Friday brought a European-style commute to work, as I sported my Formal Friday attire on bike. It only half back fired on the way home when my dress turned into a sail, sending me in the wrong direction. All around good day, though, since I got to connect with Amy & Carrie on baby-related matters.

Yesterday, Myrna got her first U-lock treatment with a parking meter. I fretted about her safety all 10 minutes I was in Walgreens. Baby steps.

Later in the afternoon, I biked over to Kali’s new place on Telegraph Hill. It was only 2 miles but turned out to be the most treacherous bike ride to date: pot holes, uneven pavement, and having to cross rail tracks at

<45-degree angles. It physically hurt. I couldn't find a single reason Columbus could be considered a bike route.

Regardless of your choice of transportation, there's no easy way up to Telegraph Hill. I gave up and walked my bike by halfway up Union St. Once I made it, it was a steep ride down Montgomery. I was leaned back, pumping the brakes and praying to the physics gods that I wouldn't flip forward. My alternate route up would have involved carrying my bike up the Filbert Steps (which Google Maps recommends, so I sent them an email suggesting that was poor advice and it would take longer than 1 minute to go that .1 mile…horizontally into a cliff).

The inaccessibility of this neighborhood is half its charm, though. You're rewarded once you make it up with the silent serenity of neighborhood gardens creeping in around walkable streets (sidewalks). And views of the bay peek through gaps in the tree branches.

Kali & I hung a window shade in her bedroom (iPhone level app ftw). We celebrated our achievement with a high-five. We ran to Safeway to get more ingredients for our taco night, and I got to experience the Filbert Steps for myself as we parked at the base upon our return. Two of Kali’s friends who also moved here from Arkansas joined us later in the evening. It was a fun night of good food, funny stories, and embarrassing confessions. Nice to talk to other people who had been through the same experience of acknowledging they would never return to the places they left.

A highlight was managing to get ourselves locked out on the patio at 11 PM. Still have no idea how the door got locked. We had 2 phones but fortunately, the upstairs neighbor was home (and awake) and kindly responded to our plea for help. Our attempts to shimmy the lock with random wire we found on the deck was unsuccessful (iPhone flashlight app ftw).

I ended up spending the night which was a great decision. Kali’s cat who had been cut off from her litter box was pleading for help at 5:30 AM. When I stepped in to the living room, I was greeted by two walls of glass that presented the Bay Bridge at dusk.

For so many months, I’ve woken up to the same radio station, located near Kali’s apartment, and heard their awe at the sunrise over Bay Bridge. I’d only ever been able to see the sunset behind Golden Gate Bridge. It was exciting to experience the other side for once. I went all camera-happy for the next 30 minutes (too bad my panorama is overexposed) until I saw the sun sneak up the horizon. I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced a sunrise like this morning’s. Watching the city go from a cool blue to a glowing yellow right before my eyes and feeling the warmth on my face was intoxicating.

After soaking up the view while enjoying some chocolate cake, I decided to hit the road. Before I got too far, I had to check out the view of all the classic SF buildings that were in view. If only SF could always be like it is at 7 AM on a Sunday. The ride was just as bumpy, but I was alone on the road. It was a little surreal peddling along normally traffic-packed roads without a car in sight. I confronted the North Point hill for the first time since that very first commute home from work and I conquered it (barely). It took over a month, but I have noticed definite improvements in my biking abilities. Phew.

I did some early morning grocery shopping (no surprise pancakes & turkey bacon were on the menu for lunch), crashed for a few more hours, and after a call with Tyler, enjoyed a really long video chat with Adam. Tonight is the series finale of LOST. Big weekend. Next weekend will be even bigger with the arrival of the Bancroft’s!