I have always been, and I always will be.
Over the past few years, I've grown to embrace it even more, maybe because the more I realize what is out of my control - the plan is something I can use to help keep my mind at ease. In theory, anyhow.
Because reality is, what will happen, will happen - regardless of my plan or no plan.
But, I digress.
After a mentally rough week, I decided I really needed to get away.
At some point on Friday, and I am not sure exactly what flipped the switch but, I decided I hated people and needed to just spend some time taking care of myself and recharging.
The original plan was to visit my cousin and Aunt in Oklahoma City, but Plan A was a NoGo due to flight loads.
I wasn't able to join some friends that went out on Friday either, so Plan B became attempting to go to San Francisco for the day on Saturday. I was doubtful I would make it, but I figured nothing ventured, nothing gained - If Plan B failed too, then I would just go have breakfast somewhere and head back home to relax.
By the skin of my teeth and my butt in a seat, I made the San Francisco flight.
Woo Hoo!
Plan's back in action.
If I am doing the San Francisco daytrip by myself, I follow the plan I've set for myself as I have found my favorite things to do over the years:
1..I take the BART to Embarcadero Station, walk around the Saturday Flea Market at the Ferry House, and grab some free samples at the vendors who sell fresh fruits (some of the freshest and some of the most unique fruits I've ever tasted)
2..From there (Pier 1), I walk down to Pier 39, have some Clam Chowder at Boudin, grab a few beers at Wipeout as I people watch, and then shop and shmooze.
3..Sometimes, I'll walk down to Ghirardelli Square (oh, no reason, not like I want to get dessert!).
4..Time permitting, I'll walk back to Pier 1 and then Market Street to Powell to the Westfield Shopping Center, stop at the Macys and shop...and then stop and have dinner at the Bristol Market (San Francisco's version of Whole Foods) and catch the train back to the airport.
Today, the plan was just not meant to be followed. Or it was meant to be modified, at the minimum.
Step 1 - walking around the Ferry House, was intact.
Step 2 - My flight was an hour late, potentially limiting my time on the ground. To save some time, I found a new for me, location of Boudin, near where I was and stopped to have lunch. It was much LESS busy than either of the Pier 39 locations and it was relaxing to just sit outside, be cold enough I needed to put a sweatshirt on, and enjoy my soup. So I did. As I sat enjoying my lunch, a street musician was playing "Hallelujah"
"Your faith was strong but you needed proof"
Walking around the same shopping center, I found not only a crepe place (guess where I'm going next time!), I also found an ice cream shoppe that makes their own homemade ice cream flavors. I had a Cookie Monster in a Chocolate Chip Cookie Bowl.
By going off the plan - I found the unknown promised land I never knew existed.
From here, I checked the flights and decided the later Oakland flight was going to be my best bet, as the earlier San Francisco flight was quite full. So I rolled the dice, threw caution to the wind, and hoped I was making the right decision. I felt I was, but you never know. I really wasn't ready to leave yet, anyhow...and I wanted to make the most of my day - not just rush right back to the airport.
With the extra time granted by the later flight - I headed down to Pier 39 to my favorite place to hang and have a beer. More people watching. Two beers in, I was finally starting to relax and mellow out for what felt like the first time all week.
I was serenaded by some songs that I felt held important messages for me.
Sitting at Pier 39, a song by Andy Grammer played: "Keep Your Head Up":
I know it's hard, know its hard
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh
And you can let your hair down, eh
I spent an enjoyable afternoon at Pier 39, before heading back up to the shopping mall to grab dinner (consciously, or subconsciously) trying to get back on plan...Only to find out my favorite dinner place had shut down! Oh well - I found a Ramen Place instead, had some potstickers and the requisite Ghirardelli Ice Cream with homemade hot fudge, and called it a day; Time to head back to the airport - to Oakland.
I was plenty early, and got settled at the Gate. When they cleared my seat, I managed to get First Class. It's only a 1.5 hour flight, but First Class is First Class. I'll take it. A nice end to a nice day. Guess my intuition was right about waiting for the later flight!
The bookend to the day was pulling out of the parking lot at the airport, and hearing "Turn Turn Turn" by the Byrds playing on XM - something I've been listening to on repeat at home frequently. One way of dealing with stuff out of my control. One way to acknowledge that whatever will be, will be.
Once again, Thanks Universe.
I had a great daytrip taking care of ME, and
now I'm ready to take care of everyone else again.
PS: Going off the plan isn't all that bad, after all.
