We have a common bond. Our once-beloved radio legacy stations have been kidnapped by non-radio people who don't know the people business. They are financial Neanderthals bound by their shareholders and beholden to a business model that caters to the type of audio morass we're subjected to on a daily basis.
Get thirty bucks a month into the budget and switch to satellite. It'll cleanse your palate.
*Downtown was a mess Thursday night --combine a Giants game, afternoon-evening commute and the every night chaos around Moscone Center which seems to get more clogged by the day. I popped over to North Beach and every place was packed. Original Joe's has become destination central but too many people at the bar and every table, (as usual), was packed to the rafters--it was as if they were giving the food away. Fat Tony Labrene was holding court at the center of the dining room which got progressively more louder and crowded. I was debating on whether to order a hamburger to go but I wanted to sit down and relax. It's been a long, arduous week so I decided to wait and be patient and got a spot at the end of the bar and watched the Giants do their thing. Congratulations are in order: the burger was delicious, as usual, and the Giants have prevailed. Somehow, someway, although this bizarre one-game play-in is sort of weird and crappy, but hey they're in. My beloved Oakland A's have entered into the abyss so go ahead and gloat. Another few million or two for Larry Baer, party hardy.
*I miss old San Francisco. I miss seeing the old SF cops congregate around Geno and Carlo. I miss the old "Streets of SF" vibe that permeated the city from the 70's when I grew up until today, only today, the city has lost its soul. Remember when Herb Caen used to complain about how SF was being Manhattanized? Wonder what Herb would say today. The towering mess. The techies have overtaken the city to the point where the uniqueness, the originality of the town is all but lost. Sure, it's a cliche to lump all the geeks together as one but care to offer anything else to the contrary? They have no manners too. Just the other night I was at Boulevard and saw some bozo brain doofus plop his laptop on the bar. Huh? I look at him like, "excuse me but what the hell are you doing?"--He gives me a look like, "uh, what, 'is there a problem?"-- You're damn right there's a problem!, I mutter. But I better calm down and not make a scene, --to top things off I look at the bartender and he gives me a look like, "hey, what am I supposed to do?" My god we're at Boulevard--can you believe it. That's why they have a Starbucks but doofus behind the bar couldn't figure it out--out the door and off to the civility of Tadich where they do all the right things. I should know by now. Tadich. Food always consistent and good. Check. Waiters know their shit and still wear the white uniforms. Check. Order the grilled halibut. Check. Loaf of bread and extra butter. Check. I know, just what I need, but it's my life and life is good when you get to eat at Tadich because they make it routine--they still check on you all the time, even the grumpy bastard who's been there a hundred years. Tadich is old-school San Francisco. Union too, I believe the only union restaurant left in the city--wait, maybe John's Grill too, someone help...Anyway, Tadich is everything what's right in the city. The food is still damned good and the prices are still reasonable and NO, I didn't get a freebie, I PAY for my food. Only Caen got that perk and he earned it. Tadich actually gives you real food, REAL portions too, not some tiny scallop on a dish for $127 like the idiotic trendies around the corner.
*I'm officially middle-aged. Ouch. Feel like 1987 still but it's 2014. Yikes. Still bitchin' and moaning, sure because every middle-aged Jewish guy likes to bitch and moan. About everything, sure and I have enough ammo to prove it. Look beside you at the schlum in the office. Attitude central, thinks he's the star of the party because he stood in line for 16 hours to get an IPhone 6 or 7plus whatever, which by the way, doesn't work. Good investment. $400 down the drain, but I digress. WE all need to calm down and check our IPhones 6plus, 7, 8, 9Deluxe, Droid Schmoid at the door. Seriously, it's reached crisis proportions. Anyone left in this mess of a world have MANNERS?, raise your hand. Have we all just gone to the shitter and don't give a damn anymore? I'm 52. I know many of you hate my guts and you have plenty of ammo, speaking of ammo, but I feel lost. Maybe I had a nightmare and dreamed I was a part of the KNBR Morning Show or something but I feel a detachment, help me out here, all of you.
*I love the Bay Area. The people? Uh, well that's another story altogether. The women are all impossible here, you know that, right? I've finally come to the conclusion that it's IMPOSSIBLE to meet a single, available 35 year-old woman who isn't as fucked up as I am. I met a woman named Pamela at the bar --she's mildly attractive and funny. I'm interested. We have an innocuous conversation and the obligatory guffaws commence: "Hi, new here?...yada, yada, yada." I should know by now that this is not going to work. It NEVER does. Shit, I'm 52 and trying to converse with this late-thirties shiksa. (For you gentiles, google shiksa, it's not a bad word). She's talking with me and I'm talking with her. I politely inquire as to what she does and she looks at me as if I'm from Pluto, like it's against the law to make inquires, 'cmon! She works in sales, I finally get an answer which is great because there's some momentum starting to take shape--she's starting to giggle, good sign I guess but she's also got a ring on, shit! Oh, not so fast. She's divorced. She wears the ring to protect herself from the human shlumpos like me, at least that's why I tell her. MASSIVE LAUGHTER! "You are sooooooo funny!" Ha Ha Ha, well yeah, it's called being human and having a pulse I tell here. BONUS: You know Pammy, I'm even better: a certified heterosexual too! More laughter. Keep in mind too she's only had one glass of wine so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping to get at least a card. She interrupts me and asks me why I'm so jumpy. JUMPY? Me, jumpy? We'll, for one I'm suspicious. Pam: "Richard, why are you suspicious?" We'll, Pam, for one, you're hanging around me, that automatically makes me suspicious. Here: nervous laughter. Damn! Why do I always screw it up! Anyway, Pam is looking at her watch. Bad sign. I'm a little antsy myself. She asks for a card. Lovely. Kiss of death. Swears that she will call which means she'll never call but I hand her the card. "Can I have your card?" She obliges. I look at the number and it says "555-5555"--we'll actually no but it might as well have because I have no chance and no, I'm not talking about pillow dreams. Pam called and asked about a date. A real date. I'll spare you the details unless something great happens. Like I said, I have mucho cynicism these days but I shall try to front an optimistic look. My gut tells me Pam will end up telling me she's into Scientology, has a cat, and thinks Noah's bagels are good. Story of my life.
*Follow me on Twitter at your own risk
Tech geeks are the worst. I feel your pain. A bunch of privileged millennials that only live in the Bay Area because Google, Apple, Salesforce, Yahoo, eBay, Cisco, Oracle, etc. are located here. They didn't grow up around and have zero respect for the history and culture of San Francisco and surrounding cities.
ReplyDelete"what do you do?"
ReplyDelete"I write a blog about AM radio."
"What's that?"
Great column Rich. I read it while noshing on a bagel with creme cheese and having a decaffeinated latte at my favorite coffee hangout. You're absolutely right about the soul of the city of SF. I moved out years ago, and every time I go back (I work in the city about 100 days a year), I am constantly amazed at how many unsightly new towers downtown have gone up, and how many young people are wandering the streets, staring at their mobile devices, seemingly oblivious to everything in the 'real world,' around them.
ReplyDeleteSo many of these 'techies' who are taking over SF are rude, annoying geeks who think the sun shines only on their asses. As you mentioned, most are not from here, but from the suburbs or some other part of the country, and they have no respect or interest in our rich history. I wish they would just go away, along with their cell phones and ear buds and other mobile devices, and we could have SF back the way it was during Herb Caen's hey-day in the 1960s and 70s.
I'm like you Rich; going through the sometimes confusing malaise of middle age, wondering what happened to all of the wonderful things I loved about my city that have since disappeared. Call it cynicism if you will, but there it is, you prompted me to wear my heart on my sleeve this morning!
And because I get so upset about it sometimes, (especially after reading your provocative column), I try not to get too caught up in it, but you certainly brought it home!
That was a terrific column by the way, and if you put out that kind of quality writing on an everyday basis, it would be more than worthy of a spot in the SF Chronicle, which could certainly use some help these days!
Don't get me started about what has happened to our beloved newspaper industry. It's a travesty and a tragedy, and is one of the major reasons this country is going to the dogs, while most of our young people, in oblivious fashion, tweet, text, facebook and go on the internet. They seem to pay little or no attention to what is really going on, their communication skills and lacking, and they lack the basic civil behavior which has made our society tolerable up to the present day. It's all very sad, and yet very much in keeping with the 21st century.
Like you, I keep hoping this whole nightmarish scene is just an absurd joke that my fertile imagination has conjured up, and that I'll wake up in a world where people actually know who to converse and read and be civil to each other. But I'm afraid that ain't gonna happen. Life is a bitch sometimes when you hit middle age, and you realize the world is going into the shitter!
And how did you read this post and then column? With a mobile device while you nosh on your bagel at your favorite coffee hangout? Did you think about how the other patrons felt about your selfish behavior? Did you notice the irony in your actions? Hilarious.
DeleteRich, you gotta slap it up, flip it, and rub it down.
ReplyDeleteRich, you might have better luck striking up a conversation with someone over 50, you know, your age.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dr. Phil.
DeleteNow THAT was a good read...more of it will keep this blog gaining speed!
ReplyDeleteThis is you at your best. Good luck with Pam
ReplyDeleteThis was good. You surprised me. Pro tip though: Might not want to refer to a lady as "mildly attractive" here if you think you might have a chance with her... eventually she'll read this post. Also, I don't think Noah's bagels are terrible... better than a grocery store but obviously not as good as Holey Bagel.
ReplyDeleteAlmost Vintage Caen, a mix of media and man. Love it! Anyway, join Sierra Club, go on a hike a meet a REAL woman!
ReplyDeleteRich, just a piece of advice, and I'm not saying this to be rude. 35 year old women won't date men in their 50's. The only exception is if the guy is really well off financially, good looking and has his shit together. My advice would be to look for a woman in her mid-to late 40s. I'm a 33 year old woman. And the thought of dating someone older than maybe 42 is really not appealing to me whatsoever. The reason you keep striking out is because you're looking at the wrong pool of people. Every 50 year old man wants a younger woman, but it's not the other way around. Again, this isn't meant to be rude. It's just meant to be helpful. Look for someone closer to your own age, and you might find some luck.
ReplyDeleteActually I think you're coming on to me. Please. I hate being treated like a piece of meat, have you no shame?
DeleteSo size DOES matter...the size of my wallet!
DeleteYes the City has changed and not for the better. Just a mere 14 years ago the new ballpark opened and look at what has happened since with pricing and gouging fans at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOn the bright side the Duggans have done a fantastic job with Joes and although it does get a little too crowded for me at certain times it's worth it. I can't wait for Westlake Joes to open and see what they with that location. Of course I've always got my refuge of John's Grill when needed. Good drinks, good food, good service - what more do you need. Rich, it's nice to hear you spoke with a woman. I think it's been about six months since you last did. Go get 'em, ladykiller!
yes rich, the city has gone to shit. I left after 20 years when the new influx started. don't regret it. Can't wait to leave every time I am here. You can have your high cost of living. Its all gonna come crashing down. who can afford all that crap south of market they are building. People left pretty quick after the last downturn (dotcom bust). Yes people San Francisco is not as special as you think. It is just a urine smelling dirty city with a bunch of people who think they are too cool for school. It has to be the most unfriendly place, regardless if your a local or newbie.
ReplyDeleteIt'll crash when the cheap money goes away. Some of these kids will get hurt badly enough that they simply will never recover financially. I'm glad I bought cheap in the burbs, enough that I don't care what the hell happens because it's never gonna go down that far. We planned it that way.
DeleteThe woman who wrote about how women don't like dating older men may have a point; SHE may not like dating older men. But believe me, there are a sizable number of young women who like going out with older guys. The reason? We don't treat 'em like pieces of meat and we do things like pull out their chairs to seat them at a restaurant, compliment something they're wearing in an unusual way, and actually show interest in listening to them when they're talking.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in my early 40s, I dated women mostly in their mid to late 30s, but then I met my future wife, and she was almost 20 years younger. We just had this instant chemistry that transcended the age difference, and although we are truly from different generations, our mix of ages really seems to work well for us.
I'm not advocating older guys to try and go out and look for younger women as potential future mates. I certainly wasn't doing that, it just happened. But I'm just pointing out that there are lots of women out there who are younger who enjoy the company of an older, more mature, and easy going man. So don't despair Rich, because your 'someone' might be out there, and she might be that younger gal you were talking about in your blog.
Funny thing. Back when I was single, I ran a singles ad. I was in my 40s at the time and stated I was looking for a woman in the same age range. I was floored when I discovered all of the women in my age group were looking for men ten years younger than me! I guess they figured no man in his 40s wanted a woman the same age as them. I'm so glad I'm married now and don't have to deal with that crap anymore! Oh and I also agree that a lot of the techies are buttheads. I remember almost getting into a fight w one at a Giants game back in 2000 during the dot com boom. Funny how having money (or stock options that may or may not pan out) gives people a "we're hot s**t and you're not" attitude.
ReplyDeleteRich, I recently saw two different people sitting alone at bar tables at Zuni staring at their laptops....on a Friday night! THAT is the new sad San Francisco! Do you remember STARS restaurant? Do you remember the buzz in the dining room every night when you walked in? There were always famous faces, both local and from out of town, and the bar was always packed, and the energy was truly what was San Francisco. I finally cashed out and sold my home in Cow Hollow about 2 years ago, and every time I return to "the city" I am glad I did. I do take frequent business trips to Chicago, and this may sound strange, but the restaurants and bars in that city are more and more reminding me of what San Francisco was at its height. Chicago has a dining and nightlife scene that is on a real roll right now.
ReplyDeleteLOL So, there's something wrong with having a cat (or cats?) That's what antihistamines are for! Good chat yesterday; looking forward to more air time.
ReplyDeleteAs a guy in his mid 50's who does a lot of dating, I've found that there are a fair number of women from their 20s to their mid-40's interested in dating older guys. I'm having the time of my life right now and I never expected to enjoy this period of my life this way. I don't have a fat wallet, but the women I'm meeting are quality, interesting and are good looking too. The one common thread they have is that they enjoy being treated with respect and consideration. Something men in their age groups seem to be incapable of doing.
ReplyDeleteRich, it sounds like you're doing all the right things. Just be yourself, be natural and don't over-sell or hype your accomplishments. They get enough of the phony baloney from the men their age - what they're looking for from you is authenticity.
You could say the same thing about Oakland, & San Jose....I really miss the old Oakland, it was a wonderful place in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteAs for San Jose, it was just a sleepy orchard community inn the 70's, with lot a Ag. Now the sprawling suburb that is the South Bay, has just added more people to the population, but its "still" the burbs...
I miss the old Santa Rosa, San Anselmo and Visalia.
DeleteAs a 54 year old male I don't seem to have a problem dating beautiful younger ladies. Currently I'm dating a gorgeous 25 year old Italian/Colombian lady and we are thinking of tying the knot next year. BTW..I'm not rich nor gorgeous, I am just me.
ReplyDelete