Thursday, July 31, 2008

“Bring Me The Head Of Sorrell Booke!”




If you need a replica of the head of Sorrell Booke ("Boss Hogg" from the old "Dukes of Hazzard" tv show), go to X21 on Valencia Street!

It's a great store, with tons of kitschy old Hollywood props, plus great mid-century modern pieces.

More San Francisco





Shots from around the city.

John's Grill is the former "home" of the Maltese Falcon (it was actually a setting in the novel). The googie sign is ultra-cool.

The large group of people are in Union Square, queuing for a cable car. I'm sure it was a 2 hour wait. Notice how everyone is dressed — jackets and sweaters. Remember, this was photographed in mid-July, people.

Momma Kitty Keeps Vigil


We got back from the airport around midnight. At this late hour, It was still hotter in Oklahoma City than it had been our entire time in San Francisco.

Momma Kitty was on the roof, waiting for Cami. She's wearing her specially designed neon moon goggles.

Incidentally, she's no fool — she's facing west, toward San Francisco.

Museum of Craft & Design



The front yard of the tiny Museum of Craft & Design provides a nice patch of green amid all the concrete.

Contemplative Cami


Cami gazes wistfully at a passing cable car.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Pittsburgh Tradition


North Beach has the best Italian food in San Francisco.

But what if you want something a little more... Pittsburgh-y?

We found the perfect spot! It's called Giordano Bros.

What's this "Pittsburgh Tradition" they speak of?

It means your sandwich is packed with french fries and cole slaw (known as the All-In-One). Yum.

Here's a review:

"I went to the University of Pittsburgh and lived a 3 minute walk to the nearest Primanti's and I gotta tell you its like a piece of home having a Primanti Bros. sandwich in San Francisco. Anyone who has not had the chance to eat one of these sandwiches needs to get one immediately.

Oh, and if you're wondering why the sandwich is all in one, it was so the crane drivers at the steel mills could eat their lunch with one hand and work with the other."

New Jewish Museum


We didn't have time to tour the new Contemporary Jewish Museum in the SOMA district, but the architecture is pretty stunning.

Overlooking Chinatown


The Fairmont is just up the hill from Chinatown, so we passed through the area several times each day.

As interesting as Chinatown is, apparently it used to much cooler.

Post-Earthquake writers lamented the destruction of the district. Here's how one writer described it:

"An Oriental Hell within an American City — Foreign in its Stores, Gambling Dens and Inhabitants — The Mecca of all San Francisco Sight Seers — Secret Passages, Opium Joints and Slave Trade its Chief Features."

And another:
"There could not be another Chinatown like the old one, with all its quaint nooks and alleys. All this was gone and a new Chinatown must seem like a sham. "

Chinatown Eats



Cami settles in to her meal at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Bow Hon.

There's something about the smoky quality of their food that you just can't match anywhere else. I think they use really old woks.

Cheap, simple, and delicious!

The Fairmont Hotel — What A Dump!



We got lucky and stayed at the legendary Fairmont Hotel atop (S)Nob Hill.

This place survived the 1906 Earthquake, and was the setting for the 80's TV show, Hotel.

Pretty grand!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

San Francisco to Sausalito





We walked down to the legendary Ferry Building (spared during the fiery 1906 Earthquake aftermath by firemen pumping water straight from the Bay) to board a ferry bound for Sausalito, an old fishing village-cum-tourist destination.

The ride was cheap and fast (it's used by lots of commuters) and took us close to Alcatraz.

The ride was also really, really COLD!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Vacation is Coming!


Cami and I are taking a little jaunt to one of 'Merica's prettiest cities (I won't say which one, but it rhymes with "Can Nabisco").

Ah, to escape to Oklahoma heat!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Art Deco Yumminess For Sale — With A Catch





During our Fourth of July travels, Cami and I took a scenic route and came upon this gorgeous art deco service station. Guess what — it's for sale! The catch? It's located in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

If you were a top notch film editor with international clients, wouldn't this make a cool office?

Thursday, July 3, 2008

One Woman's Obsession




A woman named Catherine Bujold decided to recreate the set of 70's TV show "Space 1999" in her home. It's a far cry from the Pottery Barn, and pretty impressive!

Check out more photos here!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The 10 Best Rolling Stones Songs


Dear Blogrizzard,
I'm a 40 year old white man with little innate sense of rhythm. What are your 10 favorite Rolling Stones songs? Thanks in advance,
-Paul


Paul, I'd be happy to share my list with you. Here are my favorites, in descending order:

10. Get Off My Cloud - insolent and confrontational, with a great Jagger vocal
9. Ruby Tuesday - the Stones channel the Beatles in a lush tune fleshed out with flute, piano, and sitar
8. Happy - Keef takes the lead vocal on his signature tune. Great driving guitar throughout, with Mick singing backup
7. Monkey Man - Epic screaming from Mick
6. Tumbling Dice - The flexible guitar intro sets up a great groove complete with gospel background vocals
5. Let's Spend the Night Together - An urgent piano and an insistent drum lay out the Stones horniest tune
4. Street Fighting Man - Who knew acoustic guitar could sound so ominous?
3. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Textbook Stones
2. Honky Tonk Women - The cowbell intro is sacred and Keef's pinched guitar chords give the song a slow sensuality
1. Brown Sugar - Politically incorrect lyrics, a classic guitar riff, and a memorable outro add up to the quintessential Stones song