Rocketship From BRC & Urban Biking the Street of San Francisco

Here's to the most amazing explosion / take-off I've witness, ever! 2009 Burning Man, not sure what day or what time, but this Raygun Gothic Rocketship blew my mind, then it blew the f*&k up!!! Best on-screen / off-screen explosion ever! Can I just say that again! Reiteration. Better than any Arnold Schwarzenegger movie fx. I had spent about 3 months riding around Switzerland, Spain, France & Italy when I made it back to the US three days before I left for Burning Man '09. How fun to ride around the EU then hit BRC on my bike...cocktail in hand, dirty break beats in the background, and space-ships!

On April 4, 2011 I took my bike out for a short ride around the City. Left my flat on Telegraph Hill, down to the EMB, heading toward Centro on Ritch street. My fav little coffee kiosk with outside seating on a loading dock or, some would call it the entrance to my old office @ Healthline.com. I never really stopped at the 'rocket' location in the past because prior to this retro spaceship, there was a very spooky spider called 'Crouching Spider' made by Louise Bourgeois. Spooky!

From Urban Hiking and Making iPhotos By Louisa Pickering

But today I did take a moment to 'smell the roses' or, in this case, smell the rocket fuel. Makes me happy every time I pass it, so today I stopped to check it out & take some photos.

To quote their website: "The Raygun Gothic Rocketship is a rococo retro-futurist future-rustic vernacular between yesterday’s tomorrow and the future that never was, a critical kitsch somewhere between The Moons of Mongo & Manga Nouveau."

If you want to see some really great photos, check out the the Raygun Gothic Rocket site: Photos of the Burningman 2009 site installation by NK Guy. Very cool progression from start to finish and the people involved in the project. Great site and fun edumacational stuff to read.

From Urban Hiking and Making iPhotos By Louisa Pickering

Specifications, Transportation & Installation Requirements
Specifications:
The rocketship stands 40′ tall.
Gross weight (excluding rocket fuel): 13,500 lbs
Heaviest single component: 4,000 lbs
Maximum width (installed): 15′
Transportation:
The ship travels packed neatly on a single, full size (55′) flat-bed trailer with no special permitting required.
Equipment:
The ship was designed for assembly with minimal heavy equipment. Actual heavy equipment needs may vary depending on the type of installation.
VR forklift
Crane with a 40′, 5 ton capacity
Boom Lift / Scissor Lift
Back-hoe / Trencher (depending on above or below-ground anchoring)
Anchor driver (depending on above or below-ground anchoring)
Anchoring:
Outside, soft ground: 3 x 15,000 lb earth anchors, or 6 x 7,000 lb anchors
Outside, concrete or asphalt (location dependent, please inquire for details)
Interior: Location dependent, please inquire for details
Power:
The ship is designed to connect to any shipyard or space station power grid with ease.
Basic requirements include 2 x 30 AMP 110v circuits.

Then I road back to Crissy Field and took more photos - what are these weeds called? I just call them 'make a wish' weeds. Blow and wish - we'll see if it comes true!

From Urban Hiking and Making iPhotos

Next stop was windy Ocean Beach. Nothing but Kiteboarding and seagulls and lots of wind

From Urban Hiking and Making iPhotos

Finally, on my way back to the flat, a cute bike cafe in Western Addition or NOPA? Anyone know the name of this place?

Living life as if I was on fire!
LouLou

What is Valentine's Day?

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after an early Christian martyr, Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 (really? 1969?) by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards known as "valentines".



While walking down Polk Street in San Francisco I came across this sign that I thought might be the perfect sentiment for some couples that don't really know where they are in their relationship. 'I Love You a Little'!

In Egypt, since it is such a hot topic in 2011 with Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians celebrate Valentine's Day on February 14, and the indigenous Eid el-Hob el-Masri (Egyptian Love Day) on November 4.

Reminds me of a song from a long, long time ago, but a def must have in your 80ies repertoire. Here is a link to the song: Egypt, Egypt by Egyptian Lover or the video on YouTube - Egyptian Lover



Personally, I don't think men (in general) really care about Valentine's Day. The above picture illustrates how differently men and women perceive the holiday i.e. gifts that are expected (flowers) compared to physical affection (BJ) and the pressure to make this one day a romantic anomaly. Lots of pressure and lots of fighting.

Need some help with what to buy this year? Why don't you purchase a bottle of wine and make some yummy chocolate treats at home! DIY style! Pomegranate TCHO Dark Chocolate Clusters

I wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. As for me, I just want some fresh powder in Tahoe!
Love you, just a little, mean it!
LouLou

I love Swiss trash day- Rossignol Bandit skis & other stuff

Here in Switzerland for the Lauberhorn Ski Race in Wengen, Jan 2011
While walking around Switzerland you find the most random stuff left behind by people... like the above almost new skis!



Not street art, but I thought this was funny... kidnap someone or ride your bike in the red lane...

From Switzerland 2010 - Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen & Horner Pub

You can't visit this area and not notice the Alpine cows! Rock those bells!

From Switzerland 2010 - Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen & Horner Pub

It's a frigging Swiss Gnome Band rocking the front yard in the Lauterbrunner valley

From Wengen, Switzerland World Cup Down Hill Ski Race

Get Retarded! No explanation required

From Wengen, Switzerland World Cup Down Hill Ski Race

Take your skis on the train to the top of the Swiss alps and ski down! Yahooo!

Brunch in Darlinghurst @ Bill's 2010

Urban hiking means nothing to me without enjoying food or drink along the way.  I walked from Surry Hills to Darlinghurst. Mostly zig zagging my way around Liverpool Street... followed that road for awhile until I ran in to Bill's - I've been waiting years to return to Sydney to have brunch at Bills. When my cuz Justine came to San Francisco in 2002, she gave me a host gift; Sydney Food by: Bill Granger. Still one of my favorite cook books.


This is a true urban garden - drought proof plants and concrete instead of grass. At least the concrete is grass colored. Is this part of the Water Plan to 'drought-proof' Sydney until 2025? I don't know, but looks low maintenance to me.


I like to make things up or pretend I know what I'm talking about... so, I'm going to call this type of architecture Bauhaus - a German expression for house for building.  (Not to be confused with the 1970 band Bauhaus)  Anyway, this type of building is functional, rational and industrial. If you look closely at the picture above, you'll see the orange building in the background - Still walking along Liverpool Street in Sydney.


Life happens even on a brick wall - Liverpool Street Sydney


Bills Restaurant

Deus on a Rainy Day - Camperdown Sydney

Motorcyles for the postmodern world -- Deus 

98-104 Parramatta Rd Camperdown Sydney NSW 2050
One of my favorite stops while shopping around on a rainy day in Sydney was at Deus -- located in a renovated warehouse in Camperdown, Sydney.   My cousin and I stopped in for a break from the rain, to check out the cafe and look at some very cool vintage bikes...Started in the cafe 

From photos

A Robert Moore installation of painted race numbers hangs over communal tables. It really worked well with all the bikes parked just outside the cafe. Read more about Deus Cafe in Camperdown, Australia. 

From photos

Boston Baked Beans have never looked so good. The food there was amazing but a bit $$. Then again, everything in Australia is $$

Australia 2010

After breakfast we ran in to one of my favorites Reg Mombassa & I got him to sign, color and draw on my book. Random running into him as I was just telling my cuz that I loved all the Mombo Surf Graphics.

From Australia 2010

Farallon Islands Sailing Trip

At 7AM in the morning, we sailed 28 miles off the coast of San Francisco to the Farallon Islands carrying two staff members of the Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO), Keith (owner of the boat), two of his friends and me.

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Louisa's Photos

My friend Keith (above in red) volunteers his time, boat J-130, and all the gas to transport supplies and PRBO staff to the Farallon Islands. This is us sailing out of the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Golden Gate Bridge with sunrising in the east.

From Louisa's Photos of Farallon Islands - 2010

Once at the island, we had to off-load all the supplies to a dinghy.

Louisa's From Farallon Islands - 2010

The only way on and off the Farallon Island is by crane. The crane on the right of this picture lifts the dingy with passengers and supplies out of the water and on to the island. It was really cool to experience and kind of scary too.
If you'd like to see video of the dingy and the crane going in and out of the ocean, Click on these two links to see my YouTube videos:
-- Dingy at Farallon Island (45 seconds)
-- People in the dingy and in the air at Farallon Islands (1 minute)

From Farallon Islands - 2010

As you may or may not know, the Farallon Islands are closed to the public. This walking tour we are on is a once in a life time opportunity to see the island first hand!  Currently the islands are managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and PRBO Conservation Science.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Walking from the crane to the PRBO quarters - do not step off the wooden path, there are birds nest everywhere.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Very rustic quaters for the staff, but at least they have a gas stove.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Walking along the wooden path on our tour, here is a picture of the outside of the staff quarters. They are weathered from the conditions and need a little TLC.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Group photo of our Team. I'm in the white top and yellow pants

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Hiking up to the lighthouse - stopping to take a look at some of the birds and make some photos.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

It's a long way down - this is where we got to see a Gray Whale and California Seals.

Louisa's photos Farallon Islands - 2010

View of the staff quarters from the Lighthouse

From Farallon Islands - 2010

We got to see a playful bunch of seals splashing around in the ocean. I could imagine the soundtrack for the movie Jaws in the background and was just waiting for a great white shark to jump out at any moment.


Video of our guide talking about seals (somewhat hard to hear audio)

From Louisa's Farallon Islands photos - 2010

More photos from the Farallon Islands - our private walking tour.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

The only Great White Shark we got to see was a toy one at the quarters.

Truly a magical day. We did see some gray whales, endangered birds, seals, massive jellies in the water. The elephant seals attract a large population of Great White Sharks to the islands. In 1970 Farallon biologists witnessed their first shark attack, on a Steller’s sea lion. During the next fifteen years, more than one hundred attacks on seals and sea lions were observed at close range. By the year 2000, biologists were logging almost eighty attacks in a single season. CHOMP!


Video of our guide talking about the Brown House Mouse problem on the island and some solutions to fix the overpopulation of mice - Yuck. The mice attract hungry migratory burrowing owls. I guess this is not a good thing?! They (mice) eat a rare gray seabird called the Ashy Storm-petrel. Other animals effected by the mice are the Farallon arboreal salamander and cave cricket, only found on the Farallone Islands.

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Sailing back, we took PRBO crew members back to stateside

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Containers with unwanted trash

From Farallon Islands - 2010

I got to sail! Was really beautiful out in the Pacific Ocean

From Farallon Islands - 2010

Was a long day, but nothing like seeing the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise (this was taking in the AM)

Take You Down To Chinatown

While walking through San Francisco's Chinatown, I stumbled upon this store front window display; mocking the roasting ducks hanging in the windows along Stockton Street. I've never purchased a roasting, hanging duck... looks horrible. However, these 'New. Peking ducks gone wild', located at the storefront on 630 Kearny Street, look a little more appetizing than the ones on Stockton.  The artist, Niana Liu, recommends voting for her ducks for each SF Duckstrist. I'm sure they would do just as well as any other candidate running for supervisor. 

Broadway in North Beach, SF

On a side note, San Francisco is the 12th most populous city in the United States. Asian Americans are the fastest growing of all the major ethnic groups in the US.  Honolulu comes in first place with 64.9% and San Francisco in second with 18.8% of total population.