The Japanese are at the top of their game

From Japan, by way of (a friend in) Ireland..

Human Tetris I
Human Tetris II
Human Tetris III

If this isn't stuff comedy, I'm not sure what is. Seriously, I haven't laughed so hard - at least not so sustained - in awhile. The Japanese have got a lock on "the awesome gameshow".

Do they know this?

ps. If you only watch one of these, watch number II.

I knew 10 would become 15

While I'm not going to take any beers off my original top-tenner (I can't - they are still all delicious!), let me add a few more to my list of favorites:

11. Lagunitas Brewing - Imperial Red
12. Flying Dog Brewing - Gonzo Imperial Porter
13. Avery Brewing - The Maharaja Imperial IPA (2007)
14. Avery Brewing - Hog Heaven Barley Wine
15. Anderson Valley Brewing - Boont ESB

And some new brews I'm looking forward to:
X1. Pyramid Brewing - Imperial Hefeweizen
X2. Stone Brewing - 11th Anniversary Ale

I knew 10 would become 15; let 15 become 20! And I still take recommendations (and if you want to buy me a drink, then buy me a drink!).

UPDATE: (did you even see the original posting?). I'd also like to put up Stone's 11th Anniversary Ale as #16 (if I forget when I post 16 - ??, let me know)..

The topless option is available

You know why I like climbing at Mission Cliffs?

Because it is a gym where I can take my shirt off. haha. Or, at least, I can wear a wifebeater to workout in and not get a second look. Well, that is, unless I wore this wifebeater (although this is San Francisco, and, as a young, white - and hipster-ish - male, I could maybe work the irony angle to the maxxx). haha.

Still, even though it's (mostly) all good, it's a little intimidating (sort of) and I hesitate to do it too often because there's plenty of folks there that are totally ripped (and, I guess, something to aspire to, if I could drink a little less beer.. yeah right!). haha. It'd be one thing if I was climbing insane routes or something.. then you can get away with anything. While I'm getting better, I'm not that good (yet) to have free reign of the gym, fashion-wise.

On that note, even though it is generally cool, there are certain unwritten rules to be able to take your shirt off and it not be *too* garish an act (i.e. to not look a little like a bit of a tool). haha. I've discussed this before with a climbing partner or two and the general consensus is that you need to at least be doing 11c's to be having your shirt off while top roping. If you are leading, you can drop it down to 10d's or something. Bouldering, let's say V4/V5 is the lowest we can go. I tried to posit that there should be some allowance for temperature, like for every 5 degrees above 75, you can drop the minimum rating by one. But at least one climbing partner nixed that idea; what a hardass. haha.

So where does that leave us in the debate? I mean, no one is *really* counting, but, well, I'm sure some of the regulars are.. if only subconsciously. And, I guess, it's lucky that I happen to be climbing at the aforementioned levels - for top-roping anyway - so, again (I guess) I can get away with it. Still, in my own topless-man-algebra (who knew there was such a mathematics?), I make sure that there are less than a certain amount of people in the gym before it's all good (with me). Yeah, so many variables. Or, rather, too much thought towards the topic.. haha.

In any case, it ends up being sorta rare that I actually take my shirt off; my mode lately has been in sleeveless shirts (including a new black one I picked up at Crossroads this past week). Still, the option is available, and that is something I can appreciate. ;)

Triumph: what a funny little bitch

You sure could use a laugh today.

Or, alternatively, some socially-acceptable mood enhancers (or, if you're feeling randy, some minimally-acceptable mood enhancers enjoyed in socially-accepted places, with social and accepting people).

Well, I can't help you with the latter two solutions (not tonight, anyway), but for the first, I've got you covered.. watch the wicked musings of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and laugh yourself silly.

Start your journey here at Wikipedia for some background, then work your way into Triumph videos and interviews (NYTimes, MTV or NPR); the man is a puppet is a man. And, thoroughly enjoyable.

A Swedish strain of electropop infection

I first saw this music video by director Johan Söderberg last week for the the Familjen single "Det Snurrar i Min Skalle" (don't ask me what it means en anglais), and thought it was clever, but it didn't blow my mind. However, I happened upon it again yesterday.. and can't get enough now; I've watched it over and over. This Swedish electropop is infectious!

See for yourself: http://www.discobelle.net/2007/09/16/familjen-video/

You may have come across another video for this song while watching MTV Sweden, but, while endearing (in its DIY quality), it does not match up against the Söderberg version (in my opinion), in terms of visual effect or sound quality. It's good for comparison though, and you may admire the group's fashion sense or dance moves.

UPDATE: I see Pitchfork likes this video too (and speak a little Swedish: they know what "Det Snurrar i Min Skalle" means en anglais).

A "word of caution" is in order

I reread the previous entry and I think I should have introduced it with a "disclaimer" or "word of caution". You see, the entry contains an inordinate amount of words in quotes, not to cite someone else's "work", but to indicate that these words are being used with a "fuzzy" (for sure) or "novel" (I wish) definition; picture me "winking" at you when saying those words aloud.

It is totally "reasonable" to use quotes in this manner, but somehow I feel they - with "overuse" in a particular piece - can be an easy way out from explaining yourself properly as a writer, and, as a result, shifting the responsibility for "getting it" a bit too far towards the "reader". Ultimately, these devices can become a "handicap" for the real transfer of ideas. So, maybe I'll revisit that last post at some point in the "future", as a "real writer", and fill in the (implied) blanks. ;)

Until then, "salud"!

Artists under control

Over an early breakfast this past Sunday, a friend mentioned to me that he didn't understand how some "artists" can think of an idea for "art purposes", have others actually produce a piece based on it (ex. do the actual painting or drawing), and still have all artistic credit go to the original "artist".. and not the person or persons who did the implementation. At this point I should mention - if you did not know this already - that I have no formal art background and approach the subject of art as an outside (but semi-educated) observer (and, um, "fan"). ;)

My first response was basically to say that your perspective on the matter comes down to your definition of art in general, and, by corollary and for the specific case my friend was talking about, painting too. Is art the "thing" or the "idea" behind it? Or something else altogether?

Most people's concept of art, at least at first (and, many times, forever), is that of a static object: a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, or perhaps even a piece of jewelry. Certainly this concept of art being a "thing" is classic, proletariat, and, perhaps, the most primal function we can subscribe to. So, if it's not exactly how I would think about "art" *in my bones* (or genes), it certainly is how I think about it per my original social conditioning. And, for sure, it is a good place to start your exploration of the subject.

But even though I do like the ability to own and "control" an actual piece of art (craft and beyond!), I can also appreciate an expanded definition - one that includes higher levels of abstraction or episodic action, however ephemeral or bidirectional (from artist to viewer and back, onwards and onwards).

But before we get into semantics or wordworkings-of-layered-design, why don't we see if there is historical precedence relevant to my friend's observation that started this discussion? That is, are there other well-established artists who did not actually "construct" all their work? I believe that there are plenty, but a few come to mind immediately:

Jeff Koons
Damien Hirst
Thomas Kinkaid

And a few from further back in time:

Duccio
Rembrandt
Michelangelo

Do you consider these people artists (before you read this anyway)? You probably have to say yes. Did you know that other people produced many of their most famous works (even as the artist designed them fully)? If you say no, then you have to ask yourself if you still consider these people artists. But if you say yes (or, you said no, but still consider these folks artists), then we do have some historical precedence for the phenomena.

As such, an expanded definition of art would include the possibility of one putting forth an "artistic idea", no matter how it is implemented, and still be recognized by the public as the artist in the equation. And I don't think we can stop there; the concentric circles of recognition (for art) have accelerated their rate of inclusion in the last 150 years (vs. the prior few millennium of human existence); there is much more to be had (and be defined)! For example, art also considers context: environmental and temporal (and fashionable) conditions. However, I think that discussion is beyond the initial query (and, for now, my attention span).

But before we call it a day, we could also consider if an artist can contribute anything else to a piece, besides "just" the idea (that they have not implemented themselves). Given there is a need to finance artistic creation, we should also think about the artist's place in the market. In this way, they can also be providing a commercial outlet for the work; that is, a network of people that know and (hopefully) appreciate the artist - and are willing to pay a premium for something with their name on it (over a lesser-known compatriot).

And what do the people making the art pieces get out of it? Is it only for the money? I would think that for some, yes, it is only a matter of money, but there are plenty of intangibles to be gained from this sort of relationship (at the sacrifice of personal fame - if only temporarily). There is the chance to hone skills, be exposed to new ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, meet the gallery dealer of your dreams.. or, at least, the gallery dealer's assistant.

A new tea embassador: James Norwood Pratt

I won't introduce this video interview of James Norwood Pratt too much, except to say he seems to be most gentlemanly; and his iconic status will surely extend easily from the world of wine to the world of tea.

The Proper Cup of Tea: James Norwood Pratt is steeped in it
By Meredith Arthur and Eric Slatkin
(http://www.chow.com/stories/10721)

Be sure to at least check out the segment called "Most Interesting Tea". He describes a simple scene, drinking tea with a "tea statesman" in Japan - an individual who, in his youth, served tea in the most incredible of circumstances!

Ideas do not necessarily work forever

Did you see last week's The Economist article about it being time to dismantle Belgium because "its job is done"? The article title - Time to call it a day - certainly got my attention and made me question (again) what it really means to be a country. Yeah, so how do you define a country; what is a country, really?

As a cursory glance (into my mind's dictionary), I think of a country as a very static entity, and not just a political device on paper. People live in countries! And they work, and play there too (unless their government says otherwise). But, thinking more about it, I do understand that the notion of a "country" is one of human organization and, effectively, one of hierarchy for dividing the world into chunks manageable for us as individuals. The world is too big for it to just "be" without the creation of many mental bins.

The article also implies - again, to my surprise - that Belgium does not currently have a properly-elected government, which seems odd given that Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union - you'd think they would at least want to set a good example at home. haha. In fact, it seems like a state of politics that is more common in less developed nations, nations in turmoil; of course, Belgium is still quite civilized in all other respects. Still, it was the first I had heard of this sort of thing, but apparently this has been the case since the last elections (June 2007, I think). But I can't find confirmation; Belgium seems to have a complex system of government as a result of its 60/40% split of Flemish (Dutch) and French-speaking citizens. I assume The Economist has done its research, but, still, you take these things with a grain of salt without first-hand knowledge.

So where does that leave us? Guessing, for sure: Belgium, born 1831 and dissolved 2007? Or 2008.. or 2800? Whenever (if, sil vous plait) the political entity known as Belgium does finally call it a day, what will its citizens do? The Economist muses:

No doubt more good things can come out of the swathe of territory once occupied by a tribe known to the Romans as the Belgae (like Magritte, Simenon, Tintin, the saxophone and a lot of chocolate.. also frites). For that, though, they do not need Belgium: they can emerge just as readily from two or three new mini-states, or perhaps from an enlarged France and Netherlands.

My first comment is that the author forgot - forgot! - to mention Belgian beer.. but I digress. ;) It still blows my mind (a little) that none of this makes any real news; at the least, it's a good reminder of where political systems come from (people!, like Soylent Green) and why we have established them in the first place (to help us solve problems of daily life). More importantly, it also reminds us that sometimes ideas and constructs that worked in the past do not necessarily work forever, and so we periodically need to reassess our ultimate goals as a civilization and, if necessary, tweak our institutions; we must adapt.

Here, in the specific case of whether Belgium should break up, I don't have enough knowledge about the country to say whether it is a good idea, that is, one that is appropriate for their current conditions. But, again, just bringing up the notion that a country can serve a purpose (or fail to do so), then be turned around into another political entity (or entities) to work better in new conditions, speaks to the humanity of these institutions and to the fact that we are therefore in control of our own destiny. Even whole civilizations - supercountries! - have ebbed and flowed throughout history; we can read books about our successes and failures, and remember to do better.

Can you name more than 20 lanugages?

According to the NYTimes today, while you were off saving mountain gorillas and Northern Spotted Owls, thousands of the world's languages are going the way of the dodo.

New research, reported today, has identified the five regions of the world where languages are disappearing most rapidly. The 'hot spots' of imminent language extinctions are: Northern Australia, Central South America, North America’s upper Pacific coastal zone, Eastern Siberia and Oklahoma and Southwest United States. All of the areas are occupied by aboriginal people speaking diverse languages, but in decreasing numbers.

And by "decreasing numbers", they mean that some languages are spoken by as little as one person. One! And when those small populations go - or their minds go - another language falls into disuse and, many times - without a written record or an oral recording - into oblivion, at the rate of about one every two weeks. That statistic seems almost too incredible, considering I could name maybe twenty languages; my list would include, simply, the most widely spoken and influential languages spoken today, but apparently there are an estimated 7000 in total. How many can you name; you might want to save your answer for your next party?

Read more about the situation and the conservation efforts here:

World’s Languages Dying Off Rapidly
By JOHN NOBLE WILFORD, Published: September 18, 2007
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/18/world/18cnd-language.html)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In semi-related news, the NYTimes online will be reducing the scope of its content under the TimesSelect purview starting tomorrow! In other words, most of the articles on the NYTimes.com will go back to being free!

Online assist for speedy daydreaming

Blogger - they host this and thousands of other (free) blogs - just put up a fun site that "will show you a never-ending stream of images that were just uploaded to public Blogger blogs. You can click the image to be taken directly to the blog post it was uploaded to, or click 'show info' to see an overlay with the post title, a snippet of the body, and some profile information about the blogger who uploaded it."

http://play.blogger.com/

It's such a simple concept, but the result is surprisingly addictive. I think it must hold the same fascination as looking through the boxes of old photographs at the Alemany or Berkeley Flea Markets and doing some speedy daydreaming: who are the people in these pictures, where were they taken, and when? I love those boxes.

A quick, 5-minute stare session resulted in these two finds:

SpiralMail (http://spiralmail.blogspot.com/), dedicated to the exchange and documentation of mailart

myphotosssss (http://pamzzzzz.blogspot.com/), random amateur photography from Tehran, Iran

What else is out there?

Find your personal jesus

How about a little word association:

1. recreation
2. switchblade
3. Jolly Roger
4. whiskey-flava
5. muffin top, yo

What do ya got (comments or email is fine)? And if you are associating combinatorially, then let me break out the bonus points (which can be redeemed for pool party).

In the meantime, what kind of, uh, leader would I be if I didn't get on the couch and dive into this fantasy lexicon, or, rather, lexicon for fantasy, myself:

1. blue cheese kayaking
2. ohmygod, I've been stabbed and I'm angry
3. all aboard; be ready to get shivy
4. condoms would be nice
5. yikes Tim!

So are you a disciple of Freud, Confucius, Fey, or other?

Nonstop to Chechnya; all aboard!

It seems that this past spring, civilian planes have returned to Grozny. The NYTimes has a brief article about it in today's paper (link at the end of this entry), and boy does it get the imagination going:

"Mr. Chaika described the old approach, before Chechnya’s airport was (destroyed during the latest war - then later rebuilt): the plane would circle high over Grozny, and then descend in a harrowing corkscrew, hoping to dodge groundfire. At takeoff, he said, the corkscrew was reversed, while military helicopters rose along the runway’s flanks, shooting flares to divert heat-seeking missiles from the ascending plane’s engines."

What an incredible scene, takeoff especially!

Luckily, as "normalcy" returns to Chechnya, the "new approach" for the six daily flights from Moscow is more conventional and without such dramatic, um, flair. It seems the security situation is more under control: it's not *guaranteed* that every plane will be shot at anymore. Still, I bet there's more than a few prayers said getting on and off the plane. And here we are, complaining about the proliferation of flight delays here in the US (not that we shouldn't, but it's a funny contrast in standards).

Hopefully plans to expand the Grozny flight schedule, to other parts of Russia and - even better - to other countries will go forth without too many problems. Either way, I certainly plan on visiting this part of the world at some point in the future, although I'll probably hold off if the corkscrew landing goes back into fashion.. unless I have a *really* good reason to go. ;) I can't let my Russian classes go to waste!

In any case, read the rest of the article at:

Nonstop to Chechnya: As War Ebbs, Flights Return
By C.J. CHIVERS, Published: September 11, 2007

One with the egg. Or something.

It's funny: you learn how to do something when you're young - many times just by observation - and if the method works reasonably well you'll never question it again. With that in mind, how do *you* crack an egg?

Looking for a scramble? Well, then, I would take a set of eggs - one at a time - to the top edge of nice bowl and crack them there, pulling apart the two halves of the shell with my thumbs and watching the gooey insides plop down into the mixture du jour. All the while, I hope that no errant bits of shell escape my (ahem) deft handing in an attempt to invent themselves anew as a cooked, but crunchy breakfast delight. Overall, this process seems to have worked reasonably well thus far, but I've noticed recently that all the tv chef people tap their eggs *on the table* to crack them.

So, I gave it a go - say, for the past 2 or 3 weeks - when making pancakes, biscotti or toad's in a hole. And the results are surprisingly satisfying! That is, you not only have a lesser chance of getting rogue shell pieces into your bowl, but there is actually a different feel to the egg cracking altogether. It's like you are more in tune with the experience; you feel the shell give ever-so-gently.. and you are, uh, one with the egg. Or something..

Really, I'd say to try it out. At first, I admit I was a bit hesitant, but at this point, I, for sure, won't got back to my old, bowl-as-breaker, ways. It just feels right. Now if I could just get myself to crack the eggs into a separate bowl before adding them to the final recipe (to make sure you don't have a rotten one that would ruin the whole dish), I'd really look like I knew what I was doing in the kitchen. Baby steps..

Be proud of the trinity: newbeer, djmix, gayeyes

Three disparate stuffs for a Monday:

First, I added a new link to the "Social Lubricants" menu on the right: The Beer Pirate (http://www.thebeerpirate.com/). While it sounds swashbuckling and bombastic, it's actually a very straightforward blog of mostly beer reviews, along with the occasional piece of beer news; in short, it's full of some easy (and mouth-watering) beer reading. In fact, it reminded me that pumpkin ale season is upon us with today's review of Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale. It's not that big of a deal here on the West Coast, but on the East Coast - especially the Northeast - the appearance of pumpkin ales certainly indicates the arrival of Fall, cooler temperatures, shorter days, darker (and spiced) beers and so forth. Yeah, since here in SF where is never gets too hot or too cold, I sorta had to do a double take, like it didn't occur to me that the summer was "over" (but I guess it never occurred to me that the summer "started" either).

My continuing internet adventures today led me back to one of my favorite music sites: Disco Belle, where I played a bit of catch-up on a few weeks of entries. Again, they brought another kick-ass dj mix to my attention.. this time by Them Jeans, that LA music tastemaker (or, at least, player), Jason Stewart. While he's been known to throw down anything from hardcore to post-rock to ambient at his parties (per his bio), this mix - called "All Work. All Play." - is pure dancefloor-friendly hiphop.. with a little British twist at the end. I've been playing it non-stop today; check the track list:

Russ Chimes - She’s Got The Heat
M.I.A. - Boyz (acapella)
Rock D The Legend (ft. Big Boi) - DDT
N2Deep - Back To The Hotel
Freck Billionaire - Peter Pan
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (instrumental)
M.I.A. - Paper Planes
U.G.K. - Swishas And Dosha
Busy P - Rainbow Man
Khafani (ft. Keak Da Sneak) - Fast
DJ Khaled - We Takin’ Over (instrumental)
Electric Light Orchestra - Showdown
M.I.A. - Jimmy
Uffie - Brand New Car (instrumental)
Soulja Boy - Crank Dat (Cousin Cole remix)
Kia Shine - Wow (acapella)
U.G.K. - Like That (remix)
Ali & Gipp (ft. David Banner) - Get On The Floor
Dude ‘N Em - Watch My Feet
Juelz Santana - Okay Okay
Ratatat - Loud Pipes
Ice Cube - You Know How We Do It
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now

Get this music here, now; and dance around your room.

Finally, as I was leaving the SF Library (main branch, natch) this evening, a man in his late 20's comes up to me and asks, "Are you gay?" I casually turn my head more fully towards him and simply say, "No".. to his minor disappointment. All the while he's giving me his best "Gay Eyes". I quickly offer a "Sorry" and we both continue on; why would I feel the need to offer a "sorry"? haha. Yes, just another day in the life..

ps. If you're wondering what "Gay Eyes" are, I'd suggest asking local comedian Brent Weinbach - one of my favorite comedians anywhere, actually. He also has a great recipe for couscous.

The Mondays, redux

The Mondays,

Ever wish for a dumptruck of heaviest music imaginable - dense enough to pierce mountain bunkers - to fall on top of your cracked cranium, and seep into the dark gray crevasses of the brain sculpture you keep there? Feel your body submit to gravity, most gorgeously!

It's the kind of experience that disrupts the simple electrical signals between your most-loved axons and neurons, leaving you with only enough desire (and some would say ability) to laugh a crazy cackle - to noone and everyone - as you twist down a dark street, skipping off the walls. Yes, experience the laugh of those who know too much or too little! haha. hahahaha..

I highly recommend it.

The new "About Me"

What it should really say in the "About Me" section of this blog thing is that I love to dance - and have been told that I'm not-too-shabby at it - but my "rolling up to random chicks at a club" game totally sucks (still). C'est la vie, I guess. haha.

That said, does anyone want to bake some muffins or something; berry season is almost over..

Whisper, and I'll whisper back

I got to know this piece of human knowledge first-hand when I lost my voice for almost a week last November:

If you whisper to someone - it doesn't matter what you are saying - the person you are whispering to will probably whisper back in response. And they may not even ask why y'all are whispering.. at least not at first.

True? As I said, I've got a handful of empirical - and personal - evidence that says so. But you may want to do your own testing. At the least, it's an excuse to get close-close to someone.. in the name of science.

So, if anyone can confirm or deny my observation with their own experiences, let me know!

A funhouse became a madhouse

This past Wednesday night I went to the Olafur Eliasson opening at SFMOMA for his new show: "Take your time", which was a title that proved incredibly accurate given the crowds. He had turned the fifth floor into a tight funhouse for cultured adults, complete with mirrored platforms, clanking floorboards and highly-textured walls. There was also a hydrogen-powered car with a body made out of ice: look, but don't touch; blankets were provided for a viewing if you had forgotten your mink stole.

All his work - here, anyway - is very experiential (for the viewer) insofar as it plays with your senses and, consequently, your perception(s) of the world in a very direct manner. Get inside a kaleidoscope; look out (and then inwards)! Bathe yourself in colored light; that's not how I remember you! Stomp the floor; make noise enough for the walls to dance! And so on.. nothing to blow your mind or anything, but certainly a nice way to spend some time.

As I mentioned, the funhouse became a madhouse in which to make your way slowly (even if you wanted otherwise) on the opening night. This was surprising since I got there at 7:15pm or so for the Upper Level preview, before they let in the general member riff-raff at 8. ;) Eliasson's installations are in such tiny spaces and the layout of the 5th floor (where most of them are housed) was somewhat claustrophobic; I had never seen so many walls up in the museum. Still, I definitely want to go back on a quieter day; I'm sure it would make for a much different experience, a different experience in an attempt at an alternate reality.

But while I *was* there, I absconded away to see some other areas of the museum that were being totally neglected; and so, I had them almost all to myself. Specifically, I walked through part of the permanent collection on the 3rd floor and ended up sitting down on a bench in front of a large Rothko (No. 14, 1960). You could make out the din of the culturati in the background, but even that noise could fade if you let yourself be, you let yourself breathe. Actually, it was almost like chilling out in someone's quiet bedroom during a loud party.. that is, if you were at a party with multi-million dollar paintings on the walls. Well..

If you do go to these sorts of social gatherings, please invite me next time.

(ahem)

As for this party, nee art opening, at SFMOMA, it was a good scene in which to socialize, but not really to check out the art. In short, it was like most art openings.. which is totally cool; adjust your expectations accordingly (if you haven't been to many art openings). I like the idea of the art just being there and, on some level, just an excuse to get all these folks together. Of course, I hope there is some substance behind the works, given all the money involved at this particular institution, but for the first night anyway, that sort of thing is besides the point. ;) Like I said, the fact that I didn't really get to experience the installations in a way I would want to (on some sort of quasi-intellectual level) is a good excuse to go back. See you there!

Hidden gems in a concrete and severe landscape

I peaked into the world of Bayview this past weekend, a place with an industrial history, but now certainly in a city-modern and moneyed transition; for sure, it's a San Francisco neighborhood full of hidden treasures. I'm sure the 3rd Street rail would fit the transportation bill - it would get you in and out - but on a warm and sunny day (or warm and moonlit night), ride them bikes for maximum flexibility; you might have to outride a junkyard dog after taking a wrong-turn-than-turned-out-to-be-so-right. And next time I'm bringing my camera; someone in your party should have a camera. You're taking a trip: so close, but so far away.

Yeah, there is plenty more exploring to be done, so much to see (and with that camera, so much to document). I had been meaning to check out a few places in Bayview and the adjacent Dogpatch neighborhoods for awhile now, and finally got off my ass to make it happen; the sun was out - glorious Labor Day weekend - and there was really no excuse: a friend would join me (thanks Jen). I brought a waistband of orange-almond biscotti for the occasion; I'm not sure how my Moscow-bought belt held under this delicious weight.

Such a fashion statement required that our first stop be the new-ish Ritual Gardens inside the Jerrold Ave. location of Flora Grubb Gardens. Such a good idea: them opening up shop, and us going. Of course they can pull a great espresso, but for a novel treat, have them brew you up an individual coffee via their Clover 1s; watch the action: your coffee is surely a product of a spontaneous process of the future, drinkable in the here-and-now (praise science!). And get this, you'll be able to chat with the barista before, during and after (if y'all would like); you'll likely be the only one(s) in line. We learned much about coffee that afternoon.

We also learned much about being able to enjoy our coffee and biscotti while sitting on very expensive outdoor furniture, surrounded by an incredible amount (and variety) of plants. To that cafe environs, I won't say no. Afterwards, after our second cup that is, we got rolling again and found an outdoor concrete slide - bring that cardboard! - nearby at Youngblood Coleman Playground; definitely fun (although the Seward Street Slides are a bit better, if only because there you've got two slides in tandem). Before heading home, we got BBQ and Bud Lights (it's been awhile) at Jordan's House of Ribs, which provided a funny backdrop for dining. You see, it's mostly a bar and if you're middle-aged, African American, and looking to get your swerve-on, this is your place; still, I'll be back for the BBQ, maybe as takeout (which seemed to be more common; we were the only ones eating there, but it was all good).

In any case, the whole neighborhood seems so far away - such an alien vibe, especially in the desolate and "bombed-out" areas near the highways - but the truth is that it's only like a 20 minute bike ride from the heart of the Mission. It's just that once you cross south of Cesar Chavez, the vibe changes immediately; the landscape becomes concrete and severe (excepting the new shine of the 3rd St. corridor itself). But again, that's part of the appeal; I want to take a return trip. At the least, I still want to hit up places like Speakeasy Brewing and Piccino restaurant, but I am open to other suggestions. These places I've mentioned are simply the tip of the iceberg; come with me - or do some exploring yourself - and say you were there at the start; Bayview and Dogpatch are changing rapidly!

Runner's World online: you done outdid yourself!

Runner's World added a free training log to their set of online tools not too long ago. Simply create an account on the site and you'll be able to plan, record, and track workouts from any computer. The interface does not limit you to running workouts; you can add biking workouts, strength training, and even general "health notes". As you add more and more entries, you'll be able to create custom graphs of distance, time, pace, heart rate, temperature, run quality, or weight over any time period you choose. There are a few other cool features as well, but one of the neatest is an integrated GUI for recording routes via Google maps (ex. your favorite running or cycling route).

The direct url is (http://traininglog.runnersworld.com), but I'm not sure if you need to be registered with the site first to be able to access it. If this link doesn't work, simply go to the Runner's World main page and you'll see a "Training Log" link in the top menu.

Whenever I'm "training" for something (ex. a running, biking, or swimming race), I do find it very helpful to keep a record of my workouts. And, further, if I can plan them in advance, I'm even better off; it helps my motivation just to mark which days I'm looking to run (or climb or whatever) in the calendar, even if I don't have all the details (mileage, pace, etc.) in mind ahead of time.

In short, start using the training log and you may find yourself in better shape just as the San Francisco "summer" is upon us. And if you're looking for a place to begin (spiritually or athletically speaking), Runner's World online also has a great set of articles for folks just starting out (check the "Beginners", "Training", or "Motivation" links), including specific workout schedules to get you to your first 5k, half-marathon or longer. Any other questions? Just ask me.. ;)

Biscotti (again); and skinny-dipping

I made another batch of Almond-Orange biscotti tonight. Although the recipe is slightly different from the success(es) I baked the other day, I have high hopes:

3 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sugar
8 Tablespoons unsalted butter
3 large eggs
3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted
2 Tablespoons fresh orange zest
3 Tablespoons Cointreau

Preheat the over to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, toast the almonds for 6-8 minutes, shaking around midway to ensure an even experience; after the almonds are toasted, take them out and reduce the heat to 350. In the meantime, mix all the above ingredients to form a moist dough (mix the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Split the dough in two and with each create long, flat loafs, one on each baking sheet; think 5 or 6 inches by 10 or 11 inches (each should be around three quarters of an inch high). Bake each for 25 minutes; bake them until they are firm to the touch, but not particularly browned.

Let each loaf cool for 10 minutes or so. With a sharp knife, cut each loaf into half-to-three-quarters inch pieces and lay them on their side on the baking sheet(s); whether you cut perpendicular to the long side of the loaf or on a diagonal is up to you. Put these back in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Flip them over (at this point the bottom side should be golden brown; if not, leave them in for another couple of minutes); and bake for another 10-12 minutes on the second side (at which point, this other side should also be golden brown). Cool for at least 15 minutes, and enjoy with a fresh cup of coffee (here or here) or tea.

Also: I really should go skinny-dipping soon; it's been awhile.

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UPDATE: The "original" recipe I alluded to is superior. The procedure is pretty much the same as above, but bake at a slightly lower temperature of 325 degrees. The ingredient list is also similar, but different in its proportions:

3/4 cup whole almonds, toasted
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
2 Tablespoons fresh orange zest
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons Cointreau
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

For sure, I'll be making this version from now on; you should too!

Ready for, and in control of, total darkness

As of yesterday, I'm a new man.

Yeah, I know you've heard that one before, but I'm a new man with drapes, or, I guess, with curtain panels; either way, I own a set of opaque indulgences, hung, and, um, ready for action.. though it makes me wonder who or what I'm hiding from, behind this new and heavy and Jacobean fabric. I, of course, remember quickly enough: I've been forever trying to escape from the light.. that is, when I'm trying to sleep (and nothing more sinister than that). You see, I am surely sensitive to the sun in both positive and negative ways.

The thin blinds that have been on the windows in my room reduce the light coming in, but when it's daytime, you know it's daytime; it can still be somewhat bright. And, as such, a quality 8 hours of sleep often eludes me, unless I've gone to bed at 9 or 10pm - a rare occurrence, especially when I'm enjoying the nighttime vices of the city. It's not that I can't sleep "in the daytime" when I'm tired, it's just that it needs to be completely dark in the space where I'm trying to do so.

For example, last time I went to the Art Basel and NADA art fairs in Miami - yikes, it's been a couple years now! - I got awesome sleep, even as we would go to bed with the sun fully up and folks already heading to the beach for a morning tanning session. The drapes on the large windows at our hotel blocked 99% of the sun coming in; and with the digital clock turned down, flat on its face - another (minor) source of light begone! - you *really* lost all sense of time. Waking up at 8am, noon, or (in this case) 4pm: they are basically all the same time of day from the perspective of your body.. an hour in which you wake up fully rested. A new day of art and inebriation (and skinny-dipping) is upon you!

So it seems that with my latest apartment upgrade, I'm fully in control of my waking life here in San Francisco, insofar as it is affected by the amount of sleep that I get on a daily basis. You see, my new curtains can be closed and my bedroom made ironclad against photonic attack. And if last night's 10 hours of blissful unconsciousness is any indication of future success, I'd say things are looking, well, bright.