My East Bay experience is coming to a close. As I ran around the lake again today, I was amazed how connected I felt to the area despite my short stay or perhaps it was that I could “see” myself living in this hood – the hood close to Lake Merritt, with easy access to Piedmont and College Avenues, not far from the Berkeley hills where you can actually hear the birds in the morning.
In just over two weeks, I’ll be moving my life over the bridge to San Francisco. I make it seem like its on the other side of the country, and yet I’ve noticed a distinct difference between East Bay culture and lifestyle and the City.
I may just have to dedicate one day a week to a Lake Merritt run, a stop at Juice, etc. on Piedmont for my daily shot of wheatgrass and the adjacent Wells Fargo branch where I can exchange a few words with funny bank manager Mary who has that terrific sassy and edgy New York style.
Every day, Lake Merritt has become part of my routine and its the place I go to regain serenity and gratitude amidst so many odds against me in this dramatic move west. How could this place not remind you of serenity and gratitude?
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
