Slight Detour

Well, I have been in San Francisco for 39 days and it is time to move on. Unfortunately, my trip to San Diego is going to have a little detour by way of Massachusetts. If I had a dollar for every dream I have in my head, they would all be adequately funded.

A few of the 5 people that read this blog will probably have an initial reaction of concern and condolence, but that is not necessary. Flying back to Massachusetts does not indicate failure on my part. It does not indicate the end of my adventure. I does not depress me. Who else could get a 39 day "vacation" in SF with a $1500 budget? How many people have ever even crossed the Rockies, or seen the Pacific Ocean? I have been back and forth across this country in the last few years an unbelievable number of times. I have lived in two amazing cities since graduating four months ago from college. Since college I have met easily 1000 people. Life is good.

If you are still wondering why I am going back, I'll try to explain. This whole process was full of fun, but I have also learned a lot. Finding the right type of work is not as easy as one would think. My time line was a little different than everyone else, namely that I was in a rush. I should have started the job search train a little earlier. My family would love to see me, and I would love to see them - regardless of how much I detest the cold winter. I am sure something will work out, and in the near future, I am sure that I will be doing a fair bit of traveling. I won't be tied down.

So I have two days left here in San Francisco, and I haven't quite figured out how to best spend them. However, getting up early and getting a full day in sounds like a good start.

Goodnight.

Marin Headlands - I finally found the rain.

In an attempt to maintain my sanity, and to reduce the stress that's been building up as a result of the job hunt, I went out to the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Recreation Area. It was the first time I have seen the fog so thick that the bridge was hidden. I did not stop at the place where we normally do, and hike down to the beach at Kirby Cove Campground. Instead, I kept driving along Conzelman Rd. all the way around and to Rodeo Lagoon and Rodeo Cove. I stopped at several places along the way, at a few different bunker sites. There was one in particular that was so quiet. It was the first time in days that I haven't had the sound of traffic, or people talking, or music, or anything related to the city as white noise. Even with the thick fog, I could hardly keep my eyes open because of how bright it was. I lay there on my back for quite a while, trying to forget everything and just think abstractly about how God is good, always - and that nothing matters but Him.

Driving along the winding road in thick fog caused me to reflect on how similar my life was to that experience. I feel like I have been winding back and forth for a while now, in a fog of uncertainty, doubts, un-answered questions, stress, etc... I spent time praying that God would grant me a spot of clarity - both figuratively and literally. You can see at the bottom what I eventually found.






I think I arrived right after it turned red.

Sausalito Rainbow

Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man

I read this today on the way back from an interview in Redwood City.  It was oddly encouraging, or at least impacting.  I typed it out for others to read and to contemplate.  It comes from a book I have called Thoughts from the Diary of a Desperate Man that was given to me by family friends for graduation.  I am getting deperate ... It is applicable.

...

For I am God and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘my counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish my purpose.’ Isaiah 46:9... 

The Twin Pillars of Faith 

If you desire a satisfactory relationship with God, two pillars must be firmly anchored in your life.  You must believe that He is in control and that he had your best interest at heart.  

The sovereignty of God must be a deeply held conviction.  When my son was dying of leukemia, a friend wrote, “I don’t know how this tragedy came about, but I do know that it did not come from God.  God is not in the business of killing little children.”  As I pondered this observation, I concluded that if God did not kill my son, then I have a far greater problem than my son dying.  I worship a god who is not in control.  God was not sitting on the edge of the universe chagrined over the disease that ravaged my son’s life.  As I help my son in my arms while he slipped into eternity, I knew that I was experiencing the beautiful handiwork of God.

This naturally leads to the second essential pillar: The goodness of God.  God is good.  He is incapable of doing anything but good.  The debate, like so many debates in life, is overt who gets to determine what good looks like.  Do you truly believe that the huts of life come from the hand of a good God who only does what is best for you?

The writer of Hebrews, quoting from the Psalmist says, “the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”  There are only two people in life that can hurt you: you and God.  Because He is good, seeking only your best, in the final analysis, only you can destroy your life.  He does not delegate your destiny to Satan or any other force on earth.  

Without these pillars firmly embedded in your convictions, you will find it difficult to survive the storms of life. 

...

Look Closely

I was at the Apple store with Jesse and this guy was walking around and checking out some of the computers. What in the picture does not belong?

New and Old

On the Left - Boston Clam Chowder
On the Right - Anchor Steam Draft

A little Boston mixed with a little San Francisco

This was my "celebration" gift of a meal to myself after recieving a job offer, which I subsequently declined due to ethical considerations.

Eerily Similar

Again on the topic of Trader Joe's and Wine. I saw this wine on the shelf and it reminded me of a certain first batch of beer I made over Christmas break. Maybe this is the California version of the Massachusetts happiness I brewed.



I apologize for it being blurry. The top picture here is the wine - Project Happiness Syrah


This was batch one last Christmas.

J.W. Morris

Those in my immediate family will appreciate this the most, however, I am sure many others can figure out at least the most basic level of why this wine is so Awesome. All of the reasons are listed below the pictures.


1. JW Morris almost equals WJ Morris - my name, my dad's name, and my grandfather's
2. This wine was purchased from Trader Joes
3. Unlike Massachusetts, California allows TJ's to be awesome like that
4. The wine ranges from being decent to very good - not a bad one yet
4. The wine is from California
5. It's $2.99 a bottle

SF Giants v. CO Rockies

The other night Jesse, Mike, Jeff and I went to a Giants game at AT&T park down along the water of the bay. We showed up a little late but caught most of the game. Afterward we went to a bar called "The 21st Amendment." The have a beer they call "Watermelon Wheat" and that's exactly what it is. I had their IPA, which was pretty good.

Ocean Beach

I have returned to "Ocean Beach" several times in the last few weeks. It is the beach where I attended the bonfire. I've spent a fair bit of time sitting on the beach reading, or just walking for a few miles up and down the beach in thought. It's a little bit of a hike to get out to the beach, but it has developed into a location of tranquility and rejuvenation. I've had a few slight revelations there.

Night of Painting

Jeff, Mike and I had a night of painting out on the balcony. This is what I ended up with. I really like it except for the lighthouse. Doesn't quite fit.

Ocean Beach and PArk Chalet brewery

Last night I went to a bonfire on the beach with City Church, the church I have been attending since I've arrived. It was fairly cold and windy, but the locals said it was nothing. Granted, they weren't wearing shorts like I was. I met a guy named Chris and we went across the road to a restaurant and brewery. There was live music, and it was the first live music I have had since Pittsburgh. I was going through withdrawl and they were awesome.

Coit Tower

There is a tower near downtown called Coit tower. It was going to cost $5 to go to the top, so I didn't. However, the views are very nice and the grounds around the tower were gorgeous as well.

Sam's Cafe

Mike and I went up to Tiburon this last Wednesday afternoon to see the area and get dinner. We asked around for a restaurant on the water and were sent here. Upon parking, we saw a sign for a free wine tasting with Windsor winery. Then we went to Sam's. When you first walk in, it feels like a bar. There is a bar, there is liquor behind the bar, there are barstools, etc. When you walk through the "bar" you go out to a back deck on the water. You can actually sail up to it, tie off your boat, eat, and sail away. The only downside of being on the water is the seagulls. The waiter gave us a large cloth napkin with the warning that we may need to toss it over our food if one of the seagulls divebombed our table.

I make the point about the bar beacause they don't have anything on draft. It was weird.

The windiest road

San Francisco's windiest road is often featured in magazines and in classic black and white photos.





the squeaking is an old jeep wagoner behind me with an old and grumpy lady that lives on the hill, she honked trying to get people to go down faster.

Apologies again

I apologize again for the delay in posting. The last week has been somewhat uneventful, and yet - full. The most recent post tells about my trip to Mcnears beach. Unfortunately, there was poison oak at the beach, which I had no idea about. I have been under full on poison oak attack for the last 10 days. I have been to the doctor twice for shots and medicine, and still it continues to spread. Right now it is 6 am here, and I am writing because I have yet to fall asleep due to incurable itching and nervousness induced by the large quantities of cortisone in my system. The doctor gave me a shot today that he said "would easily take care of a 6'3'' - 270 pound man." He also warned me I wouldn't be able to sleep. I thought he was joking.

I went down to Santa Clara last night for dinner with Jeff at Chris Andrew's apartment. Chris is a gcc entrepreneurship grad like me.

The next few posts will be recaps of what I've failed to put up this week.

Mcnears Beach

Closeup of a jellyfish and the rocks stuck to it. Makes an awesome background for the computer.


Mike and I went for an adventure up north past Sausalito. We saw what looked like a pendant hanging from a root way up on a cliff. It took about an hour to get it since it was in such a precarious spot, and once we got it we realized that it was a very large weight for deep water fishing. It had about 4 hooks on it as well. There were hundreds of dead jellyfish along the shore. We "caught" what we think was once a stingray.