Tuesday, January 24, 2006

San Francisco Recycling

re·cy·cle (rē-sī'kl)
tr.v., -cled, -cling, -cles.

  • * To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment.
  • * To start a different cycle in.
  • * To extract useful materials from (garbage or waste).
  • * To extract and reuse (useful substances found in waste).
  • * To use again, especially to reprocess: recycle aluminum cans; recycle old jokes.
  • * To recondition and adapt to a new use or function: recycling old warehouses as condominiums.
I attended my first two years of college at a private college in the Napa Valley. I first experienced San Francisco recycling back in 1988. It was one of those let's visit the city kind of things that young Christian boys and girls might plan. We took BART in to the Powell Street station and embarked on a day of art galleries, a half-price ticket to Biloxi Blues and an evening of dancing at Das Klub, a South of Market that admitted patrons under 21.

The galleries were amusing in that the staff took one look at us and paid enough attention to us to ensure we didn't breath inappropriately on their wares. Biloxi Blues was most amusing. For $15.00 we were front row center at the Post Street Theater. At one point the main character is losing his virginity with a prostitute and as the hips rose and fell under the sheets, two blue-hairs seated behind started counting. 1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 4 ... 5 ... FINITO! I'll never forget the "he's not very good" comment. We stifled giggles, though as little virgins ourselves made mental notes of what would qualify a good lover or not. Post theater included a trip to Blondie's Pizza and then trying to locate the club.

The funny thing about the day was the fact that every homeless person singled out Shannon to confront. She could be walking in the middle of our group and we would be pushed aside so that the pan-handler could pose the question to her directly. She would squeek and then get called a bitch. Needless to say the poor Montana girl was unnerved. Anyway, we found Das Klub. Das Klub was sponsored the alternative radio station at the time and was an fascinating array of floors with retro safety films being projected on the walls and ceilings. Well, like Cinderalla, BART had a midnight cutoff and at 11:47 we left the club and started the dash to the nearest station.

We were running past a construction site and I noticed a picture frame. Stopping abruptly, I scooted back and picked up the painting. It was a field of flowers with a boy and girl holding hands. Aww. How sweet. I tucked it under my arm and continued jogging. After two years in my dorm room, I deeded it to a friend and I can only assume that Tami has it still. We made it to BART and while waiting for a transfer another homeless person approached Shannon and informed her that he was going to kill her. Not that day necessarily, but someday. Ominous. I've lost contact, so I don't know whether he was a man of his word or not. This should not shock anyone but this pushed her over the edge and she started crying and for some reason never joined us in our future SF adventures.

Fast forward almost 20 years and Frank and I were walking back from a dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House and just past the fire station on California Street I noticed the back of a picture frame. We were pretty much waddling, which is normal after a dinner at Ruth Chris and Frank picked up the frame and it is now in my living room. I see it as Karmic balancing for the SF Recycling I've enjoyed over the past. Now those of you who live in the city understand that if you put something on the street of any value know that it will find a home quickly. Don't know what to do with that old couch? Put it on the street. Someone will take it. Too lazy to go to the Goodwill? Put the bag on the street and it will find a home. And now ... it is our turn to give a home to someone else's trash. Take a close look ... if you're lucky, we may frame it and turn it into a gift.
San Francisco re·cy·cle (rē-sī'kl) tr.v., -cled, -cling, -cles.
  • * To put on street to pass on, as for further usage in a new home.
  • * To recondition and adapt to a new use or function

San Francisco Recycling Treasure

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Chrissy Field and the DeYoung Museum

Pictures: Click Here to View

San Francisco was a gracious host this weekend for the world of travelers visiting her. We, city dwellers took advantage of the weather and headed down to Chrissy Field on Saturday and spent the afternoon walking alongside the bay with joggers, bikers, and walkers. Our destination was the wave organ and then back to the car.

I have to admit to feeling a bit like a vagabond. I pretty much wore the same clothes for three days. Sometimes I just wore my Tim McGraw t-shirt, other times it was the yellow sweatshirt and the brown plaid shirt; in other words comfy. My lovely pants however decided that it was so hot that I should have some personal air conditioning. This coming weekend ... shopping for new jeans.

On Sunday, the weather held out and Frank and I decided to finally brave the crowds and visit the new DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park. Some people do not like the copper coating to the building or the tower that juts into the air, but inside there are ample opportunities to see into the park and the view from the tower was breathtaking. The collection is interesting though a bit of a hodge-podge.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

A Plumbing Adventure

A few months ago I thought Miss Kitty had decided that the carpet next to the sink was a good alternative to the litter box. I had a rash of evil thoughts and then one day I checked under the sink and discovered that either kitty had good aim or I may have a leaky pipe. It was the latter. Grr. So then I had to ponder whether to contact the management company of the property or not? Because of the recent drama which resulted in my submitting a mandatory application by a November 14, 2005 or face possible eviction, I decided on not. Less contact is probably a better way of approaching them, besides I and the sink have survived with a tupperwear bowl for three months!

What to do? Well, I called my father of course. He surmised that it was probably a simple job and that the pipe was probably holding on by the paint. He was correct. Jerry (see picture above) came over with his toolkit and Bella and with a simple twist revealed that the entire system was holding on by a thread. YUCK!!! Corrosion is not attractive.

It is a good thing to have friends that have tools and know what they are doing, especially if your father is in another state! After removing the old pipes and a visit to the local hardware store, the task of getting things into place began. However, a little look at the corrosion and the build up in the pipes have made me reconsider drinking water straight from the faucet.

Bella was a help and Kitty decided to show her territorial rights by chasing the poor dog down the hallway and attacking her. Poor Bella was interested in the ball and Kitty was in attack mode and not in a good mood! Needless to say, it was a change of pace and I've got new respect for the animal with whom I share a home . I'm sure she has things to say.

Pictures: Click to view

What does it take to fix a sink? Apparently a bit of sawing.


Kitty Testifies

During a routine plumbing job, Miss Kitty showed that she was not the docile domesticated goddess she has led so many to believe. The victim, Bella, was simply playing fetch in the hallway of the house while Jerry was fixing the kitchen sink, when out of the blue, Miss Kitty attacked.

Bella - Who could hurt that little face?

In Kitty's own words:



Translation: I was trying to take a nap and there was this annoying ringing and bouncing and all around romping. I looked down and saw this animal playing with one of my toys ... MY TOYS! Rude. A cat would never presume to play with someone else's toys. Anyway, so I lept into the hall to let the beast know that I did not appreciate it disturbing my rest and it ran right past me. I will not be ignored! So I pulled my dignity together, puffed up my tail and ran after it. Then I pulled a kitty move that I saw in a movie and pounced, swatted and chased it down. Like a coward, the animal dropped the ball and backed away. Then Douglas snuck up from behind and picked me up before I could teach it a lesson that it wouldn't soon forget! Now get that thing out of my face. I've had my say and I won't say anymore.

I guess we know better than to bring strangers into the house without first introducing the grand dame of California Street!

Bella's Rebuttal

Miss Kitty claims I was invading her space. I was just amusing myself! You tell me if this behaviour merits an unprovocated attack!

Friday, January 20, 2006

Life Infused

One of the things I love about San Francisco is the constant little surprises. Where else can you walk into a Peet's coffee and stand in line behind two Tibeten monks in full regalia - shaved heads, red robes, and they are women! Hmm. I handed my Peet's card and was informed that while it was a Peet's Coffee station it was not a Peet's franchise but a Whole Foods and could not take my Peet's card. Fine. I had cash and at least I didn't have to shave my head for my beliefs. Continueing my walk down the street I turned the corner and walked into a couple of 20 something spikey-haired lesbians who separated, walked past me and then rejoined hands. How sweet.

Anyway, it got me thinking about my personal life. I have a great roommate, a cat, and ... well a third house guest that is questionable whether he is there or not there. Kitty likes to have conversations with Grandfather at night, what she has to talk about, I'm not sure, but there chats are lengthy. So, I received a package with a collection of teas from Kimberly the other day. I was about to throw out the box but took a quick peak to see if I had missed anything. What I found looked liked a condom for people who want to get pregnent. I was confounded, was this tea condom for straining or for seeping? I tried seeping and filled it with too much tea. A short phone call and I confirmed that it was for tea and that it had a name, an infuser. Take a look at the picture below and you tell me which one is the infuser and which is the condom!

Hint: The one on the left is an accessory to tea ... the one on the right would be a fetish!

Loose tea is an interesting thing, the end result is dependent on the ingrediants, the amount of water, and how long you seep the leaves. The result is inconsistent and delightful, much like life.

Today I'm having thoughts of SF Sonja because she has convinced me that doing a Liver Flush would be a good thing for me to try. It is basically a two-day process that includes olive oil, grapefruit juice, Epson salts and of course the most important tool … a bathroom. According to the literature, I'm starting down the path to a more spiritual experience, one which is supposed to include feeling little marbles race through my intestines. I'm visualizing a little army of cholesterol soldiers marching to freedom. Anyway, I’m nearing the end of the process and feel jolly if not cleansed and spritual. I'd complain but I was forced to get an extra 5 hours of sleep, which combined with a bit of reading was well spent after a rough week at work.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Today a Burger Saved My Life

Somewhere I've heard that DJ's have saved people's lives by playing a song ... and now In-N-Out Burger has taken it to a new level! They are going to save people's eternal lives! And they are going to do it by putting Bible texts on the packaging of their burger wrappers and cups! For example on the bottom of my chocolate Shake was the text Proverbs 3:5 and Nahum 1:7 on the soggy double-double burger wrapper! For those who were not "raised right," let me provide a little context.
Proverbs 3:5 —Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Nahum 1:7 —The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Don't believe me? Well, you don't have to take my word for it! Snopes.com can confirm my tale! Now if only the Hindus will get in on the act and start adding appropriate quotes on vegie burgers, our capitalistic institutions of fast foods could not only deliver meals quickly but serve to save souls too! Of course, in San Francisco, there is a Hooters next door, so the balance of good and evil (as defined by really bad taste ... no the "wings" are not that good, just as the "articles" in Playboy are not that interesting!) is battled on a daily basis.

Those of you who are familiar with San Francisco might wonder what Frank and I were doing in the armpit of our dear city ... well, we were being tourists. Last year I decided that we should have meals with friends at least twice a month. This worked out well for the most part and we will continue to proactively spend time with the few who are left in the city! I will also continue with attending a live event each month, however, my hangover resolutions from the past are pretty much solid habits now and do not need reinforcing ... thus I needed something new for my 2006 resolution!

My Resolution: For each calendar month in the year 2006, I will spend one day exploring the city of San Francisco.

Frank has quietly agreed to join me, so it could be a "we" but if he's busy, I'll stick to the resolution. Anyway, what better place to start than with a trip down to Fisherman's Wharf and a shopping spree in Union Square. Our adventure started with a trip from the Castro district on the Historic F Line.

If you are a Triple A member, they have wonderful discounts. We were rewarded with 20 free tokens to an arcade on Pier 39, a free cruise and $6.00 off the entrance to the new Wax Museum. Fisherman's Wharf is always an interesting place to people watch. The Red Hat Society Ladies were out and practically outnumbered the sea lion's! To their credit, they were better behaved at least I didn't see any of them pushing each other into the bay!

After a little skee-ball and river racing at the arcade (Thanks Triple A), we headed to the Wax Museum, which unlike Madam Toussaud's, the celebrities are out of reach and looking well ... a little waxy. If you have ever visited the wax museum prior to its current incarnation, the new facility is a great improvement. Granted you are technically 9 feet below sea level, but I assume they have pumps if it floods and in a worst-case scenario, you could grab Marilyn Monroe and use her as a flotilla!

We had dinner with friends and Matt and Molly the night before and he had connected his iPod to the home stereo ... being ever so jealous, I confirmed my desire to leverage my iPod to keep my current collection of music fresh in my head. So our post In and Out Burger destination was to head to the Apple store and commune with the cult. Matt is becoming quite well known for his online music reviews ... check him out at http://moebius_rex.livejournal.com/.

We purchased our new toys and are not spending a lazy evening at home. Hopefully, next month's SF adventure will have the same gorgeous weather.

Pictures: Click to View


Sunday, January 01, 2006

Be Nice ... It's 2006

Pictures: Click to View

To ring in the New Year, Frank and I joined John and Rusty at a concert with the infamously immortal Kikki and Herb.

Not that it was a show I would want to see again in the near future ... it was a good show and Kikki and Herb put their hearts and souls into it for nearly 2 1/2 hours, including two encore numbers.


Heklina, a local drag queen who hosts the world famous Trannyshack show on Tuesday, did not sit in front of us with her tower of blond hair teased to the ceiling and flowing down like the Abominable Snowman in Disney's Mattehorn ride in California (Happy 50th D!), so we had an unobstructed view for our price of admission. Good times and then a good meal at Home, a restaurant in the Castro.

However, since it was still 2005, I listened intently for a message that would help make 2006 a better year than before and Kikki summed it up with the phrase, "Be nice." And I've decided that for the year, if nothing else, I will try to be nice. I have a cat who is according to the cat website about 84 years old and my father is going to be 70 this year, so to both of them, I'll be nice.



I hope your evening was festive, your loved ones fun, and all is well in your world on this the first day of the new year. Today is our time to untrim the tree and run around San Francisco before the next storm rolls in and locks us indoors for a few more days.


Happy New Years and all the best for 2006.

D