Saturday, July 09, 2005
Yellow
I think my nascent interest in photography got its start as a young 'un reading Car magazines. In particular, British car magazines. In my view, they took what was descriptive photography to a high art, going beyond taking just pretty pictures.
Flip through Top Gear, CAR, AutoCar and you will see simply stunning photography that's leagues beyond what is considered 'picture taking'.
Friday, July 08, 2005
"Summer in the City"
"Summer in the City"
This is not TECHNICALLY inaccurate, but if you come to the city of San Francisco during July and August expecting temps in the 80's and 90's ... well, no.
That happens in October. For a few weeks.
But technically...
Thursday, July 07, 2005
One of the most torturous things to do in life
..is to book an airline flight online. It used to be easy: Bring up SABRE/Travelocity/Expedia, search, pick flight, book flight.
Things arent what they used to be. Now you have to play the Price Tango with the airlines who try to hide, trick and coerce you into spending more money than you want.
Then I found out that JetBlue, the airline I currently prefer to fly, is no longer cheaper than its competitors.
And every day, the prices kept going up as I delayed booking.
Frustrated & disgusted, I was about to call the whole thing off.
But, Im nothing if not stubborn - so I tried a different tack. Maybe book a flight elsewhere, then fly a cheaper flight from there.
Maybe spend a day or two in that town even.
The choice of city was a no brainer...
VEGAS!!!
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Heeheehee.
But durn the luck, I eventually found a non-stop flight for cheap to the original destination.
Dangit.
But now I wanna go to Vegas. That could be a cool multi-city itinerary.
Hmm.. so lets see.. fly to LA, catch the Tut exhibition, go to vegas, fly back.
Hmm.
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Heeheehee.
..is to book an airline flight online. It used to be easy: Bring up SABRE/Travelocity/Expedia, search, pick flight, book flight.Things arent what they used to be. Now you have to play the Price Tango with the airlines who try to hide, trick and coerce you into spending more money than you want.
Then I found out that JetBlue, the airline I currently prefer to fly, is no longer cheaper than its competitors.
And every day, the prices kept going up as I delayed booking.
Frustrated & disgusted, I was about to call the whole thing off.
But, Im nothing if not stubborn - so I tried a different tack. Maybe book a flight elsewhere, then fly a cheaper flight from there.
Maybe spend a day or two in that town even.
The choice of city was a no brainer...
VEGAS!!!
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Heeheehee.
But durn the luck, I eventually found a non-stop flight for cheap to the original destination.
Dangit.
But now I wanna go to Vegas. That could be a cool multi-city itinerary.
Hmm.. so lets see.. fly to LA, catch the Tut exhibition, go to vegas, fly back.
Hmm.
"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Heeheehee.
Malted Milk Shake
From Ghiradelli Square and the Ghiradelli Square Ice Cream Store
This would be my kryptonite.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Its my one year anniversary
Its been one year, of living in San Francisco.
Frankly, the idea of living in San Francisco scared me. And that was way before I even came here.
Back in NY, I'd gotten job offers galore, and refused them all.
I did NOT want to live in a dank, rainy, dark, foggy, cold, expensive place with the grim possibility of becoming homeless here.
Boy, was that ever prescient.
Still, last year at this time.. I knew it was time to leave Berkeley and get to San Francisco. This time, I had a plan.
So, now Im living in a dank, rainy, dark, foggy, cold and expensive place. And doing ok.
I feel lucky.
But, whoo - Im lookin' forward for a brief respite from Summer in San Francisco.
Its been one year, of living in San Francisco.Frankly, the idea of living in San Francisco scared me. And that was way before I even came here.
Back in NY, I'd gotten job offers galore, and refused them all.
I did NOT want to live in a dank, rainy, dark, foggy, cold, expensive place with the grim possibility of becoming homeless here.
Boy, was that ever prescient.
Still, last year at this time.. I knew it was time to leave Berkeley and get to San Francisco. This time, I had a plan.
So, now Im living in a dank, rainy, dark, foggy, cold and expensive place. And doing ok.
I feel lucky.
But, whoo - Im lookin' forward for a brief respite from Summer in San Francisco.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
This sounds suspiciously like work
Today's horrorscope:
This evening I get a short note from my big sister in Chicago...
Book? Oh yeah.
And the other stuff?
Workin on it.
Today's horrorscope:
Your main task now is to give form to your ideas. You may have it all planned out in your head but it won't be of much use of it stays in your head - you need to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in to the practicalities. There is so much you can do now, so much you can achieve, but it won't just happen as if by magic.
This evening I get a short note from my big sister in Chicago...
Joey,
How is the book coming? I want to buy a copy when you get published.
Hope all is well.
S
Book? Oh yeah.
And the other stuff?
Workin on it.
Police Action @ Aquatic Park
Most folk in the Bay Area are unaware that Aquatic Park bordering Fisherman's Wharf is FEDERAL property.
For the most part, the US Park Police stay in the background.
But when the Feds put the hammer down .. they dont play.
Chicago Deep Dish
(Fisherman's Wharf)
Ahh, now THAT'S Chicago Deep Dish.
I didnt get any as they were charging the tourist-gouging price of 5 bux a slice.
Monday, July 04, 2005
In print
(SF Chronicle)
Quote: "We have almost as many pot clubs in this town as we do Starbucks."
Pot clubs. This would be one of the California culture shocks I encountered.
For a 100 bucks, you can get a county Medical Marijuana card.. no matter your actual medical condition.
In Mendocino and Humboldt counties in northern california, up to a certain limit, you can legally grow marijuana for personal use and resale (plants only, not buds).
In Oakland, i went to a coffee club to get some coffee. eople were surprised that I was actually buying coffee and munchies. In a very busy club, I was the only person actually doing so.
People were looking at me like I was weird. or a Fed.
Oakland Coliseum
I havent been to a major league baseball game since the 80's, so Ive been meaning to go to one.
So, the other day, I had a window of free time, and went to see a game as the ChiSox were in town.
I dont really go for the game. I just go to hang out.
And it was fireworks night.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Oakland Coliseum
Oakland Coliseum
Only in California...
To my Chicago seatmates:
"Only in Califonia will you find people at a balgame sipping wine from a glass."
"Only in California..."
"Back in Chicago, we'd be guzzling wine from a plastic CUP."
"Hahaha.."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
