I thought about sitting back and reading my book, A Might Heart, but my blog just seemed to intriguing to pass up. I couldn't wait any longer to write all about San Francisco.
The flight out there was long... very long and I was in the middle seat. That started the trip. We took a cab into the city and I wasn't quite sure we were going to make it. The cab drivers out there seriously have a death wish. For the first time, I was honestly scared for my life while riding in a car.
I think I'm going to have to time-line the trip around food. It was all so great. The first dinner I had was at Bistro Aix, and I had roasted chicken with green beans and roasted red potatoes. The chicken was cooked just right with just the right amount of crispiness to the crust. We had a wonderful Napa Valley Zinfandel, from Neal Vineyards in California. For dessert we had a warm chocolate cake with whipped cream and a creme brulee. Delicious. This dinner rating, +8 (on a scale of 1-10)
Then we worked the conference a little. For lunch we went to this local fresh deli with all types of wines, olive-oils, cheeses, meats, everything. It was awesome. We had a fantastic Caprese salad. It was so fresh and delicious. Was in heaven.
That night we went to an all organic restaurant and brewery, Thirsty Bear, and had some awesome beer. All the brewed beer was organic as well as the food. It was such a good feeling eating all organic. I had a Brown Bear beer, which had a perfect malt taste and aroma. For dinner we had artichoke, black olives, chick pea puree, manchego and white truffle oil flatbread; patatas bravas. fried potatoes with spicy brava sauce & lemon aioli; and dungeness crab-stuffed piquillos, lemon aioli, parsley oil & micro cilantro. Let me tell you, I didn't think i was going to like any of it, but it was all delicious and I loved every bit of it. This dinner rating, +8.5
Next Night: Hawaiian Asian fusion food. The apps were pretty good. The wine was good. But the entrees were a little plain and so so. Not my favorite meal. But that's alright. Rating: 5.5
After that the meals blended together and it nothing stood out.
The last night, we went to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It's just a bridge, but then again it is so much more. It is massive. Standing to the side of the bridge, you just feel so completely minuscule next to this thing. It really is a piece of work. I love pictures and took about 1000 while were there. But loved the one above the best.
Overall, I had a really wonderful experience in San Fran. But I have to tell you my favorite part may have been all the tranny's that live there. I was in Old Navy one day and there was this guy with full make-up and woman's clothes but totally not hiding the fact that he was a guy shopping in the woman's section. He was holding a shirt up to him, to like see if it would look good on him, and I really just wanted to be like, "It looks fabulous." But I couldn't spit out the words. It was fun though.
I have to say the other thing that really stood out about San Fran was the architecture. It was brilliant. So diverse and awesome. Every building had its own character and every building was different from the next. I love that. It reminded me of the type of architecture in Boston.
I highly recommend taking a trip to San Francisco when you get the opportunity. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I plan on going back as soon as I get a chance.
I moved into my new apartment yesterday and it is definitely different but it's a good feeling. I am slowly getting things into places. I am excited and will add some pictures soon of the place. The location is perfect. The view from my rooftop deck is awesome and I am just really excited about it all!
That's all from me!
-KT

California! Here we come!

I get to go to California next week! For work! I am really excited to go. I've never been to the west coast and I have to say I am ready for the adventure. I am ready for warm weather and I am ready to work! My company is attending the RSA Conference in San Francisco. We have developed a new site- Threatpost- and for all those who are not security nuts ( I am expecting no one that reads this is) you can learn all about security news there. It's a great resource, if I do say so myself. Anyways, I will be working the Threatpost Bloghaus... a booth for bloggers to come and hang out and write about what they are seeing at the conference. It's going to be a great networking opportunity and I think it's going to be an awesome overall experience.

I can't wait to wake up in the morning, go for a run and see all there is to see in San Fran. If anyone has been there and has any suggestions of what to see on my run, please let me know! I don't know how much free time I will have outside of the conference, so I have to squeeze as much in as I can on the runs.

Also, I found an apartment! I will be moving to Charlestown, not Charleston, May 2 and I am really excited. It's all a little nerve racking but it is going to be a great experience. I think this will be the first time that I am truly 'on my own'. So here I go and I am sure there will be plenty to blog about once I move. But so far when I tell people that's where I am moving, I get a great response and a 'oh you are going to love it'. I hope they are correct! There is a rooftop deck on top of my building with the greatest view of Boston. If I could live up there, I would. It's absolutely gorgeous! Can't wait for the wonderful 4th of July fireworks from the roof! If you are ever in Boston, you have a place to stay! Mi casa es su casa.

The new Dave Matthews Band single, Funny the Way It Is, is awesome! Even if you don't like DMB, I really think this album is going to be liked by everyone. There are also a couple other songs that are on YouTube, Spaceman and Why I Am, and they are old school DMB and it is a refreshing sound. Being a tribute album to Leroi, who passed away in August of last year, adds so much more to the album and makes it that much greater! RIP Roi. They are coming to Boston and playing at Fenwy Park May 29 and 30. Phish, Warren Haynes, and others will be joining them on stage, or so the rumors go. I really can't wait!

Well, I am going to quit blabbing for now.

Have a great night,
KB

Do MANners still exist?

So, here I am in this wonderful city of Boston. One would think there are endless possibilities to find an attractive male to share fun times with, laugh with, have a coffee with, you know the usual. Like I said, one would think. But guess what, it turns out there isn't. ( I'm sure there is, I just haven't found any yet, so I'm going with there are none, hang with me).

It all started a two weeks ago when my cousin and I went to a math geek and athlete theme party. Yes, I am a fan of theme parties and obviously I dressed as a geek (ruler in hand). So at this party, an attractive male lurked next to the table. I being a weak one for the lurking sort, made eye contact then looked away, not making anything of it. I am making conversation with my cousin and one of her friends from work and when I turn around, lurker is there and still cute. Naturally, I introduce myself. I have to say he was a little shorter when he was in front of me than when he was lurking next to the table farther away. Anyway, conversation was good, music was good, my drink was even better. As the night wound down and people started leaving, the cous and I decided it was probably time to head out. Mr. Lurker asked for the number. I felt like being nice that night and allowed him my number.

He called. On Monday (waited the whole two days to call). Anyways, he asked if I wanted to go out. blah blah, long story short, we did... we went to an awesome restaurant. However, the part that makes this story all worth the back story, this kid had NO and I mean absolutely NO table manners. How does a guy ( I forgot to mention he was much older) not have table manners with a girl he is trying to impress. I was appalled. One, he reached across my plate to grab something, that he could have easily asked for with a please and thank you. I really wouldn't have minded the interruption. Then, he scarfed his food down. I was barely finished with one bite before he was on to the next dish ( we had Tapas). It was by far the most disheartening date I have been on in a long time. The only good thing was is that he paid even when I offered to split. So we are leaving and my car was parked far away so he drove me to my car... the inevitable awkwardness pursued and he tried to go in for the kiss, don't worry, I slid the cheek in there right in time. I know, I am a pro!

Do manners exist anymore? Is it something that I have to get over and accept that guys don't have manners? I hope not. I really hope not. So until the next date, match.com it is. JUST KIDDING.

Hasta Pasta,
Katie

the end of the world or april fools?

not really but that's at least what some people are saying. so i work for an internet security company. from this, i have developed a huge capacity for nerdness. yes nerdness, i made it up and it's mine. so i am well-informed about all the viruses and worms and all the crazy crap that goes down on the internet. well, there is this worm that some are saying is going to crash the internet on wednesday. but no one knows for sure just what conficker, that's the name of the worm, will do. some say it will shut down anti-virus web sites, like ours (kaspersky), symantec, mcafee... those guys. then others are saying it's just a bunch of hype for april fools and nothing is going to happen. but seriously no one knows.

so it's been this big countdown and waiting game and it will all play out in the next day and it's kind of exciting to see what will happen. at the same time, it could be bad. but we have taken precautionary measures to try and defeat the worm if it does try and do something. so the way this worm works, is that it has developed a botnet which is a network of infected computers. so all these infected computers are just getting a message to call home to the 'mother ship' if you will for directions. and that's what will happen on wednesday if something is to happen. all these computers will call the main computer that is spreading the worm and get directions on what to do. the worm has infected, i think, over 9 million computers.

so it's a lot of what ifs and whens and maybes, so i guess we will see what will happen. if there is still an internet on wednesday i will update you on what happened at work. and we will definitely be busy trying to calm people down if something happens. so it could very well be a fun day at work.

oh and i miss the south. never ever thought i would say it but i do. there is my public announcement.

snow storm

i woke up this morning and it felt like i was in school again. i looked out my window and prayed for a snow day. after the weekend, i would have been happy to get out of the house and go into work. but all the excitement behind the snow made me happy to have a 'snow day.' however, it wasn't a snow day at all. i didn't leave the house and i worked all day. (i played with my niece a little too) i could get used to working at home all snuggled up in my warm fleece throw and my jammies watching the wintry wonderland that was brewing just outside the window. and tomorrow when i wake up, it'll be a different story. i will not be as happy as i was today because most likely i will be pushing my car up the drive way to get it out of the snow and ice. and the wintry wonderland won't be so wonderful.

so i'm looking for an apartment. let me tell you it is something i am not enjoying. it stinks. i don't want to go through a realtor so i am trying to do the hunting and searching on my own. it's hard. i have gone to probably 5 or 6 different places hoping that it is going to be the one. come to think of it, it's a lot like dating. there is the awkward first date... the first email describing yourself and selling yourself... the second date, another email exchange to discuss the deets and when you will come by to check out the apartment. Third date--- moving fast here--- you actually go to the apartment to check it out. It's the awkward "Hi, i'm katie and i'm awesome and i want to be your roommate." But then you start looking around and it's not so nice anymore and you have to think of things to get you out of it. It is awkward. So then you leave and they are like be in touch and you're like yep sure will... not. That is the break-up. No more dates. Then you're back to the dating game. Will the next apartment be my true love? I can only hope because i am sick of dating.

until another blurp blops into my head...
-katie

intentions

• i log on here everyday with full intentions of posting a new blog. but i read so many blogs during my time at work that i feel by the time i get here... i'm out of ideas, and that everyone else has way more important things to say. i feel like i am cluttering the space that could be used for better words and thoughts. but hell. i just feel like typing something so here it is. a bunch of rambling on... bare with me if you want.
  

this morning the first thing i did was watch the train wreck that is joaquin phoenix. i don't know if you had the pleasure of seeing the derailment but it was definitely worth the 10 minutes. i have never seen such an awkwardly ridiculous interview. it was insane. cbs has put a copyright on the video so the link is just snip-it. i would recommend trying to find the whole thing. 

so working for this security software company has been an interesting adventure. i have turned into a huge nerd who is afraid of surfing on the internet. i am afraid of catching a drive-by-download. i feel safe with my mac on my lap, but you know what, hackers are crazy. and with the recession, i don't see why there won't be more hackers trying to make a buck or two. it's a scary internet world, so this is my warning to you. be careful.

last week, i had the wonderful opportunity to experience some joyful sounds from james morrison at the paradise club in boston. he was great. he didn't perform too long, but i don't think he could have gone any longer, he was giving it his all. it was good. however, i have to say the highlight of this was his opener, erin mccarley. she is true beauty. we were situated on the side of the stage so we didn't have a great view of the front of the performers. so all i heard was her voice, but i think i enjoyed that better. i'm there to hear people sing, not look at them be pretty and sing. that's just too much. so when i got home that night, i looked her up, she is gorgeous and has a gorgeous voice... clearly, jealous and bitter towards her, but i like her. i recommend if you like pretty girls who can sing, to check her out. that being said, i really want to pursue some sort of singing gig. i sing all the time and i love to and i feel like i have a decent sounding voice and i love to perform. so i have my guitar up here and as soon as i bring it to the shop to get restrung and tuned, i will be back at it, learning the chords and getting reblistered. it's all for the best though. i am looking forward to this challenge. keep an eye out for me... ha.

i am working on trying to find an apartment to call my own. seeing as though i currently live with my sister and her family, i just feel as though it is time for me to be "on my own." so the apt. search has started and i am enjoying it. i am meeting a lot of interesting characters to put it nicely. i met with a girl yesterday and i can't tell you how many times she said she watched tv and that she loved tv. don't get me wrong... i enjoy leisurely tv, but when it takes over your life. it's time to think seriously about the situation. so i don't think that one will be a go. i went to check out another apt today and loved it. the people were great. the apartment was fun and close to everything i love and it was just a good vibe coming out of the walls. i like that feeling. 

• sorry about the formatting. i got bored and thought it would be different....

today was a good day.

and today was a good day.

a good day to wake up and think of what's to come

a good day to walk with your head held high

a good day to feel like part of something bigger

it felt good to look up and see a strong man

it felt good to look up and see a happy man

it felt good to look up and see a strong, happy man

gladly taking my hand and your hand and leading us along

today i was proud to be me

today was a day when no one was too weak

today proved that i can be me

today proved that you can be you

it was a happy day, a proud day

it was an emotional day

it was a joyful song

it was a song for us all to sing

today was a history lesson

today is no longer yesterday

today was a new day

today was a good day