TOTEM Tastic!! @ AT&T Park

Cirque Du Soleil's Totem has amazed me once again with a brilliant show at AT&T Park in beautiful San Francisco. For the second time I was privileged to sit in the front row for the performance. I guess it's just my luck because it was planned on both occurrences. My favorite thing about sitting so close is that you get a really close look at the costumes which are hand crafted and just incredible. The performers have unbelievable talents and out on one of the greatest acts in the world. If you haven't seen a Cirque Du Soleil show you must go!

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Another phat weekend at the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival compliments of Warren Hellman. Each year the free event is held in the Speedway Meadows in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Same weekend and location featuring new bands each year. So mark your calendars for the first weekend of October for the next 50 years. Check out the website www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com

RIP Lil' AJ a.k.a Kitty Bear !!!

The last days of Lil' AJ Wierda and otherwise know as "Kitty Bears" were shared recently on July 10, 2001. Kitty Bears was a good friend and an amazing cat that had a loud and charming personality. Roughly 15-16 years old and a small cat, a runt about 7 lbs. Full Bengal breed and very wild like in nature. We'll miss you!

HORSETAIL FALLS, DESOLATION WILDERNESS, LAKE TAHOE, CA

This place is a sweet hike 10 miles south of Lake Tahoe, CA on HWY50. Look for the Twin Peaks day parking area. Destination Wilderness belongs to Eldorado National Forrest. About 65,000 acres of subalpine and alpine forest, granitic peaks, and glacially-formed valleys and lakes. Its a great hike, especially when the snow melts.

Golden Gate Golf Course

Save the Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles have been on this planet for over 150 million years and now many of the 7 types of sea turtles are endangered and face extinction. Recently I went on a turtle night walk conducted by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society in Central Florida. I witnessed a 4 ft Loggerhead Turtle give birth to over 100 eggs on the beach. It was amazing and one of the most "natural" things I have ever seen. Sea Turtles breed and nest from May to July and tens of thousands turtles lay eggs every night on the beach during these months. Please read up before you go searching on the beaches as turtles are very sensitive to light and are protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Fines could lead to a felony charge. If in Florida check out this out: http://www.seaturtlespacecoast.org/

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu

Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. ~Mark Twain

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes "sight-seeing." ~Daniel J. Boorstin

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

Oyster Fest @ San Francisco

The 12th Annual Oyster Fest at The Great Meadow at Fort Mason was amazing as expected. It is truly one of the best grass parks on this side of town. With ocean and Golden Gate Bridge views and just a minutes walk from behind the stage. Drakes Bay supplied the ice cold oysters. The headlining band Rodrigo Y Gabriella performance was outstanding. The all acoustic guitar pair jammed and Ill definitely check out this band again.

http://www.oreillysoysterfestival.com/

San Francisco Bay - Go Giants!!

Amazing View!!! the giants stadium lights up the city like a movie premier. The financial districts city scape in topped with ocean views and foothill mountains. Always an amazing view in San Francisco! its the best!

Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve

Just one and a half hours north of San Francisco are some of the largest Coastal Redwood Tree's in the state of California. Just north of Sonoma. The land and Redwoods which were once doomed for logging was saved by the tycoon logger himself named Colonel Armstrong. I guess he had a change of heart after he cut down hundreds of thousands of thousand year old tree's. This tree stands 309 feet tall and almost seventeen feet in diameter.

Real Friends Beat Facebook Friends

I thought this advertisement to gamble was hilarious. facebook? what to think of this new age social media garbage. It scores a 50/50 in my book. I love it when I need it but cant stand to hear all the fuss about it. Its taking over the world as we know it! its hard to believe all the cash generated from advertising dollars to make them a multi-billion dollar company. But when the entire world supports your product and services I guess thats how much money you make.

First Friday Art Murmur - Downtown Oakland

Come check out the hip art galleries on the first friday every month in downtown oakland. its quite the scene. some odd 25 galleries are packed with hipsters, hippies, drinkers and always burners. the art was good. the bars were good. the people were interesting. im going to go back next month and maybe buy a piece for the hallway.

Interpol @ Warfield San Francisco, CA

1/31/11 Not a bad way to spend a Monday night. The performance was stellar and it was a kick-ass show. I have to say that the Warfield looked worn out. The seats were tight and uncomfortable, tainted paint and a poorly positioned bar on the second floor. That ust to be my favorite venue. The FOX Theater in Oakland with its new make-over has taken the #1 venue spot in the bay.

Set list: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/interpol/2011/the-warfield-san-francisco-ca-6bd2ca4a.html

Winter in the City

Famous quote "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco" has been attributed to Mark Twain, but until the attribution can be verified, it should not be regarded as authentic. I like either ways! The city can be cold, windy, sunny and foggy, sometimes all in the same day. It doesn't really matter if its winter, fall or summer because a nice sunny day can appear out of nowhere anytime of the year. Cheers to a beautiful city and fantastic weather.

San Francisco To San Diego

Road Trip!!! San Diego is the seventh largest city in the US with over 2.5 people. It also has over 70 miles of coast beach. Looks like a straight shot down highway 5. Google says 8 hours and 400 miles.

My Bike, My Grass, My Bridge

There is nothing more refreshing than riding through San Francisco's water front. Through North Beach, Aquatic Park, the Yacht Harbor to Crissy Fields. It is here I sit, breath and stretch in front of Planet Granite and the new Trampoline building. The grass is thick and cool, and ideal for a nap. If you need a snack check out the cafe and book store by the pier.

Legends of the Guardians

Two thumbs up on this good vs. evil battle of owls over who controlled; rather was the superior owl kingdom. Its packed with love, laughter, blood and death. I recommend viewing this animation film in 3D IMAX....amazing. See you at the show:)

DECOMPRESSION 10-10-10

Owe YEAH!. The entire burning man experience is such a spectacular community of peace, soul and good spirits. The burner people always put on a good show and the visual talents are endless. If your looking to let loose and get a little wild.....then get ready for next years events.

http://www.burningman.com/blackrockcity_yearround/special_events/decompression/decom2010.html

Upper Haight House!

Up off of Haight Ashbury street looking towards south city Bay View area. There is an awesome park overlooking Haight Street called Buena Vista Park.

SF ZOO

I have wanted to go to the Zoo forever and finally went. Its fantastic! They have over 250 species of wildlife. Its not a glamorous zoo like the San Diego Zoo, but it has enough wildlife to keep all visitors going. The first Wednesday of every month is FREE, but don't forget to leave a donation:)

I enjoyed the Grizzle Bears from Montana, the monkeys and baby gorilla, cat that looked just like AJ, and the Black Rhinoceros that was walking in circles for hours. The male lions were sweet. One of the lions was indoors at the lions exhibit building and you could totally hear him roaring and snarling. it was amazing.

A little background one the baby gorilla. The birth mother rejected the baby and would not tend to it so the baby is now being raised by one of the other mature females in the group. Just recently, the birth mother has started to make contact and play with the baby.

SF ZOO link:

http://www.sfzoo.org/openrosters/view_homepage.asp?orgkey=1859