Why I Love San Francisco.

San Francisco has always been my favorite place on Earth, for as long as I can remember. Something about the Bay Area has perpetually drawn me in, every time. Last time I was in the city with my dad was in October of 2021. I remember going to the Coit Tower with him, and looking out at the waters of the Bay; thinking that I was peering out at a literal paradise.

 My dad and I typically make an annual pilgrimage to the Bay, to both visit family and explore the city. Each time we go, we fly out of Burbank, and from the Oakland Airport, we take the BART train into the city. The public transportation in the Bay Area is unparalleled, especially for the U.S. Everything within the city is incredibly accessible, from the delicious gourmet restaurants to beautiful expanses such as Golden Gate Park.

 I have always nursed a lifelong wish to own property within the city. In my ideal world, I would own both an apartment downtown, and a house abutting Dolores Park, which itself is walking distance from the Castro. In the Castro, the nightlife can be found, as well as rainbow flags on every street corner.

 I love everything about the city, from the weather, to the food, to the architecture of the very buildings. Whenever I walk within the area, I feel like I am home. It is my forever happy place, and it will always hold a special and unique place in my heart.

—G.M. Haffner, October 29, 2022

Yours truly, in San Francisco.

The Power of Love.

I was recently fortunate enough to be invited to my sister’s wedding, in Georgetown, D.C. It was the first wedding that I had ever been to, and every moment of the experience was incredibly special. As she walked up to her husband-to-be, the look in her eyes said everything; more than words or images can ever express. I was almost in tears as they kissed and exchanged rings. The love that day, in that garden, was so pure and so strong, and so inviolate.

I remember the day when the Obergefell decision on same-sex marriage was handed down by the Supreme Court. I was at my grandparents’ house in the O.C. As I compose this post, I glance to my left, where I have a framed copy of the Los Angeles Times, dated Saturday, June 27, 2015. The headline blares: “EQUAL DIGNITY UNDER THE LAW.” All love is real, and all love is truly equal, in my humble opinion. I was so enamored by this decision that I even wrote a 44-page paper on the reasoning behind it while an undergrad at Occidental College.

Watching my sister get married was one of the happiest days of my life. I know that she would do anything for her husband; and that he would do literally anything for her.

The flight to D.C. was very bumpy and full of turbulence, and, as an anxious flyer, I experienced much trepidation at 35,000 feet. However, when I saw the look in Clare’s eyes as her forever partner Stephen gazed at her walking toward him on that fine fall day, every shake, and every bump, was completely and entirely worth it.

October 23, 2022

G. M. Haffner

 

About My Blog.

I have decided to utilize this space as my personal writers’ blog. This is my first post. I am not yet sure as to the direction I will take this, but I do know that I desire a forum where I can post new and current writings, as well as various updates about my life. I want this site to be constantly evolving and changing instead of static; so if your interest is piqued, please feel free to visit gmhaffner.com as often as you like, to digest various updates from me posted here, as well as potential new writings. My plan for this blog is very fluid at this point, but I do know that this first post is only the beginning of what we could, together, do with this site. Also, for some reason, as of now, the correct date for this post is not yet displaying on parts of the website, so for your reference, the date of this post is mentioned below. Just wanted to thank you for reading the various works I have posted so far.

-G.M. Haffner

4/16/22