Lily Street Sale

Yesterday, Lily Street had a huge street sale. R. and I were up an out around 9 setting up stuff for the day. Before we could even open the garage door, the early birds descended like crows to carrion and started rummaging through our stuff. It was a chaotic 15-minutes as I accidentally sold one of R's books to an intense and aggressive buyer.

Later, the day settled down, friends stopped by, we met the neighbors and in general had a good time. Ironically, I don't think I made very much money, but it certainly was fun and had a nice ambiance. I like to know that I am connected to my neighbors and my neighborhood. I used to live in Pacific Heights and I felt alone and isolated, but here in Hayes Valley I feel more like an integral part of the 'hood.

Blog Vacation

I missed my Sunday posting because I was in Tucson, Arizona for the weekend. When I got back the fog felt cool and inviting: a perfect lover. I wanted to wrap my arms around it and hold it. I will return to the regularly scheduled postings this Sunday.

Saturday in the Park

Last Sunday, I took a Short Bike Ride through Golden Gate Park. JFK drive was closed as it has been every Sunday for several years. So many different activities occur on that short stretch of road. Last Sunday, I saw people swing dancing (this is free, and the lesson is at 12:30, FYI), kids learning to bike ride, a street hockey game, roller skate dancers, joggers, and giant primeval plants. I realize the plants are there every day, traffic or no traffic, but I had to mention them.

At any rate, a group of sensible citizens and community organizations have been trying to get the park closed to traffic on Sunday as well. Isn't this the best idea? I love it! If you don't think it is a good idea, then I recommend you rush down to JFK drive the next sunny Sunday and find out what all of the fuss is about. Bring a picnic and a bicycle, and check it out.

If you agree that it is a good idea, send Gavin Baby (otherwise known as the Mayor) a little email and tell him to support Saturday closure: gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

Today I went to the Surrealist Calder exhibit at the MOMA. I thought it was fabulous. If you go, be sure and take extra time to see the strange erased-charcoal film at the back of the top-floor gallery. However, it is hard to find, so here are my directions: go to the top floor and find Michael Jackson. Face Michael, then walk straight past him through all of the galleries until you reach what looks like a back exit. Just to be clear, it isn't by Calder, but I can't remember the name of the artist.

Good Luck.

It's All in the Swim

Well, I've been feeling a bit depressed lately. If you know anything about depression you know how much fun that can be. At any rate, it wasn't raining, so I rode my bike down along the Embarcadero to the SERC. While I was riding, a gentleman came up on a Rambouillet. We chatted a bit about our bikes and then I rode on. When I got to the SERC, a woman in the locker room said "I am a friend of that guy on the Rambouillet". This adds evidence to my theory that San Francisco is really just a small town.

Anyway, when I got to the SERC, I decided to jump into the bay. Jump is an exaggeration, I actually sort of ran, tripped, galumphed and splashed into the Bay. It was so cold that every depressive thought was rapidly driven out of my system. It always works for me; the combination of the shock of the cold, the need to stay afloat, the smell of the salt, and the call of the birds always makes me feel better. Or it might just be that the depression is replaced by the Will to Survive!

All Dressed Up

I am still recovering from a weekend full of interesting social activities. On Friday, we went to an art show on Valencia Street for my friend Rafael Landea (check it out, it is at 973 Valencia: a very cool Spanish-language bookstore). Saturday, we went to a house-warming near Dolores Park. The building has a dungeon in the basement, or at least the vestiges of one. I am not kidding. Someone had installed vertical bars and an old curtain rod that hangs across the bars still has the curtain rings on it. I am sure it once had a creepy black curtain and a dominatrix. I'll have to buy a skeleton as a housewarming present. Sunday, I was up on Bernal Hill at a book-making workshop, and Sunday night we piled in a car and went to Oakland for a birthday party.

I am using we in the royal sense as in, "We, the Queen". I feel a bit lonesome this evening. To say we makes me feel a part of the whole -- the urban community of friends that are also my family.

We we we, all the way home.