the investigation continues

Name : xxxxx Email : xxxxx Section : Airport Facilities Subject : Question Comments : How does SFO handle sorting garbage offsite? Who is the vendor? I want Caltrain to use the same people b/c they don't have recycling b/c the various companies they use refuse to sort through the garbage. It would be great to have them use the same company and recycle. Thanks!!

Response

Dear xxxxx, The airport does some of the separating of materials and then it is picked up by South City Scavengers for recycllng and waste management.

asked and answered

"Lindell, Astrid" lindella@samtrans.com

date Jan 18, 2007 3:30 PM

subject Caltrain Comment CT1/190

Ms. xxxxx:

Thank you for your suggestion that Caltrain implement recycling at the stations. We tried this in the past, but people unfortunately dumped so much garbage in the recycling containers that the various recycling companies we were dealing with refused to handle the recycling.

Astrid Lindell

Caltrain Customer Relations Specialist

do the right thing

There is no excuse for not achieving your dreams. Big or small, our dreams connect us to our destiny. Ideas of what’s next are the universe’s way of guiding us to our fated future.

I firmly believe that one sure way to have realistic dreams rather than copycat fantasies is to have fun. By having fun, we are living in the moment and freeing our conscious mind, and it is during this time of play the subconscious is able to emerge and guide us.

Most of my dreams are not all that fantastic, but they are my true desires that fuel my existence. I am very motivated by achieving these goals, big and small. 2006 was especially so! I am the luckiest person in the world b/c I am living out my dreams right now!!

For some reason, the mainstream culture is not at all conducive for joy and happiness. Think about it – most people worry and stress, leading to poor health and unhappiness. There must be another way!

And there is another way. It’s all about blocking out what others may say and just focus on your own voice. I have had the people closest to me trying to “help” me only to lead me further from what is meant to be. It took years of struggling, but now I am finally on track.

How do I get here? It’s different for everyone, but the number one detractor from happiness is fear. Everyone has heard it before, but being afraid is actually very pervasive in the modern culture. Think about it, the advertising industry uses it all the time to influence consumption. It’s something that parents naturally teach their kids by worrying. Don’t confuse care w/worry and fear. Caring is to wish the best for oneself and others. Worry is imagining that other person can do wrong. Fear is the belief that one might make the wrong choices.

Intuition is the full-proof way of always doing the right thing. If I do what I believe is right at a given point in time, then I am making the best choice I can at that time. Then I am always making the right choice, for me.

Madam Speaker

Saw Nancy Pelosi, Arnold Schwarzenagger, Willie Brown, Gavin Newson and Karmela Harris Monday morning for the annual MLK Jr. breakfast in downtown.

Star struck. Nancy is my idol. She is probably the most powerful woman in the country right now. She is so eloquent and passionate, and a mother of five. To me, she is someone who stands up for what she believes and works hard to accomplish her goals despite all odds. To be the first female speaker of the house 200 years after the creation of the country...

More and more, I am learning to stand up for what I believe, in all aspects of my life. Whether it is being generous or not settling at work, I do what my guts tell me even if no one else dares to take the same risks.

What if Nancy Pelosi didn't believe in herself and didn't think she could one day be third in line for the Presidency??

More than ever, I dare myself to imagine big dreams and to make them all come true!

it was -7F

Went to SLC and back. The skiing was swEEEt! Didn't take too many pics. Still getting used to have a fun camera.

Wish that I was a better skiier, so I can really tackle those blacks. Some runs were not pretty. :P

Still, this trip was just the way I like it. Lots of down time, easy skiing and great company! Of course, I also walked around downtown SLC. Was a little sad by the depressed economy. Seeing a city not doing well for me is like someone who loves food seeing spoiled food. What a waste!

Guess the city just never recovered by ramping up too much for the Olympics and not being able to fill all the extra hotel spaces...

pass it on

I happen to be on a cell phone plan where it's free to receive text but not send it.

After some research, here are some sites that allow you to text for free. They are the cell phone company's own websites. If you know the receiver's carrier, then you can text for free.
t-mobile
https://wmg.tmomail.net/customer_site/jsp/messaging_lo.jsp?WT.srch=2&Result_Inq=answer&InqSource=TMO
verizon
https://www.vtext.com/customer_site/jsp/messaging_lo.jsp
spring
http://messaging.sprintpcs.com/textmessaging/compose;JSESSIONID_JFS=Fmkeo6qaNrIaH12d4esUKkmKP244ZEA6dH2JPfq2iU5wVARD5jjO!493563551!182801589!7060!7002
cingular
https://www.cingular.com/olam/gotoPhone.olamexecute?event=goToPhoneLandingPage&reportActionEvent=A_PHON_PHONE_LANDING_RETR

So far, not all of the text have been instantaneous, but Verizon and Sprint seem to be working well. Also, Cingular's site can only be accessed after logging into a Cingular account.

Just some random info that might be helpful...

once again...

I live for the euphoria that dating brings, and I am once again captured by that everything-is-perfect feeling. Except this time around I am old enough to just let it all sink in. I finally realize that most people are quite honest when things are good, and that's what's worth appreciating about relationships.

As I have gotten older, I am going backwards. I am less jaded and ever more hopeful. Perhaps I am truly blessed because I can the good in everyone. What is truly beautiful is always seeing people for who they are and not how they fall short or are not quite who we want them to be.

It's easier to date now than in my 20s because I am not asking for anything except time and an open mind. It's a lot easier to date and to befriend people b/c I am just looking for people to share life experiences to start off.

The next level is to build a life-long connection with those few special people. Maybe it's not entirely necessary b/c I have it with my parents and my siblings. Maybe I can accept the fact that romance is not meant to be right now.

Ironically it is this very acceptance of the possibility of being alone that makes the dating oh so wonderful!

follow your dreams

So I just committed myself to four months of Spanish classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am psyched about learning another language. Spanish is such a useful language that I cannot wait for all the doors it's going to open. Do have an indirect goal to live in South America for a while but learning the language is a first step.

I am beginning to see that my life doesn't have one big goal, like have a family or make oodles of money. Rather, I have many, many small goals that I am checking off the list. The last three years were fabulous b/c I did so many things. Now, it's more about bigger goals and more self improvement. Cannot wait to see what will happen this year!

absolute bliss

For a while now, I have been quite content b/c life has been very, very good. I have almost zero complaints, and everything is going my way.

Has my luck changed? What is different?

It turns out, it's just my attitude. Am generally a positive person, but there have been quite a few emotional hurdles because I used to expect so much from myself.

These days, it's just all about enjoying the moment. That, and following my intuition. I find it amusing that people spend so much precious time thinking about what to do next. If people use all that thinking time to just feel and do, then they would be happier even if all they did was nothing.

Yesterday and today, there is just a sense of peace and joy. I have done little this holiday season, yet the happiness if overflowing. Well, it's almost time to get moving again. Next up, back to LA/OC!

how to please me

Before you get too excited, this is a PG post, so the title is about a spiritual connection.

Looking back at the club experience Friday night, I have to say that a lot of men tried to pick up in all the wrong ways. Many times, men try to impress by doing what they think is important, mostly showing off.

I appreciate the fact that they care and want to impress, but to impress me, I am looking for someone who is completely themselves and can let me be me.

Unfortunately, I have only met a handful of men who is able to put others at ease and can let others be themselves. Even I am not entirely skilled in the art of unconditional acceptance.

So I find myself uncomfortable when men try to impress. Really, if you are trying, it's not going to work.

So the match guys are trying, and it's endearing. At the same time, I find myself pulling back more than usual because I just don't follow the rules of the game. In fact, I am probably labeled a terrible person because I am not returning e-mails. Oh well.

Just like that, the whole dating puzzle has been solved. I am looking forward to playing it by my rules. Similar to my experience with having fun, the dating game is going to be effortless b/c it is, like everything else, all about intuition!

don't get stuck

Tonight, a friend told me about his latest round of "off" in his on-again, off-again relationship. Sigh. I teased him that his life is "drama, drama, drama," and he replied that he doesn't need any more drama.

Can't he see that after 2 years, the relationship isn't going to work. They aren't even engaged, and there are so many issues.

The bell-shaped theory of love! Realize that no matter how good the good is, if there is repeated negativity, move on.

Ironically, the friend wanted to go for a drive later today, and although I agreed, I am going to pass. I don't need to be the escape. To be a better friend, I am going to let him figure this one on his own.

Slowly, I see that I have been more positive this year b/c I have been able to capture all the goodness in others and let them get through the downs with distanced support. It's what I do for myself, get through tough patches on my own, with friends near by when I need it.

Oh yeah, Happy New Year!

no regrets

It's almost the new year, and I want to focus on good habits. The first one being forward-looking.

There are many things out of my control, such as when I will move on from this job. So, rather than focus on the status quo, I want to stay positive and change what I can.

The first is to network more. I just read about the Residential Builders Association in San Francisco in the newspaper and how they were the entity opposing some of the increased fees for residential developers.

Task list: find out as much as I can and possibly join the organization. First step: their website is under construction. Second step: found phone number and address. Third step: to contact the organization directly.

See, as soon as I move, there is no time to dwell on the status quo but to move forward.

I don't want to waste my most precious resource, my mental energy, on worrying or negative thoughts. My mental energy is to gather and to direct the other resources at my disposal: time, money, people and information.

So, in this last work day of 2006, I can look back with satisfaction that much has been done. Now I eager look forward and cannot wait for this next chapter of my life to begin.

that little thrill

So my adventure on match is in full swing (no pun intended!). If any of it works out, then I am going to have to edit out all these posts, so read it while you can! hahaha.

Actually, these are just meant to be hypothesis about how this online dating is suppose to work.

I like online dating b/c the beginning is quite superficial and is all fate. I like the way someone looks or write, boom, I wink back. The initial rejections or non-responses are all taken in good humor, nothing personal.

First things first. The profile. Having edited others' and getting comments on mine, the profile needs to be short and positive. Nothing too long b/c it will just seem long-winded. Personally, I appreciate the profiles that reveal nothing specific yet gives a good picture of what the person is like.

Then, after making the initial contact, it's the e-mailing. You are just trying to get to the point where you'll meet. I am not a big fan of e-mailing, since it's all useless until you meet. Chemistry is the one thing that the web has not replaced. So many people write for eons only to be disappointed by the first date. Get thee to the first date.

I might be meeting someone this week already. Fun!

am I boring you

Today, a friend suggested that I write about some of my useful tips about SF. Why? Is all this musing not useful to you?

For instance, when in SOMA, take Howard and Folsom rather than Mission, Harrison or Bryant because the lights are rigged to be green on those two streets. Every neighborhood in SF have the street(s) where the lights are timed to be green all the time.

Most people know about Fell and Oak. There is Sutter and Bush, Fulton (not Geary), Lincoln (not Irving), Van Ness in the Mission, etc. The trick is to know how to speed or slow down your car in order to hit all the green lights.

Or the shortcuts. Try some of the bus routes. Usually the bus routes are to avoid traffic jams. For instance, the 12 and the 10 bus go to the left lane on Folsom to avoid traffic going to the 80 Eastbound during commute hours.

The list is endless, but it's more fun for each person to discover them rather than me writing them down. Then again, maybe these are things people want to read??

how do you really know?

One question I wonder about is why so many people want to settle down. Is it something they really want, or is it merely peer pressure. It seems to be that more people are Lemmings than truly independent thinkers.

After all, how can you really want something if you never had it? How can people tell me that they want to have a significant other or a family when they may not know all the consequences of these choices?

I meet and at times date men who want to have a partner, yet most of them just want someone to fulfill their own goals. A partner is another human beings who have her own objectives too. I have not yet met a man who really want to compromise, at least not with an opinionated person like me.

Is that even possible, or am I just dating the wrong people? Is it Darwinism to try to find that one person who will help you achieve your goals, or is it merely how society has trained us to look at life partners?

Much of it is patterning after our parents. My parents are so giving that I see how my siblings definitely give more to their partners. It's one of the unresolved issues for the family: are we destined to put ourselves behind our partners because that's how my parents have taught us?

I was overly giving in many of my relationships, but now that my determination to achieve certain professional and personal goals is so great, I cannot even have a relationship. Or can I? Who will be that one person willin to compromise with me, or will I always give too much because that is my destiny? Ironic that my focus on my career will ensure that my future relationships will be more balanced than my siblings'.

the perfect place

Being single in my 30s is absolutely wonderful! Who knew that dating would be so much better now than ever?

My own theory is that the pool of women in their 30s who are 1) financially independent, 2) not desparate to settle down, and 3) not psycho is so small that I actually have an advantage on the dating scene.

Yes, it helps to be fit. Still, I pity all the women who listened to their mothers and settled down before they have a chance to truly enjoy the best era of a woman's life: her 30s!!

The other night, I decided to eat by myself on a Saturday night, so I did. It was a lovely meal, and I didn't feel anything negative about dining alone. I am just too old to be wasting time having or indulging in negative emotions.

There are bigger fish to fry. I have so many big dreams right now that I cannot be bothered with useless yet common thoughts about not having a man. I am truly in a perfect place because my life is going to be a rocket taking off. I already have so much good accompany along for the ride that I don't mind not having a co-pilot for now. It's time to focus and make all my dreams come true!

right back at me

Had to confront the pressure that I impose on others when I pursue.

Ouch. That hurts.

Sorry to all the men that I push against the wall. My defense is that I was so taken with you!

Fortunately, that is no longer possible now, with this new life where I have less time. Given the importance I place on relationships, I don't want one right now. Anyone, man or woman, who thinks that I can be this ideal friend/significant other to them is mistaken.

It is all timing.

Next experiment: match. Should be fun!

burning question answered

Ran into the attorney that I had a huge crush on. He was with his dog...and his financee. There you go, taken. Upon hearing this story, my friend J said that I was lucky that I didn't do anyting. Yes, lucky indeed.

Life goes on.

Somewhat satisfied that I get to know every answer on my own terms. Have a feeling that the job situation is about to change...we'll see...

chasing men

Many of my friends don't understand why I chase after men who are not always eager to be my partner.

I don't pursue men to make them mine. In fact, I "pursue" women more than I do men. When I meet someone who can make me take notice, I want to get to know that person b/c they might be able to add to my life.

With women, it's easy; they become new girlfriends.

With men, it's a little harder. I've had a lot of men pass through my life because I didn't know how to just be their friends first and foremost. Some of the connections faded b/c neither party sees a romantic future.

Now I know better. For now, I am not suppose to have that one great love, that'll happen in due time. In this new phase of my life, it's all about enjoying people, especially all the amazing men in my life...

choices

For the first time in my life, I canceled a social event for work. I made plans with a friend for a special guided tour of a current museum exhibit at 5. After being out of the office all day, I found out about a conference call at 530. Usually I skip the calls if they conflict, but it felt important to be on that call.

It was not a rewarding choice. Not much came out of the call, and afterwards, as I was trying to give my two managers more input, it just didn't seem to matter.

Still, I am glad I experienced something people do everyday, give up their personal committment for work.

One thing that is great about my current job, it tests my values almost everyday. I am always myself, but I see clearly how that self belongs somewhere else. I belong in a place where being myself is the most valuable thing to that organization. I have that right now, in my personal life, so I am grateful.