Where I live: Cupertino, CA

I get asked a lot, “How’s California?” And while it’s, at least mostly, just small talk from people that don’t really care, the question is accompanied by a problem: California is fucking huge.

So, instead, I tell them, in true small talk fashion, about Cupertino, where I both live and work. Well, uninterested people, here’s your damn answer:

This picture has it all. Sun. Clear skies. Mountains. Cars. Pavement.

And, if you look really closely, you’ll see a stick of RAM hanging from this man’s rearview mirror. (hint: click it for a larger version)

Yep, this is Cupertino. A bully could live out the rest of his days in a wedgie-givin’ paradise.

Thursday is going to suck

Oh, the agony.

Finally in California

Man, it sucks to be out here. Sucks like awesome.

Yeah, so, I’m in the CA for good. New apartment and the same job. I packed up all of my belongings, put what would fit into my car, parted with the excess, threw Pat into the passenger seat for entertainment, and drove from Boston to Cupertino.

Now I’m here with a pretty good sized two bed/two bathroom apartment and just one of me. I’ve acquired some of the basics – coffee and Pliny the Elder – and have begun to settle in.

Yet I have no furniture. None.

As I write this I wait for a response from a few craigslist people and contemplate how I can Ikea Hack everything I need. The Lack series is pretty versatile, but I’m not sure any combination will silence all the screaming, happy kids outside (very different from just screaming kids).

Excuse me while I go sit on my porch, in my imaginary rocking chair, and yell.

Observations on California – Part Two: Photo Edition

I’ve seen a lot of things out here in California. Things with my eyes. With the use of modern technology, a special eye with magic winking powers, I have captured colors and light and processed them so you can view them in stunning detail. Said special eye is actually affixed to my mobile telephone. This part is actually ancient technology, developed and refined by the Mayans, being used to address a modern problem: my need to incessantly over share.

It is my hope that I have crystallized these moments for you. Enjoy.

I start with something beautiful. Taken from some hills, mountains I guess, overlooking the Golden Gate bridge. But you can probably tell that.

I continue with the beautiful trend. While it is only a Sierra Nevada, knowing that I'm enjoying it in its homeland warms and soothes the soul. The fact that this hotel clearly do not pour full pints returns my soul to lukewarm.

Some people in California make some pretty poor signs. Despite Ron's obviously sharp mind, his store now looks like it is out of business.

Some people in California make some awesome signs.

Aaaand back to poor word choice. Found at Borders of all places.

Enjoyed?

Observations on California – Part One

I’m about half way through an 11 day trip to and around California, and I have a few things I would like to share.

First of all, never get up at 3:15 in the morning. If I didn’t habitually stay up that late then I probably wouldn’t have believed it existed. In fact, I motion to remove the hour of 3 AM from the 24-hour clock – let’s give it the 13th floor treatment.

Moving on to actual California:

• They have traffic lights halfway up highway on-ramps and right after toll booths. They call this metering. It is really just stupid.
• Getting anything “animal style” at In-N-Out is just asking for death. Straight up death. The best death ever.
• I saw a “U-turn OK” sign. This blew my mind.
• More to come.