Monday, March 31, 2025
Breakfast at home: yogurt with blueberries, toasted coconut, sliced and toasted almonds, mexican vanilla; hot water. Lunch by myself at Marcello's: mushroom pesto slice, tap water. About $8. Walked and rode Muni to Union Square to see what was left. I walked up parts of Stockton and Grant. Many high-end shops remained. Britex is in a new location but the old sign is confusingly still at the old one, making it seem like it is permanently closed. Many, many storefronts are shuttered; it is bleak. I had a great experience, however, at Williams-Sonoma, where the staff were friendly and the store immaculately stocked and presented, as usual. Moderate rain fell today interspersed with clearings throughout the morning. During a pour, I walked from Williams-Sonoma to Macy's. I had forgotten my umbrella, but I did bring my leather Barmah hat, and that kept me dry enough. In other stores I saw many closed registers and dressing rooms. For example at Macy's I asked a staffperson to unlock a dressing room door and was directed to another staffperson at a register a little ways away. He didn't even stop walking while he told me this; he must have been busy with another task. I walked the 40 meters and was told to walk a far distance, turn a corner then continue to a different register and someone could help me. I walked that distance, and I found registers and dressing rooms, but no one was available to help me. I returned to the second staffperson, explained that no one was at the other register, and said, "I don't know why I bothered to come downtown," left the goods I intended to try on, and walked out. The number of unhoused persons seen on the street seemed normal—not worse, but also not better. I saw signs of retail neglect, such as Wetzels Pretzels still advertising a chocolate peppermint shake for Christmas. A Jamba Juice on the lower level of Macy's was closed, perhaps only on Mondays? At the Dyson store, someone waved to me without saying anything soon after I entered. She wasn't wearing a uniform and I wasn't sure she worked there until she sat in a chair obviously meant for a security guard or welcomer. I'm calling the mood she gave retail ennui. Another worker greeted me more properly a few seconds later. Walked and rode Muni home. Dinner at home with Patrick: spinach and ricotta ravioli in lemon alfredo sauce with Semifreddi's rustic sourdough bread and oil with balsamic vinegar, sparkling water for Patrick, hot water for me. Cocktails: Patrick made an unnamed drink with Gentilly gin, St. Germain, lemon juice, honey, with a garnish of lemon zest. Afterwards we watched various YouTube videos: Algorithms are breaking how we think via Technology Connections then Los Angeles' Map, Explained via Daniel Steiner then New Orleans Map, Explained via Daniel Steiner.