In High Places

Depending on who you ask, San Francisco has anywhere between seven (ROME) to forty-eight named hills. The original seven: SNob Hill, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, Rincon Hill, Twin Peaks, Mount Sutro, and Mount Davidson were named at the time of the city's founding. But as the city grew, so did the roster of summits. I…

Rodeo Real Estate

I’m not a coward. However, during my visit to Los Angeles, one part of the city I had assiduously avoided for as long as I could, was the Beverly Hills/Hollywood stretch. I had convinced myself that it wasn't for me. I wasn’t very 'LA' as a person anyway. What would I do in that neighborhood…

No City for Earphones

I have very specific playlists to get me through my day. These are curated for different moods, different chores, maybe even different parts of the city. I elevate the quotidian with this make believe soundtrack for my life. And sometimes I just use music to prevent unwanted social interaction. But one city where I will…

Heartbreak Lake

I got my first eyeful of Lake Michigan for the first time after completing an arduous twenty-nine hour journey. I dragged myself up to my new apartment, too tired to appreciate anything. I was crumpled in both appearance and mind. But having collapsed onto my roommate's super comfortable armchair, looking out of the living room…

Cleavage

I have avoided writing about Chicago. I told myself I did not want to objectify the city. At the same time I wanted to document every single thing that charmed, baffled, or irked me about the city in frightening detail. I feel had I been here as a traveler, or wanderer, or explorer (whichever term…