See you soon in SF.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
sad time leaving
Goodnight beach. Goodnight family. Goodnight Nashville. It's time to go back to San Francisco and work and business and cool fog and cold nights and my fast life of busy and bustle. And in between of course, more adventures.
See you soon in SF.
See you soon in SF.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Love from Nashville
The party vacation is coming to a close. Tonight is a birthday dinner for Brother Mac and me and I fly back tomorrow.
The sun is out and I'm going to hit the pool one last time. A little late in the day—another long night last night, featuring showtunes at Tribe, so bad it was fun dancing at the Wildhorse, dinner at the Hermitage Cafe, and another closing of Play.
Before I go, a final word on the Hermitage Cafe. I don't have time to do it justice here, but the Hermitage Cafe is a quiet legend around here and Keith's, and Keith's bestest buddies Joey's and Eric's, favorite place to eat. You have GOT to love a diner that doesn't open until 10:00 at night. No wonder it's famous with the just-before-they're-famous artist crowd.
I love the Hermitage Cafe, and succumbed to the loving embrace of chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy.
. 
And you know, Keith.
Keith, Joey, and Eric are here so often they call her Momma and are closer to her I think than to most of their own family members. I'm in love with Momma too.
Keith et al know and command the jukebox, with occasional dance performances depending on the crowd (or just that Darius was unaware of the affect Beyoncé was having on him at the time).
Some of the Sundance crowd in SF may recognize the Hermitage Cafe...
from Sugarland's Baby Girl video.
The sun is out and I'm going to hit the pool one last time. A little late in the day—another long night last night, featuring showtunes at Tribe, so bad it was fun dancing at the Wildhorse, dinner at the Hermitage Cafe, and another closing of Play.
Before I go, a final word on the Hermitage Cafe. I don't have time to do it justice here, but the Hermitage Cafe is a quiet legend around here and Keith's, and Keith's bestest buddies Joey's and Eric's, favorite place to eat. You have GOT to love a diner that doesn't open until 10:00 at night. No wonder it's famous with the just-before-they're-famous artist crowd.
I love the Hermitage Cafe, and succumbed to the loving embrace of chicken fried steak with biscuits and gravy.
. And you know, Keith.
Keith, Joey, and Eric are here so often they call her Momma and are closer to her I think than to most of their own family members. I'm in love with Momma too.
Keith et al know and command the jukebox, with occasional dance performances depending on the crowd (or just that Darius was unaware of the affect Beyoncé was having on him at the time).
Some of the Sundance crowd in SF may recognize the Hermitage Cafe...
from Sugarland's Baby Girl video.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
where the Shilpa should shop
Seen in Helios Art Glassworks in Nashville—the studio and shop of artisan and dear old friend Tyree MacFarland:
And "I Can Bleed" Book
Look Mommy, I can empathize all by myself.
See in a bookstore in the children's section. Is the Hindenburg disaster and the painful, fiery death of its passengers really a good story for the learning-to-read age?
Oh..the...Mommy, was does h-u-m-a-n-i-t-y spell?
(Since posting this to Facebook I have been corrected that this is not for three-year-olds but for reading level three.)
What's next? A Jonestown book with sample FlavorAid?
See in a bookstore in the children's section. Is the Hindenburg disaster and the painful, fiery death of its passengers really a good story for the learning-to-read age?
Oh..the...Mommy, was does h-u-m-a-n-i-t-y spell?
(Since posting this to Facebook I have been corrected that this is not for three-year-olds but for reading level three.)
What's next? A Jonestown book with sample FlavorAid?
Drive South
I flew to Nashville on Friday to spend a fun day with friends before driving my parents the 8 or 9 hours (we need to stop a lot) to Rosemary Beach, on the Florida panhandle west of Panama City. It's a nicer version (if you can imagine) of the developments similar to Seaside (set of The Truman Show about 15/20 minutes West on 30A.
It was a long drive down, and an even longer drive back. I got back to Nashville around midnight last night. The trip was fantastic, and more Nashville adventures are pending before I wing back to real life.
Blogging as I have time, but it's another gorgeous and hot summer day here so I don't want to waste it on the computer.
Here are some snapshots from the ride down:
An old Stuckey's in very rural Alabama, which seemed to be a Stuckey's no more but did house a typical "gift" shop and a Dairy Queen. Dairy Queens are hard to come by in California, and I was happy to stop, stretch my legs, let Dad walk and use the facilities, and get me a Dairy Dip.
Papa John enjoys a Dairy Dip
I took in a lot of forgotten southern Americana on the hot drive south. We had to stop for gas in a scary, scary part of Montgomery, Alabama to leave I-65 South for Route 331 (Montgomery is where, I've learned, Channing Tatum grew up and whose father still has a farm —I was flipping through the GQ interview while waiting at one of the stops). Back to this scary area and scary gas station—only one of the three restrooms was in working order, and all had a series of locks, chains, and padlocks. I had to wonder what the hell went on around here that necessitated the locks, AND what circumstances caused each of the locks to be penetrated. On the way back I noticed this was near the bus station. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Anyway, it was so remarkable I took a snap with my phone.
Just before sunset, we finally made it to the amazing house. Four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, pool, and carriage house with it's own self-contained apartment which can sleep four.
Ah. Finally. Some surf and sun.
In the morning I played in the pool with the kids for about 45 minutes before putting on sunscreen. Ouch. I'm just starting to peel now.
It was a long drive down, and an even longer drive back. I got back to Nashville around midnight last night. The trip was fantastic, and more Nashville adventures are pending before I wing back to real life.
Blogging as I have time, but it's another gorgeous and hot summer day here so I don't want to waste it on the computer.
Here are some snapshots from the ride down:
An old Stuckey's in very rural Alabama, which seemed to be a Stuckey's no more but did house a typical "gift" shop and a Dairy Queen. Dairy Queens are hard to come by in California, and I was happy to stop, stretch my legs, let Dad walk and use the facilities, and get me a Dairy Dip.
Papa John enjoys a Dairy Dip
I took in a lot of forgotten southern Americana on the hot drive south. We had to stop for gas in a scary, scary part of Montgomery, Alabama to leave I-65 South for Route 331 (Montgomery is where, I've learned, Channing Tatum grew up and whose father still has a farm —I was flipping through the GQ interview while waiting at one of the stops). Back to this scary area and scary gas station—only one of the three restrooms was in working order, and all had a series of locks, chains, and padlocks. I had to wonder what the hell went on around here that necessitated the locks, AND what circumstances caused each of the locks to be penetrated. On the way back I noticed this was near the bus station. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
Anyway, it was so remarkable I took a snap with my phone.
Just before sunset, we finally made it to the amazing house. Four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, pool, and carriage house with it's own self-contained apartment which can sleep four.
Ah. Finally. Some surf and sun.
In the morning I played in the pool with the kids for about 45 minutes before putting on sunscreen. Ouch. I'm just starting to peel now.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Raycation
I'm off to Nashville then driving the parents to Florida for a vacation with the whole family.
I'm hoping for some serious poolside rays to darken this San Franciscan pale.
Posts will be light at best while I am away.
Last word: Farewell John Hughes. The X'ers won't forget about you.
I'm hoping for some serious poolside rays to darken this San Franciscan pale.
Posts will be light at best while I am away.
Last word: Farewell John Hughes. The X'ers won't forget about you.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Shilpadelphia
Because she is all about the brotherly love.
It's Raksha Bandhan, when Indian girls honor and celebrate their brothers. Tonight she's performing the ceremony for the loving brothers in her life: Kevin, Pee Dee and me.
We are family, and she is Sister Shilpa Sledge.
And shout to absent New Zealand brother Barney, who started calling Shilpa Shilper/Shilpers. So much love. The love is not absent, event thought the Barney is.
It's Raksha Bandhan, when Indian girls honor and celebrate their brothers. Tonight she's performing the ceremony for the loving brothers in her life: Kevin, Pee Dee and me.
We are family, and she is Sister Shilpa Sledge.
And shout to absent New Zealand brother Barney, who started calling Shilpa Shilper/Shilpers. So much love. The love is not absent, event thought the Barney is.
Apples iPhone app process complete fustercluck
When it comes to the completely closed and obfuscated iPhone application review approval process, Apple's hypocrisy, inconsistency and capriciousness bordering on cruelty continues unabated, if not at an accelerated pace.
The intended-to-be-reliable dictionary, and the only reliable one so far for the iPhone, has been met with constant censorship, crippling restrictions, and now an adults-only rating. Never mind that there are dozens of other dictionaries approved for the app store with offensive content and inaccurate source material, Apple has now gone on to censor a freaking dictionary! And require it to be tagged as restricted to 17 and over. Censored words include ass (as in donkey) and cock (as in chicken). In a dictionary. The chicken says fustercluck.
Ninja Dictionary had a simple and admirable goal—and word man that I am I would have paid happily for it. Matchbook Software describes the app as such:
And if an Apple acolyte like me is getting all ranty, you know that division must be really effing up.
Maybe I could help. Maybe they are hiring. But would I really want to throw myself into that pit? Maybe, if the attitude was one of change and improvement. The silence from Cupertino says no.
Update: Engaget has more.
As does Gizmodo: The Stupidest App Store Incident Yet: Apple Censors a Dictionary
The intended-to-be-reliable dictionary, and the only reliable one so far for the iPhone, has been met with constant censorship, crippling restrictions, and now an adults-only rating. Never mind that there are dozens of other dictionaries approved for the app store with offensive content and inaccurate source material, Apple has now gone on to censor a freaking dictionary! And require it to be tagged as restricted to 17 and over. Censored words include ass (as in donkey) and cock (as in chicken). In a dictionary. The chicken says fustercluck.Ninja Dictionary had a simple and admirable goal—and word man that I am I would have paid happily for it. Matchbook Software describes the app as such:
Ninjas are three things:Alas, Apple appears to have no such aspirations.
1. They’re smart
2. They’re quick
3. They’re deadly accurate
Ninjawords is a dictionary for the iPhone built on these principles.
And if an Apple acolyte like me is getting all ranty, you know that division must be really effing up.
Maybe I could help. Maybe they are hiring. But would I really want to throw myself into that pit? Maybe, if the attitude was one of change and improvement. The silence from Cupertino says no.
Update: Engaget has more.
We've seen plenty of stories thus far detailing the company's absurd, reactionary, and typically confusing application rejections or changes for its App Store, but the treatment given to dictionary app Ninjawords seems particularly telling. In essence, the program, a simple and fast reference tool -- a straight-up dictionary -- has omitted a handful of common words seen as objectionable by the Star Chamber of application reviewers at Apple HQ. What kind of words, you ask? Well, namely the same kind of words which you can find in any standard dictionary in just about any classroom in this country.
As does Gizmodo: The Stupidest App Store Incident Yet: Apple Censors a Dictionary
finger looking good
Doesn't this look good? Fresh homemade macaroni and cheese and spicy fried chicken from the Katrina-displaced New Orleans chefs at Yat's in Jack's bar on 24th.
Off for lunch of salad. Meh.
the Routesy fight continues
And I'm continuing to root for Peterson and his Routesy.The Muni Diaries has a recent update.
And from Routesy's Twitter feed July 30: Routesy—now has top-notch legal representation. The fight is now officially underway! Thanks for your patience, everyone. :)
jury duty potential service ends in mistrial
Holy crap: I was almost picked months ago to serve on this jury. I was called back for two weeks before being ultimately dismissed. In the news today: the case has resulted in a mistrial and they'll have to do the whole thing over.
They pulled hundreds of citizens for jury selection on this one the first time. I can't imagine what trouble jury selection will be this time around with even more publicity. (Although I suppose by reposting I am not helping things.)
They pulled hundreds of citizens for jury selection on this one the first time. I can't imagine what trouble jury selection will be this time around with even more publicity. (Although I suppose by reposting I am not helping things.)
noon shows today
I think it's going to be weird downtown at noon today, with massive amounts of people protesting the Governor's death-sentence cuts to state AIDS/HIV funding coinciding with T-Mobile's advertising stunt dropping "100 stunt skydivers into the air to perform synchronized formations over the city" as well as fly-by jets and skywriting.Maybe they can skywrite "Stop AIDS!"
Photo by Thomas Hawk.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Who's your Daddy's Boy 27?
Carl, SF Leather Daddy's Boy XVI, asked if I would design the poster's for this year's pageant competition. I'm happy to oblige, but my laptop was in the shop and I had to work with a surrogate machine, Apple's Pages app and images from my own Flickr set. (I had original art directions in mind, but not the tools.) I was pleased I could use my own photostream as stock and pulled a couple of photos to blow up as background: the first from Dore Alley 2006 and the latter from Folsom 2008.
_ 
That's MasterDro on the right. And my eye.
Fun.
(Original photo from the left.)
_ That's MasterDro on the right. And my eye.
Fun.
(Original photo from the left.)
urine the money
Scene: Vainly searching for a bridesmaid dress around Union Square.
Wilson: Where to next?
Shilpa: I don't know, but I have GOT to pee.
Wilson: Oooh. There's an app for that! [Wilson pulls out the iPhone, launches "Sit or Squat"]
Nearest nice pubic bathroom is....20 feet this way, Saks Men's Store. I'll pretend to shop so you can use the restroom.
Leaving the store:
Wilson: Seriously, how did finding you a place to pee cost me $140?
Wilson: Where to next?
Shilpa: I don't know, but I have GOT to pee.
Wilson: Oooh. There's an app for that! [Wilson pulls out the iPhone, launches "Sit or Squat"]
Nearest nice pubic bathroom is....20 feet this way, Saks Men's Store. I'll pretend to shop so you can use the restroom.
Leaving the store:
Wilson: Seriously, how did finding you a place to pee cost me $140?
Hoppered Up
Local SF artist John Ellingson has some very cool prints available in his online store. My favorite (found via Laughing Squid) is this take on Hopper's Night Hawks. (Originally used for an article in Wired.)
The interpretation with Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart was one of my brother Mac's favorites. It spoke to him. This one speaks to me. Probably over IM.
The interpretation with Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Humphrey Bogart was one of my brother Mac's favorites. It spoke to him. This one speaks to me. Probably over IM.
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