Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Out with friend RisaDay off. No plans except to read a sunday LA Times and eat a leisurely breakfast. Then..

risa: joe???
JPennant: heya risa
risa: hey!!
risa: guess where i am!
JPennant: at the airport? :-)
risa: nope, in sf!
JPennant: i was about to step out to the pork store
risa: r u getting breakfast?
JPennant: yup. muy hungry
JPennant: day off
risa: can i meet you there???
JPennant: absolutely
risa: lovely
risa: see you there.
JPennant: :-)

And it was lovely.

The weather broke, the sky cleared, it warmed. Even did a little shopping. Nice when friends come in from out of town and visit.
-------------
Gemini's know the right thing to say ...

"Sometimes I show my friends your web site and tell them 'This is my friend Joe - the photographer'."

Dont think that didnt chuff my ego? :)
-------------

where I'd rather be


where I'd rather be, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

where I want to be


where I want to be, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

weather report


weather report, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

It actually snowed in Frisco a few days ago. Big news.

Well, it was mostly hail and freezing rain, but yeah - snow. Even though it can get chilly around here, and the sierra mountain range will get feet of snow whenever a storm passes through, this is a once in a lifetime event around here.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Speeding in the rain


Speeding in the rain, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Bus ad


Bus ad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Reading


Reading, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Shopping for a dSLR is not for the faint-hearted.

But, Im ready to start making the investments.

Looking at:

Nikon D50
Nikon D70
Nikon D100
Nikon D200
Fuji S2 Pro
Fuji S3 Pro

Not to mention lenses. and other accessories sundry.

Used? New? start off slow?

And where will I get the cash?

Store door


Store door, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Bus ad


Bus ad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

India Palace buffet


India Palace buffet, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Rainy in Frisco


Rainy in Frisco, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Fillmore & Sacramento - the coffee corner.
Go there, specially on weekends, and you'll see why.

SoHo, NY


SoHo, NY, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Rainbow Girl


Rainbow Girl, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Friday, March 10, 2006

Sunrise


Sunrise, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Dont just check the tire pressure ....

pod people


pod people, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Dinner @ India Palace


Dinner @ India Palace, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

I love indian food from childhood (east indian heritage, natch), so if given a choice - id be here every day.

Buffet price (7.99 all you can eat) helps too.

Puppy love


Puppy love, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Twas raining hard.

I thought the puppy was a newborn. she told me it is EIGHT MONTHS old.

The dog did not want to leave that pouch. :)

Not just any pecan roll


Not just any pecan roll, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Not just any pecan roll

Most pecan rolls taste like an overbaked cinnamon roll, smothered in carmel with a buncha pecans dumped on top.

This. hohomygawd.

Light, buttery roll, filled with baked apples, with a light layer of maple syrup topped by an overload of baked just right pecans.

I dunno who makes 'em, but they can be had at the Pacific Heights Tully coffee shop at Jackson.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Apple Store SF


Apple Store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

This weeks horrorscope:
Virgo, sometimes you've got to take a stand for what you believe in. Sometimes you've got to throw up some boundaries and communicate your needs. But before you get medieval on your obstacles this week, we beg you to get in touch with your emotions. Your needs stem from your feelings; don't leave them out.

Feelings? What are those?

------------------

I was just talking to a family member going through some trials and tribs.

He has a long laundry list of woes. Making the mortgage payment, behind on utilities, woman troubles, almost losing his job, facing fairly serious legal beefs.
Troubles mostly of his own makings.

He's quite depressed.

My instinct, of course - is to scoff at his problems as he's only 30. In the great scheme of things, his problems are serious but far from terminal. It's simple. He's single - get out of the house note, dont take on any other loans, assure the people he owes money that he will pay them back and not bullshit them, deal with the legal beefs, forget the woman and move on.

JPennant: Im talking to ******
JPennant: he is depressed.
JPennant: broke, overextended, behind on bills, facing homelessness
G: the usual
JPennant: he thinks it is the end of the world
G: hahahaha...he'll live...but he'll fare better if he made some personal changes
JPennant:: he doesnt know that yet
JPennant: Im trying to refrain from telling him what to do
G: he will when he can't take being in the situation anymore
G: gotta hit bottom before you can crawl to the top
JPennant: yup

Mostly tho, I kept my mouth shut.

Instead, I told him I loved him, was proud of him for stepping up when needed and was deeply appreciative for standing by me when I was going through hard times in Jersey.

Nah, I couldnt help myself. I gave him advice. I had to. I love him.

Still, my experiences with myself and others is that most folk facing bottom are in denial and dont know that quick action will stop the pain and minimize the necessary bleeding.

But, its never that simple.

Man, what will it be like if and when I have kids ...
_______________

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

storm clouds over rooftops


storm clouds over rooftops, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Apple Store SF


Apple Store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Sanctuary


Sanctuary, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

After dinner


After dinner, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Rainy in Frisco


Rainy in Frisco, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Frisco coffee shop


Frisco coffee shop, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Delivery


Delivery, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, March 06, 2006

It feels good to be a gangstah luddite

While buying a book at the San Francisco friends of the library book store today, the volunteer lady, frail with age, but very fashionably dressed in black cashmere and pants - proclaimed how she loved what I was wearing, a black hoodie from hawaii decorated with plumeria prints.

"Very chic", she said.

Funny, just this morning I'd been pondering on going back to Hawaii for some clothes shopping.
------------
I was at the SFPL to go on a computer, as the Dell laptop had gone terminal, and I was checking Craigslist to pick up another.

I used to go to the library all the time but I rarely step foot in there nowadays. That is regrettable, for my social life had been quite lively because of the wide variety of folk at the library. Because of work and not carrying around a laptop - there has been a corresponding decline.

My only concern about no puter was not having a way to offload pictures. Beyond that, I was in no hurry to get another machine.

Ive grown to like not having a machine with me constantly. That was why i was in no hurry to fix any of the dead laptops. I do miss going walkabout.

But, Ive got things to do.

Checking Craigslist for another machine was a plan B, as I'd already ordered a stripped laptop off eBay to replace the dell - having the feeling that it was only a matter of time that the thing was gonna die again.

So it did, and the stripped machine arrived on Monday. Putting in ram, drive and battery from the dell, I had a working machine.

Still, I should go to the library more often.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Fried sweet plantains


Fried sweet plantains, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

One of my favorite foods.

Coworker's going away party


Coworker's going away party, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Apple store SF


Apple store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.


The japanese chica started dyin' laffin when i showed her looking at herself. :)

Friday, March 03, 2006

Bus stand


Bus stand, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Speed of Light


Speed of Light, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Bus ad


Bus ad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Leap


Leap, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Today's horrorscope sez:

Opportunities come to those who pursue them; don't wait for something to happen. Passion alone does not solve a problem; discuss it openly, and you'll be offered brilliant solutions.


Looking back on the things Ive done in the past few years (going cross country essentially broke, willingly becoming homeless), im glad i did them, but I wouldnt do 'em the same way again.

The commonality though, was that I took the plunges when i had no choice. Might have been willingly, but i diddled until i had no choice.

This time I have choices, which make it easier to procastinate. And as a Virgo, I dont take take leaps until Im assured there is a payoff for the gamble of leaping without a safety net.

Having no choice, no distractions clears ones mind wonderfully.

Hmm.

i think the answer is this:

You know those things in your life that you've been avoiding, Virgo? The crappy stuff? This would be a great week to look it all in the eye. The personal growth you can attain from actually feeling your feelings and being nice to yourself is mighty. The trick is to feel all your feelings, not just the cute ones.


Part of the "decrappify my life" theme Im trying to implement.

Heh, still - its good that I dont have to do it this very minute, but the urge to leap is strong...

Apple Store SF


Apple Store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Picking magazines @ Borders


Picking magazines @ Borders, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

I used to sit and read the magazines, but now I just scan. Then if I hit articles I want to read closely, then I'll buy the magazines.

Apple Store SF


Apple Store SF, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Me & my shadow


Me & my shadow, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Corner


Corner, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Volkswagen Corrado


Volkswagen Corrado, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

On my list of 10 Cars Ive Always Wanted to Have.

Volkswagen Corrado SLC VR6

Not brand-new fantasy cars, but used vehicles I can cash n' carry. Every time I see one, I stop, loiter and ogle.

The others ...

Mercedes 450SE 600 (popularly known as the Grosser, its the old S-class body with a 6.0 liter V8).
Mercedes E500(an E class sedan with the AMG 5.0 liter V8, built by Porsche for Mercedes. Essentially, a handbuilt sedan.)
BMW 540i/M5 (the look and the performance of the BMW V8 sedans is an unbeatable combination. )
BMW 525is convertible
Triumph TR8
Ferrari 308/328 GTS Spyder (Yes, the Magnum PI car)
Any Audi RS sedan or wagon
Volvo 960 station wagon ( I love Volvo station wagons, and this one is luxurious and can fly.)
Porsche 928GTS
VW Jetta GLI VR6 (likely one of the most under-rated sedans ever made.)


Mmm, there's more .. lemme think.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Garlic & rolls @ The Stinking Rose

Sunset District


Sunset District, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Serotonin sunday @ Chow


Serotonin sunday @ Chow, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Afternoon sky


Afternoon sky, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, February 27, 2006

george


george, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

A man and his baby.
Berkeley Espresso April 2003.

Serotonin sunday @ Chow


Serotonin sunday @ Chow, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Rainy in Frisco


Rainy in Frisco, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Sunset District


Sunset District, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Bus ad


Bus ad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.