San Francisco & California
June 08, 2008
Your Very Own Star Maiden
If you are wondering "What is a Star Maiden and why should I care?" take a look at my post here on the Star Maiden and Audrey Munson, the beautiful young model who posed for this work and so many others. Even though there were at least 95 Star Maidens created for the Pan Pacific Exhibition in 1915, prior to this auction, the only way to see one was to journey to the Oakland Museum. I suppose no one knows how many of these sculptures are still in existence, but it's clearly a small enough number that if you want to see one, you should go to this auction.
Posted by Paul at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2008
Baghdad by the Bay #9
The Chieftain is a 103-foot topsail ketch similar to Spanish ships of the 18th Century, and the Lady Washington at 112-feet is a full scale replica of a ship built in the British colony of Massachusetts in the 1750s. The two ships operate off the west coast of the U.S. stopping at ports, giving ship tours and taking enthusiasts and school children on day sails.
I think that sailboats are pretty cool, and if they are square-rigged that is a big plus. So when I was "accosted" while walking home from the Farmers Market by a young man dressed in 18th Century seafaring garb who was talking about free tall ship tours, I detoured out to the Pier 40 dock and had a look at the two ships. I was smitten and spent close to 45 minutes poking around and talking with the crew.
One of the most popular activities is a "Battle Sail." Each ship is "armed" with small cannon which are charged with blank powder charges. When the two ships go out for a day sail they have a mock battle and try to "sink" one-another by firing their cannon. It's loud and full of impressive white smoke, but there aren't any chains or canon balls involved and everyone comes home to "fight" again. This is what happens most places. However, it seems it is illegal to fire a blank cannon in San Francisco, so the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain must sail across the bay to Oakland to have their "Battle."
I burst out laughing when I heard this. It is so like San Francisco, a city ruled by the insane, trying to forget its maritime history and debt to the U.S. Navy. Although I hadn't heard this bit of news before, I wasn't at all surprised. I wonder if sailing regattas can use a starting gun?
Posted by Paul at 06:02 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2007
Gray Morning Exercise - San Francisco Bay
Saturday morning: South End Rowing Club member on the bay. Angel Island in the background. (Click for larger version.)
The Saturday morning walk to the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Plaza is always interesting. Some days, the early morning light is crisp and clear with the joy and promise of spring. Other days, fog blankets the bay and washes everything with pale shades of gray—San Francisco's version of early morning snow.
Posted by Paul at 07:29 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2006
Wikipedia: San Francisco is one of the very best!
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San Francisco, California is a featured article; it (or a previous version of it) has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Wikipedia community. If you can update or improve the page without compromising previous work, please do. |
It really is a good article. Take a look!
Posted by Paul at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
November 19, 2005
Baghdad by the Bay #8
A while back, I posted about the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' sanctimoniously declining the opportunity to host the USS Iowa at Fisherman's Wharf. It seems they are reconsidering their decision.
Although this is a definite improvement, some of the Supervisors continue to exhibit almost unbelievable self-parody in their public statements. Supervisor McGoldrick is reported to have suggested the USS Iowa could be used as, "a center for conflict resolution."
This actually may be one of the most lucid statements McGoldrick has ever made. The USS Iowa is certainly a great tool for conflict resolution; but probably not in the way McGoldrick has in mind.
Posted by Paul at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
November 12, 2005
Baghdad by the Bay #7
Artist Liz Hickok models and molds the city of San Francisco in Jell-O(tm). She then makes color prints and videos of the result.
I am certain there is ample room for a snarky comment here about San Franciso politics & culture (after all, the artist did model City Hall in "red" Jell-O—which seems right to me) but as strange as it sounds, this really is art and it trancends the snide and snarky. Cleverly, one video of the results is named "Earthquake." It all seems exactly right and it is surprisingly fascinating.
I first came across the technique of making something "unreal" and then taking a photograph (which is always "real", right?) in the art of Sandy Skoglund. I've got a copy of her "Radioactive Cats" poster.
(Via Virginia Postrel and LiquidTreats.)
Posted by Paul at 07:08 AM
September 10, 2005
Baghdad by the Bay #5 - Theme park for restaurants
Every now and then I find some annoying or wonderous fact about San Francisco to comment on. This time, however, I direct your attention to some serious comments about the city, namely this article by Joel Kotkin which I unaccountably missed when it appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle last May.
Posted by Paul at 05:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 07, 2005
Secrets of the East
It is important to always be observant. One of the reasons I love San Francisco, is that it is a compact place and very easy to get around in by walking. One sees a lot more on foot than from inside a car. You can never tell what you might find if you look.
For instance, I have always suspected that there are things about the Far East that Westerners don't understand, and I think this picture from a recent walk through Chinatown proves it....
Continue reading "Secrets of the East"
Posted by Paul at 10:50 AM
August 20, 2005
Baghdad by the Bay #4
In George Orwell's 1984, Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth where he doctors historical records to comply with the Party's version of the past. The 1984 view of history is unburdened by reality, it is a past torn apart and remolded to conform to a current ideology. In San Francisco in 2005, eight members of the Board of Supervisors labor at a similar task — banishing the past and crippling the present in the service of progressive ideology.
In 2001, former San Francisco mayor, and current U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein helped to pass a $3 million appropriation to tow the battleship USS Iowa from its mothball location in Rhode Island to the Bay Area hoping to add the mighty ship to Fisherman's Wharf as an additional tourist attraction. The Iowa sits today anchored in a backwater of San Francisco Bay, looking for a home.
Continue reading "Baghdad by the Bay #4"
Posted by Paul at 11:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 18, 2005
The Star Maiden
It was love at first sight. She was beautiful and mysterious, and I had to find out more about her. The story I found involved high culture in New York, spectacle in San Francisco, scandalous behaviour in the nascent film industry, the leading lights of American Beaux Arts sculpture, murder, insanity, the U.S. dime and half-dollar, and sad and strange biography that I will remember for a long time.
Someone my age should have had more sense than to fall head over heels for a complete stranger. After all, there was the age difference —she was ninety years old— and besides that, it was obvious she had a heart of stone. She was created by Alexander Stirling Calder for the Pan Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco in 1915.
She was also a clone. The Star Maiden and her ninety-four sisters stood atop the parapet above the Court of the Universe, a Colonnade of Stars: "looking down on the activities of men." Her pointed headdress was hung with cut-glass Novagems which were illuminated at night by spotlights.
How I wished I could have stood in the Court of the Universe and looked up at those stars. I was reminded of, and consoled by a poem by W.H. Auden:
Continue reading "The Star Maiden"
Posted by Paul at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 17, 2005
Treasure Island
Here's a short one for San Franciscans:
"At its creation, Treasure Island was 14' above sea level. It is now 9 feet. Earthquake activity would result in liquefactions and lateral spreading and could cause substantial damage if improvements are not made. Officials estimate the cost of shoring up the island for redevelopment at $100 million depending on reuse."
Treasure Island was originally constructed for the 1939 San Francisco World's Fair, and was intended to be the site of San Francisco's municipal airport. Alas, those plans were overtaken by events (World War II) and the island became a U.S. Naval Air Station until it was returned to the city in 1997.
With the right (wrong?) kind of earthquake we could rename it Atlantis.
Posted by Paul at 01:30 PM
August 16, 2005
Barbara Belle Geddes RIP
If they do so at all, most people probably remember Barbara Belle Geddes as Miss Ellie, the matriarch in the long running Dallas television series, but I remember Barbara from her role in I Remember Mama, a jewel of a film from 1948 set in San Francisco dealing brillianty with the usual things: life, death and coming of age. I also remember Barbara from Vertigo (the ultimate San Francisco tour film), where she plays Jimmy Stewart's old college flame, Midge, who watches sadly and helplessly as Kim Novak leads Jimmy's character, Scottie, deep into romantic obsession.
Some (including Ann Althouse) have commented that Barbara just wasn't sexy, but I thought she was a babe. Scottie would have been a lot better off spending more time with Midge, and spending less time pursuing the mysterious blonde Madeleine/Judy. Terry Teachout agrees with me about BBG's attractiveness, and suggests that the Western, Blood on the Moon is another film that fans of Barbara Belle Geddes should seek out.
Babe or not, she cartainly was an actress of distinction who left the world richer for having been here.
Posted by Paul at 06:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 10, 2005
French Restaurants in Bohemian San Francisco
In 1914 a small book with a big title made its appearance. The Elegant Art of Dining: Bohemian San Francisco, Its Restaurants and Their Most Famous Recipes - The Elegant Art of Dining by Clarence E. Edwords may have been the first foodie's guide to the city, pre-dating the invention of the word, "foodie" by about 80 years.
It's a lot of fun to browse thru, and thanks to the continuing marvel of the Internet, you can do so yourself starting, perhaps, at this link which chronicles the beginning of French dining in the city. Here you will learn that one of the earliest such places was called The Poodle Dog.
Maybe someone will try this recipe for Oysters a La Poulette and let us know the results!
Continue reading "French Restaurants in Bohemian San Francisco"
Posted by Paul at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
June 30, 2005
California Wine Shipping Wars
If you are a wine lover and wine collector, you may think that anyone can ship wine to you, and that you can ship wine to anyone. You would be wrong.
Continue reading "California Wine Shipping Wars"
Posted by Paul at 10:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 30, 2005
No Service Less Than 35¢
Old menus are always a lot of fun; they are like a low-tech time machine. I was looking at a website devoted to the history of Mt. Lowe, a former resort above Pasadena, when I found these menus.
It does seems that tongue was more popular 100 years ago than it is now, and while some of the beverages are familiar: Budweiser, Blueribbon -- what was White Rock, or A. B. C., or Rainier, or Acme? And, while I am wondering about things, I wonder what "Half and Half Toast" was.
Posted by Paul at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 16, 2005
Jerry Brown's Blog
A long time ago, Jerry Brown was Governor of California. Mayor/Governor Brown is to the left of me on most issues, but he is clearly very intelligent, creative about governing, and not beholden to any ideology; he thinks the issues through and supports positions that make sense. I remember a story from the '70s when there were some articles about the level of crime in Califnornia and Governor Brown was asked to comment on how common citizens could cope. If I recall correctly, he said: "Keep low, move fast, and don't carry a lot of cash." Now, you've got to like a guy like that, and I like him.
He has started a blog, and I'm betting it will be smart and entertaining. Read all about it: Jerry Brown: The Blog.
Posted by Paul at 06:24 PM
January 13, 2005
Schwarzenegger Anti-Gerrymander Fight
The fact that not a single incumbent in California lost a U.S. Congressional, State Assembly or State Senate seat last fall should give pause to any observer of state politics. Districts in California have been drawn with care to do one thing: protect incumbents. Schwarzenegger wants to change this and this will certainly cause a tremendous battle. It's a battle he can win, though. If every voter got a copy of the Congressional District map of California, it would be obvious how absurd the districts are. Here is a link to such a map (a PDF). Take a look at the following districts: 23, 18, 3, 7, 10, and 11. Those are obvious Gerrymanders.
Posted by Paul at 07:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 06, 2005
Baghdad by the Bay #3
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is on the verge of passing a city ordinance mandating how you must treat your dog. Some examples:
- provide water, changed daily, in a non-tipping bowl.
- suggested means of teathernig a dog with a "pulley-like system" and non-choke collar or "body harness at least 10 feet in length.".
- Food must be palatable and nutritious.
- If there is a dog house, it must be big enough for the canine to stand up and turn around in and with a raised floor and dry, clean bedding for when the "ambient temperature falls below that ... to which the dog is acclimated."
Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier was one of two dissenters saying "I was reading this, and I thought: Now we're treating dogs better than we treat the homeless." Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who sponsored the ordinance admitted that the law may come across as frivolous.
I find I can get endless free entertainment by broswing through the ordinances and resolutions on the SF Gov website. I am certain that there are a good many residents of San Francisco who are violating some ordinance or another every minute of every day.
San Franciso Chronicle article here.
Posted by Paul at 03:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 20, 2004
Is a California Public Education Worthless?
Prestopundit quotes professor of management, Richard Nehrbass on the appalling lack of knowledge exhibited by students entering his class. The report is so disturbing that I hesitate to believe it can be true. Roughly one-half of California's $100 billion state budget is spent on education. I don't think state taxpayers are getting an especially good deal for their investment. See the article here: You're a college student in California
Posted by Paul at 07:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 19, 2004
Baghdad by the Bay #2
There are 578 election precincts in the County of San Francisco. Kerry won every single precinct. Bush didn't manage to win in even one. In fact, there is only a single precinct in the entire city where Bush got as much as 40% of the votes cast, and there are only six precincts where he got as much as 35% of the vote. San Francisco was a Blue Landslide for Kerry.
Continue reading "Baghdad by the Bay #2"
Posted by Paul at 10:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 11, 2004
Baghdad by the Bay #1
San Francisco is undeniably beautiful and living here is very pleasant, but San Francisco is populated by crazy people. You may think I am speaking of some of the homeless (who are undeniably crazy), but in this case, you would be wrong. The politicians in San Francisco are just as crazy as the homeless.
One of the characteristics of abnormal mental functioning is an inability to mature. Some crazies never grow up. The almost-mayor (he lost to Newsom) and President of the Board of Supervisors Matt Gonzales, fits this description to a T. President Gonzales has turned his office into an art gallery and is displaying the "graffiti art of Barry McGee." Click here to see for yourself: Gonzales Honors Artist.
Perfect, I say. It's Graffiti. It's Profane. It's behaving just like a poorly socialized immature high school student. My favorite part of the Chronicle article cited above is this:
Gonzalez's private office is part of a public building, and anyone can enter to see the artwork, and he invites them to come. However, the Board of Supervisors president wouldn't allow a Chronicle photographer to take a photo of his walls, citing his concern the newspaper would sensationalize the graffiti angle and not give proper respect to the artist.
Well, yes pictures might sensationalize the graffiti angle. They might show how Gonzales views the world. They might cause a few of us to once again ponder how it was possible that the choice for Mayor in the last election was between Newsom and Gonzales.
In San Francisco, Gavin Newsom and Willie Brown are regarded as reactionary conservatives. And that is a fact.
Posted by Paul at 03:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 18, 2004
Anti-matter / Anti-San Franciso
I said I'd write about living in San Francisco, but I haven't done so yet. In an oblique manner, I am about to fix that. Here is something you would never see in San Francisco. Celebration of diversity and tolerance in SF stops short of political diversity.
San Francisco voted 85% for Kerry and only 15% for Bush. That is more lop-sided than Manhattan. Everyone here assumes that anyone they meet or talk to is a liberal Democrat (or Green). Living here is like living in a political landscape that was picked up by some Political Deux ex Machina who shifted everything to the left so that Richard Gephardt would be labeled a rabid right-winger before dropping it back down.
Posted by Paul at 02:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 22, 2004
California Coast Wayback Machine
The California Coastal Records Project, is an amazing website containing more than 12,700 photographs of the California coast from the Oregon to the Mexican border. They have recently added a series of photos of the coast in the 1970's taken by the State Department of Boating and Waterways. They have tools to compare the two series and see what has happened to the coastal areas in the last 30 years. It is very entertaining to browse along the coast looking at places one has been and places where one might want to go.
This site is also interesting from a technology standpoint. The current series of photos were taken from a helicopter using a GPS system linked to a Nikon digital camera, which is linked via Fireware to an Apple Powerbook computer with a big hard drive. Read the propeller-head details here.
Posted by Paul at 07:19 AM | Comments (0)