Perkins, I'll always think of you as brighter than a walnut, never fear.

I've been thinking of a nap all day, but then I tell myself I won't get anything done around the condo. Only....see me doing anything? I don't think so.

Emily, I've lived in SF and LA (albeit in the 80s - though I've visited several times in the last few years) and been to Portland a few times recently.

Honestly, I love all three of them, but they're distinct and it's easy to articulate those differences.

LA is spread out and car-oriented. Though, as noted, there are many neighborhoods which have achieved enough density that you could go to a cafe/bar/restaurant in your neighborhood without moving your car. Still. You need a car and you will be spending a lot of time in that car in LA. Great food, both haute and cheap ethnic. Kat has lived in both SF and LA says the Mexican is better down there. The climate is warm, dry (desert-like, really) and temperate. Much more of a beach culture on the west side. Huge latino influence. Lots of cool music (particularly rock) venues and old Hollywood vibes and areas. LA is edgier, a little more dangerous, a little more rock and roll (to me) than SF. But it's also cozier in some ways, since you can get a snappy bungalow in a neat little neighborhod or side-city (like Scrappy's Burbank). Housing would be cheaper in LA because there are many outlying areas. However, you'd exchange your rent cost for your car expenses so I'm not sure that it'd be a huge difference.

Portland would be the cheapest of the three by far. Easy to find cool housing that's affordable. If I were young and had a lot of freedom, I would've moved to New Orleans pre-Katrina. But Portland would have been my second choice. It's one of those places that has both a lot of cool culture and also a lot of room to grow. Lots of musicians who left SF during the dotcom boom wound up in Portland. There is some excellent public transit, but you'd still really need a car. Very outdoorsy culture there. Lots of active cyclists and hikers and runners. Powell's is there, of course. Many cool restaurants and brewpubs and music venues there. Cool and rainy. Quite wet in the winter and gray. Hard on the allergies in the spring. Still - very fun place to go with a combination of Cool Stuff and Cheap Living.

SF - Don't need a car to live here. Expensive housing. Very temperate. Often sunny and gorgeous even in winter. Many neighborhoods to choose from - each with distinct flavors. The Mission, Haight, Castro, Noe Valley. Berkeley and Stanford nearby offering some academic anchors. Half a day's drive from very beautiful scenery like wine country or Tahoe or Yosemite. Strong economy again and hiring. Tons of cultural offerings. Great theater. Decent music. As Cindy notes, there's a strong Boston plus Cambrige to San Franciso plus Berkeley connection. Lots of Buffistas.

Well described, Hec!

I just wanted to thank all the Bitches for their thoughts and advice. I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I am sure my bosses will send me tomorrow. The bites are actually much better than they were last night, so even though I am feeling a little more rational today, it can probably wait until tomorrow morning.

Sophia, I'm glad you're doing better, but please see a doctor, even if your bosses don't insist. I suspect you're going to need antibiotics.

Any news on the kitty?

Sophia I'm glad your bites are better.

One year ago today I was moving into my house! It doesn't seem that long ago and at the same time it feels like this has been home forever.

Any news on the kitty?

Basically, in order for them to take, them, I had to sign him over to animal control. When they decide if he can be rehabbed they will let me know (but they won't have a vet in until tomorrow). If he can be, they give him to a foster family that cares for feral cats, and if I want him back, I basically have to adopt him again. Or I could come in and adopt another cat, if I decided I am too scared of him (it was a little like a horror movie)

I am pretty sure I need anti biotics, too-- I just HATE going to the doctor!

I still can't figure out how I'm going to decide between L.A., San Francisco, and Portland.

SF. And I don't even live there, but if you must live in a city, it's the one. Plus, it's usually not too hot, always a bonus.

Sophia, I'm glad you're feeling better. I think the folks here may be right about the doctor thing, though.

You know, I am really good at emergancies. I can get things done, I call thr proper authorities, etc.

But then the adreneline or the shock gets to me, and I stop behaving like a rational person, and do things like go to work 10 minutes after I found out my gradma died, or think that my cat bites are no big deal.