Reinvent Yourself

     I feel like I'm always trying to reinvent myself.

     I am never really happy with where I am in life. There's always something I think I can change or do to make things more enjoyable or likable. At the end of the day, I'm a type of person where I want everyone to notice me, like me, and remember me. As conceited and shitty as it sounds, I am that person.

     Maybe reinvent isn't the best word but I feel like I'm trying to change so someone will notice me for who I am and respect what I stand for as a person - my ideals, my thoughts, and my feelings.

     I've never really fit in to a certain group. People can say that it's because I bounce from group to group but it isn't by choice. I always get situated into this amazing group of friends that I feel like I belong and then next thing you know, I realize I don't. Everyone I know has someone they grew up with and are best friends with forever. I've never had a person like that. There is only so much of a bond you can build with certain people. You can't expect something to form over a period of years that wasn't there to begin with. And that's my problem, I think. I keep expecting something amazing from my friends and how they will want to be my friend. When in reality, I just want them to be my friend.

     When it comes down to it at the end of the day, I just feel like I don't belong. How many times do I have to bounce around till I can feel accepted? Maybe I don't need to do that when I reinvent myself. I'll be able to feel accepted by myself and other people will come to me.

     Who knows.

/thoughtsofthedayover

Lately.

      So lately I've been having this internal conflict on the way I write. I can't really seem to figure out how to write. There's no real certain way I want to write but I just feel like I should be able to portray my feelings to where others will comprehend. It's tough. I can't seem to get it right.

     I can write perfectly fine when I'm talking about the most trivial things. But when it comes to something I'm passionate about, I freeze. I can't seem to write about cars or my damn book. What am I supposed to do? Giving up on writing isn't an option because that's just some stupid shit. Seriously. So the only option is to keep writing and trying to figure out the style I write in?

     I'm trying one of those things where I just keep writing and flowing. I'm not stopping and just putting down whatever is in my mind in words.

     Fuck.

Blacksmith

     The long awaiting establishment that many of people have been patient for to open is finally here! A handful of people have already told me amazing things about this place before even going. I was so excited that I had to go as soon as possible. I hit up my friend, David, and scheduled to go for breakfast on my next day off. It is located right next to Hay Merchant. There isn't a sign out yet but we figured it out. We arrived a little closer to lunch time because I tend to over sleep. I've head that they sell out sometimes so I was worried that would be the case since I tend to be unlucky. Fortunately, for me, they still had it! I ordered the Vietnamese Steak and Eggs with a vanilla latte. I normally don't drink coffee so I can't really say how it compares to other places but it was good. The food was just as I expected it to be. Everyone definitely wasn't wrong when they said it was really good.  I was surprised at how much I loved the bread. I mean you can't really go wrong with steak, eggs and amazing bread. The home made pate was amazing as well. It is a little on the expensive side for the portion you get but it tastes great. A must try for anyone in the Montrose area. Great hang out spot with coffee and friendly people.

Brooklyn Athletic Club

     Some how my photos got all mixed up and did not upload in the correct order. Oh well. Anyway, I had to pleasure to have great company go with me to Brooklyn Athletic Club. Danh informed me about this place and after looking over the menu, I had to try it. I haven't heard of it and did not know want to expect. We made a reservation for 6 the same day and they accommodated us very well for last minute. The inside of the restaurant is very small and cramped but makes for better conversation. We were placed underneath the TV in the back by the restroom. You can imagine that most of us were checking football scores and watching highlights while others were conversing. (I was one of the guys checking the scores)

     My overall impression of the place was good. Not great and not bad. We ordered the Mac & Cheese to share as well as the Pork Rillette. These were probably the two of the three highlights of the night. The Mac & Cheese had a nice consistency and flavor. It was not too strong and had just the right amount of cheese. The pork rillette was amazing. I really don't know how else to describe it so just go try it. Putting everything together on a small piece of crispy baguette to consume was tough but it tasted great. All the flavors came well together with the mix of sweet and savory. 

     The only problem I had with this place was the entrees were over priced. Two of us ordered the grilled sirlon with fries. Now, I was expecting something quite spectacular to be paying 25 dollars for steak and fries. I must say the steak was cooked to perfect temperature but it needed more seasoning. My fries were also not consistent in texture. A consensus was reached that both the burger and salads were good, but we would pass on the meatballs/pasta - due to the texture of the pasta.

     What was the third highlight of the night you ask? Well, it was the bread pudding! Amazing. Agreed by all.

     I really like the layout of the patio though. I didn't get to snap a picture but they had corn hole, ping pong, volleyball, and many other games. It was pretty much like an athletic club outside where you could enjoy a few drinks after a nice meal. 

All in all, I'd come back again to give it another shot but I'd probably go with the burger this time. 

No conversations needed.

Lights, Camera, Action.

Hiding.

Mac & Cheese

Pork Rillette

I got caught.

Steak and fries.

YSA's own Austin King!!!

Pappardelle and Meatballs

Bread Pudding

Another football onlooker. 

San Francisco Trip 2013

     The first trip of the year is an important one. It is like a precursor of how you compare to all the other trips that follow in the year. With that being said, San Francisco did not disappoint. When does it ever? 

     I got to travel with my good buddies - David, Johnny and Quang. None of them have been to SF before and it excited me that I had the chance to show them around and show them everything I love about this city. We stayed at The Westin in Union Square right off Powell. This is an amazing hotel to stay at just because it is right smack dab in the middle of everything. We were a couple blocks away from the BART station and then a 5-10 minute taxi cab ride everywhere else. 

     We arrived in the early afternoon and were all starving. We dropped off all our luggage at the hotel and headed straight for Ramen Underground. It was a 0.5 mile walk which was relatively quick. Anything under a mile is definitely doable especially in such a great town with so many things to see. We passed by a  ton of shops and restaurants we added to our list to try the next couple days. After walking around for an extra 20 minutes from being lost, we finally called Ramen Underground and asked for directions. We had passed by it twice already! It was a tiny hole in the wall place and I knew we were in for a treat.

     

David in awe.

Their wall menu

Paper menu

Cramped in one table

Hello Quang

Specials of the day

Gyoza

Pork Donburi 

Onigiri

Tonkatsu Ramen - Added chashu, pork belly, gyoza and corn

     After a great meal, we had planned to meet my cousin and his coworkers to play basketball near their company office. Needless to say, it was very cold but we had fun playing in another city. I snapped a couple pictures just so I could remember it.

     We ended the night eating at Zero Zero, where I didn't take pictures because it was too dark. They had great Italian food and was super packed! I will say that their pizza and dessert was on point! They had a vanilla/chocolate soft serve with olive oil, sea salt and ricotta donuts that you could die for.

     The next day we started our journey in Japan Town. We got to walk with no one around and enjoy everything.

This idiot thinks he can fly.

     We then headed back near Ramen Underground to grab some Onigiri next door at Onigilly. They only open from 11AM-3PM so we had to rush!

     Then we headed to meet up David's friend at Senor Sisig for some filipino food truck action.

Johnny's photobomb action

AWOL.

Nachos

Fries with fried egg

Burrito

All the foods

Staring into the distance

Chilling

Posing

Our lunch view

     Our next spot was the palace of fine arts which was near the Exploratorium. As we pulled up in the taxi, it was indescribable how beautiful it was out.

Unfortunately they were closed.

     The Exploratorium was closed so we ventured out to the Golden Gate Bridge to see it from a distance.

Golden Gate Bridge

     Then we planned on going to Fisherman's Wharf but it was a 3 mile walk! There were no taxis out in this area because most people get dropped off and the cabs will leave. We treked about a mile before we finally spotted one. The taxi driver was very friendly and asked if we wanted to check out Lombard before going down to the wharf. We couldn't say no. He drove us down the street and dropped us off at the bottom so we could walk back up.

Lombard Street

View from the top of the crooked street

View from the top of the crooked street

     After checking out the famous crooked Lombard street, we headed towards the bay and ended up in Fisherman's Wharf.

Clam chowder bread bowl @ Boudin

David's turtle bread bowl

Elmo spotted

Random clean miata

     We ended the night playing Pub Golf with my cousins and coworkers. If anyone is familiar with the game, it is no joke. We didn't even make it past the 4th hole. I didn't win but I did beat my travel mates and cousin. And that was really my goal. The rest of the night was a blur of local pizza being thrown at my head, punches to my face from David and some great Korean food at Playground in Japan Town.


     Our next day was going to be consisted of going around mission area. By this day, I was already tired of lugging around my huge camera and took photos mainly with my S3.

Crab Benedict @ Mission Bowling Club 

Sticky Bun

Lemon Huckleberry, Vanilla Bean, Bacon Maple Apple

     Our adventures led us towards dessert hunting. We were en route to Chantal Guillon for macarons when we ran across The Melt Bus. We got the special of the day which was a mushroom melt and added BACON and tomato for FREE!

     Chantal Gullion didn't allow any pictures of how their shop was set up due to copy right purposes but it was a nicely set up place. I have to say they are probably my favorite macaron place to date. 

     Our last meal was at Suzu in Japan Town. This was one of the better ramen places in SF. I think the best I've had was Ramen Dojo in San Mateo but we couldn't make the trip out there. 

     

Gyoza

Amazing Chicken Karage

Even better Takoyaki

Chicken Curry

Chashu ramen with tempura shrimp

     And here are just some night shots I took with David's point and shoot camera. The tripod I borrowed from Danh was broken so it couldn't support my D700. I worked with what I had and was pretty happy with the shots I got. Next time I'll be more prepared.

     Overall, it was an unforgettable trip with some incredible friends and family. Like people say, it's not about where you go, but who you go with.