It is really nice to be back in San Francisco, yet this visit reconfirms the sentiment I’ve felt on previous visits: it is a nice place to visit, but it isn’t home.  I’ve been able to see a lot of friends over the first few days, have spent a fair amount of time driving (the way people drive here seems to be a good metaphor for American societal values as a whole – super agressive in a “race to the red light” sort of way, but really in their own little worlds and not paying attention at all), and have eaten moderate amounts of food that I miss.

Left: First stop on my arrival was Macy’s Union Sqare and a quick lunch at Boudin’s: clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl.  You can argue that there is better clam chowder elsewhere in the city, and maybe even better bread, but the two are a classic combination that really capture some of what’s great about San Francisco and Northern California’s culinary heritage.

Yesterday I met up with Fiona, a university class mate whose wedding Tawn and I attended several years ago, but with whom I had lost touch. 

Thanks to LinkedIn, we were able to reconnect and made plans for lunch.  Fiona and her husband have an adorable son, Dominic, and just gave birth to a second son, Zachary. 

Dominic has the best of both his parents’ looks and has the longest, waviest eyelashes.  I think you can just see them in the picture to the right. 

Dominic was a little shy at first, but soon warmed up after he saw the box of Thai desserts I had brought him to try. 

Fiona and I had fun catching up; it is amazing how people’s lives progress.  Since graduation, Fiona has been working in Human Resources for a high-tech compnay that actually is a customer of my company’s.  Little did I know!  

I’m glad that there are an  increasing number of technologies available to help us stay in touch – and reconnect – with  friends. 

Below, Dominic, Zachary and I pose for a picture after lunch at Willow Street Pizza in San Jose.