a summer night

There is nothing really quite like a summer night. The unmistakable warmth of shorts at 11 pm and sunsets that seem to float on forever. And they really do float. The sliver of the moon popped so so so bright tonight, and even did the black rest of it. If it's even possible for black to pop.

The vibe and energy of a summer night is unmatched by anything else. And even, like myself, you choose to take that night slowly, the feelings are all still there. The mosquitoes, and crickets, and sound of the little creek was out tonight. And although all that stuff is probably there every night, it felt particularly awesome and beautiful this night. And when will I ever call mosquitoes a beautiful thing? Probably never ever again.

There are two things I have always wanted to do here in the US. Why I haven't done them yet is annoying, so maybe this year will be the year. And really, I would like for this during one swoop of a long US road trip, but anyway, I would love to spend some of the fall on the east coast. Specifically New England. And I would love to spend some of the summer in the south. I have never really spent any time in the south, and when better to experience it than in the summer? Maybe it's this weird fascination of the American Dream in me, but what is more American besides baseball than a summer in the south? And really, to combine both of those would be awesome. ... My brothers always played little league. So, every single spring and summer was filled with Saturday's at the fields cheering them on. I don't know if this is why, but also, for as long as I remember, I have always loved watching the little league world series. I think it's something about these young athletes, playing a game they love, with their entire world ahead of them. And as a kid, what would be better than playing in the LLWS? It must be magical. Anyway, they are held in Pennsylvania every August (I think august). Maybe Ill take a little road trip this year. .. Let's face it, I know I wont. But I would love to....

And, in other news regarding America. Apparently it's just not marriage unless one party has a penis, and one party has a vagina. And apparently marriage also means that as long as both parties are of different genders, it doesn't matter how many times they get married, or divorced, than married again, because that is what real, true, blessed love is.... And this was made apparent by the ruling today by the California Supreme Court. Upholding the voter approved ban of same sex marriage. In light of this I thought I would share a little gay love. Below is a little snippet of LA Pride 08, cut to Mika's Love Today. Enjoy.

Huff Post article
Gavin Article

LA Pride, Mika - Love Today from downthe101 on Vimeo.

Vetiver

listen. HERE

who doesn't love the locals? Vetiver website HERE

Ross Ching is King

Check out this video for the Death Cab For Cutie song, Little Bribes.
Nice work Ross. Nice.

Death Cab for Cutie - Little Bribes from Ross Ching on Vimeo.

s.p.i.d.e.r.

There is a huge spider on my wall.
And at the current moment my nose is quite raw. Like rubbed and blew it so much raw.

And yep, I missed Sasquatch Fest this year. And of course I missed it bc I live in California. Regardless it will always have a huge place in my heart bc I did attend the very first one ever. This quote and photo sound like it was a good time this year.

if i had 3 wishes

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, "This was DEFINITELY NOT one of my 3 wishes". So, I kind of got offended. Im in this place, in this world, in the same city, on the same street as this dude, and by him saying he soooo does not want to be there, it makes me feel like I am a loser for being happy I am here.

At some point this dude purchased said sticker then took the time to put it on said something. And that in itself is saying what? ..... he has the energy to do all that, but he's going to whine about what he's NOT getting? And really, I think it's about when you're little, and if you had 3 wishes what would you wish for. And getting older and realizing or seeing that what you thought you wanted as a kid, you are not getting, or are not doing, or all of this is nothing like what you thought it would be.

And really, this makes me sad. Because to think this way is only keeping you back and not moving you forward. The past is the past.

And of course, no Thurs morning would be complete w/o Disney quotables....

Adult Simba: I know what I have to do. But going back will mean facing my past. I've been running from it for so long.
[Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]
Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.
[laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it.
[swings his stick at Simba again who ducks out of the way]
Rafiki: Ha. You See? So what are you going to do?
Adult Simba: First, I'm gonna take your stick.
[Simba snatches Rafiki's stick and throws it and Rafiki runs to grab it]
Rafiki: No, not the stick! Hey, where you going?
Adult Simba: I'm going back!
Rafiki: Good! Go on! Get out of here!

Anyway....

ellen, and "common cement" speech

Bob Dylan, Beyond Here Lie's Nothin

Like woah...

It's only 4 min long. WATCH IT. Really.

i am shane becker

Not sure if I have an opinion about this, but you might, so read on....

Entire article HERE

"The Seattle Police Department is reviewing an incident on Friday, May 8, in which officers arrested a 29-year-old man and banned him from the Eastlake REI store after he used his phone to photograph two armored-car security guards who were servicing an ATM inside the store.

Shane Becker, a Seattle web designer, says he was standing in line at REI, getting ready to purchase a lock for his car's bike rack, when he saw two Loomis security guards refilling the ATM.

Becker walked over and took a picture of the security guards and the open ATM with his phone. On his blog, iamshane.com, Becker wrote that he took the photo because he's "fascinated by the insides of things that we don't normally get to see." ...

Shanes side of the story. HERE

close standers

You know who they are. The people who don't "get" the whole concept of space. Or at least space in the western world. Sure, there are close talkers, and those people will always be close talkers. And that is ok b/c once you know they are CTer's then you can find ways to avoid them, and their pressing lips into your bubble. But close standers are people completely different. They tend to be strangers. They tend to be anxious and in a hurry, and they tend to think that by standing close to you it is going to make things go faster. I don't think these people are aware, or care, about how close they are creeping. Up on to your backside like some animal hunting it's prey and about to pounce. ... Ok, a bit dramatic I admit, but still.... annoying.

And the thing about the whole close stander situation is that without being too rude, or obvious, you try to let the person know how annoyed and uncomfortable their creepiness is making you. You do the shoulder shrug, the rock back on the heels, the turn and slight look back, hoping they'll get the hint. but NO. They don't. And you spend the reminder of your time in line feeling nothing but intruded upon. ... Or at least that's how I felt tonight when my close stander was impatiently waiting for a cup of hot water. The thing about this too was that there was absolutely no one behind her! She had the whole cafe to wait in.... On a less pessimistic note she actually had really nice pedicured french tip toes.

i just had like 4 espresso's. eihrusifksdbfbsdfsbdfks.

"...a seething volcano of Sapphic lust"...

I saw a garbage woman today. It's not often you see garbage women. ...

Also, in interesting news, this is kinda of the most awesome blog interview excerpt thing ever. Here are a few amazing quotes. So you should just click the link HERE and read the rest.

Burchill: Don't have me saying lezzer! Can you imagine the pervs' reaction?

Burchill: My advice is marry often and live apart.

Burchill: I would rather be a Jew.

things that are free

The are very few times I will turn down free things. examples: free kisses from the bum living outside my apt. free Trader Joes food samples when I just ate. and a free ride from a white windowless van. Good thing my friday night was none of those things. I went to this magical thing called the Slideluck Potshow at Left Space Studio (which was actually kind of a sexy studio). It was probably one of the coolest events I have been to in a long time. And it was completely free!

I read about it in the newspaper. Which makes it even better because who reads the newspaper anymore? Basically it is a combination of an art show pot luck. You bring any and everything you wish to share. Visit with strangers, sit on the floor like a giddy elementary school kid during movie nights at school, and watch a slideshow of art. What were those movie nights called that we used to have at school?

And damn there was a lot of food. And wine. And beer. And pop. And more food. Like vegan everything, and desserts, and even a dish of pad thai still in the plastic to go box. Incredible... I guess they throw these events all over the world, and I look forward to when I can visit the next one.

oh and one small detail. If you ever see a curtain in a women's bathroom and wonder where it leads try not to be so curious, because apparently at the Slideshow Potluck it leads to two bare naked asses gettin busy. Yeah. Im glad it wasn't me who has that image burned into her memory.

cheers-

NY underground

a pic I took when I was in NY awhile ago.

SF ballet stop calling me

It's tuesday and i haven't gotten around to commenting on what can only be described as the most perfect saturday that ever there was. Let's forget that it was upper 70's and little to no wind, which is unusual for this 7mi x 7mi hilly plot of land. Without plan or schedule the morning was spent at the Noe Valley farmers market (which is just about the best thing since fresh squeezed oj ). It is small, but not too small. Clean. Not too crowded. And did I mention, DELICIOUS? There is a play space for the little tykes, because it's Noe and let's face it, there's a lot of them. And dogs. Lots of flip flops, and coffee cups, and strollers and dogs. There was also a girl of probably about the age of 11 playing a violin outside Martha Bros. Coffee. Im not sure what was better about the whole thing. Her pj's under her dress w/ her rain boots, or her short blonde uncombed bed head hair.

After a most relaxing morning the last thing I particularly want to do is hop on any form of public transit. The reasons being are many. Some of which include not wanting to share my space with others. This sounds kind of bitchy, and prissy, and well stuck up, but let's face it, no one likes getting puked on, or sneezed on, or yelled at by some drunken stranger. The exception, of course being, that I too am partaking in such boozie festivities and we can be drunk strangers together. This was not one of those days however. Riding the J then the N-Judah was fine and well and went off without a hitch. Except for when we almost missed the N-Judah b/c our driver for some reason decided to stop the J and not open the doors. But, hey, we ran, and didn't trip over the train rail divits, so it's all good.

Did you know there is an old horse barn in GG park? Yep, there is, and its awwwwwsome. There are also baby foxes, and an "exercise course" through the woods. Yeah, you read right. That is if exercise can be defined as attempting to balance on a wooden plank. There were also pull up bars, and a sit up station, and a place to do step-ups. The step-up directions were for some reason particularly confusing. ? (pics to come)

The day ended late with a meal at Monks Kettle. With a server who was very sweet, and a conversation with a new friend. I couldn't have written the day any better. Yeah for saturdays, and the people you get to spend them with.

As far as the SF Ballet is concerned, listen here. I have been to your Nutcracker every year. I love it. You put on a fantastic show, and I am sure all of your productions are completely up to par. However, I have no money to give you. I told you this the last time you called, and I will keep telling you. I am sorry, but go hassle the people in the tall condos in SOMA. Im sure they will donate.

gay watch. da dah duuuuuuh.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Gaywatch - Marion Barry
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

packaging

I don't even really like coke, and I think Diesel is, well, whatever. But, you have to appreciate some creative packaging.
Courtesy of The DIELINE

more picture fun

Just messing around. Thanks pfen and zo!



(click for full image)

we would....

classic.
i recommend not viewing the slideshow.

The 9th Annual Masturbate-A-Thon

ping this.

Some photo's I took awhile back. Thanks Zo, Pfen, and Mitch.

(click for full size)

so, let me tell you how life is amazing

I walked out on my balcony / porch / whatever this evening. The weather is shitty, but not cold. Windy, confused. Grey and temperamental. There is a woman helping a little girl roller blade down the street and a little league game going on in the field across the way. How good does it feel to see and experience people DOING things. In whichever capacity that happens to be.

I spent some time watching the game. A solid pitch came across the plate and the opposing batter hit that sucker, line drive, right to the 2nd baseman. The runner on second ran to third. The ball got through the 2nd baseman. The runner then continued on to home. The center fielder promptly picked up the ball, and rather than chase the batter around the bases. Home. Allowing more of the runners to progress forward, he threw it back to the 2nd baseman, who then threw it to the pitcher. Suddenly, in the midst of what was a fine play. Nothing amazing, but nothing horrible, a (what I can only assume was the father) man stood up from the stands. Behind the fence, in what looked like a SF Giants jacket, "Hey, what are you thinking? Get it in! What are you thinking?" Implying the center fielder should have thrown it home, attempting to get the runner out. News flash buddy. It's little league. It's one run. The runner was half way home anyway. Why, on God's green earth would you take such a fine and simple play, in the middle of this moment on a Monday night and make a negative comment? Why? You undoubtably made the kid feel bad for himself. You scolded him, on something so completely stupid, in front of everyone. Why? What's the need? And who knows dad, maybe, just maybe he did exactly what the coach told him to do in that particular situation. You don't know. ....

I hope, pray, that I will never ever take something so lighthearted and joyous like a little league baseball game, and turn it into an experience my children will never want to participate in again.

Getting back to why life is amazing, we NEVER know what is going to happen. What lessons we are going to learn. Who we are going to meet. What is more fun and unexpected than life? ??? Although, according to Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), from the movie Hook, "Death is the only real adventure." .....