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June 28, 2007

3 Questions For A San Franciscan

andrea-park.jpg

Andrea and her pal hit the park. Photo courtesy Andrea.

Our recent "3 Questions" subjects have included Megan Marrone, Kevin Rose, Phil Bronstein, and the founders of Yelp -- all pretty darned high-profile people. However, as compelling as we find those folks, our goal with the short-form interview was always to intersperse folks on the street; the folks you meet in your real life, who really are as interesting as, well, anybody.

Andrea F. works on Wednesdays at Al's Comics -- chatting up the customers, helping out on the register, etc. Turns out she also works at the second Little Star Pizza location (400 Valencia), which we recently learned after stopping for takeout. She has a third job in that general neighborhood too -- Blowfish Sushi. There are rumors of a fourth job.

We wondered how someone that interfaces with people so much can be so approachable and friendly. Andrea graciously, and only a little hesitantly, agreed to be our first true "person on the street" to get the "3 Questions" treatment.

1) So, last time we talked you confirmed that you have three jobs (Al's, Little Star, Blowfish) and a possible fourth is on the way. That's some hustle. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they all involve a high level of direct interaction with people. We're personally thankful for our sequestered desk job. How the heck do you handle all that one-on-one, person-to-person stuff? Have you always known that was something you liked or would be good at?

To be honest, I never planned on having more than two jobs. I love people watching and talking to so many strangers is exciting. It's hard to explain, but these are jobs that I've had my entire life. Dealing with the public is what I do. I meet people from all over the world and all walks of life without leaving SF. How much more could I ask for? Of course there's always the grumpy or high maintanance folks, but how could the world survive without them? And who else would I be able to laugh at for that matter? So, to tell you the truth, the way I tackle most situations is to be real serious and then just laugh a lot later on. I've always been good at laughing. Direct interaction with so many people requires a really good sense of humor.

After the jump: how'd she get from Mexico to S.F.? And skinny dipping underneath a castle? What?

2) When and why did you come to San Francisco -- and where were you from originally? What's better about where you are now?

I'm from Mexico. My parents are also from there. When they separated, my father came to live in San Jose. Three years later, they got back together and moved the whole family there. I came to live in SF by myself in 2000. I was tired of the South Bay. I wanted to have things to do and people to meet. I've gone through a lot of houses and some really crazy roomates here. Now I live with two sane computer geeks in a huge pink house in the Western Addition. I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else.

3) Can you describe a sort of quintessential San Francisco moment or story you've lived through or heard of?

I've gone through a lot since moving here to SF. I've done crazy bicycle races. I've been a ticket girl for a pancake juggler. I've seen the sunset at Ocean Beach and the 4th of July fireworks from Alamo Square park. One of my favorite SF moments though, was being invited to a Laughing Squid party by my friend and skinny dipping in the underground pool tunnels of the Albion Castle a couple of years ago before it was sold and drained. I like swimming and it was fun despite the cold water.

Thanks for being our first "person on the street," to do 3 Questions, Andrea -- if readers have any suggestions for interesting denizens of our city fair, feel free to hit up the "editor@sfist.com" account, subject line "3 Questions."


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