And holy fog bank, if freaking Muni is making fun of you, you have hit an all time low.
And amid the comments freely flowing on the interwebs, someone posted that Shih's claim of "satire" was a desperate defense, and that if one wants to satirize a hatred of San Francsico this is how it's done.
Just another day in the neighborhood. I stopped by to squawk with a cute couple (over-protective boyfriend) having a burrito on the sidewalk on a sunny day.
So very cool. Here's a great post about and map of the buried ships under downtown San Francisco. I remember when I was working in the Embarcadero Center in the 90s and the nearby building which housed Arby's and Yang Sing (I'm southern. Where you can eat are our landmarks.) was torn down to build a new building. During demolition/construction, they found an old ship;. They excavated and studied the ship in place, then reburied it and build on top of it again. In theory, preserving it for future excavations.
I always enjoy it when visitors question why the streets are numbered downtown, but past First Street, there are still four more blocks. As you can see on the map, First Street was originally the first street along the water. San Francisco continued its push along the wharfs, using the often abandoned ships (crew and passengers ran for the gold fields) as buildings and lodging, and infilling the wharf with sand to make new ground along the ships and wharfs, and expanded the coastline of the City by what is now several blocks.
Here is the map rotated to north and more easily recognized, You can see that once upon a time, if you were walking east down Market and crossed First Steet you'd either step onto a pier, or get wet.
If you are at all interested in the history of San Francisco, as revealed in historic maps, photographs and newspapers, you can happily get lost for hours on Burrito Justice (You can pry my burrito out of my cold, dead hand.).
I love maps. I love old maps and historical maps and context maps and information maps. For my birthday a couple of years ago, Shilpa and PeeDee gave me the just wonderful hardbound volume called Infinite City: A San Francisco Atlas, which is just a complete cartogragasm.
Fancy retail signage along the shops and restaurants near Union Square, on the way to theater night with Kevin: the sort of sign whose the fine print makes you take notice. And in my case, photograph.
A high-end glass dildo shop, off Union Square: GDM. Glass Dildo Me.
All I can hear in my head is Homer Simpson saying, "Marge...beer me!"
Also, I'm really unclear on what their artwork is supposed to represent.
Also, also: There has got to be a joke about "hand blown dildos" in there somewhere.
And it was nice to watch from a perch midway up Twin Peaks, curled up on the sofa in someone's arms, in front of a fire, while it rained.
I love SF.
We get two years of this awesome. Hopefully more. And it's the largest public art installation as far as I know. I know it's the largest light installation, but this span covers miles.
Kevin and I have been Trannyshack regulars since the very beginning. Kevin couldn't make it to this year's annual competition, and I'm sorry he missed it as this show has come such a long way. It's always been impressive performance art, and very, very San Franciscan, but this year was a display of just amazing art, including high concept bleeding edge artistry, epic battles, tofilthy Trannyshack roots performance, knock-out high-energy dance productions, and thoroughly entertaining drag drama.
But I do have to say that my favorite performance of all, not Miss Trannyshack worthy I suppose because of the nasty edge that is Trannyshack, but far and away my absolute favorite act of the night came from former trivia competition and new performance drag sensation Sugah Betes. I was impressed how almost every act was multimedia this year, and Sugah's started with a great short introductory movie, setting up the "save the pretty one" separation of conjoined twins show shared one set of legs. Jimmy's a substantial guy and was able to carry his "sister" inside the gown on his own two feet as it were. The act featured duets, surgery, recovery, bionics, and revenge of the discarded. So, so much fun. Numbers during the act included "We are Siamese," excerpts from the Six Million Dollar Man intro, and my favorite "I Will Survive."
It's pretty frakking awesome to have a drag queen sing defiantly to a recently separated conjoined twin who done her wrong: "At first I was afraid; I was petrified, thinking how I was going to live without you by my side."
Seriously with the awesome.
And D'Arcy's high-engery dance group Sexitude really rocked it out for the closing act before the winners were announced.
And a feathered hat tip to Jay with whom we hung out most of the night. Act after act was astounding, and during one of the more high-art intensive performances Jay turned to me and said, "Can you believe this is our normal!? I can't imagine living anywhere else. No one else lives like this."
I noted earlier that one of the iconic San Francisco twins died recently. Today is their birthday, and marked the first birthday in 86 years that Marian would not share it with her sister Vivian. So awesome that San Francisco is, Harry Denton hosted a birthday party for her at the Sir Francis Drake, and to make sure she would not be alone but surrounded by those who love her—he invited the City to come too.
What an amazing lady! Donna Sachet emceed the event, and Lady Brown was bright, cheerful, and enthusiastic in her love of San Francisco and her appreciation for those who came out to wish her well. She reminded me so much of Honey (my grandmother) and I wish she had lived longer into her 80s as well.
As great as the crowd was, I was a little miffed that more San Franciscans did not come out to show their appreciation and affection, and I agree with Brock that the elected officials should have all been there. I did have some friendly faces though, and was lucky to hang out with Donna Sachet and her friends Richard and Jeff.
And I was exceedingly honored to be her escort from the event!
Misti Layne took this photo which someone found and noted to me on Facebook:
I had gone home for a wardrobe change into a black tie with top coat and top hat in honor of the twins redoubtable fashion, but it was ridiculously hot tonight and I had to dress down a bit. But I did think that a black hat was a must for the Ladies Brown, as always chapeaued they were together. Others were similarly incliuned, but it was like a kiln in there and we were all sweating through our January attire regardless of sartorial splendor.
Another guest and photographer was kind enough to take this pic with my camera as we were leaving:
When she took my arm it felt as I escorted my grandmother and so many elegant southern ladies before. It was an intense feeling of familiar and familial affection.
I love San Francisco, and San Francisco loves its own.
Update: The photo of me and The Lady Brown is featured on the SFist. Cool!
I was saddened to learn on Friday morning that Vivian Brown had died. Vivian and her twin sister Marian Brown are known as the City's iconic and much-beloved San Francisco Twins. They became famous San Franciscan icons by simply being their wonderful, bright, and identical selves, and kind to all who stopped to speak or ask for photos. Even a simple Google Image search on "San Francisco Twins" brings up pages of photos of them together. They ARE the San Francisco Twins.
Last year the local paper ran a story on the tragic circumstances facing the Browns. Marian's ongoing suffering with Alzheimer's required more expensive and more constant care than her sister could provide, and for the first time ever, they were forced into a life apart:
"My sister has Alzheimer's, so she has to have 24-hour care, because they're afraid she will go out and get run over or something," says Marian, offering a straight answer to the question everybody who sees her on the streets stops to ask. "Where's your sister?"
The identical twins, who have built themselves into a living San Francisco landmark of irrepressible inseparability, are now barely holding it together, at age 85.
"We don't look much alike anymore," Marian says, in a taxicab en route to visit Vivian at California Pacific Medical Center's Davies Campus. Her memory has been going for a year now, says Marian, who has been caring for her sister in the one-bedroom apartment on Nob Hill where they sleep in twin beds. But a slipping mind led to a slip and fall about a month ago. Vivian went to a doctor, who referred her straight to the hospital, where she has been ever since."
Vivian was only able to visit her sister twice a week because the cab fare was cost-prohibitive.
I remember so fondly my first Twins Sighting in my mid 20s. They are just wonderful, and either by virtue of being southern or merely my parent's child, I had to speak. I stopped to compliment them, as they were in their usual matching splendor, and wished them a happy day. They were ever so gracious, and I remember their smiles so fondly. I only got to see them in person two or three more times, and wished them well by name each time. And each time I left as if their sighting was something magical, and surely a good omen for the near future. It felt like spotting a fairy in the wood or a glimpse of a leprechaun—they truly are part of the magical fabric of San Francisco.
When I read of their dire circumstances, I knew I could not be the only one who regarded them as such a visceral part of San Francisco, and San Franciscan's are quick to rally for our icons, and the "sweet little old ladies" factor could only increase that devotion exponentially. I spent a couple of days thinking about what sort of fundraiser I could possibly host, when I was relieved to see that others in the City had the same idea, and the Red Devil Lounge was playing host to a City-wide fundraiser for them (via the Jewish Family and Children Services) with local jazz legend Kim Nally. The event was ingeniously titled Twin Peeks. Support poured in from other sources as well.
Friday Marian finally succumbed, and it pains me to think of the loss of a life-long companion with such an intimate rapport as a rarely apart identical twin. Their legacy as icons of San Francisco will endure as the words of Herb Caen, Armistead Maupin, and the hue of the Golden Gate Bridge.
They were featured in dozens of commercials for many national companies and appeared in television and films. One of my favorite cameos is never mentioned in any of the press coverage: The Twins appear in the opening credit sequence of the movie "Nine to Five." While the movie is set and filmed in the L.A. area, the opening credits are scenes of downtown San Francisco, complete with Muni buses...and the San Francisco Twins. Just for a second, at the 1:28 mark. (YouTube/Fox got all litigious with the clip. here's the Blogger version.)
I like to think that Herb and Marian will be swapping stories until Vivian can join them.
I love living in a town where on the Saturday before Easter, there is a giant Easter Bunny in the neighborhood business district. And he grabs your ass. And you recognize who is in the suit by his squeeze.
Sunshine inside and out.
Later, walking back from my haircut, I passed a family of five walking up Castro Street and spied the Easter Bunny about 20 yards behind. I said, "Look, you can get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!" The kids went nuts, and the parents were equally excited. The Easter Bunny kindly got down to their level and posed for pictures and played with the kids. I was struck by the scene when Dad, cheering on his brood for the photos, said to them, "Wave your flags!"
The parents (a mom and dad) had bought each of the kids a rainbow flag at Cliff's. Festive and inclusive.
Add to the list of fun, underground, only-in-SF events, SF Boylesque presents monthly man-on-man lube wrestling at El Rio. This town continues to amuse me so. And hats on and hats off to ringleader Maximus Barnaby!
Shortly after this was taken I was told of the "no cameras, be present" rule, although there is an official photographer on hand. Front row audience members are provided umbrellas and ponchos. Gallagher was never this much fun.
And I think I am coining a new term for events like this: Funderground.
Ah. The love of my life will be showing his affection at noon.
To celebrate and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the song, the entire city, and every radio statin, will be playing Tony Bennett's I Left My Heart in San Francisco at noon.
My good friend Ireland brought his boyfriend and three kids to the New Year's Day chili party. They went to another party afterwards and he sent me this note:
We went to another New Year's party yesterday and apparently Pollo was there. I only knew that because just as we were leaving, a 6 or 7-year-old came running down the hall saying, "Pollo's here...as a boy!"
Last week we were enticed downtown for Drag Queens on Ice, but we a bit disappointed to find one Guy In a Dress which does not a drag queen make. Two of the staff skaters had neon nylon wigs, and there were two Sisters, but that was about it. I have been spoiled by my drag elite in this City. Also sort of disappointing was that among my cohort, I was the only one who was willing to actually skate. But it was great seasonal fun and really put me in the spirit. And Union Square at Christmastime is ridiculously festive and totally inspires the jolly. Add me and mine and we totally make the yuletide gay. I'm not as sleek on my sakes as I once was, and while this rink was in fact frozen water, it was a both of a stretch to call it "ice."
But again, much fun and all holly jolly. And as I expected the Drag-Capades, I dressed accordingly.
After skating we took a little tour of the hotels around Union Square and had lots of fun with the over the top decorations, including the myriad of trees at the Saint Francis and the wonderfully enormous Sugar Castle.
I hear that the Fairmont has the largest gingerbread house. We had so much fun on this mini tour that we've planed a proper hotel decorations tour for this week. If we can stand the hike, we'll take Nob Hill. Clearly, we get into the Christmas cheer.
I tried to get a shot the Christmas Tree with the Starlight Room's neon sign but I had a hard time getting the exposure right, and staying still enough without a tripod. Still, some lovely shots, and good for monitor desktop backgrounds.
By the time the weekend came around, Coco and I were too tired, individually, to make the SantaCon massive thousand-strong all-day Santa-suited bar crawl across the City. The cold and the rain and the way-too-much-to-do didn't help matters either. My cheap Walgreens Santa suit will keep until next year. I do have to applaud this amazing Santa costume featured in Laughing Squid and the SFist. The photos look like a Photoshop filter was applied, but they are untouched. She calls this Desaturated Santa. So, so amazing. Santa from the black & white era!
(Photo credits BrodyQat and Tom Hilton, click through to their Flickr streams.)
This first weekend in December also brought the annual Elegantly Wasted birthday party (six years running now!), and opening weekend to the very funny drag version of the Golden Girls, the Christmas Episodes!
Go see it! Birthday girls & boys get a lap dance from Blanche.
