At the end of January, however, it turned out that they both had to move--the same weekend. As preparation, we spent the day in SF on Sat., the 22nd, to get the lay of things and to deliver a stack of boxes--a small percentage of those leftover from our own move almost four years ago--to each household. Rachel had started to pack and I helped the cause a little while Tom worked with Dylan on business stuff. A complicating factor in both transitions was that, by that late date--a week before M-Day--neither as yet had located a place to move into.
Ah. In San Francisco, one almost has to set out on an all-out, full-time, military-style campaign, financials in hand, to seek (via Craig's List) appointments and submit applications for units at outrageous prices in competition with half the city population, who, at any given time, might also be looking for a place to live. One has to be quick and ready to decide at first sight, not to mention pass inspection by very picky potential landlords. Rachel is brand new into a very challenging job and had little time/energy for such an effort. Dylan, of course, had deadlines he couldn't let slide.
Rachel had finally landed a great place by Tuesday and was, thankfully, arranging for professional movers. Also, wonderful friend and former roomie, Jason, was coming to town (from DC) for a working visit Moving Weekend. I think the "working" part might have been inadvertent, on his part, I don't know. Meanwhile, Dylan had seen a few places, but none seemed to be appropriate.
We rolled into town just before noon on Friday. Thus began a crazy-quilt three days of moving activities, including renting a van and finding storage for most of Dylan's stuff-including three ginormous sofas--and dodging rain. Jason and Rachel were getting most of her stuff ready for the movers and there was only a little bit of kitchen stuff-my specialty-for me to help with on Saturday.
Coincidentally, Friday was also my birthday, so we slowed down that evening long enough to enjoy a fabulous West African (mostly Senegalese, I gather) meal at Bissop Baobob hosted by the kids. That's True Friend Jason, there, leaping out of his seat at the restaurant--probably just too happy at his luck to be celebrating my birthday in addition to spending his entire weekend packing boxes. He's a Star. Tom also got off a great shot of Dylan and Emi!
The following evening, Emi made fabulous home-made pizza and a wonderful salad (green with apples and butternut squash!) for the four of us at her place. She's got the knack. Dylan added his own touch, which is always to crack a few eggs onto the top of anything vaguely resembling pizza. It's good! You should try it! You break them over the pizza about half-way through the baking (about 10 minutes to go).
By late afternoon on Sunday, we were enjoying the fabulous vistas at Rachel's new place after the movers had gone. She's now in the Bernal Heights neighborhood and her deck and roof offer amazing views of downtown, the bay, BOTH bridges, etc., etc. See her happy face coming up the ladder from the deck to the roof?
That's because she hasn't thought that much about putting things away, yet. Dylan continues to look when he has time. We left San Francisco before dark, leaving the City more or less intact after our furious activity of the weekend. Another special treat was a stop at Rubio's--comfort food!--in Fairfield on the way home, where we arrived just in time to watch another episode of a new fave, Downton Abbey, on PBS. See how easily we are amused?A fun and satisfying weekend, start to finish!
