BAY AREA DAY 6

First my hero of the week (as if I name a hero each week - I don't, but check in next week anyway): the person who burgled Paris and Nicky Hilton's apartment. He or she is even more of a hero generally than John Kerry, who I understand went to Vietnam and killed people even though he was a privileged white boy.

Now, today I signed a lease. I'm paying an excessive amount of money to live in a one-bedroom space - the first floor of a house near Glen Park in San Francisco. The main reason I decided on this place was because of my dog, Sebastian. I think he would freak out living in a dense urban area. He already barks repeatedly at anyone who comes near my place in Austin, imagine if he lived in a place where hundreds of people pass the front door and window every day. Many of the other places I was looking at, you see, were in the more dense areas of the Mission or the Castro. Great neighborhoods, but not necessarily for an out-of-control dog like Sebastian.

Plus, the place I'm going to rent includes my own private deck and garden. Perhaps the frigid, moist climate of the area will increase my chances of successfully growing a plant or two.

Finally, the place I chose is a long walk, or a short bus/trolley/cable car ride from the more bustling areas of San Francisco. The Bay Area has roughly 30 different forms of public transportation, which is great, but it would still be cool if I could be catapulted to my office every morning.

Right now I'm staying in a hotel with "European charm." This means that it has tiny rooms, some of which require a walk down the hall to take a shower. Still it isn't bad for its central location and relatively inexpensive cost.

But now I'm done. What should I do all day Sunday - my last day in the area? I think I'll watch cable TV in my hotel room until noon and then sit in a cafe and update my blog.