After being in the city for a little over two weeks, I think it’s time to make some comparisons between Denver/Boulder (where I grew up and went to school) and San Francisco. Both of these places are incredibly different. It has also been suggested that Boulder and Denver are too different to lump together in one comparison. I agree. But, for time and typing sake, I’m going to make the generalization. Remember, these are just my opinions. They are subject to change and you are more than welcome to disagree.

So far, I’m loving the city. It’s not better or worse, just different. And I love it. Of course, I miss home. There are many things I miss about the smaller town and the mountains. Obviously, there are many pros and cons to both residences and I could definitely argue both ways.

Here are my comparisons:

Of course, this list could eventually explode off the page, but for now, I think it’s a good summary of what I’ve noticed so far. Regardless of the differences, this has been an incredible experience for me. I, as most of you know, have never lived anywhere outside the state of Colorado. While I love where I grew up, it was time to spread my wings.

And I’m flying!

However, this lifestyle is completely different than the one I’m used to. I have a routine. While I’m still getting used to it, I wake up in the morning, get ready, eat breakfast, go to work, come home, cook dinner, go to bed and wake up the next morning and start over. This may sound boring to many of you (more likely just sounds like your typical mundane day) but at work, I do so many things. They’re keeping me completely entertained with several different projects. Projects I am actually interested in. We go to lunch every day, trying new kinds of food and different restaurants each day. Today, we had to buy Pop Rocks for a special drink for our Office Warming Party tomorrow night. We listen to music, play with Facebook and Twitter, build Web sites – so hard to believe this is actually my job.

And the weekends are even more exciting.

The nightlife in San Francisco is incredible. But, I think that should be explained in it’s very own post.

Coming soon…

I love summer.

Last night, on a whim, I ventured up Baseline Road in Boulder to “The Rock” in the Flatiron peaks. It’s a long, windy road – somewhat difficult to navigate in the darkness. What was even more difficult to map was the trail that led to “The Rock.” It was black. I’m not talking, dark – I’m talking pitch black. We used our cell phones to light our way. Once we reached “The Rock” it was hard to catch my breath.

Millions of tiny lights danced before my eyes. I could see the whole city. Not a single tree was in front of me. It was truly breathtaking. I didn’t even know where to begin taking in the beauty.

I started on the south side of town and weaved my way through the darkened residential areas. The street lamps emitted a soft orange glow that looked almost mysterious from my birds-eye view. I moved through the CU campus where there were quite a few more lights flickering in the distance. I could see the light on top of the Atlas building that fades from green, to blue, to purple, to yellow, to orange, to green. My eyes stayed on that light for a few minutes, just watching the light change colors.

I explored the yellow glow of the moon hovering over Denver off in the distance.

I watched stoplights turn from green, to yellow, to red. Brake lights and headlights from driving cars. Everything looked so small. So peaceful. It’s amazing how different the world looks from the top of the Flatirons.

I love summer.

Sundresses and ice cream cones. Enough said.

I love summer.

It’s supposed to thunderstorm tomorrow. I can’t wait. Thunderstorms are my favorite.

First comes the scent of rain. It’s impossible to explain. It’s a musky mix between nature and man. I open all the doors to the house and direct every fan to blow the fragrance around my apartment.

Then, the slow drizzle commences. It starts with small little droplets of salty rainwater, then transforms into larger dollops splashing against the windows. The windows streak and I trace the pattern of slipping raindrops from the dry side of the glass. The pitter patter of rainwater washes away all other noise.

The thunder and lightning begin their show. They take turns onstage booming and flashing, booming and flashing. I still count in between thunder and lightning to see if it’s striking nearby.

Thunderstorms are therapeutic. Not only does the scent calm my nerves, but the constant sound of raindrops crashing on the roof is hypnotizing.

I love summer.

It’s funny to me how everyone’s mood changes during summertime. Maybe it’s because summertime is the sunniest time of year. It’s warm, people spend time outside and seem to have more free time to do what they want.

Who knows? But I do know that the world is a much happier place when it’s summertime. People come out of their homes. They barbeque. They go to the pool. They meet new people and try new things. Summer brings sheer happiness.

I love summer.

There are 15 days before graduation. I can’t believe it’s almost time for me to spread my wings into the real world. But before I do that, here is a list of 31 things to do before I graduate (or at least before I leave Boulder):

1.       Hike up to the star on the side of the Flatirons at night

2.       Eat the chicken liver and egg sandwich at Jimmy and Drew’s Deli Surprisingly enough, it was delicious.

3.       Fish the Boulder Creek one more time

4.       Pull an all-nighter at the new 24-hour IHOP

5.       Appreciate the bells in Mackey every time they ring

6.       Go camping in Golden Gate State Park with a bunch of friends

7.       Pass the torch as Editor-in chief  :(

8.       Buy some more CU gear

9.       Help a freshman who is lost

10.   Spend as much time with my girls as possible

11.   Join the Alumni Association

12.   Go to all the graduation parties I’m invited to (and possibly a couple I’m not)

13.   Go bar hopping

14.   Eat at Moe’s

15.   Go to another concert at The Fox

16.   Drink volcano’s at Kay’s

17.   And pitchers at Half Fast

18.   Watch the performers on Pearl St.

19.   Shop and get Ben & Jerry’s while on Pearl

20.   Go back into Buffalo Wild Wings (Just to show off, of course)

21.   Eat at the Flagstaff House or the Red Lyon

22.   Go to sushi with my roommate

23.   Shop around the 29^th St. Mall

24.   People watch on Pearl

25.   Barbeque at the Boulder Reservoir

26.   Watch someone kiss the buffalo at The Pub Happy Birthday Bre!

27.   Get a Gyro from the Gyro Cart after the bars close

28.   Have a girls dinner at The Cheesecake Factory

29.   Visit my old dorm room

30. Write my name on the ceiling of The Sink

and…

31.   Get my brother settled in for his first year at CU! One out, another one in!

Now for the home stretch!