Sunday, October 14, 2007
3am coffee
I hate weak decaf, but this was beside the bus stop I needed to get down to the waterfront. Not much of a choice between 11pm and 6am in San Francisco.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Cold Stone Cones
I just realized that almost every city I visit, I make a stop at a Cold Stone Ice Cream store.
But I almost never do @ home.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Coffee, roll and reading
There is cause for urgency, but my options have opened up, so Im doing a bit of reading to prep my mind.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
Sunday, October 07, 2007
New Jersey sunset
People laugh off the sunsets over New Jersey, saying the intense colors are due to pollution particles - but so what? The best way to describe these sunsets are as if the sky is on fire.
What would you have done?
Yesterday morning, Im on my way to the BART station and one of our resident crazy women/tweakers walked by me and threw gatorade into my face. Out of the blue. Unprovoked.
She probably thought I was one of those passive people and wouldve taken that nonsense. What she didnt realise is that I am MUCH faster than I look and not about to play victim to any attack.
I am not FROM California.
I had immediately reacted and was about to haul off with a closed fist, but at her cowering and fear, the programming about not hitting women kicked in - but I was not about to let this go unremarked or unpunished. So In mid-arc I opened my fist, widened the swing and hit her with the palm of my hand in her back.
That thump was enough to shake her but not hurt her. She then had the nerve to go "At least I stood my ground!" after I'd yelled "What the FUCK is wrong with you?!!"
THAT remark made me mad, but I clenched my lip and didnt haul off properly on her - because it was only gatorade after all.
Put me in a bad mood all day, wishing that I HADNT pulled back to make sure she didnt do that again to me or others.
I talked to a cop. He said I did the right thing. If I had indeed hauled off on her, that wouldve been an attack, not self-defense, even though she provoked it. But because I simply reacted, I was within my rights.
Even now though, I am still upset. I REALLY wish I had not pulled back.
What would you have done?
She probably thought I was one of those passive people and wouldve taken that nonsense. What she didnt realise is that I am MUCH faster than I look and not about to play victim to any attack.
I am not FROM California.
I had immediately reacted and was about to haul off with a closed fist, but at her cowering and fear, the programming about not hitting women kicked in - but I was not about to let this go unremarked or unpunished. So In mid-arc I opened my fist, widened the swing and hit her with the palm of my hand in her back.
That thump was enough to shake her but not hurt her. She then had the nerve to go "At least I stood my ground!" after I'd yelled "What the FUCK is wrong with you?!!"
THAT remark made me mad, but I clenched my lip and didnt haul off properly on her - because it was only gatorade after all.
Put me in a bad mood all day, wishing that I HADNT pulled back to make sure she didnt do that again to me or others.
I talked to a cop. He said I did the right thing. If I had indeed hauled off on her, that wouldve been an attack, not self-defense, even though she provoked it. But because I simply reacted, I was within my rights.
Even now though, I am still upset. I REALLY wish I had not pulled back.
What would you have done?
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Friday, October 05, 2007
My niece
Shy, very smart, sweet. Also, very tough and stubborn.
She is a lot like her grandmother, all agree.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Pal Joey
Few people outside of my family know me as "Joey". If theyve known me only in the US, Im just Joe.
When I tell people of this, specially those who think it's cute, they go on a "Joey" blitz, but invariably - I eventually become "Joe".
Eh.
Which is why when I went back home for my mom's funeral service, it felt like home. Because not once, was I called "Joe". I was just Joey.
-----
One thing I really came to realize about my mother at the service was her skill at keeping lines of communications open.
It is probably no coincidence that since she became ill in 2001, that I am fairly unenthusiastic about maintaining connections with family and friends.
I am NOT a "phone" person. And as my friends will tell you - I "disappear" for long periods of time.
Going to her service, it brought clear as to why my mom worked at keeping the lines of communications open with everyone, especially her offspring.
Family, friends and loyalty was important.
Her passing made me appreciate just how important that is.
-------
I was asked several times if I were going to return to the New York area. It also leads into the question of me staying in San Francisco.
Frankly, it all comes down to money - and not merely the lack of it. Living in New York is hard. Although expensive, Frisco is not as hard.
Long story short, Im not sure I want to go back to New York to live. And although I dont want to stay in San Francisco, I think I would regret not maintaining a place here.
Maybe something will come along to make those deliberations irrelevant.
When I tell people of this, specially those who think it's cute, they go on a "Joey" blitz, but invariably - I eventually become "Joe".
Eh.
Which is why when I went back home for my mom's funeral service, it felt like home. Because not once, was I called "Joe". I was just Joey.
-----
One thing I really came to realize about my mother at the service was her skill at keeping lines of communications open.
It is probably no coincidence that since she became ill in 2001, that I am fairly unenthusiastic about maintaining connections with family and friends.
I am NOT a "phone" person. And as my friends will tell you - I "disappear" for long periods of time.
Going to her service, it brought clear as to why my mom worked at keeping the lines of communications open with everyone, especially her offspring.
Family, friends and loyalty was important.
Her passing made me appreciate just how important that is.
-------
I was asked several times if I were going to return to the New York area. It also leads into the question of me staying in San Francisco.
Frankly, it all comes down to money - and not merely the lack of it. Living in New York is hard. Although expensive, Frisco is not as hard.
Long story short, Im not sure I want to go back to New York to live. And although I dont want to stay in San Francisco, I think I would regret not maintaining a place here.
Maybe something will come along to make those deliberations irrelevant.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Saying goodbye to her best friend
My godmother saying goodbye to my mother, best friends since they were teenagers.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Driving the Iron Monster in the Rain
The Iron Monster is one of San Francisco's oldest remaining street trolleys, made in 1914.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Fire scene
Cable Car conductor:
"How far are you going?"
"End of the line. Why?"
"Well, we're not going anywhere right now."
This is why.
Interestingly, according to the onlookers, the fire alarms went off and but a minute later SFFD were on the scene, which is why the fire from a burning clothes dryer only caused minor fire.
They are VERY aggressive fighting fires in SF. With the density of buildings, a minor blaze can become a major disaster frighteningly quickly.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Barney's SF grand opening VIP party
I stumbled across this event the other day, coming home from running errands.
Shooting events make me happy. I actually get a high doing it.
This is why I carry that big camera around with me at all times.
Today's horrorscope sez:
This summer, what with turning 43, news that my mom is terminally ill and the need for me to take my path to the final level - the theme "It's time" is resonating stronger with me.
This summer, Ive done some self-examination and tried to shed the shackles of past memories. I still have some bad habits (procrastination, messiness) I'd like to get rid of, but now, It's time.
--------
Last night I watched Gordon Ramsey on his new show (in the US) "Nightmare Kitchen" turn around a failing business - and although this was an edited feel-good program, it really demonstrated in a solid way the elements of success.
His focus and single-minded devotion in fixing the basics got results. He demonstrated, it isnt easy - but its not complex either. Anyone can do what they want, as long as they do it right.
What I want to do, what I aim to do - is simple, but it isnt easy.
That shouldnt stop me.
Like a struggling flower pushing up through the dirt, your sense of responsibility has been growing slowly but steadily. Specifically, there is an underappreciated project or resource that you feel you can transform into something magical -- and you're right. So get out there and start making it happen. Take control and gather up your gang of helpers. This is the time to bring out all your healthy ambition and use it. Give yourself total responsibility -- you can handle the pressure.
This summer, what with turning 43, news that my mom is terminally ill and the need for me to take my path to the final level - the theme "It's time" is resonating stronger with me.
This summer, Ive done some self-examination and tried to shed the shackles of past memories. I still have some bad habits (procrastination, messiness) I'd like to get rid of, but now, It's time.
--------
Last night I watched Gordon Ramsey on his new show (in the US) "Nightmare Kitchen" turn around a failing business - and although this was an edited feel-good program, it really demonstrated in a solid way the elements of success.
His focus and single-minded devotion in fixing the basics got results. He demonstrated, it isnt easy - but its not complex either. Anyone can do what they want, as long as they do it right.
What I want to do, what I aim to do - is simple, but it isnt easy.
That shouldnt stop me.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
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