The Sun is shining ...

... and the crazy people are on the streets. What is it about warmer weather that brings the strange people out?

I am always amazed that as soon as the temperatures go up, we get to see (and often smell) the zaniest, craziest, maddest people on earth walking the sidewalks of the city.

This afternoon as I was walking down Market Street to get my weekly Sushi down at Montgomery Station, I must have noticed at least five different people either having very loud conversations with themselves, swatting imaginary flies, just sitting there picking their noses or simply walking around emitting the most vile odor you could ever imagine!

Homelessness is a big issue here in San Francisco. Many ‘alternative’ people are attracted to this city because it provides a lot of support for its homeless citizens and the climate here is very tolerable. This city also has a wonderful kinetic energy that attracts the more liberal type and diversity is celebrated in all its forms.

I don’t think there is a simple answer to homelessness so I am not going to even offer solutions here, nor am I going to criticize the fact that there are so many people on the streets. It is a very complicated issue, it is not simply about feeding people, or putting people into homes, it is a complex set of circumstances that drives people to live on the streets and it is all part of what makes this city so special. (Yes, even the smelly ones)

I appreciate all forms of life and I believe we all have a place on this wonderful planet of ours and if someone offends you, cross the street.

Namaste.

Mr Big

Chillin' on a Sunday afternoon.

Today is the 9th Day of the 9th month of the 9th year of this century. The number 9 is an interesting number. There is a lot of data written about it on Wikipedia but the piece that interests me most is that it is the first composite lucky number. I like the idea of lucky numbers, everyone needs at least one that they have faith in. I personally like the number 5 but I like the idea of number 9 being a BIG number and today is the last time we will ever see single digits forming this pattern in our lifetime, that in itself is exciting.

Last night I was invited to a rehearsal of Il Travatore (The Troubador) by the SF Opera Company – All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW – the lead vocalist sang songs that made sound sigh, it was so hauntingly beautiful. I am always pleased when I am exposed to culture of this nature. I’m not the biggest opera fan but I feel richer for having experienced this last night.

In another 'cultural' event, this mornings ride on the Muni was quite amusing, I had to wait for three buses before I could get on, there was a police woman controlling how passengers got on the bus. It really fascinates me that in some cultures people simply know how to be respectful during the morning commute and find ways of squeezing themselves onto mass transit of sorts, but here, in my neighborhood, someone felt that it was necessary to police how people got onto the vehicle...fascinating!

Maybe in out next evolution as humans occupying this planet we'll have figured out how to live in harmony with each other. Until then, let's have some fun with nines. We can go the whole nine yards, dressed to the nines on our way to cloud nine.

Spotted Art

Seen in Bluxome Alley at roughly 430 Townsend street

The First Day of Spring?

September is my favorite month, not only because it is the month of my birthday but also because it has always represented the beginning of spring – growing up in the Southern Hemisphere one gets used to the idea that in September the spring flowers start to come out and the days start to get longer. The promise of summer just around the corner makes many people smile.

For us folks living in the Northern Hemisphere the start of September brings with it the realization that fall is on its way and the days are getting shorter. Living here in San Francisco this is a little different, one does not get to experience seasons like many other places. The weather is mild year round and we have an unusual summer climate. There is fog that rolls into the bay and the temperatures are typically about 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler than 10 miles away.

The upside is that we don’t need any air conditioning during July and August and as the rest of the country slowly moves into the fall season during September, the fog rolls back out to sea and we have the warmest most wonderful months until November when the chill sets in.

September is the month where this city really comes alive. There are street fairs, concerts in the park and random city activities every weekend, a lot of fun is to be had all around.

So shine on all you spring bunnies, enjoy September, where ever you are.