The ground of warriors

It's a good week to be in Oakland. With the Golden State Warriors currently ahead 3-2 in the NBA Finals, the city is popping with a fresh coat of pride. And despite Game 6 taking place in Cleveland tonight, I'm currently lobby side once more as this evening's performance of Remarkably Normal is sold out. 

I've enjoyed being here -- a feeling that surprised me as I honestly thought I'd be yearning for San Francisco all week, jonesing to get to the other, more familiar side of the Bay, But I've found Oakland charming, the people friendly and cool in that appealing California way and the weather, as expected, has been magnificent - I'll take October in June any day, thank you very much Alex.

As tomorrow I'll be in wine country and Saturday out with Ellen exploring SF, today has been my last full day in Oakland and I find I'm a little sad to say goodbye.  In a mere 4 days, I've developed a routine. It's been comforting after the chaos and rush of LA. I will miss it.

I live close enough to walk to "the office" each day - this has not been the case in every city - and I relish throwing on my extra layers, putting in my earbuds and stepping out into the crisp, blue morning for my 20 minute mini hike.

Our venue, The Flight Deck, is located on Broadway, about a block from City Hall and in the heart of Oakland's business corridor. Our venue manager, the amazingly named Champagne, quickly shot to the top of my "favorite people I've met on this tour" list.  We said goodbye tonight and I secretly wished I had another week working with her so we could cement our budding friendship.

We've simply had a good experience here.  It's the 6th week of the tour, we're getting tired and ready to be at home. Oakland stayed simple. Nothing about it was complicated.  It's been a moment to rest and restore before our move back East and a final push in Chicago and Cleveland.

Thank you Oakland - keep on keeping on and hope to see you again, soon.