silence those vuvuzelas!

Or, however one spells that horrid horn noise from the soccer games.
Yesterday was Sunday Streets (car-free) day in the Mission, but at
11:30am all the bars and restaurants were packed and the streets
relatively empty. A few bikers and skaters trying to hit the walkers,
but nothing like last year. Maybe it was the lack of sunshine in SF,
but in any event, it was good to be out and about for a little while.

We did enjoy the l-o-n-g soccer game and the exceptional baseball
game ~ the Giants have been hitting (what?) lately. This week is
All Star time, down at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. We hate the
Angels, but that's a long ago story that should be put to rest by now.

bridges at his best

After watching soccer and baseball yesterday it was pleasant to
enter the world of hard-drinking country music. The soccer
game was interesting because the announcers kept selling us
on how fabulous soccer is, and for sure I'll watch another World
Cup one day. Baseball does not need sales people to gather fans.

Crazy Heart is a compelling film with a simple storyline and
some fabulous acting. Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhall, Colin
Farrell and Robert Duvall are all outstanding. Rent it!

nooks, cracks and crannies

We slept here in the back room for two awful nights. Husbando on
the floor, bless him. This sort of looks like a Mondrian print, doesn't it?

Now where are my black shoes?

Our home has survived a few earthquakes, but there were some
blemishes in almost every room as a result. "Workingman Victorian"
was a cookie cutter design here in the city 80 or so years ago and
we see many homes like ours throughout the city. But man, they
are solidly built. In any event, the painting and fix-up continues
and the painters insist on two coats on the walls and the miles of
detailed trim. It is starting to come together now and we slept in
our own bed last night, what a relief.

We should be able to say "thanks and goodbye" to the painters
on Monday. They are working today. I'll wait until it's a done
deal before you see the finished product. Now to watch soccer,
of all things. Go USA!

day #4 and more!

This is the garage, so don't worry. The dining room is finished and
"we" are moving into the living room today. Lots of plaster work
going on in the hallway. Dust all over. No fun. Another week or so,
we think. They start at 8:15am and leave around 6pm. Hard workers.

And this is a first. We watched 5 minutes of the USA and Slovenia
World Cup thing this morning. A tie. Colorful costumes in the stands.

it's World Cup time!

I saw a very funny video on Keith Olberman's show and if I had the
time I'd track it down for you. About 6 penguins in soccer shirts
(two colors, authentic) just standing around staring at the ball.
Once in awhile one would sort of push the ball about 2 inches,
but mostly they didn't move at all. It looked like the real thing
to me. So there, enjoy the World Cup and keep talking about
how SOME day this boring sport will be big in the USA.