The Buddy Gram

Pride Month 2011

2011-06-19T20:45:00.001-07:00

June is Pride Month. Nobody knows that better than Pino - who happens to live in one of the most happening households around... Check it out here.

The Parklet

2011-06-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

There's a new trend in San Francisco. The Parklet. In various neighborhoods a few parking spaces are sacrificed for the purposes of creating a public space - generally in front of a restaurant or coffee shop. The establishment pays hefty fees to the city which in turn allows said business to construct a platform over a few parking spots to create useable space to enhance commerce. There are precious few parking spots in SF to give up - but the trade off seems to be that people linger in the areas of The Parklet. At least during periods of nicer weather. Today it was about 75 degrees in the city with no fog in site. The Parklet was a very popular attraction along Valencia Street and in Noe Valley as well. During the rainy season? ...Well, it's anybody's guess how popular The Parklet will be. Some may say the city is really trying to escape the California Car Culture trap with creative open spaces that encourage pedestrian activity - others may say that's its all about money going to the Department of Parking & Traffic without having to employ meter collectors to secure it - but either way, for today at least, The Parklet was popular.

Weekending in Cabot Cove

2010-02-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

Heading north to explore the Mendocino Coast for the long weekend. Not sure what we'll find but it's someplace new to check out. It's like a New England coastal village, but on the Pacific. If you remember "Murder She Wrote" - that's where they filmed it.

I will miss IBR this weekend, though. That made for an interesting atmosphere living in South of Market, but not sure how it plays out in The Castro. Guess maybe I'll find out next year.

Collective Isolation

2010-02-06T10:56:00.000-08:00

There's an article in the local news today about an internet cafe owner who is going to ban laptops from his establishment this weekend to encourage interaction amongst his patrons. He said the sense of community - in his internet cafe - has dwindled since so many of his patrons have begun bringing their laptops....into his internet cafe.
That's a little like McDonalds banning cars from their drive through windows. I passed by a cafe this week that was full of laptop patrons - none of which seemed terribly concerned that their neighbors were not engaging them in conversation, and they all seemed perfectly happy. In fact, there were two guys there who actually had headphones on. Not earbuds, full on 1970's style hi-fi headphones that hermetically seal the ear on all sides. Neither seemed bothered in the least that folks were leaving them alone. How odd, I thought, these two guys left their respective apartments and intentionally walked into an establishment to spend time to enjoy the "social atmosphere" of a cafe...so long as no one talks to them. There's apparently some internal desire to be around people, so folks go out to cafes, but once there, they seem to go to great lengths to discourage interaction. Or do they? Maybe everyone is there to cruise each other and make eye contact so that can lead to something else. That's the rule of thumb at the Starbucks in The Castro. It's one giant bear cruise...it's even referred to locally as Starbears. Perhaps the home grown neighborhood coffee shops are no different. Maybe the laptop is a way to go sit in a coffee shop alone and cruise. For bears in The Castro maybe it's sex or companionship or a place to meet old friends...for the soccer moms in Noe Valley, perhaps it's a place to trade parenting & marriage tips with their peeps. Either way, the laptop offers a way to show up with a friend that you can quickly ignore if a hot guy walks by. It's a way to get a table for one without looking like a big nerd. You can get your social fix without the awkwardness. We can be a part of society...but still maintain a comfortable distance. Whatever the reason, the internet cafe is a popular phenomenon. I would be curious to see the day's receipts for the internet cafe on this particular weekend where they "ban" the internet.

What's happened in Vegas ...should really stay in Vegas.

2010-01-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Just back from a week in Las Vegas.

You know, Vegas just isn't my town. I was there for work - not of my own volition.

I don't really enjoy gambling, smoking, or smoking & gambling, or all you can eat buffets, or smoking & gambling while eating all I can eat at the all I can eat buffet, but for the people who love that scenario, they were having a blast.

The weather was great and for some odd reason the seafood was actually pretty good. I typically try to avoid seafood in the desert (WTF?) but hey, they flew it in, I ate it, the whole deal worked out. I guess if I went with a few buds and had a few guys nights out to see some male strippers, it may have been a tad more entertaining, but it's a town with a one track mind - fleece every nickel from every person who sets foot in the state and then move on to the next one. Very aggressive street vendors trying to grab your cash. Heck, they even force you to walk past a bank of slot machines in the airport just to get to baggage claim, for pete's sake.

I did get a chance to walk the strip on foot though. Lots of large structures and everything has an architectural theme, some more misguided than others, but the overall effect is tacky beyond cliche. And they readily admit that's all by design. There's Paris, New York - even a New Orleans Casino, but I believe visiting cajuns would probably declare it all to be a little "2 Feaux" if you know what I mean and in this case I think I would agree.

If you've never been...you should totally go.

Sugar...not a cure for despair.

2010-01-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

OK.

Here's what I did NOT eat yesterday. It wasn't easy to pass this up. Five flavors were left, and the testimony from the co-workers who devoured the other two boxes of these sugar bombs were all saying how "worth it" the calories were.

While I may have some will power challenges, I don't get up at 5 AM 3 days a week to go to bootcamp for nothing.

I lost 2 pounds, gained it back, gained another two, and have now lost the four, so I'm still netting a 2 pound loss, but I'm sticking with it. The steps toward getting in shape are much more difficult than the steps I took to get OUT of shape.

Still, it's a gloomy winter. We're on about day 85 of solid rain for the month of January and we still have a few more days left.

Couples are splitting up, parents are passing and dinner guests are behaving badly in my small albeit entertaining world of blog. I'm also none-too pleased with this wave of influence currently underway with the religious extremists in this country. On top of that, a for sale sign has been nailed firmly and officially onto our election process, so the monetary acquisition of legislative agendas continues. The effects of which are clearly demonstrated by the current state of affairs in California. It would make a great plot for an epic Hollywood blockbuster if it weren't so true. Cut funding to the educational system to keep the society marginally educated and then fabricate and launch massive fear based PR campaigns to control their minds. It's actually not unlike the things that happen in all the countries the religious extremists love to loathe, but the irony of their similarity seems to escape them.

Anyway, there are huge amounts of negative news stories out there that one can wallow in if the mood so strikes, and I think the rainy season this year has definitely made its mark on my psyche for the start of 2010, but I still try to maintain a positive attitude & outlook.

The youth of today seem to be more open minded on social issues, and some of them even travel outside of their sheltered circles to see that societies in civilized countries can and do co-exist with common sense, and good always triumphs over evil in all the best movies, so there's that.

I suppose the moral of the story is this. Despite all that has happened and everything going on and all the rain that has showered down upon us this month, I STILL had the will power to walk past those cupcakes, so there's still hope yet.

It's like rain...

2010-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

I received a belated holiday gift this week. It was the second attempt, which is why it was delayed. A delivery service (who shall go unnamed) casually left the first one out on the street in front of the building and then drove away in their brown truck. Imagine their surprise to hear the package never made it inside the front door on its own.

The 2nd one is here. A Virginia Gift Basket - both literally and figuratively. Quite clever I'd say. It's filled with snacks hailing from The Old Dominion, my home state. Very thoughtful gift from a great friend back in Richmond.

In other news, I've lost 2 more pounds (4 total) for the first bootcamp week.

So on the one hand, I've lost even more weight toward my goal and on the other I received a basked of holiday treats...

Cue insufferable screeching tune from Alanis Morrisette...

First Week

2010-01-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

First full week of the year....

Bootcamp day-one was pretty rough. I had to stop for a minute because I was getting overheated and a little nauseous. Truth be told, I nearly passed out. I had no idea how out-of-shape I had gotten. The second and third days were somewhat easier.

Have only lost 2 lbs but I think this is a routine that I can make habit-forming so that's where I'll see the big results. I was thinking about it the other day when sweat was pouring from every pore in my body...if I ever get slimmed down I'll peel off my shirt and post some pics on the blog like some other guys I know. Oh, you know the ones... insufferable camera whores.... taking photos of their tight abs and over developed chests and posting them on their blog every chance they get....like people really want to see that stuff.

In other news, I've started a new job (same company) - I like it a lot. I needed a change. You know, sometimes, we all need a change. In fact, I didn't realize how badly I needed that particular change until I got a couple weeks into the job and realized how much happier, calmer and relaxed I am. I still have a massive workload ahead of me for 2010, but I'm really looking forward to the milestones ahead.

In still other news, I continue to like my new neighborhood very much. It has more of a village feel than the old place downtown. It's more neighborhoody. The old place wasn't a bad location, but I like this better for this stage in my life. I can walk to everything without having to shlep the car all over town looking for parking. I still venture out here and there, but it's nice to have convenience at my doorstep.

The mood of the residents in this part of town is different as well. There was even a neighborhood fundraiser car wash recently which takes me back to simpler times. To a time when the residents of a small village pitch in to help thy neighbor with a charity event.

Small town attitudes are sometimes lost in big cities. It's nice to see that we haven't lost the small town traditions here in our little village. I truly believe this is exactly what Norman Rockwell had in mind.

NYE 2009

2010-01-02T12:06:00.000-08:00

Picture it. Berkeley, California. New Year's Eve 2009

Notice the throngs of revelers in the streets. Notice the crowd control swat cops in their hot uniforms to keep said revelers under control.

The description doesn't match the scene at all, does it? This can't be Berkeley, there's not a Prius in sight.

Well folks, it is. Seems the town folk went elsewhere for the big event. Perhaps word got out that Alice Waters was making an appearance somewhere to roast an egg over an open flame for Leslie Stahl again and that was the end of New Year's celebration in town.

No, this was the scene walking back to the car from a dinner with relatives for my better half. Much ado about a seafood restaurant (an institution they called it) although there was very little seafood served at the dinner. I'm honestly still scratching my head over that one. I'll need to go back and actually sample the seafood at this so-called institution to see for myself.

It was quite a year. Key events in no particular order...

One full year for my blog. 67 posts give or take. It wasn't easy for me to keep it going, and it was on life support the entire month of October, but it's holding together into another year so we'll see how it goes.

Joined Facebook.

Hosted East Coast relatives in Los Angeles for a week.

Hosted East Coast relatives in San Francisco for a week.

Went to Virginia for 10 days to see my folks.

Went to Israel for 10 days to see his.

Moved from South of Market to The Castro.

Left Facebook.

My company was bought out by a foreign conglomerate in a hostile takeover, but so far, it seems to be working out really well.

I accepted a new position in December that ends 10 years in the same department. I'm finally moving on...as it were.

Had a few minor medical procedures, although they didn't seem very minor to me when they were happening.

I've had the same car for a solid year. (that almost never happens).

Consolidated about 7 email addresses to 3. That was a huge undertaking.

Got a new intercom system for the building.

Got new windows for our unit (see previous post - you'll be glad you did)

Bought a new set of light weight dishes to replace the 10 pound dinner plates.

Signed up for a 6 am bootcamp to start January 4th that runs 3 days per week.

That last one is a doozy, huh? We've done this before from Feb 08 to Feb 09. That was an outdoors program - this time it's indoors. Got in great shape but the start of the 09 rainy season killed it for me.

What happened from Feb 09 to Jan 10 - you may ask? We both got heavier - a lot heavier - but that's about to change provided I don't take the alarm clock out back and shoot it.

That's about it for 2009.

Welcome 2010.

I hope you're good to us all.

New Doors & Windows

2009-12-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

Had workmen in to install new doors & windows this December. I was home for much of the installation and am very surprised at how fascinated I became with home construction. I never realized how interesting this process can be. For the life of me I just can't figure out why I was so fascinated with this particular project...

Nacho Jacket

2009-12-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

Miracle on 21st Street - San Francisco

2009-12-29T12:47:00.000-08:00

Holiday Shopping Fun

2009-12-29T12:41:00.000-08:00

Picked this up for a friend who loves leopard print....I honestly thought it was kinda funny. He's crazy about anything leopard print, but I think this may have gone a bit too far. Not everyone gets my twisted sense of humor.

2009 Top Tweets

2009-12-19T12:13:00.000-08:00

I found this interesting for some reason.

I'm not a Tweeter. In fact, I'm not a Facebooker either. And from the dates on my blog posts, I'm technically not even a real blogger either, but this did catch my eye. We've so transformed ourselves into creatures of instant news and instant trends that we're apparently re-thinking our original tried and true opinions on instant coffee. Marketing must be a fun gig. "Make them think the coffee is really so good, and they're really so cultured that they'll pay 7 bucks for it. Then, just to be fun, let's convince them that their "freeze dried" coffee of the 70's was actually a good idea. They'll show up in droves and plop down millions. Anyway, I digress. Coffee Marketing is a completely different topic.

For now, I'd like marvel in how easy it is to do a "Year in Review" without a cheesy hour long television special - or 'special edition' magazine publication.

Let's just look at our Tweets for 2009....

There...that was very efficient wasn't it? We've all learned something about ourselves as a society this year. Now, run out there and make plans for 2010, because you don't want to get behind schedule before the year even starts. Which, believe it or not, is actually doable...

New Look

2009-10-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

Trying out a some new looks. Time for a change...

The blog thing is tough. Not sure how you guys who create such entertaining content have the time to do it. I spend way more time consuming blog content than creating it because, quite frankly, I find what other people have to say more interesting than what I'm thinking... but I'm not giving up just yet. I'm going to pull up some of my old posts that I want to keep and try to get moving in a new direction here. Life in the Castro is fun. More to come on that later...

I'm back....

2009-10-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

This blog is not dead.

I've been crazy busy but an update is pending...

Thank you to that one person who keeps checking in to see an update.

Even though the blogosphere is taking a terrible beating in the world of twitter, it's not dead yet.

Offline for a while...

2009-08-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

...I have a quick trip out of the country and a full schedule upon return.

The link list on the left is always a good starting place for great entertainment.

King Tut

2009-08-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hit the King Tut Exhibit at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. This museum is cool. The building is wrapped in copper, so each time you visit the building color itself should be a slightly different shade. The exhibit was good, although you don't see so much of King Tut himself as you see his stuff...the actual boy king and his sarcophagus seem to be touring another museum circuit, but it was a good collection of items and even better if you can score a free pass.

The museum has a special talent for merchandizing, so if you can get in and out without buying any coffee mugs or coaster sets, you'll be in good shape. The observation deck is especially cool, and if you can hit on a sunny day, it's even better.

More time struggles

2009-07-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Gosh my poor blog doesn't stand a chance.

I try to find a spot of free time here and there to post my ponderings, thoughts and amusing (to me) stories, but time zooms by so quickly. Where does the time go?

I do check in on my faves when I can and folks seem to be able to keep their blogs fresh, but I seem to find it really tough to do so.

I'm behind on a lot of pet projects from the move, so maybe by the time the rainy season hits I'll have some interesting items to share (and the time to share them).

Wait, didn't I publish a post on Time Management? Maybe I should be reading my own blog posts.

In the meantime, here's a photo of bridge fog from last weekend....

Happy 4th!

2009-07-04T22:56:00.000-07:00

Errands all day. Can't believe how much there is to do when moving
to a new place. Honestly, I deserve my own parking space at IKEA. The car
just knows at this point where to go when I hop in it. One more, no, two
more trips over that infernal bay bridge to get another hand full of bolts and
clips and holders and such.

But in fun news, rooftop fun with Jon & pals to see fireworks.

It never fails. For Pride Weekend, the weather in SF is always sunny and warm, but for the
4th, the fog rolls in and the fireworks blast directly into that mysterious
floating mass of mist, and we end up with flashing pink clouds. Every year.

This year as a little better than some before it. We actually saw a few explode before
entering the fog, so the wine and rooftop company were lots of fun

Happy 4th to all...

Weekend Update

2009-06-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

The 'Hood is about to get really interesting...

Our first full weekend in The Castro and it's Pride Week.
...the Pink Triangle has gone up on Twin Peaks
...rainbow flags all over the city
...parties all over town on Friday Night
...block party in the Castro on Saturday Night
...Pride Parade down on Market Street on Sunday.

Barricades on the side walks so they can turn the streets into a giant neighborhood disco.
Plus, it's going to be 70+ degrees, so you know everyone will have their shirts off.
...although, here I sit still surrounded by unpacked boxes.
Work on the move is still underway, so I do have my chores,
but that said, the atmosphere in the hood is still very cool...

New Perspective

2009-06-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

Morning view in the new place. I'm loving the view from the
breakfast table, but its still a strange period.

I'm still in between places. All the 'things' are moved
but I'm finishing up loose ends at both places.

The First Shift

In the past, I visited the Castro for recreation. It always entailed a particular social event, or a specific
purpose for traveling over here. The singular reason that I drive a short car...
parking in SF is never fun. Much of the lead time was dedicated toward allowing
myself extra time to find parking. Now, as a resident, I've noticed an odd shift.

Before, I used to celebrate my ability to cruise the neighborhood in a sly manner to spot someone walking toward their car
with keys in hand...to be able to snag the spot and be the first to belly up to the bar to order
my gin & tonic before dinner. Nowadays, I'm not searching for parking, I'm just trying to get home, and
I've suddenly discovered just how many people there are who are trolling this neighborhood, as
I used to do, simply looking for a place to park. It's the first shift that I've noticed in moving
to a new hood.

Now, I'm just trying to get home, but I find myself behind someone cruising for a spot and
my charitable sympathy for their shared plight is moving more toward a frustration
for people who have no regard for what's happening behind them as they pause
to evaluate every single gap in the line of cars before them.

That was me then. This is me now. I knew a new neighborhood would be different,
but I wasn't aware of the effect it would have on me personally.

It would seem, after witnessing this first shift, that it does...

Move Over...

2009-06-20T20:54:00.001-07:00

Goodbye SOMA..

Hello Castro!!

June is Pride Month

2009-06-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

...I intend to celebrate by moving to The Castro. June 20th to be exact. I have a trip down to L.A. beforehand, so my days are busy, but for those who wish to be entertained on a daily basis...stop by Kelly's Place and enjoy...

Pics & news updates will begin appearing here after the big move...

Great Weekend

2009-05-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Warm weather, tons of people out on the streets, time spent hanging out at sidewalk cafes, a bite to eat, a few sangrias, a great weekend for city living.

Happy Sunday

2009-05-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

The F-bomb

2009-05-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

So, this morning, I dropped an F-bomb.

I did my first facebook de-friending.

People that I have met maybe twice in my life.

Their enthusiastic support for a right wing christian conservative for city council in their town was it for me.

While they are certainly entitled to their political views, and I'm not lost on the fact that my intolerance of their intolerant views is fodder for its own post, that fact aside, I decided that my facebook page is mine and mine alone, which means that I am not required to be exposed to such levels of negative energy each morning when I'm drinking my coffee.

If I want to see that I can always log onto CNN.

I've always had a difficult relationship with facebook. Rabid facebookers always point to those rare connections with people with whom you've lost touch 14 years ago.

I never quite got that much satisfaction from facebook. Sure, a couple of messages are exchanged on first contact, and then you suddenly realize that although the interchange has been somewhat pleasant, your lives are no closer as a result, and you go back to radio silence. Dozens of "long lost friends" with whom you have nothing in common, all reminding you when it's time to pass along another electronic margarita.

I do enjoy facebook for the contact I can make with real friends, but there should be a third option. Maybe they could call it "acquaintance"...someone you know whom you are willing to acknowledge, but wouldn't require you to actually call them a friend or be forced to read any of their posts. They would also not be able to read your posts either...they could just count you in their list of "contacts" - which in some cases is the only reason people friend others in the first place, to feign that level of popularity that a high number of friends would seem to suggest.

I seem to respond better to the blog concept. Although I'm a far better consumer of blog content than creator of said content, to which this site can ably attest, but I do like to check up on fun people when I have a moment to stop in and see what's up...

Homer is baking another pie, Brett is adding another can to his six pack, and Kelly has dropped his trousers yet again and is mixing another cocktail. These are people who's activities genuinely interest me.

I always enjoy getting updates on Cobban's notorious libido.

I don't care to know that Angry McPalin is running for school board to save us from heathen sinners in Clubfoot, West Virginia. This isn't something that makes me smile.

So I took control of my own facebook page by shamelessly clicking the "x" and I make no apologies about it.

I'm feeling better about facebook already.

OK...I finally get it

2009-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

Okay. I admit it, I'm a little slow on the uptake here, but I get it. I finally get it.

As of today's date there are exactly 13,000 confirmed cases of death in the U.S. from the "regular old flu" and exactly one - count 'em people (1) death in the U.S. from the H1N1 virus. And yet, global supplies of paper face masks worldwide are dwindling from the demand.

Gosh humans are so easily influenced by fear. For the first time, I FINALLY understand the power that fear has on people, and even more importantly, I now understand why its such an effective means of manipulation for certain religions and certain political parties. I'm astonished at how easily the media is led to disseminate panic hysteria, and the degree to which the human animal will respond.

It's unbelievable.

Living Life Upscale: Airline Psychology

2009-04-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

What is it about the roped off doormat that excites airlines so much?

Does this really make the million-mile traveler feel special? Do they think this will
encourage me to fly a million miles on their "slightly used" planes for the privilege of
walking over the rug?

And what about the airline employees. Don't you think its somewhat humiliating
for them to stand by the rug and move the rope back and forth just so elite travelers
can step on the rug?

And what about the anxiety of the security personnel? They have to be on alert
to pounce and roll if an average traveler builds the nerve to step on the rug.

Now that I say that, I've never seen what actually happens to an average traveler
who steps on the rug. I imagine it involves a great deal of shouting and waterboarding
in a back room if casual liberties are taken with the rug.

I for one shun the rug. There's one just like it in the trash room of my apartment
building, and I can step on that one any time, so I have a guilty pleasure in my
own home. I don't need to pay extra to step on that rug, why should this
be any different?

This will no doubt keep the airlines up at night. Worrying that the rug may not
be enough encouragement for me to pay an extra fee to step on the rug
...as I board the same plane I was planning on taking anyway.

Someday I'd like to bring my own rug to the airline gate and offer it up to the other passengers
who are boarding the plane. "Step on THIS rug!" I would proclaim.

"No extra charge! Everyone can step on the rug and we can all feel equal!"

That way, we could all walk around with our heads held high as we all
step on the rug. Instant self esteem for the masses, I would call it.

The only trouble is, afterwards, it'll no longer feel special when I step on the rug in my trash room...

I guess the airlines are onto something after all...

Equality Virginia

2009-04-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks for me. One of the recent events that I attended was the 20th Anniversary Dinner for Equality Virginia in Richmond. This was an event that included 800 people (mostly men) from across the state who were there to raise money for the equality movement in the Old Dominion and recognize 20 native Virginians who have fought for justice. As you can see the guest entertainer was Leslie Jordan. I'm a huge fan and enjoyed the opportunity to actually meet him and chat. The Will & Grace character "Beverly Leslie" and the Sordid Lives character "Brother Boy" are two of my favorites. It was truly an honor to meet this highly talented man.

Also of note, his birthday is April 29th...so Happy Birthday Leslie!

On to the evening at hand...

As a native Virginian, I was very proud of the work that my brethren are doing there. There's a long way to go, but it's now FINALLY a blue state - which is very encouraging. I hope that lasts. Aside from that, they're making great strides there.

I've been told by several friends there that they admire my courage to pick up and move to California for the fun and adventure...but oddly enough, I think they're far braver to stay there and fight religious based oppression than to seek adventure in a state that's widely considered an easier place for a gay man to live. (Prop 8 excluded, of course) I didn't necessarily seek out San Francisco primarily for the gay factor, but I have to say that it certainly made the decision an easier one.

At any rate, the twenty native Virginians who were honored deserved the spotlight that was cast upon them at this event. There was a terrific video presentation that I would like to post if I can get my hands on it, but in the meantime, the list is as follows...

Rita Mae Brown - author of the ground breaking lesbian Novel "Rubyfruit Jungle"

Clarence Cain - Sued his law firm for HIV discrimination and was the underpinning for the screenplay for the film "Philadelphia"

Meg Christian - Folk singer and founder of Olivia Records

Marge Connelly - COO for Wachovia Securities who was instrumental in launching Corporate Diversity.

Adam Ebbin - The first openly gay member of the Virginia General Assembly

Jay Fisette - The first openly gay elected official in Virginia

Billy Haines - Leading man & Joan Crawford co-star who was shunned by industry
moguls for refusing to give up his partner.

Claus Ihlemann - Activist from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

Jon Klein - Founder of the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) & founder of Diversity Thrift Stores.

Beth Marschak - Co-Founded Richmond Lesbian/Feminists in 1975 and served in the Carter Administration.

Lucy Randolph Mason - Labor activist in the 20s.

Diane Shroer - Sued Library of Congress over transgender discrimination issues.

Tony Segura - Help found the Mattachine Society in NY

Shep Shepherd & Norma Janet Hofheimer - Early lesbian pioneers in Richmond.

Wanda Sykes - Need I say more...and yes, she is from Virginia.

Tracy Thorne-Begland - The first to challenge Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Laurence Webb - The first openly gay African American elected official in Virginia.

Mel White & Gary Nixon - Founded Soulforce a GLBT organization in Lynchburg - (Jerry Falwell's backyard)

Charles Whitebread - Pledged $100,000 to found a drop in facility in Los Angeles for services for at-risk youth.

Bob Witeck - Co-Authored Business Inside Out - the first book on marketing to the gay community.

L.A. Bashing

2009-03-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

I love L.A. I will admit it here and now. It's only an hour flight away, but its a whole different world from San Francisco. It looks different, it feels different, its always a fun trip for me, always warmer and always sunnier. From downtown to the beach, I have fun traipsing around the west side...Westwood, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Silver Lake...I love it all. I've also discovered that it's a place that people love to hate. What an odd phenomenon. Having dinner with friends last night, the topic turned to L.A. somehow, which was immediately followed by a comment from someone "Oh, I HATE L.A...." only to find out they haven't been there in the past 8 years or so. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but when it comes to the greater Los Angeles Basin, it seems so trendy to dislike it. And it's not just Northern Californians, which I will admit is an easy place to find people who hold some degree of contempt for our sister to the south, but when I travel back east I also get an earful on L.A. - and I'm not sure why. And its not like this is coming from people who have lived there or who grew up there and just "had to get away", which is something I completely understand from anyone, regardless of where they were raised - but this is different. This is from even the most casual of visitors who are just itching to commandeer the conversation to spew about L.A...."oh I went there once and the air was dirty" or "they're so superficial there". Well, yes, its true that you can find some dirty air there, and you can find vast populations of leathery over-tanned people there if that's what you want to focus upon when you're visiting, but there is so much more to that place than the sound bite jokes that appeal to Middle America in Jay Leno's monologue. I will admit, it does seem to have more than its fair share of augmented breasts and florescent bleached teeth...but moaning about smog and superficial people is too easy, an amateur's target. I'm not saying that people have to like the place, I just find it so odd that everywhere I go, I run across people who feel so compelled to jump on the wagon to slam Tinsel Town. Relax people. Life is much happier for the glass half full crowd. Trust me on this one. Go to L.A., and try to have yourself a good time for once...

Mitchell's is back!

2009-03-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

This famous ice cream shop on San Jose Avenue was closed for a while, but has been completely remodeled and is as popular as ever. Even when its cold out...long lines of people wait anxiously to hear their number being called. Tonight our number was 25. In passing by several ice cream shops on the drive home, sipping on my Mitchell's Ube Purple Yam Milkshake along the way, I noticed the other ice cream shops were all empty. There's just something about Mitchell's. The Irish pubs in Noe Valley are all hopping, the clubs in South of Market with the long lines of twenty somethings wrapping around the streets are also thumping, and there were a number of folks wandering the Castro, but the real action was at Mitchells tonight. We sampled Avocado, and a Halo Halo combination flavor, but I went on the wildside with the Ube Purple Yam. It was quite tasty, although my flirt with the exotic was short lived. I'm not above trying something new, but next time, I'm going with the strawberry.

Rude Americans

2009-03-19T21:59:00.000-07:00

...Really?!?! No, seriously...REALLY?? ....this is why other countries hate us.

Shoe Biz

2009-03-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

Went for a run this morning and pondered the Converse Sneaker. This is how my mind rambles to various points while I'm exercising. I had noticed a few days earlier in a pile of junk mail that a new fashion trend has emerged...the Converse Sneaker, available in one of those high end mens clothing catalogs for $55. Didn't think much of it at the time, but while I was running along the waterfront this morning, it hit me. What? $55 bucks? I remember when this shoe had a run of popularity in the late sixties, and then it sort of became the Wal*Mart of shoes (and I don't mean that in a "good" way). No one wanted to wear plebian Converse shoes...it was all about Stan Smiths, Adidas and Nikes. Well, the Converse shoe did have a big run in the sixties as I recall, but it turns out the little shoe that could had a major run in the fifties as well with the greaser set. If my memory of "Happy Days" is any indicator, then I would be in complete agreement. In reviewing its history, it turns out the simple little sneaker also had a big run in the 90's with the grunge set, in the 70's with the punk set, and the peaks and valleys of its popularity trace their way all the way back to its first appearance on the shoe scene by taking the basketball market in 1917. Yes, 1917. During one of its valleys, Nike bought the Converse sneaker and its storied history in 2003 and moved assembly overseas to produce it less expensively and construct it out of different (i.e. cheaper materials). Realizing the history on the back end and potential on the front end, Nike reinvented this simple little shoe into a hundred variations and it now claims the title of the most popular shoe in human history. That's my lesson learned today in the shoe biz...

Chapeau d'Aretha

2009-03-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

Archerr will be very happy to learn that sales of Aretha Hats are still moving at a brisk pace...

Pondering the Lawn Care Movement

2009-03-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

On the heels of Kelly's rant regarding personal responsibility during trying economic times, I ran across this display at the garden center at Home Depot. A place, btw, that is always a good stop for a little bit of midday eye candy, but that's another post.

I remember seeing this little rotary lawn mower in black & white television shows growing up. There was only one family in my town who actually used one...and it was always the nerdy professor type who walked around in shorts with black socks and dress shoes - and almost certainly drove something quirky like an Peugeot or a Volvo before they became cool. But aside from that family, no one would dare have one of those old fashioned push mowers. The upscale families had to have the power mower, the even more upscale families had to have the power mower that propelled itself, and there was even yet another level that had the riding mower. You just weren't a success in life if you didn't have the latest lawn grooming gadgetry. Thankfully, there was no Billy Mays yelling at us over any of our three television channels for the must-have gadgets back then. It's bad enough that I have to endure the super-presto-shammy-rama gadgets that he hawks so loudly in this stage of my life...never mind the formative years.

But now everyone is all about the "green"...which it's wearing a little thin at this point with me moreso than the likes of Billy Mays because most of this clamor is purely for the sake of social posturing. And yet, even in the midst of economic collapse, we continue to purchase large SUV's and hulking monster trucks under the guise of "I have a child, so I need a big truck for safety and to haul all of their must have plush toys" [insert SUV rollover statistics here] - or my personal favorite...I go to Tahoe twice a year so I need a carbon belching behemoth with a bumper that is large enough to display my "save Tahoe" sticker so I have safety in the snow. Again...to recall my formative years, no one really had a need to drive hulking 4x4 trucks when I was a kid, and we did very well in snow storms with our little VW bugs, fugly little Subarus and modified driving habits, thank you very much.

Then on top of the faux greenies, let's pile on the fitness craze. Nothing against fitness, or ecology for that matter, but if we crawl off our riding mowers, gave up our gym memberships and enjoyed the benefits of exercise by actually pushing the non-polluting (no need to buy gas & oil) manual push mower, doesn't that achieve multiple goals at once?

Where is the elusive manual lawn care movement?

3rd & Folsom

2009-03-06T22:54:00.000-08:00

Bong Su - (in the distance, second pic) Upscale Vietmanese. A bit pricy, killer atmosphere, very good food, moderate portions. Top quality grub. Good place to take folks for special occasions. The wait staff is well dressed, highly courteous and will treat you well.

Chaat Cafe - (Around the corner) Decent Indian fast food. Not much in the way of atmosphere, but it's good, fast & reasonable. Great stuff if you want to grab a quick bite, or pick it up, bring it home, and serve it on a real plate. The wait staff stands behind a counter.

Cha Am - (In the foreground, second pic) Thai. 70's decor - strong drinks, only average food, above average food prices. Friendly enough wait staff, but the bus staff is too anxious to clean your table. Honestly, this is not the place for a relaxing meal. If you're late to catch a plane, and you don't mind airport prices for airport quality 10 miles from the gate, this is your place.

Virginia Snow Pic

2009-03-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

See what I mean? Somewhere beneath this blanket of white lies a dormant hot tub waiting for spring...

Beautiful shot...

Snow Days

2009-03-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

Friends and family are sending all kinds of pics about the big snow back in Virginia. I miss it sometimes. We don't get snow days around here. It does get cold in winter. We get a lot of gray skies & rain, and there's snow up in the Sierra, which isn't too far away, but the concept of a snow day - that is...off from work - is no longer in my daily vocabulary. I remember growing up with the excitement of hearing the announcement on the radio that schools were closed. As a kid, it meant a 100% free day... a day without classroom rules, a day without routine... to be able to run outside to play, run inside to warm up and eat warm food, then run outside to play some more. I also got the chance to watch unusual tv shows that I would never see on the weekends when I was home. It was a somewhat rare but very special event for a child growing up in Virginia.

As an adult, the snow day was even better. I didn't have the same level of excitement to run out in the snow and play outdoors, ...but it did provide a great opportunity to chill out for the day offer a slightly different type of excitement to play indoors.

However, my snow days are behind me at this stage in life. The closest thing that I have experienced on the West Coast was a day or two off because the office complex was shut down as a result of a rolling blackout to conserve electricity. While I have adjusted to that aspect of the weather change, I am reminded that there are so many people here who never experienced a snow day growing up. I can't say that I miss scraping my car after an ice storm, or the joys of icy toilet seats in old houses during East Coast winters, but I am indeed very glad that I was able to have a few snow days in my early life to savor as childhood memories. In the meantime, I'll slog through the rain while it's here and enjoy my 9 months of sunshine that will soon follow behind it.

Double Rainbow

2009-03-02T22:16:00.001-08:00

I finally know where the rainbow ends, and it's not a pot of gold...it's a Fed Ex Distribution Center.

More Sunday grub...Southern Style

2009-03-01T18:08:00.000-08:00

Arizona Humor

2009-03-01T13:23:00.001-08:00

As a California resident, I know this is funny, but since I've never lived in Arizona, I'm not exactly sure why...

Sunday Brunch

2009-03-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

Whipped up a quick breakfast... Poached eggs over avocado & tomato with a rosemary potatoes. Off to see Open Houses. SF real estate is a blood sport...

Last Day of February

2009-03-01T10:04:00.000-08:00

Started Saturday rolling with a BLT in Westlake, a grocery run, and friends up from the South Bay for dinner. Cloudy skies are back. The rainy season is here. We need the water...but the gloom will get to you after a while if you let it...

Blog Irony

2009-02-28T09:33:00.001-08:00

I need one more post before February closes. I can't have my only post in the entire month to consist of content that is solely about the superbowl, which by the way, I didn't even watch.

The irony of good intentions.

This has been a incredibly busy week that has capped off an incredibly busy month. I'll remember it for a long time. Very much like exam finals week. No matter what one does to prepare, the pressure of never quite feeling ready is always there.

But March is here and I'm looking forward to a fresh new start with all of the February chaos behind me.

I have a handful of blogs that I regularly read, although I'm not as diligent about regularly posting.

Herein lies another turning point, and yet another lesson in irony. (I'm suddenly reminded of that awful Alanis Morrisette song about things being ironic, which technically are not, and I've lost my train of thought pondering whether my situation is true irony or if I'm merely using the word for lack of a better choice as a direct result of a caffeine deficiency at this point in the day. 10,000 spoons...)

"...but I digress" (to quote my favorite Sicilian)

Here's the deal. There are literally millions of blogs out there. Virtually everyone on Facebook (which is another post entirely) has a blog.

Despite the numbers of blogs out there, I have settled on a handful that I check regularly. I don't know why I settled on those to be my regulars. They are comfortable and familiar and I enjoy following the antics of various folks & their critters.

I've noticed a pavlovian behavioral patten with this practice. The folks who update their blogs everyday, are the ones I check everyday. The ones who update occasionally, are the ones that I check occasionally. The ones that go for vast periods of time with no post at all end up falling off the list.

It would seem that my thirst for blogger interface is driven toward immediate satisfaction, so if I'm not rewarded for my efforst to click there, I begin to lose the value of checking it. The currency of that site is reduced. It doesn't necessarily mean that I'm less interested in the person, they've just ceased to tell me about themselves so I'm focusing my limited time to view unlimited blogs toward those that can provide me that important updated content that I seem to be seeking.

After all, there's so much content and so little time to see it, I have to weigh the investment of my clicks carefully.

Obviously, I'm not lost on the fact that my own blog falls in the category of "off the list" ...so why (and to whom) am I even making this point?

To ponder the following question...

What is the Buddygram?

Is this where I chronicle the daily average events that cross my path, or where I feature a photo with a quip or story in some sort of attempt at amateur photojournalism?

I think I've leaned more toward the latter than toward the former. I've hesitated to log in an entry because I only view them as interesting if there's a photo attached. That led me toward thinking about what photo would be the subject of my next post and what I would say about such photo in the process.

This has of course led to my lack of postings being a direct result of a lack of good stories to associate with the photos that I snap with my little phone camera.

I'm not in the habit of Twittering blog posts. Maybe I should be.

At any rate, I'm going to try and move away from this practice of choosing a photo as the subject of a post, as I have handily argued in this very missive that the Buddygram is a blog that has evolved into something I would not even read myself.

I need to focus less on photos and more on updates. Weaving photos in is a big part of my story telling, but I need to force myself to push content out first and then weave in pics.

So with that, I shall publish this post sans photo...

More later...

Superbowl Sunday

2009-02-01T14:02:00.000-08:00

I'm not a big sports fan at all. I'm heading up the coast to enjoy the warm weather today so I'm not worried about the superbowl.

Having said that though, since Pittsburgh, Dallas & SF have all won five superbowls; If Pittsburgh wins, it'll be the first to surpass the other two.

I'd prefer SF to take that title, so I would therefore prefer for Arizona to win it based on that reasoning alone. But, if it's not SF that takes the six, and since I am no fan of Texas or anything it represents, I'd prefer to have Pittsburgh take it over Dallas.

Most people around here are saying Arizona is going to get slaughtered...so we'll see.

Time Management

2009-01-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

Greetings...

I'm still here.

It has been 20 days since my last post. As it turns out, my first day back into a routine after time off was the beginning of a much busier period than I realized.

With free time at my disposal, I was able to kick off the blog with a very good start. I even started a list of blog topics that I wanted to cover, the first of which was a piece on Time Management. Great lessons that I've learned would be the subtext.

But then, the routine started. Up at 5:15 to go work out, off to the office at 8:15, at the office until at least 6:30, then home to throw together a little dinner, check emails and guess what...it's time to hit the sack.

Day after day, that has been the rough outline of my day. Weekends have been very busy as well. I enjoy being busy, don't get me wrong, but I have not been able to keep up the daily posting updates that I see on so many other blogs.

I have yet to figure out how everyone does it.

Until I do, I can't possibly write about time management, at least not until I can actually figure out how to better manage it myself.

In the meantime, I'll keep up my routine, check in on the expert bloggers and post when I can.

The first day back...

2009-01-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day back...

The first day back in the office after 13 days off. The first day back to the dreaded 6 AM outdoor bootcamp class after 13 days off. The first day back to reality after so many terrific days off. Days filled with good food, great drinks and fun times spent with friends & family. The first day back after so many lazy & carefree afternoons.

It was a tough day...I need sleep.

Population Density in Eureka Valley

2009-01-04T18:39:00.000-08:00

click the pic for more detail

Bernal Heights

2009-01-04T10:26:00.001-08:00

Found ourselves cutting through Bernal Heights on our way across town yesterday and decided to stop in and have brunch at a local haunt.

I do not recommend this place. It was very busy, but the food isn't great.

We speculated on why so many people would stop in there, because the atmosphere isn't that great, the food seemed so-so, and it doesn't appear to be a popular joint for the laptop crowd...

That led me to ponder Bernal Heights in general. There aren't that many places there to go. I can't really put my finger on it, but Bernal never seems to resonate with me for some reason. It has all the right makings of a cool neighborhood on paper. A main street lined with shops, well kept homes in "most" areas, despite a couple of shabby pockets, and a few downright cool tree lined streets. There's a fair amount of interesting architecture, a beautiful hilltop park at the crest of the main hill with great 360 views, and finally, the weather is not bad at all, which is a major factor for San Francisco neighborhoods. And yet, it's still just Bernal. The plain jane cousin that you would invite to a family dinner, but you would never call her up to join you for bar hopping on a Saturday night.

I'm sure there are locals who love the character, and are possibly quite happy that throngs of visitors from other neighborhoods stay away in droves. After all, that makes for an easier time of it when trying to park your car, but the feeling of the place just doesn't seem to sell very much sizzle. Other commercial areas like Noe Valley & West Portal seem to be destinations for folks to shop, dine or just hang out - myself included, but for the life of me I can't find Bernal's soul.

It's like that one burner on the stove that never really gets very hot. It looks like all the others, but for some reason, it just doesn't fire up. It's never anything more than just lukewarm. It's good for keeping a plate warm, but it will never make anything sizzle.

Farmer's Market

2009-01-03T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today was a quick spin over to the Farmer's Market. It was my idea, and I'm not sure why, because I hate crowds, and this place is notorious for rude patrons and mindless parents who push their baby carriages into the crowd first...then look.

But despite the warm sunny weather, the crowds weren't so bad. I guess we got there after the rush. Some of the stalls were already vacated by the time we got there.

Great stuff.

Here's a toast...

2009-01-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

... to "Employee of The Year!"

Congratulations you!

Onward with Blogging

2009-01-03T09:36:00.001-08:00

Well the first part is done.

The primary goal was to "start" the blog, which very quickly led to a secondary goal of somehow documenting the past year with a few highlights. I have no idea where that came from.

For some reason I suddenly felt compelled to post a few pics of my 2008 weekend getaways. I also feel compelled to ride that new train in Phoenix and for the life of me I don't know why. This too shall pass.

Now for the next step, to figure out what happens next. I honestly spend so much time reading other blogs I haven't put much thought into how this one is going to get created, so I'll play it all by ear and just make things happen.

Not just with the blog itself, but with everything else that matters.

Home, career and personal development. Its time for a complete overhaul. I feel it, so 2009 is the year.

I enjoy change for the most part. It rejuvenates me - provided that the change itself was my idea. That's the key, you see. The change has to be your idea if you're going to enjoy it at all - just remember that.

More later...

The First Supper of 2009

2009-01-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure from where this custom originates, but for years I've eaten black eyed peas and stewed tomatoes on New Year's Day. It's supposed to bring good luck.

I threw in some baked chicken & eggplant with red peppers to round out the dish.

Happy New Year!

The Last Supper of 2008

2009-01-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

Orie's office party this year was very cool. They hauled the entire staff (and significant others) into the industrial kitchen of a large country club for a cooking class / holiday dinner. Each team was divided up into groups to work on various aspects of a seven course meal. They offered a brief demo, gave us a few cocktails and some very sharp knives, and off we went.

No injuries were sustained, but we did end up with some terrific food. I was on the lamb team. The food was great, and it was a great ice breaker too for a room full of folks filled with new faces.

Since the lamb turned out so well, I duplicated the dish for the last meal of 2008. I give you roasted lamb chops with wild berry glaze, mushroom risotto, spinach salad & snow peas. I think the presentation could've used a third color food item, besides the two green dishes, but we ate it anyway.

Proper Form

2009-01-02T14:05:00.001-08:00

I'm told this is a sign of good breeding...

School House from The Birds

2009-01-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Orie is poised to make a run for it should any feathered foul make a sudden appearance...

Compact?!? umm.....okaaaay

2009-01-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!

2009-01-02T13:48:00.001-08:00

Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

2009-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Venice Beach, California

2009-01-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Santa Monica, California

2009-01-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Santa Monica has great weather and beautiful scenery. Another stop on our spin through Southern California.

San Jose, California

2009-01-02T13:05:00.000-08:00

I got a tip there's a good place for auto body work in San Jose, so we drove the car down to get some minor scrapes repaired. For those of you who plan to be in the area, there's a huge Rose Garden (the photo here doesn't do it justice) and you should also stop by Santana Row. It's by far the best take on new age urban design that I've seen so far. Do not, however, attempt to tour San Jose by foot. It's a huge sprawl, and taxis are few and far between. Either take your own car...or rent one.
The Winchester Mystery House was a bit of a disappointment, primarily because I believe I set my expectations too high, but if you're there, you may as well go.

Shopping in West Hollywood

2009-01-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

Shopping in West Hollywood is always an adventure. This particular shop keeper displays admirable attention to detail...

What color is your rainbow?

2009-01-02T12:41:00.000-08:00

Since when did the Rainbow Flag have a black stripe?

The NO on Prop 8 Rally

2009-01-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

Pancakes Barbara

2009-01-02T12:30:00.000-08:00

Wine Blending

2009-01-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

If you find yourself in Sonoma, California with a group of people and nothing to do, try wine blending.

Two internationally recognized wine judges (not sure how that's verified) will divide you up into groups, instruct you on the finer points of wine tasting, and allow you to mix & match blends. You even get a souvenir bottle to bring home, complete with the label you designed yourself.

Everyone has a good time, and the judging is quite clinical, hence the white smocks. Just makes sure you're in walking distance from your hotel, because no one should drive after this event.

Madonna

2009-01-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

As you may be able to tell, the chronology of this blog is off kilter. I began with holiday pics but then decided to do a year in review while I'm at the keyboard. This is a pic of the Madonna concert we attended in Oakland this year. Of the 100+ pics I took with my phone camera, this is about as good as it gets. I like Madonna. I'm not a rabid fan, as so many are, and I don't even like all of her work, but for the most part, she has been with me thru college and into middle age so her music does bring back memories of bygone eras regardless of which track emerges on the radio. So when a good friend offered to help with tickets, I thought why not. May as well check it out. There were folks of all ages, from young hip teens to aging boomers like myself. The show itself was an incredible production. So many moving parts, giant booms and rotating giant screens. The stage went up, it went down, there were hot dancers everywhere all glistening with sweat. It was quite a scene. I enjoyed it. I don't think I would fly to another city to see this show, but if she ever shows up in your town, it's definitely worth a visit.

Love

2009-01-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Orie snapped this pic on the way to the No on Prop 8 rally in San Francisco.

It's one of my favorites.

Big Cock

2009-01-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Marie Antoinette Christmas

2009-01-02T11:01:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for a great party idea,

have a Marie Antoinette Christmas.

No one seems to do costume parties

any more - except at Halloween.

This is a great way to get folks to

step out of the drudgery of daily

reality and try something new.

Happy Holidays / Happy Faces

2009-01-02T10:51:00.000-08:00

Adventures in Virginia

2009-01-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

A quick spin by Monticello. I went there on a field trip when I was in the fourth grade...or maybe fifth, but haven't been since.

I remembered the bed that straddles two rooms, and vaguely remember the customized contraptions such as the wine dumbwaiter and the clock that uses weights that descend into the basement, but that was about it.

Virginians are very proud of Monticello. After all, it does appear on the nickel so it's one of the most recognizable structures in the nation. I was pleased that the tour guide acknowledged the inter-racial affairs and documented offspring that occurred between the storied master of the manor and his servants. I wasn't really sure they would mention it.

Although Thomas Jefferson was an outspoken critic of slavery in early America, he stopped short of setting most of his servants free. In fact, of the 110 that he owned, only two were set free during his lifetime, and three in his will. The rest were sold to pay the bills of the estate.

Apparently, there were other means available to resolve a mortgage crisis in the 1830's.

Speaking of Jefferson, this is the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia.

A grand old lady. Here you see how they've tarted the place up to celebrate the holidays. You needn't book a room to enjoy it. Just stop by the lobby, take in their mini-museum with great old photos of Richmond, and have a cocktail at the bar. Folks seem like hanging out in the lobby.

Richmond is known for it's tacky lights parade. Here you see authentic townhouses that have been dolled up in a group effort. This is actually one of the contest entries. I love it when a community can come together for a common cause, whatever the occasion. These neighborhoods are great. You don't find character like these old homes in that sea of tract housing sprawl that virtually every city seems to promote. Communities that were named after the very thing they replaced...you know those places. They have names like Turkey Run, Green Meadows or Whistling Pines.

Now this is a resident who takes holiday lighting very seriously, although there's a poignant twist on this one. It's dedicated to their lost son, who no doubt loved Christmas, so this one appears to be somewhat of a tribute. It's festive, outrageous and sad, all at the same time.

Three of my favorite people enjoying holiday lights. Bill, Orie & Steve.

Southern Food

2009-01-01T20:47:00.000-08:00

Each time I'm in Virginia, I always stop at my favorite southern cuisine roadhouse off of Highway 360.

Fried Chicken

Baked Chicken

BBQ Ribs

Green Peas

Cabbage

Greens

Mac & Cheese

Corn Pudding

Sweet Iced Tea

...I made two trips.

Happy Holidays Jon!

2008-12-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Virginia is underway...

2008-12-26T08:04:00.000-08:00

All the gifts are wrapped and the mayhem is about to begin.

Drag Queen Golden Girls

2008-12-21T20:02:00.000-08:00

Drag Queen Golden Girls

If you're in SF and have the chance, you should see this play.

Two complete episodes are performed following the exact scripts from the original program.

Invite a bunch of friends and make a party of it.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from Orie & Buddy

Thanksgiving in Tucson

2008-12-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

Turkey Day was spent with friends in the desert...

How could a setting like this be anything but relaxing?

We were fed like royalty...

Terry & John often walk Rex through the trails around the neighborhood. This is a joyous event for Rex. It offers up a chance to survey the area, see

what's new and of course, mark his territory.

The fry bread at the San Xavier Mission does not appear on any

low cal diet plan that you'll ever find, but it sure was tasty.

I also had the chance to meet up with Homer for a guided tour of an authentic archeological dig.

Here we all are, mingling with a few locals...

...I can't wait to go back.

Welcome to the Buddygram

2008-12-21T12:25:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog. I know...I'm late to the party, but I've begun to enjoy other's blogs so much I wanted to learn how to do this for myself. I have no political agenda, no urge to sway public opinion on a given topic nor do I have any expectations that I will have a large following.

This is merely an attempt for me to try something new, learn a new skill, share my thoughts with those who care to stop in for a visit, and hopefully learn something about myself in the process.

I will try to maintain a positive attitude on most topics, but this isn't to say that a rant here or there will not appear from time to time. I will do my best to avoid having this site become a series of rants.

I've often thought about the nature of blogging. To whom are these bloggers writing? What approach do they use? Are they writing to the world as a reporter who would publish an article on current events, or do they take the dear diary approach of writing to an imaginary shadow of themselves? Are they posting items of interest on a particular topic or merely publishing a photo of last night's dinner party for their close friends who live out of town?

I strongly suspect its all of those things and yet none of them at the same time. That's what the internet is all about I suppose. There is no right way to do any one thing because it's all different in all corners at different places and different times.

Blogs are anything you want them to be and yet nothing you would expect.

Which leads me to the purpose and/or objective of this spot. I honestly don't know what this is going to be nor do I think I could necessarily mold it. It will be what it is. I'm sure there are times where it will be very purposeful, and yet nonsensical in the very next post.

But then, that's the point right?

So here goes...