Sunday, October 07, 2007

Canal Street


Canal Street, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

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?

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Blue Angels practicing


Blue Angels practicing, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Empire State building


Empire State building, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Helopad


Helopad, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

My niece


My niece, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Shy, very smart, sweet. Also, very tough and stubborn.

She is a lot like her grandmother, all agree.

Father and Daughter being silly together

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.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Rest in Peace, Ma


Rest in Peace, Ma, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

She looked peaceful

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Saying goodbye to her best friend

My godmother saying goodbye to my mother, best friends since they were teenagers.

My family


My family, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Heaven's Break


Gone out of town, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Dusk over Downtown


Dusk over Downtown, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Gone for a bit to take care of some business.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Big Cat in Chinatown


Big Cat in Chinatown, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Ferry Plaza


Ferry Plaza, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Fleet Week


Fleet Week, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Ferry Building


Ferry Building, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

"Need" is a strong word, traveller

Alley in Chinatown


Alley in Chinatown, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Puma Ferrari


Puma Ferrari, originally uploaded by Itinerant.