Saturday, August 30, 2008

Slow Food Nation

Slow Food: It was created to organize the first-ever American collaborative gathering to unite the growing sustainable food movement and introduce thousands of people to food that is good, clean and fair.

Slow food takes San Francisco by storm. If you know who Alice Waters is (mother of California cuisine) you should head down to Fort Mason for 45 tastingsm, more than 1000 vendors and samples, samples, samples. From organic Chocolate ice cream to buttery Chardonnay's, you can have your pick. Tickets are sold out but check craigslist for the coveted chance to indulge in a food coma.

For more information: http://slowfoodnation.org/blog/

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Brand Ambassador - Working for the man or just meeting new people?

I've recently been working as a lot as a "brand ambassador" for several companies and temping agencies. My job responsibilities: be outgoing, friendly and don't hard sell. I've also had to make buttons, print t-shirts and hand out products.

I love to meet new people and share information about cool stuff but I'm working for the man. Reinforcing power structures and the American way of sell, sell, sell - buy, buy, buy.

But everything is a contradiction and I may be over thinking things. I'm making ok money to chit chat and try new things. What do you think of promotions and brand ambassadors?

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Oh print journalism - how I will miss thee

This is the field I want to work in. I want to write stories that excite and educate people. I should work for long form, investigative feature sources like The Nation, salon.com, Heeb, Rolling Stone.

Check out this the article on Gawker.com entitled" Blogger finds death of newspapers!Capitalism" ( I"m working on activating the link) and tell me not to be cynical. I'm 4 examples away from changing to do PR.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Can we pay you in pennies?

Last night I complained to my roomates that I've recently been accepting part-time jobs where I have to work a lot for little compensation. It got me thinking about salaries and then I read this articles in the NY Times this morning entitled "Psst! Your Salary Is Showing" talking about the increasing transparency of salaries within various companies.

One growing web site, Glassdoor, is trying to accummulate salaries for a wide range of positions within various companies. Go there and post salaries so everyone can be a little less self conscious and can stop making assumptions about their work places.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Just another day at the (temporary) office

In this downturned economy, if you're also downsized there's unemployment, general government assistance and TEMPING. I'm not sure how it is that you are placed in jobs and the agencies don't take money out of your paycheck but alas, I sit here at a marketing and public relations company in San Francisco, making $13/ hour to connect phone calls and inform people they have packages.

I'm glad I'll be paying off my $100,000 education for the next two decades. Does everyone know about this? How come everyone I know isn't temping? You can choose when and where you want to work.

Oh yea, the downside? You're fleeting and no one knows your name and you have no one to go to lunch with. It's lonely and slightly degrading if you're egotistical, and there are no challenges here. So lackluster work for the time being vs. living in a cardboard box?

Update: I was basically fired from my first temp job three days into a five day week because if the following situation. I scheduled a phone screening for a public relations job at noon thinking I could take my lunch from 11:55 - 12:45. My presence was never crucial until, of course, at 11:58 a client enters the building and needs change for $3. The permanent girl is just getting back from lunch but has disappeared so my supervisor Jonathan asks me to go make change for the man. Besides the fact I didn't even know where to do that, I didn't have the time to. I told him no, that Sarah would be back immediately and that I had to take a phone call at noon for an interview.

The supervisor rudely mocks me in front of the gentlemen seeking change and says "this is the temp, she'll be done tomorrow afternoon."

When I arrived this morning, supposedly my last day, I discover I am replaced by another temp. I call the agency and my case worker tells me they had feedback for me that I had a great personality but seemed uninterested in the position.

Obviously my luck that the one time they need me to do something I couldn't and I got fired because of it.

Monday, August 18, 2008

I'm Walking on Sunshine

I don't know much about Tivo, DVR's, High Definition by 2009, 490 channels of cable. I do know about pop culture and tv series that shed a little bit of light, humanity and humor on our overfed, over worked society.

Then there's Intervention, Mondays on A & E. Check out the NY Times article about the show that talks about Alison - a Boston college student addicted to huffing computer spray.

Now check out Alison as she walks on sunshine, kind of. Don't miss this You Tube video.

OYE.

Puns , They're Punny.

Oneupme.com
This is a brilliant word play web site founded by actor Jesse Eisenberg. Simply sandtabulous.

Favorite Web Sites- To be updated constantly

Music:

Dia: Beacon on the Hudson

I've wanted to check out this art space, located about an hour and a half from Manhattan, for approximately 5 years. That's when I first read about its opening in the New York Times. Today, I was reminded about Dia and its cultural significance when I read about rich Russians buying art and opening their own cultural institutions in the heart of Moscow. Here is the link to that story.

Dia Beacon occupies a 300,000 square foot printing factory. The works to be found there range from 60s and 70s surrealists and pop artists like multimedia artist Dan Flavin, iconic Andy Warhol the monumental sculptures of Richard Serra and the abstraction of Cy Twombly.

For more information about Dia Beacon check out this link.

After checking out new museums in New York like, well, the New Museum on Bowery, I had to blog about Dia because I've had a passion to see it for so long. Next time I'm on the East Coast this will be on my itinerary, even before Six Flags New Jersey.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Places to party and dance in NY

The Afro- Spot Temple: 340 Grand St. 1 block south of Metropolitan between Havemeyer & Marchy in the heart of Williamsburg.

The Queensbridge Theater- two floors of a five-story warehouse on 10th St. at 37th Ave. in Long Island City.

Friday October 31st @ DANBRO BREWERY WAREHOUSE
TODD P / PANACHE BIG HALLOWEEN BASH
DANBRO BREWERY WAREHOUSE


Market Hotel

The Bell House: Gowanus, Park Slope

Tubing on the Russian River

Looking for a fun, inexpensive activity outside of San Francisco's foggy August weather? Go tubing on the Russian River about an hour - 1.5 hrs north of the city, bring your own tubes and some beer and float the afternoon away under sunny skies with those friends you adore.  Most of the rentals on the R.R. have a pick up point at Johnson's Beach in Guerneville. 

Friday, August 15, 2008

Get Out of SF Black People

This is basically what San Franciscans are saying to the African American population of the city that once was a haven for jazz musicans, navy workers and families whose lineage stretched back to the migration of the California Gold Rush. Check out Sarah Phelan's article "Black Exodus Emergency" in today's Guardian newspaper and you will see what my eyes have already confirmed: the African American population has declined by 40.8 percent since 1990.

Despite the Mayor's Fillmore Street historic restoration plan blacks are leaving because of increasing rents and cost of living, lack of affordable housing, no creative new jobs and loss of support from friends and families that have already moved.

What should be done to prevent more and more African Americans from leaving their homes and heritage in San Franciso and other increasinly gentrified cities? I propose a lot more than we are currently doing! There needs to be community involvement and cross communication. We all need to speak up for more affordable housing for everyone and to stop the development of luxury condos unless it benefits the people that have lived in these communities their whole lives.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Texas Trying to Include Birth Control as Form of Abortion??

The issue at hand is "right of conscience" for Health and Human Services (HHS) employees of organizations that receive government funding. So you're a doctor, pharmacist and you think God will send you to hell if you doll out contraception then you have a right to refuse to provide any to the people that look to you for help and guidance.  

The HHS was trying to keep this a secret but it got leaked to the NY Times and HHS Services Secretary Leavitt is now trying to defend himself and the policy. Check out his blog.

Email here to sign a petition that says "Contraception is NOT abortion" and stand against this insane legislation!

August is Sandwich Month

Thanks to Jenna in New Orleans letting me know that August is the month of superb sandwiches. Whether you fancy Turkey and Cheddar, Tomato/Basil, Bacon Lettuce and whatever - get some bread and condiments and make me proud (and a sandwich.) 

Here's a list of the best places in SF you can get your sandwich on: 
My favorites: 

1. Submarine Center: Next to gas station at West Portal Muni Stop 
2. Brendas's Soul Food: Tartine breakfast sandwich with eggs and bacon on Polk Street
3. Petite Deli: North Beach shop for bomb sandwiches and more