January threaded three cities. San Francisco held the first half of the month—Chinatown, North Beach, friends in from New York and out of town; Palm Springs was a first, over MLK weekend, landing in a small Embraer next to an Emirates A380 and making VillageFest before sundown. Then a rented car instead of a return flight, and a week working from the Tempe office while visiting family and a horse ranch in North Scottsdale.
🌉 San Francisco
Chinatown
We took the T through the Central Subway to Chinatown early in the month. Walked through Ross Alley, got free samples at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory, and had deep fried lobster balls at New Love Tea. Nick posed with his zodiac signs along the way.
Friends
Songhan visited from NYC and we met up with him, Alan, and Iván at The Mix. Sean and Roc joined us at Vesuvio in North Beach. Salim hosted a belated NYE party at his place in the Castro with a backyard patio hangout.
Out and About
Some city moments: the paperclip resistance at Vesuvio, the Tony Nik's banner in North Beach, the J train in Noe Valley, Trinity Presbyterian Church in the Mission, and a 2026 Bingo Card poster that was very SF.
🌴 Palm Springs
On January 15th we flew to Palm Springs for MLK weekend. First time I'd ever been. Our tiny Embraer 175 looked comical next to an Emirates A380 at SFO.
We landed in time for VillageFest, a Thursday night street festival downtown. Checked out Chill Bar, saw Mount San Jacinto from Warm Sands, and spotted a rainbow police cruiser.
Food
We ate at Casa Blanca Restaurant—guacamole and what can only be described as "heart attack on a plate." Next morning we did brunch at Farm. Nick found a sparrow. We had eggs Benedict and a duck omelette.
🌵 Phoenix
Instead of flying home, I rented a car and drove to Phoenix. Spent a week working from the Tempe office and visiting my parents.
The Drive
Stopped at the General Patton Memorial Museum to see the tanks. In Quartzite I found a "jerky mine" with the best peppered beef brisket jerky I've ever had.
GoDaddy Tempe
I worked from the GoDaddy office on Mill Ave for a week. Nice views over the Salt River.
Lindi's Horse Ranch
We visited Lindi's horse ranch in North Scottsdale. Nick spent most of the time with the dogs and a very energetic puppy. Aiden brought in the horses and I got to meet Smoke up close. Matt showed up later and was immediately pulled around by the puppy.
Lindi also showed us her quilting project.