I was going to Point Reyes for a walk today but ended up at Golden Gate and Crissy Field instead. I picked up a new photo, nothing special but it adds a bit of color.
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Category: Photography
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Front Window: A photo essay
If you’ve been reading my weblog for a bit, then you know that every once in a while I post photos from my front window. Well, I hadn’t done this recently, so I thought I would update you with new views from this last week.
There are two multi-mast sailing ships in the area, and I lucked out and was able to capture a photo of both of them when they were out on some kind of maneuver. I don’t think there’s anything more beautiful than an old sailing ship. The very look of them conjures up the mystery of the Far East (and those of you reading this from the Far East probably got a laugh from that one) — new lands, new people, unending ocean vistas, and adventure. Especially adventure.
One great thing about living on the Bay is that you can see some really lovely weather. Especially when a storm rolls in. We in the South Beach area call ourselves the sunniest part of San Francisco, because we’re the last section of the city that gets covered in fog when it rolls in.
Last week we had a little excitement when some guy climbed over the security barrier around the Bay Bridge. Two National Guardsmen walked over to check him out, but he was only some kind of photographer or tourist who wanted to take a photo of the Bay Bridge, the security barriers, and the soldiers. The Guardsmen here are getting to used to this and usually allow folks to take their photos. They know they’re here for the long haul and they have to get along with the “natives”.
Speaking of soldiers, the Governor and the California National Guard are trying a little cost cutting sleigh of hand. What they’ve done is put two National Guard trucks in the CALTRAN lot next to the Bay Bridge so that it _looks_ like Guardsmen are here, but they really aren’t. The Guardsmen do come, but usually only on the weekends or when there’s another alert (most of which are not published, but we know when they happen).
Now, this won’t fool any terrorists. An hour of easy snooping will show there are no soldiers about. The only reason the powers that be are doing this is to fool, well, the citizens of San Francisco. News for you Gov, Guard — we’re foggy, not stupid.
They finally took down the shack in the parking lot next to the Bridge. However, a homeless person has moved into the area, complete with bed. I’m not sure which impacts me more about this: that the person has “violated” the restricted area around the Bridge and no one cares; or the fact that the homeless have mattresses they carry around with them. Mattresses! In this the richest country in the world, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that the homeless in San Francisco, probably one of the richest cities in the country, have beds. Looks like they’re here for the long haul, too.
From an eco point of view, nature is reclaiming Beale Street. Maybe we can go down and dig up the cement and plant something. Grass, and a tree.
No, not a tree. A sniper could stand behind a tree.
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San Diego zoo
Hi! This is your favorite professional writer who hacks a weblog even though we’re not supposed to. I’m bringing you today’s copy of “Where the Blog Turns”.
When last seen our intrepid weblogger was braving the wilds of San Diego zoo. We’ll go live to Burningbird, at the zoo:
Hello? Hello, can you hear me?
The San Diego zoo is everything I’ve ever heard. Wonderful fun. And San Diego is a beautiful city, and the people are very nice. But who designed the freeway system here? Alfred E. Neuman on drugs?
Today’s funniest moment — guy walking around in a plain white t-shirt with masking tape across the back and “Ralph Lauren” printed on the tape.
Second funniest moment — trying to explain to the two older women that, no, there was only one hippo in the water and that the nose above water belonged to the same hippo that’s underwater seemingly right next to the glass.
“Yes, I know that this hippo looks close to the glass and the nose looks further away, but water can bend light and further away objects can appear close.”
“No ma’am, there really is only one hippo in the water.”
“Yes, it is neat how the zoo was able to accomplish this.”
Also, I brought you all a souvenir! A photo of flamingos. What else would someone like me bring back?
And a panda!
Warning: Cat Photo Ahead Three younger tigers were having a great time with a semi-deflated basketball. On in particular was having the best of time with his toy. Big or small, exotic or domestic — cats is cats is cats is cats.
My favorite of all the zoo animals was the Buharan Red Deer, also known as the Bactrian Wapitir. These deer were originally located in Afghanistan and surrounding area, but were hunted to extinction in the former Soviet countries at the end of communist rule. With the religious civil war in Afghanistan every last known member of this species in the wild was killed. Aside from the approximately 100 deer in captivity, this species is extinct.
I was the only person looking at the deer while everyone else was off with the tigers and the gorillas and the pandas. This quiet herd watched me as I watched them. Not sure why, but I started talking to one of the females near the fence. Instead of ignoring me or shying away, she came down to the fence and stuck her nose through it near to where I was standing. Not sure if I sounded like her normal zoo keeper or if she’s just naturally curious. Beautiful, gentle creatures.
I’ve long had a theory that we’ve been visited by members of advanced species from other planets. However, when they get here and see how easily we exterminate species and each other because of such trivial things as political or religious differences, they fly away again, in a state of total disgust.
Anyway, I liked the deer. I hope her species makes it. With that small a gene pool though, chances aren’t good.
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Razor Wire
Recovered from the Wayback Machine.
I wonder if my taking photos all around the Bay Bridge anchor room in full view of the National Guardsmen is to account for the increased security I’m seeing tonight. More helicopters than normal, and they’re flying closer to the Bridge.
I knew I was pushing it bringing out my camera and snapping away — especially getting the close ups of the razor wire against the bright sky. The gentlemen guardsmen were very tense, alert, following me as I moved about. However, I’m putting together a little pictorial essay of my neighborhood and I needed the photos. Nothing wrong with taking a little backyard photograph is there?
I didn’t get all I wanted, but I knew when enough was enough. I was very careful to let the soldiers see the camera at all times, and I dressed as innocuously as possible. These are no weekend warriors — these are people who are determined that nothing will happen to the Bay bridge on their watch.
See San Francisco! Nob Hill! Golden Gate Bridge! The cable cars!
The homeless! The garbage! The razor wire! The national guardsmen! The empty shops and vacant businesses!
By the way, do you think the razor wire picture or this one will be better for the California Photo contest?
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HTMLized photos
Recovered from the Wayback Machine. A variation of this tool still lives online.
A treat for you all — HTMLized versions of some of my photos. I found the conversion utility through a link at a new and interesting weblog — G’Day Cobbers. I found the weblog through the Aussie weblog ring. Question though: What is it with Australians and drinking? And when are they going to move their country out of the Atlantic?
What can you do with the HTMLized photos? Probably not a thing, but it’s a fun time killer anyway. And it will give you a break from Googlewhacking.
Anyhoo, photo show:
Sand – the utility lets you pick background color, letters to use, size of letters and picture
Ice Rink
Car Interior
Bridge – as you can see, brighter, more contrasting colors work best
Rocks – if you’re not from San Fran and are curious about the piled rocks, holler and I’ll give you a pictorial essay of the rock sculptures and San Fran Rock Artists.
Just for fun.
Update I forgot — these suckers violate every rule of CSS and HTML and will fail every validation tool known to man. Even those known to woman. So, save your time and just accept them as pretty and fun.