I Leave My Heart In San Francisco

Last night someone said to me, "Oh my gosh Natali, you're really done with San Francisco." It knocked the wind out of me.

I had just sold my TV and coffee table on Craigslist and was looking at a very naked living room so the timing of that sentence could not have been worse. Do I really want to leave San Francisco? Will I will join the Tony Bennett club and leave my heart here or will I (heart) New York just as much?

I am not about to change my mind. I wrote a very big deposit check for my New York apartment, I canceled my Dish Network. I am going. But these days leading up to the move have me in limbo with nothing but time to contemplate what I will leave behind.

As much as I try not to be, I am pensive. My heart is breaking slowly for this city as I leave it. Part of me wants to rip off the Band-AID and just go already but I have to wait. CES and MacWorld beckon, afterall. So while I wait for my much-anticipated move date, I will do my best to enjoy the things that I know I will miss about this place, such as:

• The Golden Gate Bridge


• Mexican food


• Being so close to my family


• Specialty's cookies


• Having a car, although not necessarily my car


• Running to the Hoppers' Hands


• Long walks with my book club girls


• Ambiance


• Froyo


• My supper club

While I'm at it, here are a few things that I will not miss:

• Waiting for San Francisco's free city-wide Wi-Fi network to come to fruition


• Being called a Marina Girl


• Getting my car ticketed or towed over parking


• The Triangle


• Muni

I'm sure I'll come up with a more exhaustive list as I get to packing but starting it was therapeutic. I know New York is a great place. I know this is the right move for me. I could not be more excited about my new show and my new job. But I would be remiss not to take pause and give this city a proper ode after all it has given to me.

Don't forget me, San Francisco. I'll be home soon.

Comments

[a New Yorker]

Replacements for the things you'll miss:

- The Brooklyn Bridge
- Dominican food
- Being so close to my family
- Junior's cheese cakes
- Having a 24 hour subway (#1 line safe to ride anytime)
- Running to the "Imagine" tribute in Strawberry Fields
- Long walks with New York intellectuals
- SoHo
- Gelato
- Power lunches

[drew]

It's hard to move, especially with all you have there. I've moved often so I'm never anywhere long enough to really fall in love with the place or have the roots you do there. I can only go back to how it felt when I first left home and how difficult that was. I'm sure you'll be fine though, make new friends and settle quite well. You have so many good things coming your way and what a great place to have a new start and adventure! I wish I could be there to help shop for things for the new apartment, that's always such fun! Again, I wish you luck in all you do and I know you'll be successful!

[Charlie]

Your not going to miss earth quakes? :O Those things freak me out. New York is fun. I never lived there, but been many times. I was a Jersey kid. Good luck to ya.

[Tim]

All of life's biggest and greatest changes come with some apprehension and a sadness for what you are leaving behind. I think, given what you will be doing and the fact that San Francisco seems to be a major player in the web2.0/tech industry, that you'll be back often enough to quell some of that sadness.

GOOD LUCK and we'll all see you soon on CNet!

[Giuseppe]

Moving away from what we call Home, it's always hard. I did it twice, and I know how it feels. But I will like to say the best it's looking forward for all the exciting new things and adventures to come. You will have a lot of fun in New York, and I am sure New York will become you new Home.
In meantime I can tell you few things that we have that maybe will make you not feel so bad about leaving San Francisco.

* The Golden Gate Bridge --> Well we have the Brooklyn Bridge.
* Mexican food --> don't worry we have a really good Mexican Community and great places where to have good Mexican food. I can give you few tips.
* Being so close to my family --> this is the hardest of all I still can't stand being far away from my family and has been 12 years from now.
* Specialty’s cookies --> well I don't know about this, but we have a really good Pizza and some good Canollis.
* Having a car, although not necessarily my car --> You will not need a car for while in here, we have the best Subway System.
* Long walks with my book club girls --> We have Central Park to have very long walks.
* My supper club --> you will have it here too.

I wish you luck in all you do and welcome to New York.

[toph]

in the words of the kid from jerry mcguire... "go ahead and go..."

[Hai]

Your recent post reminds me of the Journey song.

When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Oh I wanna be there in my city
O-o-oh
O-o-oh

So you say you're lonely
Well, my friend, I'm lonely too
I wanna get back to my city by the bay-ay-ay
O-o-oh

You said, oh, there's been mornings out on the road without you,
without your charms,
O-oh
Na-na-na-na-na

Good luck in the Big Apple

[Brian]

The Brooklyn Bridge
Mexican, Italian, Cuban, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, you name it!
Family? free nights and weekends?
The Little Pie Company, 43rd Street & 9th Ave.
Car? Who needs a car?
Hoppers’ Hands... I got nothing. But I'm sure there must be an equivalent.
Book clubs? how about the NY Public Library?
Ambiance - Empire State, Central Park, Rockefeller Center
Cones, 272 Bleecker Street
The Supper Club

Not to miss...

City-wide Wi-Fi... well, who does have it?
Madison Avenue Girl
No need for a car, we've got the MTA!
Columbus Circle
The Subway

Come to the right coast! It's where all Californian's come to make their dreams come true, and so they can revere the beauty of their home state and long to go back again.

[Sam R]

San Fran is such a great city and I can totally understand that it is gonna be hard to leave that beauty behind. New York sounds like it is going to be an amazing adventure for you and after watching you really grow into being in front of the camera on Textra I can say that you are going to be amazing working for CNet. Keep up the great work Natali.

[David]

Natali,

No doubt, San Francisco is rated one of the most beautiful cities in America-- if not number 1. There is much to miss there. That said, I hope you can open your heart in New York City:

- The Brooklyn Bridge
- Dominican food
- Being so close to the mafia
- Junior's cheesecakes
- Having no need for a car
- Running around the Central Park Reservoir
- Long talks with intellectuals
- Attitude
- Tasti D-Lite
- New York Sports Club

"Everythings gonna to be all right" - Bob Marley

[Jolene (your cousin)]

Hey Natali,

I heard the news of your move from my sister. I am very excited. I am an experienced mover. I moved from the BA when I was 22. It was so hard adjusting at first, but after a few months you learn to embrace the things of a new place. Some advice....don't expect yourself to love it at first. Give it time, and you will reep the benefits. May the Grace of God be with you. Enjoy, and I will keep checking your blog so I can keep up with my famous cousin...Yippeee.
Love, Jolene

[Andrew Mager]

I just moved here 6 months ago, and the mexican food alone will keep me here forever :)

[Brian]

Um... copycat?

And some of those things, well, I wouldn't exactly consider assets. I can't exactly afford a second mortgage to buy a piece of Junior's cheesecake.

So invent your own comments.

[Tony]

I just wanted to tell you I "just' fell in love with you! A hot chick, that knows more about electronics than i do?!!! WOW.. You look latina... from where?

god bless.

W\B

Tony
NYC

[antonio]

hi natali, i 'm antonio from italy, you're very beautiful girl, and san francisco is one of the most beautiful in the world.
bye

[Martin]

Natali,

I'll miss seeing you at Industry Events here - you were always more interesting to talk to as an analyst at Salesforce.com events etc. when you were with the Examiner...anyway, as a recent transplant from NYC to the Bay - I can assure you that you'll find a lot of great people and places.

Best of luck with your new endeavor...

[Latif]

Enjoy your new place!

[Latif]

How about not moderating comments before it gets posted on your website? i dont expect people say all nasty things.

[David]

Beloved Star

The star laying at the bottom
of the ocean floor lays still
Your footsteps don't disturb it
as you frolic near the shore

A dive into the clear waters
with goggles and interested eyes
you come upon a tiny creature
you have known through books alone

Tiny little star, brick red
and pointed. You can't reach out
which is why I come to you
to recognize and see myself in you

The sun worshippers know nothing
of what's happening while I hold
my breath, it's running out
as the abode of silence within you

Come back to me you destiny
that which led me to believe
that love is fleeting
above all, it's always there

[ricardo]

Hey Natali.....you'll love NY...its probably the best place that i've ever lived , so much that i stayed...I just caught you on G4TV and i just wanted to say that it was a great report...come and take a bite out of the big apple..see ya

[John]

Hey Natali!

Enjoying your coverage at CES. Welcome to the big time of NYC! As one who works for a media/publishing company here, I'm betting you will grow to love the place even with all of it's warts. When you need a break from the concrete jungle you can head out to my home turf of beautiful Westchester County! When do you start??

[Jeremias]

Hola Natali!
I saw you last night on G4 showcasing at the CES 2008, great show! Como te mando un correo electronico? :)

[Joe]

This may be old news to everyone and just new news to me.
I noticed the engagement ring on your segment with G4TV at CES. Congratulations.

[Rey]

But just think. No matter where you go you will always have us, the peeps who think you rock! 24/7 in cyberspace. We're always just a post away... :)

[Josh]

Natali,

I left SF when I was 18 and it is still alive in my heart. It is a great city and has many fond memories for me and my father who lived there together while I was in high school. I have lived in several different cities since and still think of SF often. I lived on the beach in the Sunset District in the late 80's.

New York is also a place that has created several fond memories in my life. I have family in Montclair, NJ (Right Across the Water from the City). I have not been back in many years, but I often remember what fun it was to have 24 hour access to anything the heart desired. Much like SF in that way.

Now my life is a lot different and I have the benefit of looking back on the time I spent in both places and realizing that I wouldn't change a thing. Now I am the father of two very special little girls who are about as tech savvy as I am. Now I just want to take them to the cities I was able to live in when I was younger.

I guess my point is that if you approach every new experience with a positive attitude then it will turn into a positive experience. You will have a blast in NYC. Just keep the energy that I saw when you were presenting at CES and you will go far.