Jan 16 2002
Yay, but eek!
Yay, but eek! (Maybe that should be my motto, considering my outstanding ability to find the cloud in every silver lining.) John’s parents are coming to visit in less than a month!
Yay because:
1. They have never been to San Francisco. So they have never seen where we live, which is also one of the most beautiful cities in North America.
2. We won’t have to go back East to visit them this year (they live in southern Ontario, Canada), which is great because I will have to go to London at some point to help my stepmother to clear out my father’s things, and one long (11 hours each way, non-stop) trip this year is enough for me. We really need to see John’s folks this year.
I had to cancel in ’99 (when John went alone) because my father was ill, and then we had to cancel in August because of my father’s sudden death, so we do have to see them this year, one way or another. John’s father is the only one we have now — both of my sisters lost their fathers-in-law over the past two years.
3. I haven’t seen them in way-too-embarrassing-to-admit-it years, even though I really like them a lot. Mostly it’s because there is very little vacation time in these great United States, and what little I have used to be spent on going to England to see my own Dad (see #2). Which just proves that I will never make Wife of the Year (and I’m not even in the finalists for Daughter-in-Law of the Year), and that I made the right choice in not having children, because I am very, very selfish, too.
Eek because:
I only have a month to get the house looking in-law perfect, and suddenly it looks like a horrible pit full of problems. I’m hoping to talk my brother-in-law Rob into coming to the city for a few days to paint and do stuff like refinish the kitchen counter, but we’ll probably still spend the next few weekends in a panic of home improvement.
Also am really, really hoping that it doesn’t rain the whole time. I hate it when people visit and the weather’s horrible. Still almost certainly to be better than southern Ontario in the middle of February, though.
Those of you who don’t live here: what would you like to do if you were visiting here? They’ll be here from February 15-20. All ideas appreciated!
2 Responses to “Yay, but eek!”
I think its official that I am far too selfish for children too :).
Good luck getting ready for the inlaws! I’ve been to San Francisco twice now, I love it there. Both times I went to Alcatraz, which is so typical touristy that its sad. But I loved hanging out down by the warf for a bit and just being a tourist and milking it all in. Actually, I enjoyed all the touristy things I did, the curvy street (I forget the name), Hyde Street etc. San Francisco is just fun that way if you’re a tourist in for a weekend. The next time I go I want to see more of the city from less of a tourist bent, but still, the touristy things were fun!
I also enjoyed China town. I had a friend of mine with me who has family that owns a bakery in China town (she’s Chinese) and so it was fun to have her family show us around and teach us some of the San Francisco Chinese ‘traditions’ and she took us to a fabulous little vegetarian Chinese restaurant.
My friends and I also rode all the trolly cars from beginning to end. Yeah, we’re losers….but it was fun and the drivers are so much fun to talk to. And I got a homeless kid a job the first time I was there…amusing little story :).
Really, that’s not much help :). I am sure they will really just love it because its such a different city. It’s a place I enjoyed visiting!
A short list of what immediately comes to mind, but still enough to last several days if that?s your purpose.
1. The bridges of course.
2. The museums, if they are interested in that sort of thing. SF has some fine ones. A night at the ballet or symphony depending on where they are from. I think SF is good at both of these. As is Seattle I might add.
3. A cable car ride. I?ve never done it but a ride on Bart sounds like fun, is unique and something they could relate too when they hear or read about it. Next time I?m there it?s on my list.
4. When I had time to kill in SF I enjoyed walking around that long narrow park in the middle of town. Don?t know what it?s called, Golden Gate Park??, except it?s no where near the GG.
5. Lunch at the Cliff House, I think it?s called. The one perched on the rocks over looking the Ocean.
6. Coit (sp?) Tower, because you can see and point out everything from there.
7. Don?t forget to drive down that twisted street that has to be because it?s so steep.
8. We also have dinner at the Shadows, a short downhill walk from the Coit Tower. It is a bit pricy though.
9. Since I live in a floating home, Sausalito is a must visit for me.
10. and since I am an architect, the Marin County Courthouse by FLW is a must visit, though they have remodeled it so extensively that the interior doesn?t have the same feel it had 30 years ago.