheavy boots
From Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close: “You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness.” I wish I didn’t have firsthand experience of this. Week Three of the new job proceeds apace. I am more settled but less certain. The people around me are consistently clear and open. Lunches alone and not at my desk are strange, but needed. The memory of the library lingers like afternoon sun; I know its light will be gone soon, and I’ll only remember the warmth. Tuesday was my first morose day in a month. It used to be the reverse, a month of moroseness with one happy day. So I note the small accomplishments. And the book I quoted? It is astounding. I would write more, but...
Read Morelucky me
I must live in San Francisco when my day includes: a chair massage at work (thanks, anonymous and mostly silent massage person) yummy Mexican food in SoMa (thanks, MSG) new body jewelry (thanks, Nick from Nomad) a haircut following aromatherapy-enhanced scalp massage (thanks, Emily from Fringe Salon) I love this place. Also, I did some work today. I made many mistakes, but I understand why now, and how not to do it again. Also, I understand the importance of documenting the crap out of everything, because it helps people like me who have no real clue what’s going on but must stumble through anyway. The world did not explode, plus I got things done and people thanked me for them. That felt pretty awesome. I also finally figured out which way the...
Read Moretwo good
I just got in from a memorable evening with friends at a French-Californian restaurant in Jackson Square called Myth. We had entertaining conversation over excellent food, and also managed to surprise the MSG with a lemon tart from Bay Bread to celebrate his birthday last Sunday. Though coordinating the surprise was a little challenging, every bit of it was worth the smile on his face. (He surprised me first, two and a half years ago, with this wonderful birthday cake.) The evening’s special, gnocchi with peas and paper-thin sliced black truffles, was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten, and the lemon tart was the perfect end to an exquisite meal. I cannot recommend Myth and Bay Bread enough. If you have a chance to experience both in one shining...
Read Morecity forgotten
Sounded like gunshots, quite a few of them and in rapid succession, in the general direction of Western Addition about 15 minutes ago. I had just parked my car when I heard MANY cop cars’ sirens. I’m still hearing them. Nothing yet on SFGate. And nothing about the 911 message on the bus yesterday. San Francisco is one of those magical places that lets some of us forget, for months at a time, that it isn’t a city. For better or for worse.
Read Morebees above and below
I don’t know how long it will take for me to get used to this new sort of life, but I’m writing it all down so I have a clearer idea of how I deal with this sort of overwhelming change. I met many intriguing people during my first week of the new job. I was prejudiced before, assuming that only boring people were in or linked to finance. It’s a lie; there are interesting people everywhere, if only you pay attention. I was taken out to lunch every day last week, which was definitely a new experience for me, and one I know won’t continue but still. Wow. Food. I love food. So much food. Of course, this brings me to the inevitable: I have to find a new gym! But that will sort itself out after the first paycheck. This weekend has been...
Read Morefigure out what what means
People who have expressed concern, do not be concerned! Not about me, anyway! I am alive and well and embracing my most excellent new job. I am on a four-person team and they are all awesome. No, we are all awesome. The awesomeness oozes from our every pore. Okay, grossed myself out there. At one point during the new-hire orientation on Monday, I wrote in my notebook: “Figure out what the hell xtewoitweroignergnbr means.” … where xtewoitweroignergnbr was something so incomprehensible to me I couldn’t figure out how to spell it or even sound it out. A lot of the week thus far has been like this. I am surrendering to my own ignorance, and it feels surprisingly good. What also feels good? A twenty-minute desk-to-desk commute.
Read Moreunromanticized
I am back from Seattle. I had a wonderful time. Jen was a fantastic hostess. I took some photos. I wrote many pages in my diary. It was the perfect transitional mini-vacation. Except for the train. You see, I have this tendency to romanticize things, not everything, mind you, but quite a few things, and I’ve learned not to do it too much with people these days but I still do it with concepts, like, let’s say, a trip up the coast on a train. In my diary, I decided to illuminate my train travel tips for everyone: Bring earplugs, because there are a hundred ill-behaved, ugly little children whose parents sugar them up at all hours and then let them loose. Bring a blanket or extra layer of clothing, because the train is kept at a frigid 60...
Read MoreNestcam
The cam was last on Friday, May 4.
Hello What
I am Halsted, a/k/a cygnoir, and I do stuff with words.
My favourite things to do with words are keeping this diary, writing stories, and organising information.
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Tenacious D
6 days, 16 hours and 3 minutes ago - To Be The Best
Tenacious D
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Tenacious D
6 days, 16 hours and 5 minutes ago
Plugging
