A Beckett Play?

nope. just my friend, new mom, working mom Adonia.

( circumstances ~ back in December as we were setting up the opening for the Land.Trust. exhibit....she in charge of the project, babe in day care with a bad cough)

Down Under The Bridge - Fort Point

The turn around point when walking the Bay Walk at Chrissy Field is Fort Point, located right under the bridge. On my walk today I came upon this very serious reenactment of a time in the 1800s when this Fort was active.

Generally the place is closed so today was a delightful, if not particularly well attended, exception.

Here is some data about Fort Point ~

Fort Point has stood guard at the narrows of the Golden Gate for nearly 150 years. It has been called “the pride of the Pacific,” “the Gibraltar of the West Coast,” and “one of the most perfect models of masonry in America.” When construction began during the height of the California Gold Rush, Fort Point was planned as the most formidable deterrence America could offer to a naval attack on California. Although its guns never fired a shot in anger, the “Fort at Fort Point” as it was originally named has witnessed Civil War, obsolescence, earthquake, bridge construction, reuse for World War II, and preservation as a National Historic Site.

Making Waves in San Francisco

Great storms here last week made super waves.

Economics

Went to a talk at The Fairmont Hotel last week. The presentation, sponsored by The Commonwealth Club, was made by Robert Reich. Reich, if you don't know, was formerly Secretary of Labor. He is now a professor at Goldman School of Public Policy at Berkeley.

The presentation was preceded by lunch. Around the table the talk represented one of Reich's comments that followed. " People are angry". Indeed. Here was a large round table of people who had never met all agreeing to some discontent or another. One gentleman pictured above was adamant in his decision not to vote for " a single incumbent" in the next election.

Reich's speech did little to lighten the mood. His year's predictions were:

~ unemployment will reach 9 - 10 % nationwide

~ the market is in store for "a correction"

~ people who have jobs will do more and make less

( due to technology and out sourcing )

~ the year will be determined by mid term elections that, in turn will be fed by the current anxiety and fear.

The big issue, according to Reich, is : Where will the aggregate demand that the economy needs come from?

He went on to answer his question, giving the reasons why it would not be the consumer, who formerly was 71 % of the demand. Likewise, again with details that I wont go into here, it would not be demand, business or government.

This was the end of his talk. You could feel the pall in the room. At that point an audience member asked a question. I dont remember the question - in truth I was half way out the door and poised for a dash to the taxi stand - but the answer was: ah, that's the good news. Success does not breed new ideas. This is a wonderful time for "change agents".

So sleep tight tonight. Everythings gonna be alright .......right?

weekend in SF - somethings are black and white

"di si a la VIDA"
" We fight back GO GIRLS"
And it rains on everybody.

weekend in SF - just a market in the rain...

...and a protesting sausage!

Aidell's Sausage has been told it must leave the Ferry Building Saturday Market. The reason being that some of their products are available in local grocery store and thus not exclusive to the Saturday Market. We know nothing about Aidell's Sausage but joined the protest. With the umbrella and placard carrying throng out on Embarcadero it seemed only fitting to at least sign a petition.

weekend in SF - hint of spring to come

Cherry blossoms about to be.

This is for Jackson buddies who, after enduring some brutal cold, are just now getting good snow. It is perhaps best not to dwell on thoughts of Spring but good too to know that it does come every year, even this one.

Down Under The Bridge

PJ in SF.

Down Under The Bridge

Super great storms in SF right now. Easy to say from the 7th floor and with only one power failure so far.

Twin Alert

Pulled from J's Facebook entry ~ G and the giant Spoon or Solids at Last, can sushi be far behind?

iN SF

in SF now for the culture fix and , when I can get it, time with A. and L.

On Sunday we went to Davies Symphony Hall for a matinee performance.

Above is the magnificent hall as the musicians tuned up for a super performance. Work by a contemporary composer, George Benjamin, was featured along with Debussy and Mendelsshon. The contemporary piece was enhanced by a preconcert discussion with Benjamin himself who enlightened the audience with explanations pertaining to his thought, intention and delight. ( a bit I particularly remember is a description of a movement wherein the melody is countered with a harmony that is the same refrain only backwards and upside down...think about THAT a while!)

The Mendelsshon was the Scottish Symphony. I remember thinking ~ I am going to be sad when this is over and I was.