THE SETBACKS

Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong

Well we haven't even hit the road yet and of course, everything has gone to sh**

As with every great, well planned out adventure, the universe always sends you a message saying:

"Are you really sure you want to do this?"

SETBACK 1: THE HAIR

We woke up Saturday morning filled with blind optimism.

Our going away party was set to occur that evening at The Faight Collective, and we were in a rush to finish our to-dos. We hugged goodbye as Danny headed to the storage unit to make some last second sales and Jack headed to Oakland.

Jack's hair stylist had canceled the night before, and Danny stayed up diligently looking for a skilled stylist (yes he is the sweetest).

We had all but given up hope when our lovely friend (and skilled MUA) Myra connected us with Chelsea of Park & Newton salon who (THANK GOD) had an opening for me!!

We were back on track and feeling great about it as we ventured off.

SETBACK 2: THE CAR

I (Jack) walked down the street to grab my car from the garage to trek to the salon.

It was then that I suddenly realized that the gates were still closed at 9:30AM.

It gets worse.

I checked the signage in front of the facility.

We had, in our all of our genius, put my car (the one we are using for the trip) into a facility that was only open on weekdays. Amazing.

I freaked out, texted Danny, called a Lyft, and sat down in the back of a Toyota Prius, letting the pangs of anxiety rush over me.

It suddenly hit me that we physically cannot leave the bay until Monday.

A m a z i n g

SETBACK 3: THE FIT

After a while, I decided that the delay was fine.

Danny could use another day to organize and sell more of his belongings.

We lost our themed room at the Madonna Inn, and had to take a gamble on a new room for Monday that they will assign us at random. Hopefully it matches the aesthetic we were going for!

We were compacting a going away party, finishing packing and a salon trip into one day.

Quite inevitable for us to run into one issue or another, right?

As I sat and exchanged tea with Chelsea while she foiled my hair, she asked me an obviously important question: what are you going to wear to your party?

I let out a squeak of a gasp.

It was then that I realized that my outfit was in fact STILL IN MY CAR.

I sat up straight and quickly started texting Danny. I knew I was stuck in this chair for the foreseeable future and didn’t have much time to coordinate an outfit.

I watched in fear as those three "..."

came and went on the screen.

After what felt like years, Danny replied "Want to wear a piece from Victor?"

OH the amount of relief I felt when I read that!

Danny had bought a few pieces from Haus of Puglielli a designer I have walked for numerous times in New York. I quickly responded with YES YES PLEASE and to bring the piece up from storage where he had been keeping it safe. I had black leggings I could pair with the corset and now just needed the right accessories to style the fit.

The moment my hair was deemed complete I leaped from the chair and RAN to the nearest thrift store to find some shoes. I ended up at the Oakland location for Out of the Closet a thrift store that helps raise funds/awareness of the AIDS Healthcare foundation. I found these GORGEOUS neon green pumps that I felt, along with my friend's trench, made me look slay.

THE PARTY

The only pic I got of my fit (of course)

As per usual, Danny and I were barely able to make it to the venue on time.

The space we rented was behind the Faight's retail shop, filled with natural light and boho vibes adorned with candles and vine plants hanging from the ceiling.

In the downstairs area, Octave1 and his crew did their thing, and our friends really appreciated the dynamics of both a chill casual space upstairs and a wild space downstairs for our party.

We were so happy that so many people were able to come! Danny and I cut our themed goodbye cake, shared laughs and tears with friends, and had a great time dancing the night away.

We were completely surrounded by love, laughter and joy.

Sometimes the setbacks allow us to really appreciate those moments of happiness we have with others.

We will truly miss our San Francisco Community.