janislam

Later Gators

To the .8 of you who actually read this - I’m officially done packing.  Officially done cleaning.  And in the process of putting the last few remaining items in my car.  I was hoping to write something witty, something insightful, and potentially inspiring but…let’s face it.  I’m 1) exhausted and 2) not so great with words.  Perhaps after I catch a few zzzz’s I’ll be more coherent.  (As I just tried spelling insightful 3 times. 1 = insiteful 2 = ensiteful 3 = insightfull).

So with the last remaining juice I’ve got on the laptop and moments before unplugging the Internet completely - I’m just gonna say, later gators.

It’s been a pleasure getting to know you - I’d like to thank everyone for their kindness, friendship, and concern - you’re all awesome.  Thanks for showing me parts of yourselves, parts of San Francisco (and the rest of the Bay Area), and even for showing me a bit about myself.   You’ve played an important role in my life - we’ve had fond moments, tough times, and great laughter.  Thanks for the memories. 

I wish you the best of luck in life - may you find your heart’s desires, true passion, and ultimate happiness.

precious cargo

For all the SF Bay Area residents - you are probably aware that taking the trash out is a fraking pain.  Don’t get me wrong - I’m just as green as the next person but there is something quite unsavory about throwing away standard food particles into an open bin.  I mean yes, we can purchase compost bags (read: I’m too cheap) or keep rolling food in brown bags (which btw is a specialty of mine now - perhaps I can list it as a SKILL on my resume?)  But if you’re too cheap/lazy to do either, much like myself, you’re left with a maggot infesting smelly garbage bin.  Sexy image huh?  Yeaaaaaaaaah baby.

But last week, I heard the most beautiful words formed in the English language:

“I’ll trade you water for trash”

Not at all high society, not even complex words - yet to me, it was a beautiful as a devotional prayer.

A buddy of mine lives in the Tri Valley of Northern California.  If you were to speak with him, his top three pet peeves would be 1) the water, 2) the water 3) the water.  Needless to say, he’s not exactly fond of Tri Valley water.  He even takes it to such an extreme that he has two filtration systems up and running at all times. 

During a visit to the City, he bitched about the water and I bitched about my smelly garbage.  (I never said we were interesting people.  But perhaps at this junction, I should make a point that I am a complainer.  Take heed people. You’ve been warned).  We bitched it out at The Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and even Naan N’ Curry. 

But in one miraculous gesture, our problems were solved.  As I passed him a glass of Grade A San Francisco tap water - he uttered the words, “I’ll trade you water for trash.”  At first the statement was greeted with a melodious bursts of laughter. But as the sound quieted, we realized - we hit the jackpot.  He could smuggle out my smelly sometimes overflowing garbage and I could supply him with all the great tasting tap water he wanted. 

((and let’s face it folks, I TOTALLY got the better end of the deal here! - yunnow, what can I say? It’s the Chinese in me))

So last night, we tried out Operation Smuggle Trash Supplying Water - and it was a success!  I will definitely be running this operation again.  Who’s with me!? You know you are! :) 

From my sanitary garbage bin to yours - take it easy,

Janis