Updates from the vast, uncanny brightness of San Francisco:

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I think sitting alone in a bar reading a book is one of the best ways to get to know a city's vibe. I did some of that yesterday and drank a glass of wine that had been bottled as an unknown grape, but the nice lady who worked there explained that since the bottling, the vintner had done a DNA test. Turns out. It's 100%. Tempranillo! Actually, while I do like that grape, it was also the only 10 dollar glass in the bar... so I had gotten it for that reason. Still, cool story, bro.

After that, I tried to get to know the city my other favorite way: spending four hours wandering aimlessly around! I wasn't lost per say, but I did have to take a moment and stop myself from panicking when I realized I was miles deep into the city and completely disoriented in terms of my landmarks. When I travel, I like to orient myself with something when I'm wandering around - a big tower, the sea, a particular street. I think of them like those anchors that free climbers use to hook into their trail. 

But it was fine! I also bought myself a green wrap/cloak thingie with a hood so I won't be so cold. If I was in my twenties, I'd larp the fuck outta that thing. Still, I think it looks okay; someone actually gave me a compliment about it! I have only had two unsolicited conversations with someone here who wasn't helping me in a service capacity: one, the nice lady who said it looked cool, and two, a street guy who yelled "looking at you makes me forget how old I am!" as I walked past - really a weird catcall, but I'll kind of take it? I feel old and ugly as shit these days. 

Cinda tells me that it's 75 degrees in Cville today - 15 degrees colder than sunny California! It feels utterly ridiculous that I'm out here in February and it's so nice back home. I think I did get a little color on my face from walking around yesterday, but it's probably wind burn. 

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Whew, sleeping last night was a dozy. I haven't had a dream that shook me up so much in such a long time. It wasn't even a bad dream, but my whole heart feels like it was taken out and put back with finger marks all over it. I wouldn't have skipped the experience of it, but fuck, it feels so incredibly raw, like something extremely sensitive being touched too roughly. I feel the emotions in almost a physical way today. Not almost; I do feel it physically. And again, I'm not sorry I do, it's just a lot to hold in my chest. 

The dream also reminded me that I can read in my dreams, and not only read, but recognize specific people's handwriting, even years after seeing it. That was a weird part, since I'd never really thought about whether or not I could read in dreams until I saw an article about how most people can't, and now I notice it all the time. 

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Okay, what's next? I'm going to eat lunch, work a little more, and then go up to the Fisherman's wharf and North Beach area, maybe try to see a sea lion.