I love San Francisco

No day makes me prouder to live in San Francisco than the day of the LGBT Pride Parade. It is the day making a lot of Americans shiver and San Franciscan's smile. The feeling all over The City is one of love and respect. The year's parade was again filled with the call for marriage equality. I feel it is only a matter of time before this becomes reality and much needed. How can somebody be against love and respect?

If LGBTs were allowed to marry the U.S. divorce rate would not be so high.

KRON 4's Henry Tenenbaum interviews George Takei of Star Trek Fame and one of the parade's Grand Marshalls.

Tahoe Weddings

I just returned from a trip to Tahoe for a wedding and while the ceremony was great (right on the lake) the unexpected joy came after.

I made a pit-stop on the way home to visit my first love, Mother Nature. The Pyramid Creek Trail is just off I-50. Horsetail Falls cascades hundreds of feet, flowing full force right now making for a magnificent sight.

The trail wanders over huge granite slabs and through thin stands of trees for about three miles and reaches a good vantage point at the base of the falls. The creek is raging right now. Along the way are great pools, clear water, and plenty of serenity.

Beautiful Modern Cube

This building is downright gorgeous.

San Francisco modern architecture is transforming the South of Market area. I suppose you could simply call it gentrification: flop houses and factories make way for architect's and realtor's and web designer's loft conversion offices. But that's a silly word for the process of urban evolution, especially here in this very young city (with barely 160 years under its belt).

New construction sits side by side with decrepit century-old buildings. Riding my bike and walking through the neighborhood, I'm often pleasantly surprised to find a new-ish and interesting building filling a slot in the urban grid.

SeaWorld = StrollerWorld

While in San Diego I went to SeaWorld with my friends, their two kids and the kids' grandparents. While I enjoyed the day I could not help but feeling I was being run over by strollers. I had never seen so many strollers in one place in my life.

Strollers are the very manifestiation of the dark commercial forces and one-upmanship that consume new parents. These were not strollers, these were mini-SUVs. I saw one stroller made by Jeep. Double-decker strollers, strollers with nobby-tires, extra storage, secret compartments and maybe even a coffee cup warmer for the parents. And the kids in them were usually not infants. What happened to walking? What happened to the simple stroller?

Parents need these super-sized strollers to carry all the extra stuff instead of the child. Often, the stroller turns into a shopping cart with the child relegated to a shoulder, the bags of over-priced memories filling the seat (since the kid will be too young to remember anything).

$900 for a stroller! I'll take a Red Flyer Wagon, it has more room looks a lot cooler.

Run San Diego

People ask why I run. I say, "If you have to ask, you will never understand". It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels.

I talk to my friends about running a lot. But only one of them has ever had the determination to see what I am talking about for themselves. This past weekend was the San Diego Marathon and while I finished the 26.2 miles in 4:20, it was nothing to my good friend Omar finishing at 4:40 in his first marathon.

The night before the race he was nervous, anxious and uncertain about what the marathon would hold in store for him. I reassured him he would do well, having trained hard, put in the hours and knew of his competitive spirit first hand. He was hoping to just finish, maybe around 5:30, 6 at the latest. All of his hard work paid off and I could not be more proud of him.

What a City

It is nights like tonight that make me wonder why I even consider living someplace else. Beyond the scenic vistas lie the true spirit of The City, the people. Cosmopolitan and tolerant. Grand and gutsy. Free and fun.

Tonight I was heading to the Giants game (they lost) and came across the usual Critical Mass crowd (every last Friday of the month). In addition, tonight there was a Zombie Mob. A Zombie Mob? All these people were dressed as zombies walking up Market Street. Their outfits were great. Blood and bones, limping and lurching about. There were well over one hundred people dressed up as zombies all around.

Night of the living dead, right here.

Restaurant Tips

I like SF Chronicle Food Critic Michael Bauer. Now I like him even more because he not only answered my restaurant tip question but he used it in his food blog.

My question was about restaurants automatically charging a gratuity onto the bill for a large dinner group. If the service is bad, do we have to pay the included tip? Most restaurants will make sure the service is good or allow for a lower tip if the service is extremly poor. But, according to a consultant Michael Bauer contacted, large parties have an implied contract.

"...I talked to restaurant consultant Frank Klein, who confirmed what I suspected: If the charge is printed on the menu, there's an implied contract. "By sitting down to eat, you're agreeing to pay," he explained. Klein says that when he goes to restaurant, he tells them before he sits down that he doesn't want to be bound by the service charge. Instead, he tips on the quality of the service (which is often more than 20 percent)."

There are many who made comments to Michael's post. Check it out.

Bay to Breakers

Runners. Costumes. Naked People. This past weekend was Bay to Breakers and while I fit into one of the mentioned categories all three and then some were out in force. The weather was perfect for the event. Pictures really can not catch the mood of the race. It has been called the world's largest moving party.

Bay to Breakers is the most grand expression of civic pride I've ever been a part of. Bands and DJs rock out on street corners, mobile soundsystems cruise the streets, elaborate floats are built and pushed to accommodate bars, kegs, beer pong, dance floors. There are no spectators. Everybody walks, runs, or rolls. You reach the top of Alamo Square--the halfway point, and the only hill on the course--and look down from the peak. In both directions, thousands of people of all stripes are celebrating life for the best of all reasons: Because it's there.

While The City and race organizers try to shun and stop the boozing and bare bodies, I have always thought they should embrace it. Those are the things that make this race stand out. Race organizers and The City should encourage such behavior and use it as a selling point to get more people involved in the race. Almost gone are the days of the centipedes that used to attrack a lot of attention. I fear the rest will soon follow.

Here are a few ideas I have to encourage more fun to the race:

1. Instead of frowning on alcohol, give it out. Give those over 21 special bibs they can use to get alcohol along the course. Hand it out at the water stops. Nobody is driving anyway. The organizers try to discourage those who do not register and it never works, this gives them an incentive to do so. Sure there are liabilites but don't let that stop it.

2. Have special prize money given to the first male and female nude runner.

3. Bring back the centipedes. If Bay to Breakers can give 20k to the first finisher (male or female) it can give some change to the first centipede.

Those are just three.

Gratuitus Gratuity

Since when did a gratuity become mandatory? I have come across several services where the gratuity is automatically added to the bill. I always thought a gratuity was at the discretion of the customer.

Restaurants, many times, have a policy of adding a gratuity to large parties. While I do not agree with this policy I can accept it because I get the bill after all is said and done and if I really wanted to I could argue for not paying.

I have a problem with a company charging me a gratuity before the sevices have been rendered. I needed to hire a car service to transport some people around. The company was going to charge me the hourly rate plus 20% gratuity. I would have to give my credit card number to reserve the car not knowing how the service would be. What if the person was late, rude or something happened? I would not have any recourse in not paying the gratuity because the company already had my credit card number and I paid in advance. Now, the likelihood of the company charging me the full gratuity if something happened and I complained serverly might not happen, but it could, and in principle I am opposed to this.

The same goes for a service known as Waiters on Wheels. It delivers food from restaurants that normally do not have delivery service. When ordering from Waiters on Wheels it automatically adds a gratuity. This is before the food arrives. How am I supposed to pay gratuity for something that has not occured?

I am not a cheap tipper. I tip according to service. Not before. After.

Chicago

I have to admit I like Chicago. The Chicago River cutting through downtown gives it character and feeling. Lake Michigan keeping watch makes me feel comfortable. Chicago is a big city with a midwestern feel, as it should. It stands out in so many ways, so do its buidlings and skyscrapers. Chicago was the first American city to have a "skyscraper". Okay, it was only ten stories tall but it was labeled "skyscraper".

The city is really pushing bicycle use and has been actively creating bike lanes in the city and paths in parks. Right now it even has a city-wide art exhibit in the form of stylized bikes all around. The same concept other citites have used, San Francisco had hearts, Madison had cows, San Jose had sharks. The city also does a great job beautifying the place by planting flowers everywhere, the tuplip were in full bloom.

Millenium Park is a big draw and is new since I had been there last. It features "the bean" a huge mercury looking pebble that is great for reflections and two giant squares that serve as visual art and a waterfall. Water cascades down all sides and even shoots out of the mouth of the faces shown from time to time.

While there I got a chance to see my good friend Michael. He just stated the Illinois Education Foundation, helping financially challenged kids pay for college. Here is the link for more information on his wonderful program. Michael will run for office one day.

New York City

One way to really appreciate San Francisco is to leave it for a over a week. After a trip to New York and Chicago, San Franciso's charms take center stage Other cities try but San Francisco doesn't have to. Its natural beauty comes shining through even on grey days. Where cities have to create beauty in the form of parks or buildings, San Francisco can just sit back and giggle at them. Keep trying you lesser places, you will never compare.

New York is a fine place and as you can see, Michelle and I enjoyed the place. The cherry blossoms and Magnolias were in full bloom at the New York Botanical Garden (way up in the Bronx). I think we might have been the only non-New Yorkers there (and free on Wednesday's too).

We made our way to the man made vista known as the Empire State Building. San Francisco does not have building you have to pay for to peer out its windows at the top. NY has ESB and the new Rockefeller Observation Deck. Can you imagine going to the top of the Transamerica Building? What is the point? Climb to the top of Coit Tower or go the Top of the Mark and you see the same thing for free.

One of of the most fascinating sights was the line at a hamburger joint called the Shake Shack. NY'ers were waiting 45 minutes to an hour in line to order a hamburger. Seeing the burgers and reading reviews online it did not seem worth the wait. Makes me wonder if NY'ers are so starved for a good burger maybe I should copy In-n-Out and open up a place of my own.

Travel Situation

I had an interesting occurance flying Southwest Airlines the other day. I was sitting in the front row, the very front, with no seats in front to place my carry on items below. I had no luggage. I only had my leather attache, or "man-bag". My bag does not contain a computer but just paperwork and magazines. The flight attendant told me I would have to place it in the overhead storage unit. I gave her my bag without argument. She then asked the woman next to me to do the same thing. The woman protested saying it was her purse. The flight attendant complied and did not push the issue. I did. I said if she could have her's I wanted mine back. I only did it for a matter of purpose. The flight attendant said no, her's was a purse and mine was note. I forced the issue saying my bag is of less "danger" than her purse since it is likely carrying less. Her's was probably carrying "lipstick to terrorize the passangers" while mine only had magazines. I eventually lost the battle and apologized to my neighbor. She agreed I was right and should have been allowed to have it. It just goes to show you how obsurd certain flight rules are. Women can carry more than their fair share of carry-on's. Everybody has a carry-on that is too large. Try fitting any of them into those "standard carry-on" size displays at check-in.

Job Security

I have been doing quite a bit of traveling recently, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and noticed security is big business. What if 9/11 did not happen? What would all these newly formed "security personal" be doing? I am not just talking about the mass of TSA staff at the airport but the "security" surrounding other vunerable locations.

While in New York I went to visit the Statue of Liberty. Everybody had to go through not one, but two security checkpoints. The second included an "air puff" machine which supposedly detected explosives.

Here is my beef with all this security, does it really protect us? Why is it I have to take off my shoes at the airport when I do not at the Statue of Liberty when it appears to be more secure in having two checkpoints? In order to visit the statue two people had to check my ticket and mark it with an 'x'. Necessary? That appeared to be their only job, using a marker to check my ticket.

Without noticing I did a little test. Going through security at one airport I forgot to take my wallet out of my pocket. My wallet containts a metal bar in it. The metal detector did not go off. Why must people remove their wallets in the first place? Afraid of the Swiss Army Knife Credit Card? The next time I forgot to take off my belt and again the metal detector did not respond.

Some would argue it is a deterent and it does prevent a lot of dangerous stuff from occuring. I can not argue with that. Security is big business and businesses will do everything it can to expand, needing more equipment and more people. I am glad all of these people have work. What would they be doing if we didn't need all this security?

Running with Strawberries

Can a fruit or vegetable taste any better than the ones you pick or grow yourself? Since I do not have a field or orchard, the U-Pick fields out in Brentwood do the trick. The only fields that were open were strawberry, not that I am complaining. Soon there will be peaches, cherries and others. These strawberries were amazing and what deal at only a $1 a pound!

While out in Brentwood I also went on a 15 mile run with my good friend. It was a good change to run out in the country. A good portion of the run was along the Marsh Creek trail where we spotted river otters, ducks with their ducklings and too many hawks to count.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=867519

Friday, 4/13

The end of the week. Simple pleasures in life can present themselves in many forms. The way a good pairs of shoes fit just right or when fixing something, when a guess turns out right. Running brings with it simple pleasures. This run primarily stays in Golden Gate Park, a park many probably take for granted but contain more than its fair share of simple pleasures. Along the way I passed the tulips that are in bloom under the windmill. The mighty bison grazing at dusk in a place you would least expect. Dog owners enjoying a nice walk with the pet. I often wonder if dog owners would get as much exercise if they did not own a dog. The sound of the ocean before you can see it. The funky tree along the trail that is shaped like a giant "U". The smell of Indian food as I enter back into the neighborhood. Running. Golden Gate Park. Simple. Pleasure.

You may not know, Golden Gate Park is larger than Central Park in NYC by roughly 170 acres and is the third most visited park in the U.S., number one being Central Park followed by Lincoln Park in Chicago.

This run is just over 8 miles (13.3km) and since it is in the Park there are plenty of water fountains all over.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=858226

Sunday Trek to Alamere Falls 4/8

Sunday was the perfect day for a hike so we headed up to Marin and Point Reyes. This trek begins on the wide, well-kept Coast Trail and meanders 4.1 miles one-way from the Palomarin trailhead along the edge of the Pacific. The end goal is Alamere Falls, which fall 50-feet right into the ocean. On the way we passed beautiful Bass Lake and Pelican Lake, and red-tailed hawks coasting above.

All of this just 45 mintues from home.

Satuday, April 7

No iPod, no watch, no heartrate monitor, no problems. This run covers such a wide variety of San Francisco's landscape if you had any of those so-called running aids you might just miss the great stuff around you. This trek ventures through the Mission down to 'the Big Phone', otherwise known as AT&T Park. I made it down there to catch the 6th inning of the game, the Giants eventually lost to the Dodgers. Next, along the Embarcadero through the Financial and up through Pac Heights and home.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=840896

Regional Special Olympics 4/1

This past weekend I made the three hour trek to Fresno with six of the most courageous athletes I know. It was the annual Special Olympics basketball tournament. I help coach the San Francisco Wildcats, one of three teams I coach along with two other great coaches. I normally do not work with the Wildcats but due to circumstances this was my team for the weekend.

Special Olympic tournaments are always filled with inspiration and wonder. This Wildcat team consisted of only six players, that is tough to complete with on any level. On top of that the team enlisted two new members since regular team members could not make it. Despite losing the first three games the Wildcats never gave up and won their last game of the tournament making for an enjoyable ride home. Teamwork on the court carried to off the court as well when Eugene needed help from Charles and Bill to get to the van after injuring his ankle. Yes, there are even cheerleaders at Special Olympics. Not for us, but they were fun to watch.

Warm Evening Run 3/2907

The weather can sure change overnight. This evening was nice and warm, not a cloud in the sky. Yesterday it was cold and windy, not cloudy, just cold. Tonight was a great evening for a run. I usually do not run along the Marina because it is so crowded but I did tonight since the weather was so wonderful.

Water stops for this route are at the Visitors Center at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, at the Marina Green and lastly at Layfayette Park on Laguna. Speaking of Laguna, the climb up Laguna is murder.

No major discoveries on this run other than reaffirmation of my appreciation and fondness of running without an iPod. While running along the Marina I see too many of them, people oblivious the great sounds around them; dogs barking, feet pounding, planes soaring above, people talking. That is the music I enjoy running to.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=815783

Vegas, baby!

You know Vegas is a strange place. I made the trip there to celebrate my friend Michael's birthday. There were 18 of us total with his friends from Chicago and friends from California joining together. We went the weekend of the opening round of the NCAA basketball tournament so you can image there was some money exchanging hands. It was truly a wonderful weekend and went to prove you really are a reflection of who you are friends with. Despite most of us meeting each other for the first time, only having Michael in common, it was like we all knew each other for years. A blast.

Special Olympics

This past weekend was the annual Special Olympics basketball tournament in Foster City. For this tournament I coached the San Franciso Seals and Bombers. Out of five games we won two. I guess that pretty much says everything about the coach. The athlete shooting is Richard. This was his first tournament wearing glasses. I didn't help much.

Friday, March 23

This was a good run to end the week and to take in the joys of living in San Francisco, the greatest city in the U.S. These trek runs up the crooked part of Lombard Street and then travels along Hyde which is a cable car route. Tonight I raced a cable from Lombard all the way to Washington where it turns. I won. Before all that the route runs up Pacific and one of my favorite buildings, 1478 Pacific Avenue.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=797010

Water stops along this route are easy, both at Layfayette Park and Alta Plaza.

Shrader and 17th

I came across this house while running. It is no more than 15 feet wide, just sliver of a building next to its neighbor.

Tuesday 3/20

This is a new route for me heading south from my place. 7th Avenue is a bit busy but you are not on it for very long. I did discover a nice little community garden on 7th and Kirkham. It is uphill on Clarendon and the payoff is great with a great view stretching from Candlestick point to the Golden Gate Bridge and beyond from the top. You can venture to the top of Tank Hill i you want at Twin Peaks and Stanyan.

This is a nice six mile run. Water on this jaunt is tough, plus it is the first time I have done it. There is water in Goldent Gate Park at the start but beyond that the only source I found were from faucets at homes.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=788344

Quick Thursday Run 3/15

I did a quick run tonight after watching the Indiana-Gonzaga NCAA tournament game. 5 miles. Just add that to my weekly total.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=776464

Nearly 10 miles

Here is Saturday's run across the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Yes, it is a 'there-and-back' run but hey, I'm running across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a brilliant day. Usually the winds crossing the GGB are a pain but on this day the winds were minimal, the sky was clear and the tempertures warm.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=769607

Water breaks on this route include one at the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors Center on both ends of the bridge.

San Diego Marathon Here I Come

I started seriously training for my next marathon on March 1. Here is the 7 mile run I did on Sunday March 11.

This is a nice little run heading through Seacliff and Lincoln Park past the Legion of Honor. It is then off to Golden Gate Park and back home. It was nice on this run I got to catch a large group doing Tai Chi next to Sprekles Lake.

The San Diego Marathon is June 3 and this should be a blast since several of my friends will also be running.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=769579

Water breaks on this route are tough to find. There has to be one near the Lincoln Park Clubhouse but I have not found it yet, so the first one is near Sprekles Lake as soon I entered Golden Gate Park right outside the Boathouse.

Finally

It has been nearly two months since my last post thanks to me not owning my own computer. I have this junky work computer and it was hit with a virus/worm so I had to take it in to my work's overworked IS department who took forever fixing it. I guess I could just buy my own computer but I should really save money until I really have to buy one.

LA LA LAving it....a little

I am not a big fan of Los Angeles. You pretty mch have to drive everywhere and its residents are more concerned about themselves than anything else. But every time I go down to SoCal its positive features start to chip away at my NoCal bias. I do love all of the different cultures converging....more so than here in SF.

I also love the art and achitecture. I checked out the Rauchenberg exhibit at the MOCA and right across the street is Disney Hall.

Hair-ica

Fun production shoot I directed today depite almost choking on hairspray aersol. Erica, the actor in green was great. The theme of the spot and campaign is that you have "too much" of some things in the morning...this being hairspray. I think we used two cans of hairspray and some get to Erica's hair this way. Luckily for her it washes out easily.

Salk in Salty San Diego

Built in 1956 by Luis Kahn, the Salk Institute in San Diego is marvelous structure initiating a style craze. I visited a dusk with not a soul around.

Guns....Action!!

San Diego is a military city. It is everywhere, even right next to a huge studio lot. This the last stop for these guys before heading over to Iraq. Not more than 300 yards away are dozens of actors shooting the new show Fashion House staring Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild.

my, my, myNetwork

I have not been able to post for a bit thanks to a nasty trojan/blaster virus. Annoying pop-ups overwhelm my computer. I gave my computer to my IS department with limited results. It will have to go back but before it does I will post rapidly to catch up.

I spent a few days down in San Diego for work going behind the scenes of an upcoming show soon to premiere on the new network, myNetworkTV.

Some rapid fire observations:
Morgan Fairchild is porcelin doll
Bo Derek has tiny legs
It takes way too many people to shoot a TV show
Extras are hot

Here are two photos, one of an interview with Morgan Fairchild the other with some extra/former model.

Independence Run 7/4

Independence Day and I decided to head down to tourist central along the waterfront for my run. It seemed like everybody was staking out the prime spot to watch tonight's fireworks. While I enjoy fireworks I am not one to go out of my way to watch a display. They are always anti-climatic, always the same.

This path travels along the Marina Green and over to Coit Tower up the Filbert Street steps.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=276350

This this path travels along the Marina and Embarcadero the middle portion of this route is flat, while the trek up to Coit Tower and the route home is a bit hilly.

Best Tongue Ever

Went to San Francisco Magazine's Best of the Bay party with my good friend Sarah. This is the only tongue action we both got all night.