There's a new photo essay about New York over at the long-neglected Business Casual Shutterbug, if you're feeling nostalgic for the East Coast (or, if you're already back east, for the warm weather).
But if you've had enough words for one day, you could just look at the pictures over here. So many options!
If I can't control the economy, at least I have a handle on all the high-tech routes available to encourage my narcissism.
November 23, 2008
November 17, 2008
RIP, Morse
I've never lost my wallet, my keys, my passport, or my phone. I've never had my identity stolen. Except for the one robbery, it's been a good run so far on the possessions front.
But somewhere on the Pittsburgh/Bay Point train between SFO and 24th Street yesterday afternoon, in a jet-lagged stupor, I didn't snap my coat pocket shut and my brand-new iPhone slipped out into the great beyond. May as well have set that freelance project on fire.
Likelihood of getting it back: 1 in you're totally kidding yourself. I hope whoever found it really needs the money.
Morse the iPhone
October 26–November 16, 2008
But somewhere on the Pittsburgh/Bay Point train between SFO and 24th Street yesterday afternoon, in a jet-lagged stupor, I didn't snap my coat pocket shut and my brand-new iPhone slipped out into the great beyond. May as well have set that freelance project on fire.
Likelihood of getting it back: 1 in you're totally kidding yourself. I hope whoever found it really needs the money.
Morse the iPhoneOctober 26–November 16, 2008
November 16, 2008
Unglamorous but ulcer-free
I'm back from a Canteenful trip to New York. Our first fundraiser, held in the ridiculously cool and weird apartment of Arnold and Pam Lehman, was a big success. Check out T magazine's video tour of their place.
I also had the chance to help teach at our new creative writing workshop for middle-school students. The kids were amazing—more on that another day.
For now, I'll leave you with these Fair and Honest Appraisals of My Appearance courtesy of The Bumbys, who provided party entertainment. For $2, they each look at you for about five seconds, then type out an index card (on an actual typewriter) that says something like this:
i feel that you're from a coastal area...
little things that upset most people
do not faze you...you will likely lead a long life
that is completely free from ulcers...
i feel that you smile when there is an awkward pause in the
conversation. luckily you have exceptionally
white teeth and fantastic oral hygiene habits.
I also had the chance to help teach at our new creative writing workshop for middle-school students. The kids were amazing—more on that another day.
For now, I'll leave you with these Fair and Honest Appraisals of My Appearance courtesy of The Bumbys, who provided party entertainment. For $2, they each look at you for about five seconds, then type out an index card (on an actual typewriter) that says something like this:
i feel that you're from a coastal area...
little things that upset most people
do not faze you...you will likely lead a long life
that is completely free from ulcers...
i feel that you smile when there is an awkward pause in the
conversation. luckily you have exceptionally
white teeth and fantastic oral hygiene habits.
—Gill Bumby
you look like a surfer chick or a snowboarder or
heck maybe even a telemarketer. if we went jogging
together, you would smoke me. your hair
is very luxurious and if you wore more glamorous
clothes you could totally rock the
flapper-girl finger waves
hippies can wear lipstick without sacrificing their morals
heck maybe even a telemarketer. if we went jogging
together, you would smoke me. your hair
is very luxurious and if you wore more glamorous
clothes you could totally rock the
flapper-girl finger waves
hippies can wear lipstick without sacrificing their morals
—Jill Bumby
For the record: I was wearing lipstick, and the one time I tried to surf was a serious failure. But I do floss regularly.
November 06, 2008
Badness of marketing
We interrupt our regularly scheduled political outrage to bring you a whole different flavor of outrage: Why is the name of the new James Bond movie so f#%&ing stupid?
I just saw it on the side of a bus, and let's just say it's a good thing they don't make enormous red sharpies that I carry around with me. Yeah, good thing about that.
Die Another Day, Goldfinger, A View to a Kill . . . Quantum of Solace?
Most Americans don't even know what those two words mean on their own, much less what they could possibly mean when they're strung randomly together. Somebody at Columbia Pictures PR should be sent back to the mailroom.
"Paradox of bloviate, Mr. Bond?"
"No, circumspect of tangent. But you look good enough to eat."
I just saw it on the side of a bus, and let's just say it's a good thing they don't make enormous red sharpies that I carry around with me. Yeah, good thing about that.
Die Another Day, Goldfinger, A View to a Kill . . . Quantum of Solace?
Most Americans don't even know what those two words mean on their own, much less what they could possibly mean when they're strung randomly together. Somebody at Columbia Pictures PR should be sent back to the mailroom.
"Paradox of bloviate, Mr. Bond?""No, circumspect of tangent. But you look good enough to eat."
November 05, 2008
Platinum lining
Last night was amazing here, with thousands of people flooding the streets to cheer Obama's victory. The only comparable scene I can imagine in modern U.S. history is V-J Day: August 14, 1945, when World War II was declared over and a sailor permanently kissed a nurse in Times Square.
In the Mission, the police looked on bemused as crowds blocked intersections and danced on cars. But a coworker said that a cop in the Castro said he was nervous what would happen when everyone found out that Prop. 8 had most likely passed.
As a left-of-left liberal and native Northamptonite, I'm hugely disappointed by the fact that my chosen home state has denied its citizens the right to marry anyone they want. It's an affront to human rights, and I can't wrap my head around the idea that anyone who was proud to elect our first black president is unable to see the prejudicial parallel between racism and homophobia. That unfairness kept me from fully enjoying last night's celebration.
But as a local gay friend was gracious enough to remind me this morning: If losing on Prop. 8 is the only downside of an otherwise triumphant election and a new direction for our country, then at least we can take some solace in having come far enough for the vote to happen at all. Eight years ago, he said, legalizing gay marriage would have been unthinkable.
Then I heard from my savta, whose lifelong political involvement (alongside my hell-raiser grandfather, when he was with us) has always inspired me.
This is a great moment! Despite the deeply serious problems facing us all, I feel much less anxious, secure in the knowledge that we now have leadership that is intelligent, thoughtful, competent, informed, and imbued with a deep sense of justice and public responsibility. Barack is a gift to us all! And I'm so grateful that you, my children's and grandchildren's generation, have responded to his challenge with determination and passion.
Her voice is wise. So are countless others I heard expressing the extraordinary joy and hope that captured millions of Americans last night. We're not at the end of the road, by any measure—but I'd be crazy not to appreciate the giant step forward we just took.
In the Mission, the police looked on bemused as crowds blocked intersections and danced on cars. But a coworker said that a cop in the Castro said he was nervous what would happen when everyone found out that Prop. 8 had most likely passed.
As a left-of-left liberal and native Northamptonite, I'm hugely disappointed by the fact that my chosen home state has denied its citizens the right to marry anyone they want. It's an affront to human rights, and I can't wrap my head around the idea that anyone who was proud to elect our first black president is unable to see the prejudicial parallel between racism and homophobia. That unfairness kept me from fully enjoying last night's celebration.
But as a local gay friend was gracious enough to remind me this morning: If losing on Prop. 8 is the only downside of an otherwise triumphant election and a new direction for our country, then at least we can take some solace in having come far enough for the vote to happen at all. Eight years ago, he said, legalizing gay marriage would have been unthinkable.
Then I heard from my savta, whose lifelong political involvement (alongside my hell-raiser grandfather, when he was with us) has always inspired me.
This is a great moment! Despite the deeply serious problems facing us all, I feel much less anxious, secure in the knowledge that we now have leadership that is intelligent, thoughtful, competent, informed, and imbued with a deep sense of justice and public responsibility. Barack is a gift to us all! And I'm so grateful that you, my children's and grandchildren's generation, have responded to his challenge with determination and passion.
Her voice is wise. So are countless others I heard expressing the extraordinary joy and hope that captured millions of Americans last night. We're not at the end of the road, by any measure—but I'd be crazy not to appreciate the giant step forward we just took.
November 03, 2008
I have a proposition for you
Actually, I have 12 of them. Plus 22 measures. This is San Francisco, man, and we just can't get enough of exercising our rights. Researching this election felt like prepping for the most obnoxious midterm ever. But I still love voting.
After yesterday's marathon study session—fueled by coffee, tacos, and sources ranging from the LPOV to lawyer brothers—and some extra cramming tonight, I think I'm ready to brave the polls tomorrow.
For local friends who are curious what other like-minded people are thinking, here's how I plan to vote. I don't have the energy to explain all my decisions, but rest assured none were made quickly or lightly. If you know me well enough to bother reading this blog, you're probably familiar with my politics also.
The BCB Slate
Prop 1A: Yes
Prop 2: Yes
Prop 3: No
Prop 4: No!
Prop 5: Yes
Prop 6: No
Prop 7: No
Prop 8: No!
Prop 9: No
Prop 10: No
Prop 11: Abstain*
Prop 12: Yes
Measure A: Yes
Measure B: Yes
Measure C: No
Measure D: Abstain
Measure E: Yes
Measure F: No
Measure G: Yes
Measure H: No
Measure I: Yes
Measure J: Yes
Measure K: Yes
Measure L: No
Measure M: Yes
Measure N: Yes
Measure O: Abstain
Measure P: No
Measure Q: Yes
Measure R: Yes
Measure S: Yes
Measure T: Yes
Measure U: Yes
Measure V: Abstain
* If I don't understand or feel strongly enough about an issue to hold a definite yes or no position, then not voting on it seems like the most responsible option.
Oh, and there's this guy:
He looks pretty comfortable, right? We may as well let him stick around.
After yesterday's marathon study session—fueled by coffee, tacos, and sources ranging from the LPOV to lawyer brothers—and some extra cramming tonight, I think I'm ready to brave the polls tomorrow.
For local friends who are curious what other like-minded people are thinking, here's how I plan to vote. I don't have the energy to explain all my decisions, but rest assured none were made quickly or lightly. If you know me well enough to bother reading this blog, you're probably familiar with my politics also.
The BCB Slate
Prop 1A: Yes
Prop 2: Yes
Prop 3: No
Prop 4: No!
Prop 5: Yes
Prop 6: No
Prop 7: No
Prop 8: No!
Prop 9: No
Prop 10: No
Prop 11: Abstain*
Prop 12: Yes
Measure A: Yes
Measure B: Yes
Measure C: No
Measure D: Abstain
Measure E: Yes
Measure F: No
Measure G: Yes
Measure H: No
Measure I: Yes
Measure J: Yes
Measure K: Yes
Measure L: No
Measure M: Yes
Measure N: Yes
Measure O: Abstain
Measure P: No
Measure Q: Yes
Measure R: Yes
Measure S: Yes
Measure T: Yes
Measure U: Yes
Measure V: Abstain
* If I don't understand or feel strongly enough about an issue to hold a definite yes or no position, then not voting on it seems like the most responsible option.
Oh, and there's this guy:
He looks pretty comfortable, right? We may as well let him stick around.
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