In case someone stumbles upon this page: 2008 had a happy ending, even if it took a bit into 2009. I now live in the lower Haight, having spent a good portion of the past year traveling, and have beat the economy by accepting a good position at a Bay Area biotech company. I’ve attached a picture of my kitchen.
I also bought my dream touring bike for 100$. Got it set up as a nice singlespeed now, and will try and tour on it this spring/summer. Picture attached.
