Pay No Mind - the Crawlspace blog of San Francisco

They've just got to stop meeting like this.

2012-02-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

My neighbor, bless him, and he's not a Muslim, can bow to Mecca all afternoon as long as there's a mechanical problem somewhere down in there - or a juicy bit of gossip. Now my knees would be killing me.

Humorous notes with a tone all their own.

2012-02-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm always bumping into these witty or charming - even 'pithy' attention-getters.
Even the most mundane can catch you unawares. Thinking this might be a series I'd like to follow for a while. So expect to see me poking around Laundromats and church vestibules in the coming months.

Best use of detergent recyclables this week.

2011-08-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

No. It's not some fatally beleaguered coral reef off Hawaii. The vibrantly colored plastic hangs by design in a shop window with no apparent purpose beyond providing a glimpse of life on the inside, when all those fun bubbles are far out at sea.

How to balance work and beach.

2011-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Boardwalk at Santa Monica and Venice on a July weekend is anything but boring. It can easily verge on annoying or infinitely entertaining, depending on your POV.

Glen Park Canyon - where the city falls off.

2011-06-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

This park may be one of those well-kept secrets. Although I lived 2 blocks away some years ago and visited often, this was my first trip back in many years.
In some ways it's quite extraordinary because of the sneaky way it hides itself away - right in the middle of everything urban. Within a small area of perhaps a half square mile lie glorious Willow, Cedar, towering Eucaliptus, looping trails, reedy streams and even slightly daunting, rocky escarpments. Nimble, mating Damsel flies, buttery waterlillies and legions of song birds, hummingbirds and Red-Tailed hawks bombard the senses. On the east ridge tidy, unassuming homes dangle precariously over the canyon like freeway dead zones or hip, architectural statements. Nice.

That fighting spirit must still linger on

2011-06-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

Two hundred or so years of military types buried here (Presidio Cemetery) and some quite interesting history behind San Francisco's warriors I'm sure. I'm meandering between the perfect lines of white stones and reading names of Cavalry Captains and Major Generals and Lt. Major Generals poking up through blades of regulation-length grass, like marching emerald Lilliputian bayonets. It doesn't seem to even trigger a moments thought in the breeze-ruffled brain of bouncy Robins focused more on a tasty bug dinner.

WPA and a rare Post Office treat.

2011-05-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just love the way these mural panels make me feel–all moody and unsettled. Had to go to the Rincon Annex and capture the whole set this weekend, something I've wanted to do for 30 years ever since I first clapped eyes on 'em. They don't disappoint. The harsh reality of emigrating West through a lens tinged with yellowed filters of the Depression, it's a potent brew. The artist was Anton Refregier, a Russian with a visceral touch for edge and detail yet the faces seem void of expression and emotion, so matter-of-fact. Unnerving.

24th Street Mural-still best in class

2011-05-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

Best history of Americas and deft brushwork in the street if you ask me. This wall (continues round the corner too) has held up well over the years and the chance to snap it again without the usual traffic had to be done. Added exposure of the Olmec monolithic sculptures show recently at the DeYoung really enlivens the richly realized images on offer.

Social Networking hits the bike trail

2011-05-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

Seen on the Sunday Vehicle-Free Valencia Street Happening - looks like up to 6 people at a round table and riding to who knows where? Anyway, who cares when it looks so much fun. I can see Twitter execs jumping on this bandwagon in no time flat. I'd even throw in a coffee bar.

SF Maritime Museum bathrooms - Style on track.

2011-03-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

Although there's no sign of a mural (as opposed to the women's) in the men's toilet, I think you'll agree any self-respecting sailor caught short, would feel right at home with the porthole motif and nautical sparseness.

Sea life oozing with art.

2011-03-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

More details from the fabulous interior WPA era murals by painter Hilaire Hiler - circa 1938 "Lost Continents of Atlantis and Mu" at the Maritime Museum.

Maritime Museum's Fabulous Fishy walls

2011-03-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

Wonderfully refreshed WPA era original murals by Hilaire Hiler - "Lost Continents of Atlantis and Mu" at the San Francisco Maritime Museum. The other exhibits are a bit skimpy since the refurb - not a patch on what they used to be, and they say it could be 3 years at least before they get the next level going.
But the bathrooms are worth a visit.

Windy day near Trans Bay

2011-03-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

Wandering around a part of downtown I rarely go anymore, noticed the dreary old Trans Bay Terminal is gone and a kind of plastic Camelot fairground with bus gates replacing it - to be upgraded by something much grander some years hence. Here and there demolished buildings contribute twisted rebar, rubble and razor wire. This unfortunate brolly, (or is it a kilt?) - failed to make it over. Sad.

Tangled up and blue.

2010-12-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Wandering around the Mission. Flora. Municipal definitions. Intoxicated color.

Veggies go so nice with Mayo

2010-11-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

How important is the mayonnaise? Ask the salad climbing the walls of the old Best Foods factory in the Mission.

Actually the new 'thousand Islands' color works for me-it was a tad predictable before; mayo... creamy yellow - bit naf.

Suddenly I'm focused on 'Red'

2010-07-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

It must be plum season. Always my favorite time of the year in the Mission - and as the lucky owner of an old plum tree in the back yard, something I look forward to with great interest every year. I even plan my vacation around the fruiting days so as not to miss a single orb, barring the odd one or two that get snagged by birds or some mystery animal, most probably a beady-eyed denizen of the shadows. Only this week my suspicions were confirmed that nothing in the local fruit stalls comes close to the sweet intensity of the taste and flavor from a garden plum! There is absolutely no comparison. I feel sorry for all the sad chumps out there who think the red balls of 'Blah' they take home from the colorful veggie stands are even the same league. But then I always have had delusions of fruit grandeur.

Call me weird-but I notice these things

2010-04-26T16:23:00.001-07:00

I think it must be my new fascination with that peculiar, oddball fad in the Mission of 'discreet propaganda'. So discreet in fact, that most people's gaze tends to float blithely by without so much as a thought. Maybe I have too much time on my hands - anyway I thought it worthy of a mention. Don't ask me what it means - but somehow I do get a commentary in my head - and it tallies with my own street internal dialogue.

A MOMA Moment - in the Mission

2010-04-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

This is probably more of a unplanned Group Art piece. The colorful saga of order despoiled and restored and despoiled and restored in a never-ending battle of guile. I'm intrigued by the weekly shenanigans - It's just the shits if you own the property.

Zombie Kat promoting book sales?

2010-04-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

OK I dare you to come in and browse. The bookshop on Valencia Street showcasing 'The Zombie' monthly theme couldn't have come up with a better sales girl. The taunting cleavage - that 'come hither' eye contact. This Kitty has it all. Brrrrr!

Wonder if I'll ever send postcards again?

2010-03-10T17:11:00.000-08:00

They were marvelous things weren't they, postcards? You could sit on the deck of the Mauritania headed for London from New York, like my dad used to in the 50's, and scribble whatever was on your mind-which was probably elegant cocktails with pagan-headed swizzle sticks, while you puffed away on a cigarette from an azure tin of BOAC/VC10 promo specials and flicked silken ash to the deck (the wind always took care of it). They say travel used to be something of a glamorous adventure, you talked about it in glowing terms for years to come-Oh well...

SF from a rear view mirror

2010-03-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's a kick just to look back at the city from afar.

Or through a puddle.

With the Warming Hut behind me and Fort Point tucked under the bridge on its frigid outpost - it's easy to imagine when this was a breezy runway. Instead of now, with vendors dishing up organic hot dogs - there were dare-devil pilots, hand cranking gleaming props on amazing aircraft, made of wood and wire, then fearlessly flying off on a wing and a prayer. Look long enough and you might see a shadow of one in the puddle.

Quick fix for February

2010-03-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

There's not a cloud in the sky. Rain? Are you Kidding!

Don't you love it - being a home owner in the midst of an unusually wet season?

So I'm lying back across my Pilates ball and staring at the ceiling as I stretch out my vertibs... when I catch wind of a hairline crack in the plaster. Crap. Now I'm focusing on a damp blob in the same vicinity too. This is definitely not good. Old plaster is not a forgiving friend. My immediate solution is not to look up anymore.

Amazing how much pain that small trick can save you.

More on the aftermath of rain in the Bay

2010-03-06T18:10:00.000-08:00

Man. Do you know what blows me away? - It's how rain affects your pomegranates! They suck up a drink and literally bust a gut. Is that meant to happen - seed dispersal and all that stuff? OK I do suffer from having a non-commercial variety - you might even call it ...dwarf, if that's P.C.

Rainy Season over yet?

2010-03-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

What is it about freeway on ramps that mushrooms love so much?
I've walked around woody areas all day and found nary a lousy couple of beaten up fungi - but sidle up to some freeway weed-retarded wood chips, scattered willy-nilly, you can barely take a step without treading on a whole nation of the things. Must be all those spores from discarded fast food cartons. My favorite spot is near Trader Joes on Bryant Street. A week of rain and sooner or later I'll be there, poking around the fungi dudes, arching their backs to the passing breeze of Chevy and Toyota.

Green summer bonnets atop the wigs

2009-05-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

Well the enchanted forest has broken out of the gray gloom of City Hall and I was quite surprised to see there has been no attempt yet to pull out all the wicker weaves. It will be interesting to see how far things will go. Maybe no-one has noticed.

Kool radio widget gets my attention. Yours too.

2009-04-10T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hover over an image on the quilt and see info on one of my 'plays'- then you can sing along with me too! As long as the tab is open in the background you can carry on browsing on your usual stuff as if I've taken over your radio - What Cheek!

Wigged-out trees invade San Francisco City Hall.

2009-03-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of those 'double take' moments. Seeing as every tree in the square has had the stuffing pollarded out of it. Suddenly you get an uncomfortable feeling – something ain't quite right – and it takes a moment to realize that this is indeed, intentional.

In fact, there is quite a fantasy fairyland feel to the dozen or so trees a cross-walk away from the doors of San Francisco City Hall. Artist Patrick Dougherty has woven 18,000 lbs. of freshly cut willow saplings atop the Sycamore trees. This is an installation/sculpture experience worth a couple of trips under different daylight conditions to really sense the magical 'Harry Potterish' quality of the intricately woven branches embracing and provocatively probing each other, while in the background the preposterous, domed edifice of City Hall aloof – undecided.

Cast adrift at sea – what do you think about?

2009-03-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

It never fails – 20 minutes splashing about in open water in a flimsy bathing suit makes a quick lunch at my favorite fast food joint a real treat and despite the fact that Fisherman's Wharf is a mob scene, I find myself soldiering on through the noisy rabble to order. Eons pass and my number is called – a tray of greasy goodness is thrust my way. The 10 minutes wait has allowed a miserable chill to now visibly take hold of me and I can barely subdue the shaky knees and wild watery eyes. Finding an unoccupied table is all but impossible - especially when looking as unwelcome as a hyena, so the option is to head outside, past the street hucksters and entertainers skillfully snaring willing tourists, and dive up an alley before I can tuck in.

Is it really is worth it? You betcha – for the visual effect alone.

NYTimes: 365/360 - 2008

2009-02-25T18:24:00.001-08:00

NYTimes: 365/360 - 2008 (in color), originally uploaded by blprnt_van.

This is more of a mental map - still an island. A visual correlation of news items from NYT. You can download a decade of these and print out a large 10x10 inch version. I just really love this idea.

What's this got to do with Beaches?

2009-02-06T22:27:00.000-08:00

Well, how do you make glass anyway - with hot sand, right?
So, you can't find cooler tumblers than these Frosties from the 50's. And what better to snarf down a cool Mai Tai and a jellied-eel sandwich! The patent, frosted glass is cool, even with a Brit Ice cube - (Remember, you're only allowed one - luke warm and teensy).

Hand it to the Brits- jellied (yuck) eels

2009-02-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Seems like you can do eels about any which way you fancy. 'Cept none of them really quite gel with my friend Nick. Guess he's seen 'The Godfather, part 1' one too many times. 'Course the Brits probably don't remember a thing after a bellyful of that 'special' bitter and tying another one on for the 5th time in one week.

Venice Beach Skaters -LA

2009-02-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Serious stuff. There isn't one skater here who hasn't ruled out 'going pro'. This is more than just fun, this is all about being a class act in a beachtown community where image is everything.

Crissy Field, SF-Coastguard Station

2009-02-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

Really. I've always loved this spot. Must have walked there a million times, and swum right there many times as well. Good ghost of the GG Bridge behind. Now there's a very handy cafe close-by with half decent cup of Java, so on those days of frozen toes, relief is a breath away. Since they smartened up the walking path to the bridge it's become very popular - but the station remains fairly anonymous.

Harrison St., SF mural

2009-02-06T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is a cool painting covering the side of a large commercial building on my street and was inaugurated with a dance performance by acrobats suspended on cords from the roof and precariously swinging at each other like a circus act. Bit 'artsy' but really well thought out. Wonder where they are now?

Cowes, IW 1998 boat race

2009-02-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

Around the Island on a sail boat sounds cool until you find out you're there, clawing your heaving stomach for 10 hours straight. Right about now the reluctant crew was getting mighty bored, and tired. The beer was warm, the sandwiches a mere shadow of their former glory. Unless you know a cute Mermaid, the Needles lighthouse and limestone caves are to be avoided, despite the alluring tease of nipping through the middle to cut a corner.

Appley Slip, Ryde, circa 1966

2009-02-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

These are the days when the beach was relatively narrow and we all crowded up near the wall.
Day trippers, locals and foreign students.

Ryde, IW beach circa 1944

2009-02-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

Blimey, Pip! - 7 miles across the Solent in Portsmouth and all along the South coast, a massive allied invasion force of US, Canadian and Brits are preparing to attack the beaches of Normandy - aren't you even a little nervous?

A trip to Antigua and the lakes

2009-02-06T17:05:00.001-08:00

A wonderful bloke in a highland town of Guatemala. Behind him, a workshop/showroom with hundreds of hand-carved pumice sculptures which he'll sell you for a song.

...Es maria la blanca paloma,
que ha venida a américa,
traer la paz de dios.

...It is Maria the white dove,
who comes to America,
to bring the peace of God

s
Sunday 13th San Pedro:
I'm losing track of date and time - and my sinuses are still screwy... no surprise there, but it's a bit cooler and clearer because it's Sunday morning and the fires for cooking and clearing scrabble grass haven't really got going yet - but I'll need Sudafed ASAP. We walked around the area looking for Tony's famous breakfast spot... only to discover that it changed ownership from it's Canadian origin to a Mexican. The food was good, the coffee sub-standard. We called Axuan on Debbie's cell to coordinate plans, then we'll go for the kayaks we negotiated yesterday. Feliciano, the stone-carver is our main objective today, although I could only stand to stay in the little gallery where he displays all his dangling, stone heads for 5 minutes or so. When we arrived, Feliciano was in the middle of lunch with the family, so Tony was left to his own devices for a full 30 minutes and picked out about 30 sculptures - some the light-weight 'pumice'- other types of heavy stone, which in retrospect, I prefer. Feliciano insisted on a recital of a religious song(all 8 verses) so I made the above video of 1 verse. What a character! - and Tony snapped slides of virtually every member of the family(baring the retarded toddler). Next, back to our hotel to take stock and call Axuan again. I'm insisting we leave the canoe trip 'til it cools down- around 3pm. which gave us only an hour to mellow out, because the boatman is fussy about scheduling.