I found the article really inspired and timely. Money is one of those few remaining taboo subjects that cause people to squirm uncomfortably when it is breached. One of the parts I found most interesting was the individual perspective on how well one was doing. The college instructor who felt like she was and her husband were loaded because they made $105,000 a year? That does not seem like a lot to me in this area.
After moving from coast to coast for a few years, I have happily chosen the Bay Area as my home. The worst part about living here is the cost of living by a wide margin. Simply put, one struggles to get ahead here. I was a flight attendant for many years and really enjoyed my work, but the money was never enough. My salary as a flight attendant averaged about $30-35,000 over time. Big pay cuts after 9/11 dashed any hope of making more money in the coming years. I supplemented my income by waiting tables and bar tending over the ten years of my career. So, working six days a week I would struggle to make about $50,000 a year. It simply was not, and is not, enough to live here.
My job as a police dispatcher has definitely increased my income and helped give me a more comfortable lifestyle. Most state jobs also have terrific retirement benefits which cannot be underestimated these days. But there is always the feeling that it is never enough. I would love to eventually purchase some type of property in San Francisco or someplace relatively close. This is easier said than done though. Property in the city (and we are talking a condos of 1,000 square feet or less) run anywhere from $380,000 to $1,000,000. Takes your breath away, doesn't it? The Chronicle recently published statistics in a different article stating that a person (or couple) should make $194,000 a year to comfortably live in the city and own a home. That is a daunting task to say the least, especially for a single working stiff like me. The high cost of living here pushes many people out to cheaper, more affordable locales. When you can buy a decent sized house for $200,000 elsewhere, it can be tempting. Still, San Francisco is home though and I derive so much pleasure from living here. In the end, it will keep me here even if I have to rent my whole life. This is definitely one advantage to being a gay guy. If I had to support a family, I am sure I be forced to make some difficult choices about how to make ends meet.
These days, I lead a fairly comfortable life, have great friends and family, little drama in my life, and good health. That makes me rich...and thankful.
I had not seen any movies in a while that I thought were really unique or interesting. Nothing was really moving me this year including most of the movies nominated for Academy Awards.
However, I just finished watching Across the Universe and am happy to report it is definitely worth your time. Director Julie Taymor again pushes the creative envelope with a movie musical utilizing the music of the Beatles throughout. Taymor is also responsible for the wildly successful stage version of The Lion King as well as one of my favorite films Frida. I have become such a fan of hers. She always brings such an "out of the box" creativity to her work. In this case, the film follows the progression of a group of friends through the turbulence of the late sixties, the mainstays being Jude and Lucy. Taymor's longtime partner and collaborator Elliott Gould does a masterful job with the arrangement of Beatles music into outstanding vocal performances by the cast. Taymor also cast not quite "A" list performers with amazing vocal ability. The result is a gorgeous vivid portrait which will introduce Beatles music to new generations of fans. The one criticism I have of the film is that, in parts, the psychedelic effects become overwhelming and a bit much to take. I had to take a couple of breaks while watching it so that I could give each scene the full attention it deserved. It was well worth it though.
See this movie whenever you get a chance. Cuidate.
So the Olympic Torch will make a very quick trip through the streets of San Francisco today. It already snuck into town at approximately 4 AM yesterday. I am curious as to what it did all day. I hope it got a chance to get out and see some of the sites and to enjoy some of the best food in the world.
The protests that are greeting the Olympic torch strike me as really counterproductive. Jimmy Carter most famously turned sports into politics when he boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow to protest the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. Four years later, the Soviets and a good number of their Eastern Bloc members returned the gesture and did not attend the 1984 Games held in Los Angeles. The whole premise of the Olympics is for the people of the world to come together, drop everything else, and simply celebrate sport. Politics can be dealt with in the political arena. If you want to protest against the government of China, knock yourselves out. There are groups of protestors outside the Chinese Consulate here in San Francisco everyday of the week, month, and year. Attempting to sabotage an event with such positive associations as the Olympics and the Olympic flame is not going to win anyone positive press. Out of respect for the Olympic ideal and the athletes that spend their entire lives working towards the goal of an Olympic medal, I say protest peacefully and find a better way to express your viewpoints. I am certainly not condoning any government’s suppression and denial of human rights. But there is a time and a place for all things.
So I am back in training again for a few months, learning the ins and outs of the new city that I work for. A startling realization has hit me in this process that makes me laugh and also squirm uncomfortably at the same time. I am a very stubborn person. I know most of you who know me are like, "Uh...duh!" It is something that I have not given much thought to in general. I come from a long line of stubborn people (my grandfather, father, brother, and a sister most notably). We all like to fool ourselves into thinking that we are so different from our parents and where we come from. But when someone holds up a mirror, at times the view can be kind of scary. I think of myself as pretty easy going. However when I am presented with relearning skills I have already mastered, it is easy to set up a nice mental block for myself by saying, "That is a stupid way to do it." All is good though, it is not a bad thing to be forced to look in the mirror occasionally.
I was sick as a dog the past few days. Thankfully I am recovering. I rarely call in sick to work, but if I would have on Monday and Tuesday if I had not just started a week ago. My throat felt like someone was sanding it down with sandpaper anytime I swallowed. Yuck. I am off for the next few days, so I will be able to get some rest and recover.
Frontline did a two part episode this week called Bush's War detailing the timeline of events from 9/11 to the present. Lately I have been shying away from documentaries and news stories about the war because it just makes one bitter, angry, and remorseful at the incompetence of Bush 43's administration. To think that he was reelected in 2004 is unthinkable. Such a tragic story of human loss and suffering on both sides not to mention the financial and emotional burdens our country will bear for the rest of the century. The show was well done and spoke with a wide variety of players involved. If you missed it, it should be available shortly through Netflix. Put it on your lists.
Spring has arrived here in the Bay. Gorgeous sunny days abound.
