Happy soggy New Year

It sure rained heavily overnight but we might catch a break in the action tonight as current forecasts are for cloudy skies with the possibility of some showers before midnight. I hope so as I do not want to have to battle the elements to get to the club. What happens after I am in and start partying is another matter and after a short time I probably won't care what it is doing outside anyway. If I get sloshed inside, I can slosh my way home back up the hill in rain if need be. It is fortunate that I am close enough to walk it (or crawl it if necessary). Ha!

Today will be a quiet one as I rest up but I probably should use the time to do some cleaning of the apartment.

Next weekend it looks like we will catch another break in the weather which is fine as I will be leaving on vacation late Sunday evening. That is good news. At least the AccuWeather.com long range forecast calls for sunny weather on the 8th of January. We have not seen a completely sunny day here in weeks so I am sure everyone would be pleased with that.

Have I made any New Year's Resolutions? NO! I never do. I tried that much earlier in life and it became pointless after awhile so why tie any resolution to a specific date. It is meaningless.

I am outa here for now so Happy 2006 everyone!

What a laugh!

I was reading the article entitled "AT&T to spend big on ads" (in 2006) in this morning's edition of the San Francisco Examiner and about fell out of my chair when I read that the yearlong campaign's tag line will be: Your world. Delivered. Now, pray tell me, how are they going to accomplish that when they can't even deliver phone directories on time.

I have lived at my current address since October 1993 and each fall or early winter new phone directories are delivered, no questions asked. This year to date, no directories have arrived. In fact, I received a computerized phone call from SBC/AT&T on Thursday asking me if I had received directories or not (Press 1 for NO) so I pressed numero uno. Later that day I received a phone call from someone in India who asked me the same question. I had the same answer for him - NO - and then he wanted to know where I lived. My god, doesn't the phone company know where I live. Did they erase their memory banks when they merged? If this is an example of service with the new or old SBC or AT&T, I want nothing to do with them. What a mess!

Telephone madness

What is wrong with the new SBC, or is it the old AT&T? Every year that I can remember, we have always received new phone directories at the front door each fall or early winter. This year nothing, so far anyway. Then today I receive a computerized phone call asking me if I had received my directories or not. Press 1 if no...well, I pressed numero uno and hung up. Then tonight I receive a live phone call from India asking me the same question. Then he had to ask what my address was. He didn't seem too pleased when I asked him what was going on as he hung up at that point. I guess that was not in their script over there. Is this an example of the phone service we are going to receive with the merger of SBC and AT&T? If so, I want out.

Liberal?

Ach, you never want to discuss politics (as well as religion and finances) with strangers especially with strangers at a bar during Happy Hour. I made the mistake of mentioning Madeline Albright to which some one asked "What did she ever do for the country?" to which I replied "What did George Bush ever do for the country?". Oops...wrong answer...so WWIII was started and I bailed out at that point. Pity, it could have really been interesting but then most people in this silly city are either too far to the left or too far to the right to discuss important issues. I have always considered myself middle-of-the-road but I doubt that those two neo-cons will ever see it that way.

Bah...Humbug

This day is supposed to be merry. Right? Well, I guess for some people it is. For those of us who are growing older and who live alone and whose health does not always seem what it should be, there can be nothing merry about the day or the season. No, I am not dying and I have friends to visit later today but one of life's little irritations, cold sores, weighs heavily on me this morning and that is ridiculous. Why should such a minor irritation cause such a problem? I've had them before and will have them again but now, coming during this holiday season, seems most untimely and I worry about how long it will take to clear up as I leave on vacation in two weeks and want to be in tip top shape then. Ain't life grand?

It seems to be earily quiet this morning here in the apartment house. I am surprised that those who insist on playing their stereos rather loudly are not doing so. I also hope I don't jinx the situation by even mentioning that.

Anyway, it has started raining again. Yesterdays sunshine was a brief respite indeed. Forecasts seem to indicate that we will again have showers off and on all week including New Year's Eve. Booo...! We are already over 100% of normal in rainfall already so we don't need anymore, at least right away. It would be nice to dry out. I guess the dreary weather is just adding to my woes, that is, not feeling in a merry mood on this holiday. Oh well, some wine and dinner this afternoon should lift my spirits (I hope).

New Dollar Coins

I am glad to read this news about the new dollar coins but at the same time I hope people stop hoarding them and will use them as well as the older dollar coins issued in recent years. Paper dollars are such a mess and a nuisance. The only time I see dollar coins here in San Francisco is from Muni change machines and Cal-Train ticket machines. They need to be in general circulation, not simply some specialized "token" as it were for transit agencies.

Happy Holidays, or whatever.

It sure does not feel like winter these days as we have had some heavy rains this week complete with thunder and lightning last Sunday. This apartment feels like a sauna after last weeks' temperatures in the forties and fifties. Today's high was 66. The ski season up in the Sierrras is getting off to a slow start although I saw some scenes on the news tonight where some resorts had snow. Not sure where that was however. Most of the snow so far has been man made. Earlier this week it was raining above 8,000 feet and melting even that.

It is the holiday season anyway and I have three parties to attend during the next four days and I will drink to that. In the meantime, will someone please stop this rain?

Merry Christmas from San Francisco, California 

Santa Revealed

OK, enough of the serious stuff for now but did you know what Karl Rove has done now? Talk about identity leaks, this one is the worst of them all. Good heavens, little kids all over the world could be traumetized by this.

OK,I can't stand it...one more item. This one is about Intelligent Falling. Well, duh...

Pedestrian Safety

This subject is the focus of a lot of talk these days in San Francisco as there have been a couple of accidents in which people have been killed when hit by a Muni bus in recent weeks. As always, people are prone to blame the Muni whether or not it is one of their drivers faults. Too many times, however, in my frequent trips as a Muni rider, I see pedestrians walking unsafely or standing unsafely. For instance, just a short time ago one young woman was standing a good three feet out from curb at Geary and Polk as the # 19 bus started making his right turn onto Polk. He had to honk twice to get her attention and then she did not seem to know what to do but she did move back. Just before that a motorist almost failed to stop as the bus crossed Golden Gate Avenue at Larkin and nearly got his front bumper ripped off or worse. Another time I saw the river of a limo (dressed to the tens for a wedding) open the drivers side door just as the bus I was on pulled out of the bus stop which he, the Limo driver was partly obstructing. That resulted in one crumbled door and glass all over the place. Oh well, so much for that wedding duty. Another time on the N-Judah Owl, I witnessed a group of young people exit the bus at the rear door and just stand there, precisely where their feet put them, as the bus began its right turn onto Carl Street. That resulted in the rear tire running over one or more toes of one of the young women in the group.

We need to use common sense and I don't see a lot of pedestrians in this city doing that. Too many act like they can walk anyway, anwhere they want as if they own the road. Then when one of those types gets hit by a Muni bus, it is their (Muni) fault. Come on folks, grow up, get a life! You need to be responsible for what YOU do.

Bush vs. Amtrak

Anyone who likes trains should read this piece from the Seattle Times. It is depressing and there is other equally depressing news out there which I will soon call to your attention. The oil men of Texas have it in for Amtrak and we should not let them have their way in this matter.

Brokeback Mountain

One of the hot movies out now is the one about two gay cowboys in Wyoming. I saw it yesterday and left the theatre feeling like I had been drug through the wringer. This has happened to me too much lately. Fortunately it was at the slightly reduced bargain matinee price but still, I could not find anything to enjoy. Perhaps it hit too close to home. I just don't know. I do know this however. I cannot identify with that cowboy/farmer/redneck culture that infects major portions of this country so the movie generally brought back some unpleasant memories from my teen years.

The movie was well acted and in every sense of the word it was a good movie however I have found other movies more meaningful and likely to reduce me to tears at times. One such movie was "Beautiful Boxer". How I would love to have that on DVD, or even VHS, but to date it is not available.

Christmas Customs continued

The religious right and others are complaining about attempts to take Christmas out of the Christmas Holiday when it was the Christians who originally hijacked pagan holidays for their own benefits. You can find more information on this situation here but if that link does not work, continue reading below as one of the articles is reprinted here.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS AND THEIR PAGAN ORIGINS
Because the festive aspects of the German-American Christmas, including the tree, were considered pagan, the Puritans in New England shunned them until about 1875. They were not entirely wrong!

It is generally acknowledged that the Christmas tree is of German origin. In the pre-Christian era the oak was the sacred tree for the Germanic peoples. Legend has it that the missionary to the Germans, St. Boniface, in order to stop sacrifices at their sacred Donar Oak near Geismar, chopped the tree down [725 A.D.]. He is said to have replaced the oak by a fir tree, adorned in tribute to the new-born Christ. Ironically, the evergreen tree has been ascribed magical power by the Germanic peoples as a representation of fertility. Today, the fir and its next of kin enjoy the highest degree of popularity. The Christmas tree custom has spread across large parts of the world.

The church also placed Christ's birth at the time of the winter solstice and fostered as the bringer of gifts St. Nikolaus, the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6, 343. Christian symbols and earlier historical layers of Germanic mythological figures began to meld, or to live side by side. Consequently, the old German God Wotan, riding the wild skies with his retinue, emerged out of the pre-Christian past.

To this day Nikolaus traditions vary as widely from region to region as his guise and name. He appears as St. Nikolaus (mainly in Catholic areas), Klaus, Nickel, Sünnerklas, Seneklos, Pelznickel, Knecht Ruprecht, Weihnachtsmann and Christkindl (in mostly Protestant areas). He is afoot or astride a white horse, a reindeer, a mule, or even a goat. More diverse than those of the saintly Nikolaus are the many legends and traditions surrounding his often wild companions: the Zwarte Pitt, Hans Muff, Schimmelreiter, Krampus, Leutfresser, Rumpelklas, Schmutzli. A religious myth whose source was in a Semitic nation, was subsequently developed by a Mediterranean people, and finally superimposed on the quite alien mythologies of the Northern Europeans. The result is a wide array of coexisting customs, Christian and Germanic.
Part of the modern American picture of Christmas is that of a magnificent sleigh pulled by eight reindeer carrying a bushy-bearded Santa Claus. The eight reindeer have only been in Santa's service since 1822. That is when Clement Clarke Moore, of Troy, N.Y., wrote his decidedly secular "'Twas the night before Christmas..." Moore's knowledge of popular views of Christmas was based chiefly on the St. Nikolaus customs brought to the area by Dutch, German and Scandinavian immigrants. In the German-speaking countries, and Holland and Belgium as well, December 6 is the most distinctive children's festival of the year. The shops are full of many-shaped biscuits, gilt gingerbreads--sometimes representing the saint--sugar images, toys and other little gifts. On December 5, small children place their shoes on a window sill or in front of the door. If they have a fireplace they will hang their stockings there. In the morning they will find small gifts, an orange and an apple and a small toy.

Forty years after Moore first published his poem, the illustrator and political cartoonist Thomas Nast created the American image of Santa Claus, a combination of Moore's "jolly old elf" and the Pelznickel of Nast's native Bavarian Palatinate. Nast, the son of a Bavarian army bandsman, was born in Landau, in 1840, and came to New York with his parents at age 6. In 1862 he joined Harper's Weekly, primarily as Civil War correspondent and began to produce politically acclaimed cartoons and war sketches. He was asked by a publisher to illustrate a book of holiday poems that included Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Combining imagery from Moore's verse, and his childhood memories of Christmas, Nast created a rotund, bearded, pipe-smoking figure in a woolly suit and cap, carrying a large sack of toys.

In many regions, and also in the U.S., the festivities originally attributed to the gift-giving St. Nikolaus have been transferred from December 6 to Christmas. The giver of gifts is the "Weihnachtsmann" [Santa Claus] or the "Christkindl" [Christchild, an angel]. The latter, misunderstood by Anglophones, became "naturalized" as "Kris Kringle." Christmas customs are perhaps the nicest example for cultural transfer and adaptation resulting in an American tradition with a German touch.

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So the controversy goes on and on....

Happy Holidays folks!

Doubles (triples?)

Good grief, in addition to resembling Herbert Blomstedt, former music director of the San Francisco Symphony (according to some people anyway), and Bill Simon, a California politician who ran for governor once (and lost), I now find that as I age, or as Bill Gates ages, we look more alike in some ways. Is this a nightmare or what? This could drive a man to drinking. Ha!

Pagan Roots of Modern Holidays

You can read some interesting material on this subject by clicking here.

Origins of Christmas Holiday

There are many good articles on the Internet regarding this holiday we celebrate on the 25th of December. It is pagan in its origins and I will refer you to several during the course of the next week. One of the shorter articles may be found here.

Spygate?

Oh great, now The Bush and his minions want to spy on people engaged in making international calls or sending email messages to another country. He wants to do without court intervention. Just who the hell does this fascist think he is? Hitler? Congress needs to investigate this and start impeachment procedings immediately? This man is extremely dangerous. How far will he go? There does not seem to any stopping him at this point. Only the election of 2008 will but I fear who the Republicans might try to replace him with should they "win" the election. They didn't win the last two but that is another story. We live in dangerous times but not all of the dangers come to us from outside the country. The terrorists are winning if we lose our freedoms because of Bush and his ilk.

Oh, to be younger and beautiful

Oh lordy, I can't stand it. I find myself in love with my favorite bartender during Happy Hour. Unfotunately there is a 30 years age difference between us which is impossible for him I am sure. It would not be a problem for me but I am sure we don't share that much in common but he is such a sweet guy. I can't stand it sometimes. I want him, I desire him, etc., etc. Oh, for one night with him. Could I take that? Could he take that? Would that change our "professional" relationship as customer/bartender? I would not want to change that so I must repress myself. I can only dream of what might have been if I have met him earlier in my life. As for fantacizing, that does not do me much good as I feel that would only sour my feeling for him as a person and as a very good bartender who knows how to work the crowd. At this, he is an expert. Oh well, as usual, I was born too early in the 20th Century. I do not identify with my age group but I know my desires are way out of line with what other people desire. I also realize that this is equivalent to some sort of high school infatuation with someone of desire whom I can't have. Well, it has not been easy since one of my closest friends died from cancer a few years ago and now I am at the age where beginning a new relationship of any type is next to impossible. Oh, problems, problems, problems. Too bad I cannot travel back in time. Ha! Oh well, this is a hell of a way to come out to many people who did not know much about me but I AM WHAT I AM. I did not ask to be this way as others did not ask to be what they are. Too bad that the religious right has other ideas. They are such fools. Well, time to eat something to counteract the booze in me. hahaha Good night my friends, good night and take care.

Sick

This idea of nominating this multiple murderer, no matter what he has written, for the Nobel Prize is sick, sick, sick!!!

Crazy, mixed up world

What a world we live in! Supporters of this Tookie Williams character on death row at San Quentin want to see him nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. What B.S. that is! How sick can you get! I don't care what he wrote. His attempt to turn young people away from violence rings hollow. He killed four people and continues to associate with gangs in prison and some people have the gall to suggest he be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Then we have the religious right complaining that some people, including President Bush, are taking the Christmas out of Christmas by substituting the word holiday for Christmas. Well, my friends, the words holidays and Christmas have always been interchangeable on Christmas cards and in verbal greetings but for someone in the Catholic League to complain about Bush's Christmas Card is hilarious. Most biblical scholars agree that Jesus of Nazareth was born in the springtime, not in December. The holiday we really celebrate is a pagan holiday from Europe, not the birth of Jesus. The esteemed Christas tree is pagan so there is nothing wrong with referring to it as a holiday tree but I doubt that anyone cares since it is now all about spending on an orgy of commercial excess. Even if Christ were born on the 25th of December, there hasn't been anything holy about this holiday for years. The corporate world has ruled the roost for years with rampant commercialism.

In-flight Safety

Oh great, now they are going to allow screw drivers (7" or less) on board commercial fights as well as some other items. What is the matter with these people...both the screeners and the passengers who feel the need to bring such things on board? We don't need such items on board a commercial aircraft in the first place and if a passenger actually needs those items at his or her destination, why weren't they placed in the checked luggage in the first place? Such idiots! And all in the name of speeding up the screening process. Yuck! I would prefer not to have to remove my shoes. Do those really present that big of a problem now? Huh? Really?

Locally we have a mystery in Oakland where the City Council has decided to uproot 300 trees at Lake Merritt as part of their beautification project of the lake area. Huh? 300 trees? How is that loss supposed to help beautify the area? Something is not right there. I have never counted the trees there but after living in the area for over ten years, I would guestimate that there are just about 300 trees total lining the banks of the lake. How many years will it take to grow news ones? If city officials think that little of the lake, why not just fill it in and build some more of Jerry Brown's housing units for downtown Oakland there?

Cody's Bookstore

WOW! I went into Cody's new bookstore on Stockton Street in SF this morning and was surprised by the size of the place compared to their Berkeley store. Its location is right next to Virgin where Planet Hollywood used to be. It seems to be one of the best stocked bookstores in the area and I hope the new location is a success. Check it out and if you like what you see, be sure to tell your friends. And no, this is not a paid advertisement.

Mission Accomplished?

A few years ago aboard an aircraft carrier George Bush said to those assembled, "Mission Accomplished". Well, a few years and a number of deaths later, that mission is still just as dangerous and shows no signs of improving. I am sure that the enemy has not yet uttered the same or equivalent words. I wonder when the mission will really be accomplished. How many more U.S. casualties? How many years before the U.S. Government decides enough is enough? We have created more enemies than ever and the situation will never improve under the present circumstances. We toppled Saddam Hussein but that was the easy part. To install a democratic form of government in a country which has not known such an arrangement is a hopeless situation. What they could use is some sort of a "benevolent dictatorship".

Conundrum

Now, I bet that got the attention of some people. My problem seems to be similar to that of Mark Morford who can't decide whether or not it is worth living in San Francisco anymore. It seems to be one of economics vs. the quality of life. Anyway, it is a condundrum.

As for the SF Muni, I saw an opened condom on a seat yesterday but was not close enough to see if the unwrapped item was new or used. Ha! I suppose that is slightly better than being attacked by cockroaches on the Muni although I must admit it has been a few years since seeing any of those critters scurrying around.

Now here is a good thought for the day from a Chronicle reader: "Evolution is "intelligent design." God knows how to delegate responsibility and development."

Our weather is finally obeying the calender and acting like November and December. No more sunny days in the seventies. Now we have temperatures in the fifties with rain storms passing through now and then. This also makes for a nice gooey ice rink at Justin Hermann Plaza.

Still have not begun my Christmas shopping (all one gift) as I still do not know what to buy. Maybe it will be back to the gift card routine this year plus an assortment of other items in my "care package".

Oh, I almost forgot. My pending projects are still pending. That is cleaning out my closets and computer desk plus other assorted "bankers boxes" surrounding the computer desk as well as a drawer in a nightstand and other assorted junk from under the bed and behind the sofa. Perhaps it is time for a yard sale but I don't have a yard. How about a garage sale? I don't have a garage. How about a sidewalk sale? Well, that would be fine if I had anything that other people would want. Can't see foisting off some of this stuff on other poor unsuspecting souls however.

Black Friday?

That sounds like the day the stock market crashed. So why is it suddenly being used to describe the day after Thanksgiving when so many people go out Christmas shopping? This is a new wrinkle on the fabric of our crazy society which I had never heard of until this year. Friends, however, tell me that the term applies to the fact that although stores are very busy, sales are not that great until prices drop later in the season. So it appears that since the bottom line for retailers is not big enough, it is "Black Friday". As usual, it's all about money...money...money.

Enough is enough

This new dog & poney show of Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer at CNN has got to stop. A little of them is OK but not all the time. And their voices are somewhat irritating as well. The saddest thing about CNN recently is the fact that they cancelled Aaron Brown's NewsNight show. He was the closest thing to Walter Cronkite in my book. I would enjoy visiting him but I sure can't say the same for Cooper and Blitzer. One of the main reasons I have cable is for CNN News but now it has almost become irrelevant.

Turkey Day

This country is blessed with many good things as well as some not so good things such as the turkeys in Washington D.C. who do not seem to care what they do or how they do it. Why does power corrupt so many people anyway?

Here in San Francisco on a the coldest day of the season, it seems rather bleak outside with gray skies and a storm threatening to arrive later tonight...probably about the time I come home from dinner. It is so quiet today even in this apartment building. You would think that everyone had left town. Well, not quite. The guy who lives next door and plays his stereo rather loudy has been in and out. When in my walls vibrate with the thumping bass of whatever he is listening to. Strange neighbor he is as sometimes I hear moans or loud cries and such exclamatins as "Stop that. That hurts." Those will be followed by "aarrghhh". One warm day not too long ago when everyone had their windows open I discovered the sound of another voice coming from the aparment, another male voice. Hmm...does he and his friend practice some sort of ritualistic S&M? The first time I heard it I was ready to call 911 but then I realized that the screams were rather "controlled" and did not seem to be a cry for help.

Anyway, I just took a walk to the ATM (four blocks) and despite wearing my heavy winter jacket I still felt cold. It was the wind as usual. The temperature on my patio is now 53F which is about ten degrees colder than yesterday and 20 degrees colder than the previous day. No wonder it feels so cold now. Well, I hope the hot tea I just prepared helps out a bit.

This Saturday I will have my last opera of the current run. The 05/06 season concludes with three more productions in May and June 2006 however and I will still have a few symphony concerts scattered out during the next seven months.

This day may be quiet but it will be complete chaos tomorrow in Union Square and other areas of downtown as the Christmas madness begins so get set to "shop till you drop". Well, not I, not I. I will try to avoid the crowds by doing what little shopping I have to do as early in the day as possible. Then one month from tomorrow I will join my friends in Oakland on Christmas Day for dinner there. A couple of weeks after that I am off to Thailand once again. It will be so good to get out of town during the coldest month of the year. Now, having said that, a friend who knows I have been entertaining the thought of moving to New York City might wonder what I would do there when it REALLY gets cold. The wimpy weather here is nothing in comparison. Well, I know, I know, it seems paradoxical to want to go to warm Thailand in January and also want to move to cold NYC. Well, there are reasons for both desires but since my budget will probably not permit a move to either location, it is probably a moot point. In either case, I should have done it earlier in my life. My friends who have moved to Thailand did so when they were 40-something. Well, those days are sure behind me now and while my health is good, I do not know how much longer it will be. That could be a concern in the future for reasons which are too numerous and personal to go into here. Medical care in Bangkok and a few other places is good so that is not a reason for any hesitation on my part however.

I guess I should just be thankful for what I have now and enjoy my life here until such time that I can see my way clear to make any sort of change to any new locale of interest. Should the Republican re-take the White House in 2008 however, all bets are off, and I will bail out come hell or high water.

Listen and pull-out

If President Bush will not listen to the people of America, perhaps he should listen to the political and religious leaders in Iraq who want our troops out of the country. I doubt that he will do that either as he seems to have his own agenda and the rest of the world can go to hell in the meantime.

On another matter, the Catholic Church continues to dig its own grave. A new document soon to be released will bar gay men from the priesthood. At the same time, it is estimated that 25 to 50% on the men in seminaries in the U.S. are gay while at the same time, the officials in Rome will not allow married priests. I wonder what they will do for priests when all the old straight (?) men now in the priesthood die and there are no more candidates for the priesthood?

Bad Act(s)

The Patriot Act is a bad act and one which should be greatly modified or deleted but will congress have the guts to do it?

Of course not: Birds and dominoes don't mix.

Learn Greek

With this season of unending hurricanes and tropical storms I guess it is time to learn the Greek alphabet as Gamma churns through the Caribbean. Can Delta be far behind?

Dumb ideas

For one, tearing down the O'Shaughnessy Dam in order to restore the Hetch Hetchy Valley to it original pristine condition is a typical San Francisco pie-in-the-sky attitude, another pipe dream cooked up by people who want to turn back the clock fifty or a hundred years or more and go live with the long dead John Muir. They are so out of touch with reality it is really pathetic to say the least.

Then on a different matter, I have news for Eleanor Traeg of Los Gatos: Our troops are not in Iraq to protect this country. They were sent there to topple Saddam Huseein, which they did, but now there is no exit strategy. So sad.

As for the controvery over the new de Young Museum, just wait a few years and the copper siding will oxidise as it corrodes and will turn to a light green color (patina) and blend in with the trees. Maybe then critics will not be so unforgiving.

As for buildings in general in San Francisco, they are so boring. People should take a look at the new and exciting buildings put up in other cities around the world. No, I am not saying they are all good. The biggest failure of all that I know of is the Pompidou Centre in Paris but atrocities like that are rare. This city, has no imagination and is too conservative in those matters.

And yet another dumb ideas for dummies: "intelligent design". No, I am not saying there is no god, just not the one as portrayed in Christian mythology. There may be an intelligent design however it is laughable that some people are saying that the "universe is so complex, that is must have been created by a higher power". Of course it was. The human race is not the most intelligent thing going in this or any other universe but other powers are simply unknown or unknowable at this time in the evolution of the human race and/or the universe itself. Science studies these things, religion does not. It simply buries its head in the sand and says "God created it" so why look any further. At least there is one person at the Vatican willing to research the history of the universe.

Big, bad, and ugly

That is what the U.S. Congress is. They are full of it and seldom do what is necessary. Now the latest fiasco is a bill to protect U.S. consumers from identity theft which is full of more holes than Swiss Cheese. Don't the member of congress have an scruples? I wonder how much money they are being paid to do the wrong thing.

Say what?

Am I the only one who thinks "root canal" when I read about Sony incorporating "root kit DRM" technology in some of its new CDs as a copy protection scheme? I can't read a single story about it and not automatically change the term to root canal. Perhaps both are painful to the recipient as well.

Say, who is that woman who robs banks while talking on her cell phone.? Is there anyone home on either end of the call?

Problems and boredom?

Why do I feel that things are so boring? It is not because I do not have anything to do. In fact, my plate is almost too full at times. Why do I get bored so easily? That is a very good question. I know that should it become possible to suddenly move to NYC and live there for a few years in a nice apartment, that my boredom would be gone for awhile as I learned my way around the city as a local and not as a tourist but then at some point I am certain that "been there - done that" would take over. Hmm...how to keep life interesting. That is the problem these days.

As for upcoming events there is the San Francisco Symphony tomorrow night for Carl Orff's Carmina Burana but unfortunately it is their new Friday night series at an early time (6:30 PM) which features talks from the stage. I think I should have selected the Wednesday or Thursday concert in this series as I fear there will be an entirely different audience there at 6:30 PM tomorrow, one which, well, doesn't know much about classical music and need to be led by the hand in trying to enjoy this piece.

Then on Saturday evening it will be back to the Opera House for Beethoven's Fidelio. I enjoyed that in rehearsal last week and it will be good to see the finished product and hear Christine Brewer again.

I have a lot of reading to do...so many magazines plus several books. It seems that I can't sit still for too long these days for any of those for some reason. Even with TV programs I have to stand up and walk around during commercial breaks. I wonder now how I make through an hour or more at the Opera House or symphony? Oh, and there is my upcoming 13 hour flight to Taipei followed by another 3 hours to Bangkok. Ouch! Oh, I could put myself to sleep with a lot of wine but then tends to dry out my system, especially my sinuses which in turn causes problems with my ears. Sure could use the transporter from the Enterprise for this. Ha!

Depressing News

The news these days seems to be more and more depressing. Today, for example, over 50 people killed in Jordan by suicide bombers. When and where will the next attack occur? Apparently the authorities in Australia have thwarted some attacks there which is good.

On the home front, the looney "intelligent creation" supporters won and lost this week so that has balanced out for now. Actually, I have no problem with a "power that we know nothing about creating the universe and setting up its laws" but what I do object to is the whole Christian tradition that has turned that power into an "old man" up there somewhere whose son, well, you know the story. I don't see anything "supernatural" about it. It is just that we haven't been around long enough to study the universe(s) and really learn something about their workings.

Currently I am reading A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and it the most interesting thing I have ever read. I have always been interested in astronomy but quantum physics and related matters have really opened my eyes to some things. The chapter entitled "The Origin and Fate of the Universe" is the most interesting one in this book so far. I am almost speechless with enthusiasm concerning these matters. (OK Scotty, you can beam me up anytime. Mr. Sulu, are you there? Is anyone there?) No seriously folks, sci-fi is nice but the real thing is even more interesting. The study of the origin of all things, of black holes, where the universe(s) has been and where it/they are going are much more interesting than a work of fiction.

As for intelligent aliens visiting this planet, well, I think the possibility exists it is not probable given the considerable distance to other planets but you never know. If someone has found a way to travel faster than the speed of light, perhaps it would be possible. Or, if there are parallel universes or worm holes that distort space and time, perhaps it would be possible.

"Glory be to the originator, its laws, and to the spirit of all beings. As it was at the big bang, so it is now, and will be forever."

Why?

Why has CNN dumped Aaron Brown who used to have the Newsnight program at 7 PM PT? Why has Anderson Cooper suddenly been elevated to the main man?

Well, I have those a few hundred other questions I would like to ask but for which there is probably no answer. The networks don't care what the viewers think. The only thing they care about is the bottom line and as long as CNN is not in the red, they aren't about to listen to us peons. (Is that the right word?)

On a different subject: For those who dislike affirmative action in this country, they should take a look at France where there is no such protection for minorities in job hiring. Do Americans really want to risk that in this country? No, there is no excuse for violence and I do not condone it however those who feel helpless and have no hope are apt to do anything to make a point. Do we want to tear this country apart with such a situation. There is already too much prejudice in a peaceful U.S. What would happen in a violent U.S.?

They're Rioting in France

A number of years ago the Kingston Trio recorded The Merry Minuet whose words began:

They’re rioting in Africa
They’re starving in Spain
There’s hurricanes in Flo-ri-da
And Texas needs rain the whole world is festering with unhappy souls
The French hate the Germans, the Germans hate the Poles
Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch
AND I DON’T LIKE ANYBODY VERY MUCH!!

Well, it seems like the more things change, the more they remain the same. Perhaps they are not starving in Spain but many people in Afghanistan and Iraq are hungry and now the rioting is in France and not Africa although some people of African ancestry are apparently involved.

When will people ever learn? When will the human race grow up? No matter what the grievances of people in slum areas of France, violence is NOT the answer. This will only serve to destabilize the country and possibly create conditions worse than what exist now. The youth of today, be it France or the U.S., has a large segment of mental midgets in it anyway. Sometimes I think some sort of genetic engineering should be done but that won't happen of course. (Think pre-frontal labotomies here.)

I had planned to return to France in 2006 or 2007 as I have not been there since 2001 and wanted to re-visit some of my favorite places in and around Paris. The present situation might force me to put that decision on hold but I am most concerned about the people of France. This is a small band of thugs now but what will happen tomorrow or next week or next month? What will this mean for French politics? Will martial law be invoked? What will happen next?

Glued to toilet seat!

When you gotta go you gotta go but what happens when you gotta leave? Well, one man at Home Depot had quite a problem.

Idiots

I wonder why anti-war protesters and vandals don't conduct some of their events in Concord, or Walnut Creek, or Antioch, or Stockton or similar places. Isn't protesting on the streets of San Francisco something akin to preaching to the choir?

Well, Ms. Rosenberg, General Director of the San Francisco Opera, and her minions have done it again as they have unleashed an atrocity on the boards of the War Memorial with this new production of La Forza del Destino. Verdi must be turning in his grave.

Goodbye Pamela Rosenberg

Every opera lover should read Robert Commanday's excellent piece in this week's San Francisco Classical Voice Newsletter. Mr. Commanday hits the nail on the head and I for one will warmly welcome Pamela's replacement next year.

Don't panic

Because of the way some people in the American press are handling the situation, some people are panicking over the prospect of the Avian flu hitting this country. Relax! It is not just around the corner. It may be down the street but we have been warned and if everyone does his or her part, we can be prepared. Even the Bush wants to allot money for vaccines now but people should not act as if we are all about to be wiped out by this disease. In fact, to date, it is very difficult to contract in a bird to human or human to human scenario and as the experts say, these things mutate slowly, so don't panic.

R-rated mannequins?

Oh this is too much but then considering where this happened it is not surprising I guess.
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"Police in northeastern Iran are launching a new morality drive by confiscating alluring mannequins from boutiques and clothes stalls in the bazaar, authorities in the city of Bojnourd said Monday. A spokesman for the city's judiciary, who asked not be named, explained the drive would tackle problems of "public chastity." He said 65 mannequins have been impounded so far.
He explained the crack-down on tailors' dummies was part of a larger offensive against anti-social behavior such as vandalism and biker gangs. Bojnourd owes its traditional religious climate to the nearby shrine city of Mashhad, a focal point of pilgrimage for the world's Shi'ite Muslims.
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All of which goes to remind me of what someone I know said a few years ago when his love life was not going well, "Even the mannequins in the windows at the The Gap are looking good to me now."

Hmm.....
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Then there is the problem of earthquakes, tsunamis, and surfers in southern California...
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An exclusive California beach enclave has raised eyebrows by passing out tsunami safety brochures that warn residents, in capital letters, that they should never try to surf one.
The pamphlets, part of an emergency preparedness campaign, inform residents of Malibu that tsunamis often follow large earthquakes and advise: "NEVER GO TO THE BEACH TO WATCH FOR, OR SURF, A TSUNAMI WAVE!"

"I'm speechless," Malibu surfer Candace Brown told the Los Angeles Times. "I think the last thing people will think about when they feel an earthquake is surfing." Malibu's emergency preparedness director said he thought it would be prudent to address all possibilities.
"Some people may feel that we are stating the obvious and some people may not," Brad Davis said. "We want to encourage people to move away from the coast rather than toward it."
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And with that I am outa here for now...

Not to worry

Sometimes when I worry about the youth of today and what it means for the future of this country, I read letters in the newspaper like the one that appears below and it gives me hope that not all is lost in this country.
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Life is random -- and full of anti-social types

Editor -- I'm a junior at Santa Cruz High School. After I read Steven Winn's article, "Turn on, tune in, drop out -- today's motto" (Oct. 20), I was inspired enough to respond.

I absolutely agree. I do not own a cell phone or an iPod, and am regularly asked by my peers how I live. I don't know how many times I have tried to initiate a conversation with a schoolmate who has a hood up, only to find that he or she hasn't heard a word I've said because he or she was listening to an iPod. The simplicity of completely tuning out frightens me, because I think that it magnifies a social pandemic in our country.

NICOLE LOEFFLER-GLADSTONE

Santa Cruz

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A million thank-yous to Nicole for this letter.

What's up San Francisco?

I had thought of titling this “City in Decline” but then “Tale of Two Cities” jumped out at me also. In either case, the good and the bad have been much on my mind recently especially after visiting other cities in this country and around the world. One thing I keep bugging at least one friend with is the fact that San Francisco has absolutely the worst streets of any city that I have visited in Europe and Southeast Asia. The bone jarring washboards that we have would not be tolerated in a civilized society, or shouldn’t be, so what is the problem here?

Then the homeless problem remains and tourists and locals alike are deluged with the panhandling of the vagrants who have taken over our streets. They dump all sorts of garbage on them and use them for their toilets. This situation would not be tolerated in a civilized society, or shouldn’t be, so what is the problem here?

Other cities have interesting modern architecture but the moment anyone here proposes something new and original, people scream their bloody heads off about it. Even the proposed redress of a small dowdy building on Grant Street by Prada got shot down because the design didn’t fit in with the rest of the buildings in the area. Most modern cities build interesting and exciting new buildings so what is the problem here?

Then there is the problem with our dowdy, dumpy, and uncomfortable War Memorial Opera House. After having visiting the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York City and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., I must say that we, if we are to be a world class city, need something better. Personally, I propose tearing down the Opera House and the Veteran’s Building and erecting a Kennedy type center with multiple venues within its walls to house opera, ballet, and various other theatrical events. (It need not include a symphony hall as Davies will do for that for now.)

This city has done some things correctly since I moved here thirty years ago. The Yerba Buena Gardens is one such project that succeeded. The new Asian Art Museum and the new deYoung Museum are both successful. The new main library is less so in part because it is too small.

One big failure is the Ferry Building Plaza which got separated by three lanes of vehicular traffic on each side, thus stranding the plaza and making is unusable except as a passageway to get from Justin Herman Plaza to the Ferry Building. It also provides room for the Muni’s F-line stop. Otherwise, this vast space remains empty and unusable because it is not connected to the Ferry Building nor to Justin Herman Plaza. The Ferry Building refurbishing is great but it is a shame that there is no Ferry Building Plaza to go with it.

Public transportation could stand to be a little more reliable but traffic in the city almost makes that impossible in the downtown area. Consider that many streets, while one-way, have three lanes and during business hours it is not uncommon to find at least two lanes blocked by double-parked trucks. Thus cars and buses must squeeze through these constricted areas and this slows everything and everyone down. These days, too, it seems like there are just too many vehicles of all types on the streets downtown resulting in grid lock as many cannot get across an intersection before the light changes. We also need more traffic cops on Market Street especially at Stockton/Market/Fourth Streets. There are traffic cops in the financial district during rush hours but they are wimps compared to NYC and other cities. They need to be more forceful in their actions.

Ah, what the heck, sometimes I think we need another 1906 type earthquake and then perhaps we could start all over and get it right the next time.

For instance, the Muni’s planned cross-town subway is a starter but it should go all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf. There should also be a subway under Van Ness Avenue from Aquatic Park to Market Street and beyond. Maybe we need one under Mission Street as well to relieve the pressure on the Market Street subway. The biggest mistake of all in recent years occurred before I moved here and that was the failure to build a Geary corridor subway. In fact, the Muni has been criticized in recent months for pushing the plans for a subway under Stockton Street instead of opting for a much more needed one under Geary.

Ah, problems, problems, problems. Why am I raising these issues? Good question but then in my travels I see how other cities are doing things and I wonder what is wrong here. Sometimes I wonder if this city will ever be able to manage its traffic and its finances, neither of which are in very good shape and errect some bold and imaginative buildings without the luddites and others screaming their fool heads off.

Home again

Back at home now after a whirlwind tour of the nation's capitol as well as northern Virginia. I had not been there since being a teenager, sometime in the previous century, so I wanted to see some things again as well as what had changed, which of course, were a number of things. Their excellent Metro subway system being one of them. (It didn't exist when I was a teenager.) My friend and I stayed at a Holiday Inn which was convenient to the Capitol Mall but not to restaurants. The Metro L'Enfant Plaza Station was nearby so each evening we took the train up to the DuPont Circle Station and ate at restaurants on Connecticut Avenue. I like that neighborhood as well as the area from the Washington National Cathedral on down Wisconsin Avenue to the Georgetown section and then eastward towards DuPont Circle. The area around George Washington University seems nice too but since we only skimmed the surface due to time constraints, we did not get to see that much. At least we got passes from Senator Feinstein's office for the Senate and House chambers. We also visited various parts of the Smithsonian. Other stops included the aforementioned cathedral which included an organ demonstation/mini recital and a tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. That is a great place and I wish we had something like that here in San Francisco. Our old Opera House, is handsome (?) but old (1930s) and really out of date. It is very uncomfortable and outdated so we need something new. Alas, there is probably no money for it and certainly there is no space available in this city for such a large complex as the Kennedy Center. Anyway, we enjoyed our time in DC and then had a nice drive into northern Virginia which included a side trip to Monticello and a visit to Thomas Jefferson's home. We took the tour of the house but not the gardens. The surrounding area is very beautiful and I can see why he chose that location for a home.

Now it is back to the usual routine until my next journey to Thailand in January.

My next opera at SFO is Bellini's Norma which received a mixed review at the San Francisco Classical Voice Newsletter. The bad part, as usual with Pamela Rosenberg being general director, is that it is a stark modern production which has nothing to do with what Bellini wrote. Oh well, she will be gone by the end of the year to be replaced by David Gockley from the Houston Grand Opera.

Casualties of the Bush Administration

If you do not support the Bush administration, you should read this. If you are a supporter of the Bush administration you should read it anyway. I am hoping that somewhere, sometime, the people responsible for this mess will admit their mistakes and change their ways but I am sure not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen.

Uneven distribution

Are you one of those people collecting the 50 State quarters? I am and I have a map in which to place them. For the longest time I could not find the California coin issued in 2005 but a friend had more than one so I bought one from him. From 2004 I am still missing Wisconsin and I check all my quarters for the new designs. Why is Wisconsin missing? For 2005 I received Kansas (3 of them) and Minnesota (2 of them) in change at Macy's yesterday. That is fine by where is Wisconsin? Anyway, this leaves only West Virginia to be issued this year.

Is anything important happening? Yes, but time does not permit to write about those things. Also they are very depressing. The state of this world especially this country are nauseating at times. Even such simple things as treating people with respect seems to be difficult these days. In fact, KPIX, channel 5, carried a disturbing report this week about how rude Americans are becoming towards each other.

Then there is "brain dead" in the White House and no, I do not hate Bush. Unfortunately the neo-cons of this country are so blinded by their "if you are not with us they you are against us" mentality. Then you have the new kids, literally, on the block who apparently failed U.S. History and/or U.S. Government 101, if they even went to high school, who know nothing about previous presidents. The attitude that George W. Bush is the greatest president ever is sickening and an insult to most of his predecessors. It is enough to make me scream "let me out of here" and move to another country. American politics is at its lowest point of my life and it extends to local and state politics as well. Consider "The Terminator" in Sacramento. So sad!

Bush to appoint someone to be in charge of the country

It's about time!

Where are we headed?

I wish we were headed for nice clear and warm weather as was in evidence when this photo of Coit Tower was taken. Our weather seems to be very uncertain of itself sometimes lately. Yesterday it was sunny and warm whereas today it was very foggy and chilly during the morning and then partly sunny and somewhat windy in the afternoon.

Anyway, where are we headed. Natural catastrophes seem to be on the increase recently so some people are wondering if there is a message in all this. Who knows...only time will tell. I have read some strange things on the Internet about the so-called "end of days" and the "bible codes". If they are to be believed then 2006 might be the beginning of the end of life as we have known it for all our lives.

There is the looming threat of Avian flu as well and this could bring death to millions of people around the world. There appears to be no way to prepare for it as scientists are not sure what the makeup of the virus will be when it spreads so there is no way to prepare a vaccine for it.

To add to the mix of events, there are now three volcanoes in Alaska which are showing signs of life.

Down in Guatamala they have experienced some serious flooding which makes me wonder if the floods have effected the Survivor-Guatamala cast and crew any or was it taped far enough in advance so that they were able to get out of the area before disaster struck?

Now the people in Afghanistan and Pakistan are having to deal with a huge earthquake that apparently has killed over 30,000 people. Could that happen here? Well, we certainly could have a major quake here in the San Francisco region but while loss of life would not be quite as high, the damage to the infrastructure would bring the whole region to a grinding halt resulting in catastrophic economic disruption. It would probably take years for the economy to recover.

It is depressing to think of the future these days. Even my White Zinfandel is not helping tonight. Ha!

Oh well, I feel good after my workouts at the gym. Those get my blood to pumping and I feel very refreshed and invigorated afterwards. Also, I changed gyms this week, cancelling membership at 24 Hour Fitness for a less costly membership at Gold's Gym (9th & Brannan). The facility is nicer too and the people are very friendly there. Although a trainer once told me that I should get a days rest between workouts, I sometimes feel like I should go in everyday. I guess it would not hurt to add other days at least for using the treadmill and burning some extra calories and then relaxing in the steam room afterwards.

I hope I can get a good nights sleep tonight. I have been bothered by dreams waking me up early in the morning and once I am awake it is very difficult to get back to sleep. I have had too many of these nights recently and I am wondering how I can overcome this.

Well, I guess I am headed for a few snoozes now as I am ready to turn in and call it a day, or night, of whatever.

New buildings in San Francisco

John King has written an excellent article in today's Chronicle Magazine section entitled Into the Modern Age which is about the two newest buildings in San Francisco, the new deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park opening this coming week (the 15th & 16th) and the new Federal office building at 7th & Misison which will open next year. Both are controversial but based on my preview tour a few weeks ago, I think the deYoung is a good structure (except for the pigeons).

In recent years I have felt that this city has grown rather conservative and it apparently has always been that way with regard to architecture as the skylines of other cities around the world are more interesting. John King makes a very important statement in this article which says: "Here's a city that prides itself on bending genders, pushing political hot buttons and changing the way that Americans eat. Check your inhibitions at the door, right? Yet new buildings are expected to bow down low and mind their manners. Don't make waves. Play if safe." So true, John, so true. Too many buildings are DOA - dull on arrival as he says.

San Francisco (among other things)

No, I have not been anywhere recently. I shot this photo in the Financial District of San Francisco but isolating this building from the rest of the familiar skyline makes it look like a building in any other city in the country. Strangely, at ground level this is not one of my favorite buildings but looking up at it the other morning while waiting for a bus, its appearance in a cloudless sky and with good lighting, made it look better.

Oh, the silly and stupid fools who will piggyback pranks (green bubling substances at Grand Central Station plus the bomb hoax at the Washington Monument), make me sick. I think THEY should spend some time at Guantanamo. This country has enough problems without pranks and hoaxes to take up the valuable time of the police and other security forces.

Today I started the process of changing gyms. I have been going to 24 Hour Fitness but have grown tired of the people and the facility at Post and Van Ness so today I went over to Gold's Gym at Ninth and Harrison to see what it is like there. I liked what I saw so I signed up and it will cost me $11 less per month than what I am paying now.

Ah, the Blue Angels are in the midst of their air show as I write this. The sound of them buzzing Nob Hill is enough to wake the dead.

Alien Invasion?

Uh-oh, here we go again, but this UFO story out of Lima, Peru makes for interesting reading.

From there to here

There was last week I guess. Here is now but what am I doing with it? Not much so far.

On Sunday I went to the final game of the Giants 2005 season. It was fan appreciation day and over 40,000 showed up to show their appreciation of the Giants even though they were out of contention.

Yesterday it was my birthday (don't ask) so I went to Happy Hour for a few G&Ts. That was enjoyable as usual but today my blood pressure has been running higher than average. It was 138/75 when I got up around seven o'clock which in itself was higher than usual but then by 12 noon it had shot up to 152/81, the highest reading in months. What is going on? They say that high blood pressure is a silent killer and I certainly do not feel any different today than I did yesterday. If it weren't for using a blood pressure monitor on a daily basis due to some problems earlier in the year, I would not know about this. I thought that things had stabilized with an average reading of 125/72 but the readings of yesterday and today have been surprising.

Now a friend wants to know how to split his roommates DSL line so that he can connect his computer to the same line or service. I don't think that is possible. That is, two different IP addresses on the same line but I will have to investigate.

And with that I am out of here for now.

Dark Side of Faith

Here is some food for thought regarding the value of religion in one's life. You can read the story printed today's in the L.A. Times by clicking here.

What next?

Oh great, now a new form of dog flu is infecting dogs within the U.S. Just when will that jump to humans and then how long before it spreads human to human? The Avian flu has already jumped to humans but to date human to human infections have been relatively small but that will change.

Then the illness of politicians in Washington D.C. continues unabated with corruption at most every level of government then the idiots wonder why voter turnout is so low. Who can you trust anyway? There are times when I think the human race is out of control and that something needs to be done to put a stop to all of this foolishness.

Human history is filled with plagues ravaging whole continents and wiping out large numbers of people. During the past one hundred years however we have been in a quiet period but now the barn door is about to be opened once again and all sorts of viruses are about to spread and ravage this planet. Even the vaccines now available to prevent some forms of flu and losing their potency as the viruses are showing greater and greater resistance to the vaccines. Let's face it, the viruses are winning and the human race is losing this war and should the human population of this planet be greatly reduced as a result, perhaps the remaining people will get their act together and act responsibly.

New arrivals?

Good lord, what turnip truck did our current crop of TV weather forecasters fall off of. As I write this the woman on Channel 5 here in SF just said an off-shore wind flow is bringing us unseasonably warm weather. Good grief...September and October are the warmest months of the years and have been for many years. This year of 2005 however, has seen very few warm days in San Francisco and absolutely no hot days. Last year I was able to go to Giants games and relax in mild to hot weather in the day and reasonably mild weather at night but not this year. Where are these so-called weather people getting their information? I REPEAT...September and October ARE the warmest months of the year, or at least they are supposed to be. Another thing these TV people fail to do is to clearly differentiate between San Francisco and inland weather which is typically warmer than San Francisco in the summer. They tend to lump everything together or gloss over it so quickly that they tend to confuse many people. Perhaps there are time constraints on their reporting but they need to find a way to make things clearer. Too many times at work co-workers from Concord or Walnut Creek would arrive in SF unprepared for the chilly weather because it was supposed to 85 or 90 or so they thought but that forecast was for their hometown, not San Francisco. Yes, I do hear "cooler along the coast" but then that can be a fairly big area which doesn't really help people pinpoint weather conditions in their own city.

BIG TENTACLE LIVES

So far there is no evidence that Big Foot lives but we now have photographic evidence of a Giant Squid 3000 feet below the surface of the ocean.

In the meantime "Tiny Brain" continues to operate in and around the Washington D.C. area as explained by Mark Morford but has he really seen the light yet?

World Wide Problem

People in the U.S. who are concerned about big box stores such as Walmart moving into their areas and causing problems for small locally owned businesses could take some comfort from knowing that such problems exist in other countries as well. Thailand is having to deal with similar situations according to this article in the Bangkok Post.

Vacation - Not!

I know it has been several days since posting anything here but I have not been on vacation. Perhaps my brain has but I have not. There are just some days in which nothing inspires me to write anything. It is a good thing that I do not have any deadlines to meet other than the one known as death. Like someone once said, "there are only two certain things in life - taxes and death and we can do nothing about either". As for my postings on this website, I can do something however WHAT?

At least the opera season is going well. On the 17th of September we had Handel's Rodelinda with Catherine Naglestag in the title role along with two very good counter-tenors, David Daniels as Bertarido and Gerald Thompson as Unulfo, in a modern production and last night we had an updated versioin of Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri which was even better. Especially noteworthy last night were mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux as Isabella. Sounding like but not looking like Marilyn Horne, she could have stole the show but for some reason audience favorites were tenor William Burden (Lindoro) who has a bright clear ringing voice similar to Juan Diego Florez and Dean Peterson (Mustafa). The production team took a page out of Jean Pierra Ponnelle's playbook by having an airplane flying over the audience and then have it come down on stage in the second scene with cast members watching its progress along the way. This is reminiscent of his Pagliacci production in which a miniature truck comes down a winding mountain road as people watch and then the full sized truck rolls on stage shortly after that to be greeted by the villagers.

Today the weather actually warmed up for a change. I even sat in Huntington Park in a short sleeve shirt for a change. As usual though, our "heat wave" will only be one day in length as they are predicting cooler temperatures for tomorrow. Booo...

And before I wrap this up, remember, only three months until Christmas. Do YOU have your Christmas shopping done? #$%&*%$#@*&

Bye y'all.

Donner und Blitzen

There was a little excitement here yesterday for us weather freaks who are starved for viable thunderstorms. As so often happens during the fall when tropical storms off the west coast of Mexico send upper level moisture streaming north, we had widespread thunderstorms as a result. Local news reporters either just fell of the turnip truck or they have very short memories as they were calling this unusual. Yes, thunderstorms right along the coast are rare but no, having them occur at this time of year is not unusual. Anyway, for a brief time I heard the sound of thunder instead of screaming fire trucks and ambulances. I only wish I had an apartment with a view so I could have watched the heavenly light show. Of course, they can get too close as happened one time in rural southern Georgia when the storm was just above the house. Never had I heard thunder of such intensity as in that storm nor seen so much lightning up close. That was a bit frightening to say the least. Fortunately it did not last long.
Today the Bay Area is quiet, sunny, and mild.

Film Noir

Joshua Kosman, music critic of the San Francisco Chronicle, calls the San Francisco Opera's production of Handel's Rodelinda Film Noir. I suppose there is some validity in that with regard to the mood but I totally disagree with his comment about tempos dragging or being sluggish. In fact, they were so brisk that soprano Catherine Naglestad had trouble keeping up with the orchestra in Act One. I do agree with Mr. Kosman about counter-tenor Gerald Thompson. David Daniels may be the big name in the world of counter-tenors these days, but I have heard others that I prefer over him and now I can add Gerald Thompson to that list. I am now waiting to see what Robert Commanday or one of his staff at SF Classical Voice have to say about the production. I woke up so early this morning that I am running two hours ahead of schedule and these various websites have yet to be updated. As a result I will return to this posting later today.

Later this morning...

The review of Rodelinda from the San Francisco Classical Voice Newsletter has been posted and I find I am more in agreement with this one. I tell you, I just don't understand where Mr. Kosman's head is sometimes so it good that we have the San Francisco Classical Voice Newsletter to keep us informed about Bay Area events and publish reviews of same.

Monday Blues?

Not sure what is going on here but I was sure dragging all morning. Really felt in a funk but getting out of the apartment and to the gym helped out and things seem to be returning to normal.

The MLB season winds down now with most everything in place except possibly the AL-West where the A's and Angels continue to battle it out for first place. The AL Wild Card slot is still up for grabs with Cleveland (?) leading that race. How did they get there? The method of computing these wild card teams still puzzles me. Anyway, the Giants are most likely finished for this season but someone once said "never say never". I wonder who that was?

The first opera of the 05/06 season for me was seen this past Saturday evening. It was Handel's Rodelinda. Handel can be tedious despite the lovely melodies along the way but our cast eased the burden of that 3-1/2 hour baroque work especially soprano Catherine Naglestad (Rodelinda) and counter-tenors David Daniels (Bertarido) and Gerald Thompson, an Adler Fellow (Unulfo). It always amazes me to hear a man sing in that range and then to toss off coloratura in such an effortless sounding manner. This was a modern production in which they had room to inject some humor which I am sure Handel did not intend. Perhaps that was the reason for the minor earthquake over the weekend. Ha! I wonder if incoming General Director Gockley will be so enamored with these Euro-trash productions? I hope not. Since Saturday night was opening night for that production I am anxious to compare notes with Joshua Kosman but for some reason his review was not in the Chronicle this morning. I have been assured by Datebook staff however that it will appear Tuesday morning. I probably won't agree with him anyway but that is neither here nor there. Then there is also the San Francisco Classical Voice Newsletter website which should have a review as well. They publish every Tuesday.

The new TV season has arrived. I don't watch too much on the boob tube however I got interested in all three CSI programs last season and will watch them again this year. My favorite of the three is the NY version. I miss NYPD Blue but there are some re-runs of that show on the Court TV channel.

Whose god?

I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, Buddha, Allah, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Durga, Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, Apollo, Athena, etc., indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

Oh, I forgot the name of YOUR god? Well, please click on the comment button and send the name to me and it will be included in reposting of this pledge.

Thank you.

Openings and closings

This is what I call my busy season. No, it is not tax season but with so much happening this month there is almost too much to do. Since I am a season subscriber to the opera and symphony I will be busy on many Friday and Saturday evenings with those events. Since I am a Giants fan I try to watch their games on TV and this week I will attend two games. The game against the Padres tomorrow night will see the return of Barry Bonds. Then I return to SBC Park on Thursday evening for the game against the Dodgers. The football season opened this weekend and the 49ers beat the Rams at home. The baseball season is winding down and the Giants will not make the playoffs so I can now concentrate on other events such as the opera, symphony, and NFL games. Grace Cathedral has a full schedule of Sunday afternoon organ recitals also. I plan to attend some of those and combine those events with the Choral Evensong service.

On a completely different note, there is also Happy Hour at N' Touch where you get more bang for your buck at the reduced prices. They have assembled a great crew there for Happy Hour and for the late evening events as well.

They say you should count your blessings. Well, my plate is full and I do. I have travel events to look forward to also with a short trip to the Washington D.C. area in late October and then a three week journey back to Thailand in January with stops in Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok.

The last four months of the year always seem to zip by especially since the Christmas shopping season comes barreling in at warp speed and leaves my bank account somewhat leaner.

Well, I know I am rambling here but what the heck. There don't seem to be any important items to report on so I guess you could consider this a "slow news day." I am content if somewhat tired from a late night out Saturday.

Electrical problems II

Now I am not so sure if PG&E's ongoing work in this neighborhood is the problem or not however my microwave and coffee make exhibited the same loss of memory this morning that they did yesterday. And again, nothing else happened in the apartment to indicate a fluctuation in the power. There was not an outage, not even blinking or dimming lights. What in the world is going on?

Bench with a View

Today, being the first mild and sunny day in several days, I decided to head over to Hungtington Park to get some fresh air and do some reading. I took my camera along also and here are two views from that bench. The first is of an apartment building (or are they condos?) near Sacramento and Mason, and the second photo is of the Mark Hopkins Hotel at California and Mason. The book I just started is written by one of my favorite SciFi writers, Ray Bradbury, and is entitled A Graveyard for Lunatics. It was first published in 1990 which surprised me as I thought Ray had died many years prior to that. Or has he died since? These days I am never sure who is alive and who is dead, including myself. Ha! Anyway, it was a pleasent afternoon there. I also enjoyed a Cafe Mocha from Peet's Coffee shop which has an outlet in the basement of Grace Cathedral.

Electrical Problem?

There was a strange incident this morning in this little studio apartment. One circuit went out long enough so that my coffee maker and the microwave lost track of the time. No, no circuit breaker was tripped but the power was off long enough to cause that loss of memory on those two items. Let me explain. There is only one wall outlet in my tiny kitchen. It is next to the counter and I have a microwave oven there plugged directly into one of the two outlets. Since I also have a toaster and a coffee maker sitting on top of the microwave, I have a heavy duty multiple outlet strip to which the coffee maker and the toaster are plugged into. Sometime after I finished with my coffee and turned that appliance off, everything lost power. I had poured my final cup of coffee, turned the coffee maker off, and had returned to my computer to continue reading the news and various e-mail messages. Upon returning to the kitchen I found the two appliances blinking at me. Now there were no power failures in the building or neighborhood and the lights did not blink anywhere in the apartment nor did I hear any stranges noises. So why did the power fail temporarily on that one circuit only. It is on now but I wonder for how long. If any electricians happen to read this and you have any ideas as to what the cause of that might be, please let me know by clicking on the comments button below. Thank you.
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A short time later...

I think I found the source of the problem as I went to the grocery store. There were three PG&E generators on my street, one block apart, feeding the main lines underground as they worked on something beneath streets. I can only assume that in cutting those in, the whole system hiccupped which resulted in my partial and instantaneous power failure. I also notice that the courtyard waterfall has failed and is now silent.

Formatting error

It wasn't supposed to look like that but now that it has been posted I can do nothing about the small amount of text appearing to the right of the photos in my previous posting. All text was supposed to start following the photos. Ah, computers, you love 'em or you hate 'em.

SLOW

Slow describes the painfully long journey via Amtrak through the Sierras to Reno, Nevada. After experiencing trains in France and Europe, this all day trip to cover approximately 200 miles was somewhat of a torture test which only became pleasant because of the scenery and the delightful Amtrak crew. The long journey time cannot be blamed on Amtrak however. This run, and many others, are slow these days due to the fact that the boss, Union Pacific which owns the tracks and rights-of-way, has issued a lot of "slow orders" during infrastructure rehabilitation. Sometimes, too, they give preference to their super-sized freight trains. If and when this country decides to invest in high speed rail Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Japan have done, then we might truly make this an alternative form of transporation and not just a land cruise for Aunt Ethel and the kids.

The problem with much American equipment is that is it so darn big and heavy. It lumbers along even under the best of circumstances. The Amtrak locomotive seen above is the Genesis series from G.E. Until American railroads convert to all electric operation utilizing lighter and faster equipment, we will never get anwhere. Perhaps this is the latest diesel/electric equipment available but it seems so archaic when compared to Europe and Japan where the schedules mean something.

As for my former hometown of Reno, it is getting a little shabby in some parts of the downtown area. Business open and close and may or may not be replaced by something else. Now the Virginian Hotel on Virginia Street next to the Club Cal-Neva is closed (temporarily according to the signs on the doors) but a new hotel has opened across the street in the building that once housed the Onslow Hotel. When it had closed that building had remained empty for a number of years. Next to that the building at W. First and Virginia Streets a building which had been constructed in the sixties and originally housed Woolworths and then other businesses after that chain closed, now sits empty and boarded up. A couple of other hotel buildings to the west and northwest of that corner are also empty and dark.

Only the Circus-Circus/Silver Legacy/El Dorado complex on North Virginia Street as well as the Fitzgerald Hotel and Harrahs appear to be doing well. Reno is a bit run down and tacky when compared to Las Vegas' bustling tourist businesses and since airline fares to Las Vegas are little more than those to Reno, why bother with Reno in the first place?

Incidentally, that other photo at the top of this posting is of the old Riverside Hotel building, now living studio space for artists. It sits next to the Truckee River and Island Avenue has been converted into a pedestrian mall known as Riverwalk. At least the Reno Redevelopment Agency managed to save that building and find a use for it, something they failed to do with the old Mapes Hotel building which they blew up a few years ago. That lot had remained empty since but now some sort of ice rink and mini-park is under construction at that site. I hope that is an indoor rink as I do not know of any refrigeration equipment that could successfully deal with the hot summer temperatures there.

And now some people are talking about the possibility of covering over the big new railroad trench. Great, I wonder how they would propose to vent the diesel exhaust fumes?

Anyway, it is there and I am here, so that is that and I am outa here. Bye y'all.

Labor/Labour Day

It seems rather quiet around the apartment complex today however an odd thing happened a short time ago. When the tennant upstairs had a plumbing problem in the bathroom, the water leaked into mine (briefly) through a light fixture in the hallway. How odd! It was actually coming down the light fixture but was being contained by the globe that covers the light bulbs. It was if I suddenly had acquired an aquarium hanging from the cieling, sans fish.

Well, there is good news out of Washington this week. Bush has nominated John Roberts to fill the post of Chief Justice. While Roberts may not be the best possible choice for the court, the fact that he could be approved for the top spot sidetracks a possible Antonin Scalia appointment to that post and for that I and I am sure many others, will be grateful. (Greatful?) Hmm...neither word looks right there but in checking my dictionary, grateful is correct. Oh, some days I think I am forgetting everything I ever learned in school. Is this a sign of old age?

The Giants, while not necessarily in the running for winning the NL-West or even being in the Wild Card race, could make an interesting run for something this month as they are now in second place for the first time since last spring. Also, they have seven games against the Dodgers, seven against the Padres, and three more against the Diamondbacks. It could be a very interesting month indeed.

I got caught in a terrible traffic jam yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of the Ferry Building. I had forgotten about the San Francisco Grand Prix. In fact, I did not even know the route nor the start times. Anyway, I went to Sur la Table in the hopes of finding something I could not locate at Bed, Bath & Beyond (I didn't) and had a difficult time walking to and from the building and then my # 1 bus seem to be nowhere in sight when I was ready to go home, so I walked home. Of course, had it shown up, it would have been stuck in a traffic jam anyway so walking was the easiest and fastest method of transport at that time.

Will be off to Reno tomorrow via Amtrak. This will be the first time going by train and since I am a train buff or whatever, that will be new to me as I have never taken the train any further east than Sacramento. Actually, since the Zephyr is a long distance train and you must make reservations in advance, I was surprised that they actually had tickets remaining at this late date. That is one week prior to departure. This journey will be a quick one. The train ride is the main indgredient in this little excursion. As for my one night in Reno, that should be sufficient time in which to get hopelessly bored. For example, twenty minutes at a slot machine is enough to drive me up the wall. Keno is too much like the state lotto which I never win and I know little to nothing about the table games.

Labor/Labour Day Weekend

What do people do on a three day weekend such as this, especially retired or unemployed people? As for me, I have no plans although I may do some reading, a little walking, a little drinking, a little snoozing, a little farting (yes, I have a gas problem of late so hold your nose), a little eating, a little of this and that, you know, or don't you. What am I doing here? Hmm...

Ain't That a Shame

Yes, it is, what is happening in New Orleans and surroudings areas but now Fats Domino is among the missing in New Orleans.

Before and after

Here are some aerial before and after photos of New Orleans. Note the Super Dome in the lower part of the photos.

What a mess!

The Bush seems to be preoccupied with Iraq and is only now taking notice of an immense tragedy in Mississippi and Louisiana. The anger and desperation is growing and there is sharp criticism now to the U.S. reaction to this event. And if that weren't enough, the city of New Orleans has been rocked by some explosions at a chemical storage plant this morning. Bush fiddled while New Orleans flooded. That could be an interesting campaign slogan for the opposition if he were up for re-election. I wonder if congress will wake up to his ineptness and find a way to impeach him for dereliction of duty.

How about a new-New Orleans?

"Editor -- Why would a major city be built below sea level with levees to keep out the water? Rebuild New Orleans? For what purpose? So that it can be destroyed by another hurricane?
It's time we put some effort into evacuating major hurricane areas. The annual cost of hurricane cleanup, not to mention the toll in human life, is astronomical.

It's the taxpayers who foot the bill. And it seems that the hurricane season is getting only worse, more than likely as a result of the Earth's warming.

In any event, it seems pointless to constantly rebuild towns and cities in the path of hurricanes when those areas could be evacuated. And we could start with New Orleans."

Comments from around the world

Good post here by Julie with comments from other countries and people regarding the hurricane damage in New Orleans.

Say What?

I don't know if it is me or what but many of these blog spots are unintelligible. What in the world are they saying and I am referring to the ones written in English. Is there THAT much difference between my generation and the younger generation of today? Are they high on someting or have their brains been previously fried by some unknown substance?

Stadium...stadium...whose got a stadium?

The NFL and the N.O. Saints are still trying to figure out where they can play their home opener against the N.Y. Giants on Sept. 18th. Also, in question is the entire season. What a logistical nightmare that is!

No Help available

In watching reports on CNN this afternoon I hear people in the areas ravaged by Katrina asking where the help is. Where is the Federal Government, the Army, the National Guard, FEMA? Well, part of the answer is that Bush has the Army and the National Guard over in Iraq in an unjust war instead of at home helping keep the homeland safe. The most important war is now in New Orleans and other areas where people are looting and there is no one available to put a stop to it.

Blogger SPAM

After a number of months of sailing along here without nary a bump, all of a sudden this site has been discovered by some nefarious spammers. Sorry guys but your e-mails are not wanted at this site nor do I want to buy or use any advertising that you may have to offer.

Does anyone have a NFL field to loan the Saints?

I guess this answers the question in my previous post about the N.O. Saints home opener, sort of. Right now neither the Saints nor the NFL know what will happen.

Is there anyone home?

Here is my favorite letter to the editor for today:
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"As a Category 5 hurricane was roaring up the Gulf of Mexico heading right toward the populated Gulf Coast regions, our esteemed president was safely relaxing in Air Force One on his way to Rancho Cucamonga to speak to selected seniors about his confusing Medicare drug plan, and then over to Coronado to tell World War II veterans how the mess in Iraq equaled their heroic efforts in Europe and the Pacific. He would have been better off continuing to hide out in his ranch house avoiding Cindy Sheehan.

He missed an important opportunity to meet with the governors of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi and show how he really cares and is fully engaged in addressing those major emergencies happening right now in our own country."
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One question now, where will the New Orleans Saints play their first home game of the season? That is scheduled for September 18th but with the Super Dome in disrepair and most or all of New Orleans in a shambles and being evacuated there will need to be a change in venue. The opponent on that date is the New York Giants. On that date the Miami Dolphins are playing the New York Jets at Giants stadium so that venue is out unless they move that game to Miami. I wonder what the NFL will do?

In the meantime the National League Wild Card race is turning out to be very interesting and could go right down to the wire. As this is written it is a five way race between Florida, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, and Washington. In the meantime over here in the West it is a three way race between NY, Cleveland, and LA Angels.

The A's are now in first place after having won 7 games in a row while the Angels have lost 5 in a row. I hope that trend continues.

Well, this month is about shot and it always seems like when we get to September that the year rushes to a conclusion. I don't know if it because of the dreaded Christmas shopping season or what it is but 2006 will be here before we know it.

Cheers everyone.

You saw WHAT on the bridge?

Oh, this is too much. An ostrich on the Golden Gate Bridge?

Well the Bay Area anarchists are at again. These people need to get a life.

And I wonder how many false alarms we are going to have in this age of terrorism?