Goodbye San Francisco Girl

Summary

The text is a personal reflection on the author's deep connection to and eventual departure from San Francisco, marking a transition to a new life in Los Angeles.

Abstract

The author paints a vivid picture of their time in San Francisco, filled with diverse experiences and emotional encounters. From the foggy streets and the tears that dried on their face to the vibrant punk rock scene and the allure of motorcycle maidens, the city is portrayed as a place of artistic and cultural richness. The author fondly recalls the fashion, the art, and the sense of community among artists, while also acknowledging the grittier aspects like homelessness and the occasional need for spare tires. The narrative reflects on a love affair with the city's aesthetics and lifestyle, including the Gay 90's scene, but ultimately reveals a transition where the author feels they have outgrown San Francisco. The departure is not without nostalgia, as the author anticipates new beginnings in Los Angeles, hinting at fresh inspiration and the evolution of their writing.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound admiration for the diverse and artistic culture of San Francisco, particularly the fashion and art scenes.
There is a sense of enchantment with the city's punk rock and riot girl ethos, as well as the presence of 'dark knights and maidens' and the overall vibrancy of the nightlife.
The author seems to have a complex relationship with the city, describing it as both "complex and mysterious" and later as "overused" and "outgrown," suggesting a love that has evolved or faded over time.
The decision to leave San Francisco appears to be a mix of growing out of the city and a desire for new experiences, as indicated by the transition to Los Angeles.
The author's experiences in San Francisco have significantly shaped their identity, influencing their appearance, literature choices, and participation in events like Gay Pride.
There is an acknowledgment of the city's natural beauty, from its "rolling hills and blue fields" to its "sunny bayside and dark tunnels," juxtaposed with the urban and social landscapes that left a lasting impression.
The text suggests that the author's time in San Francisco was formative, influencing their appreciation for diversity and their personal and artistic growth.

Goodbye San Francisco Girl

Dark gray streets. The fog would roll in. As tears would dry on my face. Because they would fly straight at my heart. It didn’t matter who. Male. Female. Those in-between. Weak in the knees, I’d be. Punk rock. Riot girls. Dark knights and maidens on the back of motorcycles. Lots of beer in dark alley pubs on the way to the dive. Live music. Spare tires. Homeless bums and yummy Mexican burritos. the occasional Tapas. The girls dressed in 40’s, going to the swing. Gentlemen in Cadillacs. I was cocooned in admiration. my love of artists. My love of the art. The fashion. The look. The Gay 90’s in San Francisco. I was in you. So in you.

Until I outgrew you. Your rolling hills and blue fields. Your sunny bayside and dark tunnels. Your rocky cliffs and dangerous skies. A land of simplicity and grace Once you were so complex and mysterious. Then I went too far in you. Too committed to you. So it became. A childhood lost outgrown overused. Good bye San Francisco Hello Los Angeles A land awaits me new. New loves new lives. Every song reminds me of someone new. Now I have to write about you My what a round about way I’ve come. Only to go back in again.

And one day I would outgrow you.

I fell for the girls. Not many, just a few, but wanted for the life. Not because militant feminism but because it was more colorful than the alternative. Strait. Basic. Poop.

I cut my hair off. Terrible idea. I grew it back. I went to gay pride. Every year. I read feminist literature.

(excerpt from my upcoming book working title, Sunglasses in the Morning.)