Bonus Time in Oakland

On Thursday I traveled to Oakland. My original reason for coming down was to help a friend move, but those plans fell through. So I found myself with some bonus time.

I've got an amazing view up in the hills doing a housesit through Trusted Housesitters. That site has been good to me over the last couple of years (more on that coming soon). I love exploring and animals, so this usually works out great.

There are several hummingbirds that hang out around the deck of this place, and it's been awesome to watch them buzz around. The vertical height they can reach in seconds before diving is incredible.

When I arrived Thursday, my buddy James took me to Degrees Plato for a beer and some delicious poblano tacos. I have yet to find decent tacos in Olympia, so I'll take every chance I can get any time I'm in Cali. The weather here is great right now, so we sat outside and had a nice chat. He's working on some really cool stuff right now, including some fiction you should check out.

That night, I ordered from Ben's Fast Food. And, wow, did it deliver! Flash-steamed broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, along with some roasted chickpeas and potatoes. It's a ton of healthy food for a decent price, packed into compostable containers. Pro tip: get some Ben's hot sauce with your order - I've added it to everything since.

Friday I worked on Ethical Methods. If you missed the announcement, check out the website and subscribe to the newsletter. My role at Evergreen was eliminated in early July, and I’m giving full-time solopreneurship another go. I’ll be sharing what I learn about ethical tech, inclusive communication, and other social and design issues as I go.

I drove down to Milpitas for dinner at Kathmandu with a friend. Chana masala, garlic naan, and solid conversation. On the drive down, I tuned into The Breeze, a local station playing Phil Collins and other smooth hits. For some reason, it just hit right – there's something about the right music at the right time.

Saturday, I explored Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. No plan, no AllTrails, just wandering. I went about six miles with some decent elevation. At one point I ended up in a small clearing with some picnic tables, where I sat and read for a while. It was lovely.

After the hike I decided to hit a few small brewpubs in downtown Oakland. When I saw Beeryland on the map, I knew I had to visit. It was great – good music, awesome homemade pickles, and this delicious jalapeño mustard from Beaver. Then, I hit Drake's Dealership and the Good Hop Bottle Shop, both chill spots with good music and friendly folks.

A fine couple of days in Oakland so far. Sunday I'm headed to Angel Island for a guided tour from my friend MJ. I'm looking forward to it!

☮️❤️

Written from Muwekma Ohlone land (Oakland, CA), via Native Land Digital.