Find the New

Sacramento is not a new city, in fact, it is the oldest city in California. Incorporated on 27 February 1849. Zurich on the other hand was listed as a Roman tax station in the 2^nd century, so it wins on this one.

Burglar Alarm?

As the baby of the two it is not with out it’s historical charms. As stated in an earlier blog, the core area of the city is in a grid. Old Sacramento, Downtown, Midtown and East Sacramento. Today though is about downtown and the small historical things seen.

On the walk to work I pass by a mix of old and new buildings. It is the little things that stand out in relation to age. A building can be made to look old but something will give it away. Same for an older building masquerading as a new one.

It is these little clues I love to see and each day I see new ones. It is one of the differences from Zurich. Buildings are clearly old or new, not much middle ground. Even when an old building is revamped, the core aesthetic is not changed. Its still an old place.

I like the attempts at trying to hide and or mask the age of a building. It’s very “New City”.

As usual, loving SacTown.

Just Chill and Wait.

I have a new job!

Same type of work, IT systems and network management. Its what I do, and I like to think I do it well. I guess after 20 years, you have either mastered the task or the ability to sham. And I don’t sham….. Anymore.

But that is another story...

However, those days are over. I am a fully functioning adult (really) and I manage to do what I need to do.

Back on to the subject. I walk to work now, which is fantastic. The weather has been great, and it makes a lovely open and close to the work day. It takes me a grand total of 14 minutes from locking my front door to sitting at my desk on the 16^th floor. That dear reader is most excellent!

Downtown and the Capital

Moving on up!

As with anything in our modern word, this is not completely smooth or even risk free. One of the intersections I cross is I Street and 12^th Street. This has recently become a very dangerous place traffic wise. In the last year there have been 3 major collisions, two of which happened with in a few days of each other last month.

From the info I have, it seems to be all related to people trying to beat the traffic lights. It probably doesn’t help that the streetcar/tram/light rail (choose your name for it) travels on 12^th. People don’t want to wait for the train or other cars. Each time I am at the intersection I wait as my crosswalk light turns green and watch some one run the red light. It happens every time.

So here is my public service announcement for the day; wait for the light. It only takes a minute. No one should be in that much of a hurry. Either you’re going to crash into another car, hit a pedestrian, or make the Thai place on the corner a drive through for the third time.

At least there is one saving grace, the closest fire station and ambulance crew is at Station #2, at this very intersection, on 12^th and I Street.

Open 24 Hours

Switzerland was an amazing place, no doubt about it, but one of those nagging items that would occasionally get to me, as an American, was the fact that once the sun went down, generally, everything closed.

Normally this was good. A slower pace, more time at home ect, but if it was 3 AM and you were hungery, your options were severely limited.

Now that I am back in California, this is no longer an issue. Many places are open 24 hours; gas stations, grocery stores, check-cashing places and most importantly, restaurants.

Of course, using the term restaurant is being a bit generous here.

I refer to the ubiquitous American Diner. Healthy options don't exist. Its cheap, fast and flavorful. Just what you need in the middle of the morning after a night out drinking and dancing.

The unusual suspects

Last Friday (errr, Saturday morning) after a great night out, we stopped at a well known diner chain and for an hour we ate, talked and enjoyed the early morning.

SOOOOO TASTY!

This is one of those truly quintessential American things. Nowhere else can you do this, even if you wanted to. We have something here that is special. Part of Americana and I am so happy I can experience it again.

Folsom California. Even here you can find a Welsh Flag