Inquisition

A few nights ago, I spent an agreeable early evening at Azucar Lounge, at 9th and Folsom in The City. The Day of the Dead décor makes for a unique ambience, and the drinks and snacks menus are interesting. The bar stools are very uncomfortable --- "leftovers from the Spanish Inquisition," someone said. The rest of the lounge more than makes up for them.

Unicycle

This evening in The Castro, I observed a young man on a unicycle, pedaling confidently along the new wide sidewalks. I was reminded of an afternoon in Toronto, long ago in my taxi-driving days, when I watched from my cab a young fellow on a unicycle, pedaling up a hill while cradling another unicycle in his arms.

1968

A beautifully restored 1968 Chevrolet Malibu is for sale in my neighborhood. Only $25000!!!

Caltrain.

On Caltrain this afternoon, the conductor announced our approach to one station thus: "Belmont! Belmont! Party town! This is Belmont!" And the next station: "Hillsdale! Home of a really big mall! Go shopping! This is Hillsdale!"

Exteriors

A friend reports that ads for credit cards have appeared on the exteriors of local buses. The name of one purported cardholder is 'Alex Martin'. I'm reminded of the moment when, a few years ago, I was getting off a bus downtown. Two women passed in front of me on the sidewalk. One of them said to the other, "And then Alex Martin said..." ...I'll never know.

Handsome is as handsome does.

At Trader Joe's in Stonestown, I needed an extra bag for my groceries. "Extra bags are free for handsome men," said the cashier. "If you say so!" I replied, with a smile. No one has called me "handsome" for many years.

Spin

At a bus stop, I observed an older man, 60ish, spinning wool or cotton with a hand-held drop spindle. The yarn was colored, so I imagine he had dyed the unspun tufts. He had with him a small spinning wheel --- the wheel had probably belonged to a small child's bicycle. He continued his spinning on the bus, completely absorbed in his task.

Moto

A motorcycle dealer has opened two blocks away, in a space formerly occupied by a typewriter shop, which closed in 2013. There are several very new and very shiny motorcycles in the space, but in the front window, beside the door, is a wooden soapbox racer. I don't think it's for sale!

Technology

At a café this afternoon, a barista successfully exterminated flies in flight, with what appeared to be an electrified tennis racquet. Each contact was accompanied by a sharp snapping sound. Technology is definitely making great strides these days!!

Forget

At the Church Street Café this afternoon, a young woman wore a T-shirt which read: Forget everything. Regret nothing.

The A's

This afternoon, I observed a young man wearing a shirt which resembled one for the Oakland Athletics ("the A's" as locals say) which actually read "Atheists."

Hayes & Kebab

I've never been in a restaurant on its last day before. The evening of September 28 at Hayes & Kebab was unique in my experience. A string quartet played, and innumerable customers queued up for falafel wraps and adana kebabs and who-knows-what-else. Wine flowed, hands were shaken, and even the Sheriff, Ross Mirkarimi, appeared, with his wife and kid. Hayes Valley was in his district, when he was a Supervisor. He said that as a Persian, he had common ancestry with the owners of Hayes & Kebab. He remarked that there will be a restaurant in the new space, when the building is completed, but it is not clear that Hayes & Kebab will be the new tenant. I've never been in a restaurant so loved, whose departure was so regretted. I wish the owners and staff all the best, in the uncertain months ahead.

Endarkenment

Endarkenment: a word of the novelist David Mitchell, to describe a dystopian future in his novel 'The Bone Clocks.'

Zen

At The Cove Thursday afternoon, a diner wore a T-shirt which read, "That was Zen. This is Now!"

Bibliohead

Bibliohead Bookstore has been packed up, ready for shipping. Next week, Hayes & Kebab will close. Hayes Valley is disappearing before my eyes. The condo boom and techie money are sweeping all before them. Sic transit.

Walkers

While I was out for my daily walk, I passed a young man whose T-shirt read, "All my friends are walkers!" I learned subsequently that in current slang, "walkers" are "zombies!"

More reality

 I neglected to mention another book, 'Scatter. Adapt, and Remember,' (whose author I forget), which describes the various apocalyptic calamities which can/will obliterate most life on Earth: ice, nuclear war, pandemic, asteroid collision, runaway warming, etc.. The author relates how life forms have survived past near-extinction events, and so proposes how we may survive the extinction to come. A charming little tome.

Reality

Lunch at Red Jade. My fortune reads, "An important discussion involving you will take place today." I chose to interpret the prophecy optimistically. Thus improved in mood, I took myself next door to Aardvark Books, where I bought Roger Penrose's irresistibly titled book, 'The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe.' All 1099 pages of it, for a mere $12, $.0109 per page. Hugo Enomiya-Lassalle's book 'Living in the New Consciousness' weighed in at 153 pages; $5. That works out to a hefty $.0326 per page! My New Consciousness will doubtlessly smooth my way on the Road to Reality, no matter the cost!

Temblor

Sunday morning's earthquake (at 3:20 AM) woke me up with a jolt (!). The building rattled, shook, swayed, cracked and groaned. It lasted 20 seconds or so. There were some injuries and serious damage at the epicenter, near Napa, but none here in the The City. One small item in my apartment tipped over, but otherwise nothing is out of place. So far, so good. Just a reminder that we really do live in earthquake country.

Knitting

On the M line this afternoon, a young man was knitting what appeared to be a scarf. He worked steadily, standing up, keeping his balance on a crowded, moving train.