Holidays in the Mission

One of my roommates came upon this Holiday Hours sign at one of my favorite coffee spots in the city, Four Barrel. That's the holiday spirit I like.

Can't Wait for the Weekend

There are few bands out there that will automatically put me in a good mood no matter what. I remember riding in a car with a friend of mine and writing them off initially because of their silly name...Vampire Weekend. what?
It didn't take more one listen from their first album to be immediately hooked. Originally from New York, they released their first album in 2007. Mid January the follow up, Cousins, comes out. It's been a long time coming but I think it will be worth the wait.

Wild About Charley

Every year in December I go out and buy a new calendar. As per usual excitement spirals into disappointment when presented with corny options. Calendars with cuddly creatures and bland landscapes are abundant. It's harder to find more clever and unique ones these days. Although I think I'm probably just not looking in the right place. Online shopping I think would be the way to do it.
When I was about to settle for one that didn't speak to me I came across a Charley Harper calendar. For those who might not be familiar, he is an american modernist artist, who died only a couple of years ago. He's best know for his stylized portayal of wildlife, using shapes, patterns, bold colors and textures in simple yet engaging ways. Take a look!

It's Personal

I like to think that I'm pretty good at keeping in touch with friends who have moved away. After 6 years in this city I have accrued friends all over the globe. If only there was enough money to pay y'all a visit.
Sometimes though, laziness, procrastination and random life events get in the way of staying close with those who are a mere miles away. On what was otherwise a miserable weekend, (where I gained a new appreciation for jello) I got back in touch with an old friend who is an amazing illustrator. Her work has been featured in several magazines like the Times and Mother Jones.
These are my favorites from her website devondoss.net This lady I have known for years and have always been in awe of her talent and imagination. I'm happy to say I have one of her creations forever tattooed on my forearm. And I'm ready for the next one..but before then a dinner date. There's alot of catching up to do.

Know Where You Are

I found this on the Mission Mission blog, a San Francisco Terror Map by David Enos. Apparently from what I can figure out I live in the Creature Cantina...

Cross Processing

Some pictures here from a roll of cross processed diana shots. There will definitely be more in the future because I'm kind of in love with the intense colors and contrasts.

Stop and Go

Taken by Trees

Although Animal Collective has been around for years now, they were one of my favorite new discoveries this year with Merriweather Post Pavillion. I recently came across this cover by swedish artist Taken By Trees. Animal Collective's My Girls switches genders and becomes more relaxed in this version called My Boys. A damn good cover I say.

Appealing Design

When down and out and faced with only $10 or so dollars to buy a bottle of wine...how do you choose?
Well seeing as most in that price range are similar in quality what better way to experiment than based on the design of the label. Paying no heed to whether it's cabernet or pinot or the age or it's origin, you can come across some pleasant surprises.
One of my roommates surprised me one day with this bottle. I honestly can't remember if it was superior wine or not, I remember it not being bad. I went and bought another bottle of the same kind later.
But could you resist such a whimsical yet simple design?

Jumping Ryan Gosling's Bones

Thanks to my friend Betty Danger the other night I found myself at Bimbos in North Beach going to see Dead Man's Bones. I had never heard of them before, but I was in as soon as she told me it was Ryan Gosling's band. So yeah I went initially for the eye candy (which did not disappoint in the least!) and was presently surprised to find talented musicians and a great show.
Their band has a ghostly theme, with a painted set of a graveyard in the background. Perfect for Halloween their show was a spooky theater production of sorts. Another unique aspect of it is that they include a children's local choir from each city they tour in. These kids were dressed in white cloaks and had skull faces painted on them.
It was a fun, whimsical show where there was talent to spare and I must say Ryan Gosling oozes charisma.
There is more info about the band and how their idea came about in this Pitchfork article http://pitchfork.com/news/34432-meet-dead-mans-bones-ryan-gosling-and-zach-shields/ and here is a video to boot!

Dead Man's Bones "Name In Stone" from Cinelicious on Vimeo.

Night Time on the Bridge

So I know there's probably a billion pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge by now, as it's probably one of the most photographed landmarks ever. Enough already! But walking it for the first time at night with ghostly fog surrounding it was definitely quite an experience. These were some of the standout pics.

A Tight Change of Heart

Scandanavian artist El Perro del Mar recently released a new album Love is Not Pop, of which "Change of Heart" is one of the catchiest songs. I found the video for the song, which is kind of amazing. How do these guys do it?! I wonder how long they had to practice to get it all right and in one shot. Take that Beyonce!