This city could drive me to drinking and probably already has. The latest move by some members of the Board of Stupidvisors is a good example as reported in this morning's SF Chronicle.
"Again, another short-sighted, reactionary measure from the Board of Supervisors to "fix" a problem that isn't a problem. And due to the lack of voters in June's election, this will probably pass as a result of an ill informed public and left wing progressives. (Who wouldn't vote to save SUNLIGHT?!?) It seems many don't realize that these buildings may only cast small slivers of shadows on certain parks at certain times during the year (like in the winter), and they'd be stopped with this ballot measure. SF should be encouraging smart development like Transbay Terminal and Hunters Point, which would create more jobs and grow our tax base. This is also a power grab by the Board of Supervisors. I'd rather let PLANNING decisions be left to the professionals at the Planning Department and Planning Commission. Don't politicize the development process even further by giving more power over the the Board."
Sometimes I think some residents would return the city to the log cabin days of past centuries. San Francisco Progressives are NOT progressive, they are ill-informed and backwards in a lot of their thinking, if they think at all.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Vacation & Security
Well, my most recent flights to and from Thailand were no different than any other however Homeland Security at SFO has resumed, after a one year layoff, of giving me an extra screening upon return. My friends who travel through LAX say they have never had that experience even when traveling to and from Thailand. The screener at SFO this time implied that it had something to do with a person traveling alone to that country. Not sure what that meant but after a number of trips there they know, or should know that I do not bring back illegal substances, weapons, or contraband of any sort. It gets frustrating and somewhat discouraging. Maybe that is what they are trying to do...discourage me from traveling there. Well, Thailand is officially one of our Allies and since I can be stubborn, I am not going to let someone who thinks they are not a friendly country, stop me from vacationing there.
Sad end to this vacation however. My friend Richard who was very ill with cancer, took a sudden turn for the worse and I had to cut my time short by one week but still did not make it back to the USA in time. I returned to San Francisco the evening of January 19th but he died (in his sleep) that morning.
Now it is time to make some changes in my symphony and opera subscriptions. I need to reduce my expenses so I may terminate one subscription and cut back on the other. I just don't know yet as I need to examine all of my options. Also, I am very tired of the maniacs who populate Van Ness Avenue after dark especially on the weekends which makes travel home after a concert or the opera very unpleasant at times. Even if I manage to catch the #47 or 49 bus, passengers can be unruly. While I am physically able to walk home, that is becoming less and less of an option with all the crazies out there. Even the short walk from California and Van Ness home can be unpleasant. Because of this I am going to have to switch to matinee performances if I continue to attend the symphony or opera.
What I would like to do is live near Columbus Circle or Lincoln Center in New York City and be close to all the concerts and operas without the hassle of SF's temper tantrums. That ain't gonna happen unless I win the lottery as I could never afford NYC rents.
Sad end to this vacation however. My friend Richard who was very ill with cancer, took a sudden turn for the worse and I had to cut my time short by one week but still did not make it back to the USA in time. I returned to San Francisco the evening of January 19th but he died (in his sleep) that morning.
Now it is time to make some changes in my symphony and opera subscriptions. I need to reduce my expenses so I may terminate one subscription and cut back on the other. I just don't know yet as I need to examine all of my options. Also, I am very tired of the maniacs who populate Van Ness Avenue after dark especially on the weekends which makes travel home after a concert or the opera very unpleasant at times. Even if I manage to catch the #47 or 49 bus, passengers can be unruly. While I am physically able to walk home, that is becoming less and less of an option with all the crazies out there. Even the short walk from California and Van Ness home can be unpleasant. Because of this I am going to have to switch to matinee performances if I continue to attend the symphony or opera.
What I would like to do is live near Columbus Circle or Lincoln Center in New York City and be close to all the concerts and operas without the hassle of SF's temper tantrums. That ain't gonna happen unless I win the lottery as I could never afford NYC rents.
Friday, January 08, 2010
A belated Happy New Year
Question: Do you know any flibbertigibbets?
Well, I am still here but barely. That is, after logging onto this site for the first time in awhile, I am preparing to take off on what has become my annual winter vacation in Thailand. This time it will be only for two weeks and one city (Chiang Mai) instead of three weeks in two or more cities.
In recent months my duties as caregiver for a friend who is seriously ill with cancer has taken up a lot of time and I have not been able to focus on this site. He is slowly getting weaker, or so it seems, and is taking a lot of different medications now in addition to his chemotherapy treatments. I alternate for a week or two with his three siblings.
So now I will get to see some of my friends in Chiang Mai for the first time in several years plus one or more ex-pats from San Francisco who live there now. I am battling my mid-winter cough here however. It took last winter off but when present sounds a lot worse than it is.. The only thing that will knock it out is warmer weather which is what I am sure headed for on Monday. The problem is the 9+ hours of flight time on chilly airplanes. Hope that does not exacerbate the problem.
As I prepare for this trip I wonder how the new security regulations, if any, will impact me. I guess outbound from the U.S. won't be too much different but the return could get interesting. Just hope I will have access to the rest room during that final hour of flight. After all, when you gotta go, you gotta go.
Well, I am still here but barely. That is, after logging onto this site for the first time in awhile, I am preparing to take off on what has become my annual winter vacation in Thailand. This time it will be only for two weeks and one city (Chiang Mai) instead of three weeks in two or more cities.
In recent months my duties as caregiver for a friend who is seriously ill with cancer has taken up a lot of time and I have not been able to focus on this site. He is slowly getting weaker, or so it seems, and is taking a lot of different medications now in addition to his chemotherapy treatments. I alternate for a week or two with his three siblings.
So now I will get to see some of my friends in Chiang Mai for the first time in several years plus one or more ex-pats from San Francisco who live there now. I am battling my mid-winter cough here however. It took last winter off but when present sounds a lot worse than it is.. The only thing that will knock it out is warmer weather which is what I am sure headed for on Monday. The problem is the 9+ hours of flight time on chilly airplanes. Hope that does not exacerbate the problem.
As I prepare for this trip I wonder how the new security regulations, if any, will impact me. I guess outbound from the U.S. won't be too much different but the return could get interesting. Just hope I will have access to the rest room during that final hour of flight. After all, when you gotta go, you gotta go.
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