Yes, we can find a zillion things that we despise about living here... and still our lives continue to be sprinkled with some good. For instance, as I was walking back from the ginormous warehouse fabric store just around the corner, I walked by the auto-body shops along our alley-way. They have dense concrete facades and here in the middle of November, it was warm enough today and cool enough this afternoon that I could actually feel the heat releasing from the masses. It was like standing by a heater outside. So, we can walk over to the Mission and find the people that hang over there to remind us of spoiled brats or up in North Beach with everyone trying to run you over in their Lexuses and BMWs to get to that next red light (I mean really, who cares about anyone who can't invite you to the next dinner party or opening downtown?)... and we continue to try and deconstruct what it is exactly that prevents us from feeling like this place deserves to be called home... Yet, amidst the long walks and talks about such things, good things come every now and then:
Eric hanging his images for his THIRD critique this semester... AND, he only hangs work that he hasn't hung before. No, really... this is three weeks of work. I'm pushing for a website!
Thanks to Rob at RBR and the boys at Freeze Thaw... I saw him actually crack a smile about going out for a ride! Check that pink machine ... careful in this neighborhood, sweet! With those tight pants and a pink bike... don't get stolen!
And, a bangin day at Goodwill: I came home with a hair dryer so we can continue to play with making Cyanotypes here at the house, an iron, and this 9 CUP coffee maker! It may not have a handle but I was sure that if I came home with it my boy would figure out something...and he did.
Last, the bits and pieces I've been doing to keep me occupied and somewhat sane: A cyanotype of an image that Eric let me make with his camera back when we were in State College. Well, I focused it and pushed the cable release...that counts!
The firm I'm working with right now was invited to participate in a "reconsideration" of a museum to be placed in Park Presidio (once the original military settlement--from the Spanish to the US--and now a national park)... This is the board that is on exhibit now here in a gallery...
Just uploaded our hike... it was the strip in yellow north of the city.
My bike pre-stem change with tools laid out nicely and ready for me to do it myself a la Eric... thanks, sweet! (fit is everything! bikes for 100 mile races, sweet new Dickies, and with the lady and moving across the country so I can take good pictures. the stem will help her in holding on to the bike as she looks back yelling at these silly drivers here in the "best place to live EVER"...-e)
My bike post-stem change....ahhhhhh much better...and man, that bike is nice! (mmmmmmm...new bike parts.....oh yeah!-e)
Pep working her magic to get up on the new furniture...while I work my magic here at the computer (so, really, E thought this would be funny... I'm not buying it). (in DC there were "crack heads"...in our house there is Gretta working on the computer- I feel like she wants to be a plumber some day...keep the dream alive sweets!!!!!-e)
It was a day much deserved by all three of us... putting up with this city for four straight months with "no exit"--yes, much deserved. We may ride our bikes everywhere everyday (or in P's case... pee on the street or in a little square of sandy dirt everyday) but it's never really like we are outside. Who ever thought you could complain about perfect weather everyday, but really?!?! 65-70 degrees everyday, no rain, and perfect light... it's like being inside ALL the time. So, in one fell swoop, we had a day that was hot in one direction, windy in another and completely gray and moist only 5 miles away.
Point Reyes was perfect in all its imperfections. Eric rented us a car and drove us just a little north of the city where everything changes entirely (except of course the people...just ask E, he'll tell ya) Because the National Seashore is a protected wilderness, we couldn't let Pep roam around out there. Instead, we hiked in the nearby Golden Gate National Recreation Area along the Bolinas Ridge Trail amongst cows. Yes, cows. So ever since the first jerks settled here to take this place away from the folks who lived here first, Point Reyes has been covered in dairy ranches. So, there are cows everywhere. And, apparently they are just as friendly and loving as everyone else here:
"Happy Cows" my ass *See note below ** Mine too- e
But, true to form: all talk and no smack...hmmph Pep was disappointed, I think
Not that she cared too long, though... "I'm Pepper...I found a hole..."
But she always keeps an eye on her boy... "Hey, E...I'm comin' "
yo, Leah...this one's for you! I was trying get a view of the Tomales Bay and Wetlands from the ridge and this damned bird got in my way...
Before we headed back to the city, we decided to earn our patches and actually go to the point. The fog had steadily rolled in by that time, and it was like an entirely different day only a few miles away. The area was astoundingly beautiful and serene. We drove to South Beach and hung at the shore for a few minutes until the fog and wind got a little too chilly. Then, we drove down to the Point Reyes Lighthouse and took a peek over at the Sea Lion Overlook. Looking through a cloud isn't as easy as it seems by-the-way.
these are some of the nicest patches I have ever seen- tasteful and well designed-e worry not fans! the Garmin likes to have a huge car for scale...and just for Gretta I got "a wave breaking...get a wave breaking...can you get a wave breaking..." "I'm cold..."
tasting the salty air of the Pacific...but a bit too chilly to put our feet in. Maybe another day
Nicely done, my boy...even with a low-res little iPhone (maybe it's just the technology that makes 'em look so nice...hahahahaha...not like you're in grad-school to do this sort of thing)
Words would ruin it...
Wildlife abounds in Point Reyes (it's in the second pic only the sound isn't turned on...those sea lions are loud though)
Did I mention it was gray and moist?
The Garmin serendipitously guided us back to the city along the scenic Route 1. When we saw the wetlands, we were blown away as the sun was setting. Then, the drive continued...and well, all we can say about these images of the fog rolling into the coast: You're welcome. Just in case you wonder- no Photoshop, the sky really did turn that blue
* Note: Propaganda is always lies made to look pretty like the truth...
** I really question truth as beauty and Propaganda is the deliberate misguiding of people without faculties to discern how they really feel by being spoon fed "information". This place still sucks and the cows smelled like they were smoking dope all day long- nice. -e
So here it is! My first image sold here in the west...I liked it as a smaller print. As many of you know I photograph with a camera that gives me a 4"x5" negative and I usually print them small and intimate- now that I sold it and the buyer wanted big (16x20!!!) it really gave a new aspect to the image! Hell yeah. So this is me with the 24"x30" frame and window mat in the bag- as much as I look back on my messenger days it pays off to know ANYTHING can be put into a bag if you want to charge the client for an over sized delivery! So this is as we head out the door to deliver the image....full of smiles and happiness!
This is me with the finished product... For some reason Gretta thinks I always look pissed...as you can see- I am gleeful and celebrating with a nice big smile! I love people! Especially people from NorCal!!! So, there you have it! No YouTube for now but we are always searching for another mind expanding clip. Keep tuned. Ann & Orin- stock up on the fried food cause I'm comming Ton and family- send pictures of the next great american cyclist Kevin and Shay-Shay- why the hell don't you comment? we bust our asses to keep things fresh and it seems like you don't even care...sad Amy- Clyde is crazy...Pepper told me she was about to slap that kid...hmmmm Everyone else- really- no comments on the Yip Yip Yip!?! REALLY!?!
you're welcome, kevin, shayshay, drayton family, iceclimiceclimb (by the way-?!?), mom and dad (both sets), leah, melissa, and all you suckahs not ever comenting on our hard ass work on this here blog
Another week is coming to an end...Gretta works and finds her way more each day, I work in the studio and darkroom printing and ph0tographing, listening to mixed and often contradictory critiques, wondering why this whole deal costs so damn much! On the high side- I sold an image! The best part of it is that Gretta had it on her desk and the buyer saw it and brought the whole deal up on her end. How is that for the laissez-faire approach? Here is a quick shot of the image...the print is 16x20 and don't mind if I say- it looks really nice in person.
We also were given fancy chairs with the stipulation that we pick them up...funny how we becomes ME...the fun part was getting these onto the trailer we got from FREEZE THAW and navigate through Chinatown! It was funny that people from a nation that embraced the bicycle like they did found my situation so damn curious. Where does that fit into a Post Colonial Global consciousness?
Gretta upon arrival v/s the reality of rain gear and toughening up for city life? Gretta has truly risen to the occasion.
So there is this shoe store that is going out of buisiness and for some reason these boots have really got my goat! What does this say? I miss the east coast so much!
