Back from my trip to San Francisco, walked all over the city and environs. Hiked Muir Woods and took plenty of photographs. Haight-Ashbury was a necesary destination, got offered some bud, but declined. We ate in a nice little restaurant serving only organic food and sat in the back patio section under palm trees, sipping Sierra Nevada and talking about family. Golden Gate park was slightly disappointing. They had a beautiful flower conservatory, but the whole park is criss-crossed by streets and sidewalks, and it's impossible to find an isolated spot. Even photography was stifled by the pavement and concrete, and the foot traffic was ridiculous, even for a 60 degree day. I can only imagine what it must be like in the summer, especially wight Haight street so close. We planned to take a night tour of Alcatraz, but that plan was scrapped since I only had 5 days in the area. I stopped into a Goodwill on Haight street and picked up a couple of really nice button down shirts, Banana Republic and Claiborne for less than 20 dollars total. On Sunday night we had dinner at the Buena Vista Cafe, the (in)famous saloon whose noteriety derives from the invention of the Irish Coffee. I didn't partake of their claim to fame, but had a Marzen instead, made by a brewery I wasn't familiar with and now whose name I don't recall. San Francisco is home to Anchor Brewery, and although we couldn't take a tour of the facility due to the long waiting list I had plenty of their Steam beer on draught. Across the street from the Buena Vista is Tiernan's Irish Pub, where we had lunch earlier in the day. I had something I've never tried before, namely garlic tossed french fries. Don't ask me why I'd never had this before, but it was food fit for a god, and I smelled like garlic for about 24 hours afterward. Overall a great trip, sore legs from climbing all of the hills, and a renewed vigor and determination resulting from the relaxation and inspirational scenery.

Cigarettes are well and truly history. I'm under 150 pounds still, and just started exercising again. By the summer I want to be able to go to the beach and look good, and there are several hiking/camping trips I'd like to do. Joined a site called meetup.com, which has groups for people with similar interests. I haven't been to an event yet, and some of the groups appear defunct, but there are a few things coming up I plan to attend.

I've set myself a budget, and my parents are more than half paid off, as well as one of my credit cards. I'm going to take out a loan to consolidate my debt, cosigned so that I can get a better interest rate, and by the beginning of summer I should have everything paid off and be living in my own place. My ultimate goal faded into the distance for a time, but I can't stop striving. Setbacks can only last so long, and I've been getting serious the past few months. One final push will put me where I want to be. Originally I wanted this to catalog my journey out of debt, but since I'm pretty far along already there doesn't seem much point. Plus, with two jobs and the number of hours I'm working it's hard to find the time.

I'm ready, willing and able. No excuses, no procrastination, no wallowing. I can see the top of the mountain, and it looks good.