Just Art Explosion Open Studios . . .

The perfect rainy day activity presented itself on Saturday with the 12th annual Art Explosion Spring Open Studios show.

Over 120 local San Francisco artists at two locations.  Painters, sculptors, jewelers, fabric artists, mixed media, photography, drawings and more presented in the artists own studios.

Admission to the event was free and refreshments were provided.

Below is just a sampling of the pieces on display.

Tuan Tran

Artist Not Present - If you are the Artist please let me know so that I can give you credit

Artist Not Present - If you are the Artist please let me know so that I can give you credit

Lucky Rapp

Artist Not Present - If you are the Artist please let me know so that I can give you credit

June Li

Indian Summer . . .

There are only about 30 days in the whole year that you can comfortably wear just a t-shirt and shorts in San Francisco.

I LOVE Indian Summer in the City!

The Song Of The Day - Indian Summer by Mandy Moore

Let The Rain Come Down Down . . .

Ugggghhh!  The rain is back!   So over it!

The Song Of The Day - 17 Days by Prince

Walking In Snow . . .

On Tuesday Just Dad left a message on my cell phone alerting me that all the TV weather people in LA were in a flurry because they claimed it was going to snow in San Francisco.

As I stood on the Muni platform waiting for the train that night listening to this message I looked at the clear sky and thought to myself, "It's not even that cold in The City right now."

Before calling Just Dad back I launched the Weather App on my phone.   Just as I suspected, sunny and 55 on Wednesday with a chance of rain by Friday.

I called Dad back and said I didn't think snow was in the near future for San Fran.

The next morning, as if we Nor Cal peeps had finally heard the news of the impending snow storm, there were discussions on the radio, the Internet, and television about the situation.

I was still skeptical.  But just in case I broke out the full length Jos. A Bank Wool Coat.

"It's not cold enough," I kept saying to myself.

By the time I got to work I felt like a total putz.  The wool coat was way too heavy for the actual weather of the day.  It was so out of place that several co-workers even questioned my outfit decision.

"Dad called and told me it was going to snow," was my answer to all my co-workers.

Thursday morning I got up and looked out the window.  NO SNOW!

Then I picked up the iPhone and launched the Weather App again.  (The truth of the matter is, the Apple Weather App is pretty darn accurate for this City of micro-climates.)

What the what?

This shiz is fo real ya' all!  

The Weather App showed snow flurries on Saturday!

Batten down the hatches and stock up on the kerosene by Saturday we're going sledding down California Street!

Two hours later the Weather App was no longer showing snow flurries.

Major let down!

This is San Francisco however, so by tomorrow it might say snow again.   Cross your fingers!

The Song Of The Day - Walking In Snow by Jordin Sparks

A Day Without Rain . . .

After a week of grey clouds and rain, this morning God gave The City crystal clear blue sky with whipped white clouds and crisp air to awaken the winter melancholy.

A welcome change!

The Song Of The Day - A Day Without Rain by Enya

All That Power . . .

Storm Watch 2011 continued on Thursday in The Bay Area and this storm was ready to show its full strength.  "Super Storm" had one message to send, "Don't mess with Mother Nature.

The above photo shows the view of The Bay from my office on a normal morning.  Please take note of Pier 28 in the center of the photo.  On the pinnacle of the arch of Pier 28 there is a flag pole with the American Flag waving in all its glory.

Today, "Super Storm" decided to take on Pier 28's pole and American Flag.

I'll give you a wild guess who won this battle . . .

One point for Mother Nature!

Zero points for Pier 28.

The Song Of The Day - Power by Kanye West

Here Comes The Rain Again . . .

This morning on the way to work the rain took a turn for the crazy when out of no where it started mad hailing!

Even the lady next to me on the train stopped her phone conversation to say, "This never happens here!"

Within five minutes the hail that sent pedestrians running for cover was over.  In the downpour's aftermath lay piles of white ice that looked like snow.

In honor of Hail Storm 2011 here is one of my favorite moments from Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour 2008 - Rain/Here Comes The Rain Again mash up.

The Song Of The Day - Rain/Here Comes The Rain Again by Madonna and The Eurythmics

What Are You Looking At . . .

When the Walgreens cashier asked if I wanted a bag for my purchase I was hoping for something a little more discrete than the giant clear plastic garbage bag that she proceeded to put my item into.

After a long day at work I was not really looking forward to navigating the center aisle of a crowded bus with my giant trash bag of toilet paper.

It was amazing the stares I got from people as I walked down the street with my clear Santa Claus sack filled with Quilted Northern.

Then, once I got on the bus it was like people didn't want to stand close to the guy with the twelve pack of TP.

OK, maybe the stares were not because of the twelve double rolls of toilet paper in my clear garbage bag.

Maybe, just maybe, people were staring at my pants that I had rolled up to be "man" Capris.

It was 86 degrees in San Francisco today.  I stand proud in my rolled up pants and TOMS shoes.

Oh, and if you need to borrow any toilet paper, I have a few rolls!

The Song Of The Day - Vogue By Madonna

Hot Stuff . . .

Hot days are such a rarity in The Bay Area I thought I would show you what happens when the sky is clear and the temperature reaches above 80 degrees.

The above photo is Mission Dolores Park.  The park overlooks the City and has terraced levels cut into the hillside.

On warm days Mission Dolores Park is also known as "Beach Front Property" or "The Man Shelf."

The terraces make the perfect spot to throw down a blanket and work on a natural tan.

The Song Of The Day - Hot Stuff by Donna Summer

Hot In Herre . . .

Way to go San Francisco! You went three whole days with temperatures above 75 degrees and no fog.

On day two of the mini heat wave you broke 82 degrees and everyone cheered!

"Yeah for summer!" was the common message on Twitter and Facebook.

When nightfall came it became clear that getting a good nights sleep was going to be virtually impossible since most of the City's housing does not have air conditioning.

Day three of the "heat wave" broke 90 degrees. Twitter and Facebook were now filled with tweets about make shift air conditioning ( a bowl of ice in front of a fan) and wishes for the fog to come back.

I had to dig my Mystic oscillating fan out of the back of the closet. Old "Mysti" became my new best friend.

One couple from a nearby apartment complex opted to take their air mattress up to the roof of their building in an attempt to get some sleep under the night sky.

Here we San Franciscans had been begging and praying for Summer to come, and three days into it we were complaining! How did I ever manage to live for 19 years in the San Fernando Valley?

Have no fear Loyal Readers! By day four of the mini heat wave, the afternoon sun gave way to grey fog rolling in off the Pacific Ocean. By 7 PM I needed a sweater. By 8 PM I had to close the window.

Summer San Francisco style had returned!

The Song Of The Day - Hot In Herre by Tiga

Got Me Burnin' Got Me Burnin' . . .

For all the times I have complained about how cold this summer has been in San Francisco -

For all the times I asked Mr. Sunshine to return to the sky -

Today he listened and actually showed up!

Can I get an AMEN for 80 degrees in San Francisco!

After your busy day of toasting our pale skin and instantly making us forget about grey skies and melancholy blues; it was time to for you to set just beyond the Golden Gate.

I am looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow!

The Song Of The Day - Burnin' by Rahsaan Patterson

Cold Cold Cold . . .

What's wrong with this picture?

How about the fact that it was taken on July 21.

For a Southern California boy July 21 means shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops.

Last night's evening news reported July as one of the coldest in history. San Franciscans have had to break out the Winter Wool Coats, Beanies, Scarves and "Black" Apex North Face Jackets. (That last item is a required wardrobe staple for the young business professionals in the City.)

I hope this can only mean that San Francisco's "October" Summer is going to be better than ever.

And Mr. Sunshine, if you are reading this, I welcome your return asap!

The Song Of The Day - Cold by Annie Lennox

Croc 'n Rockin . . .

Alright loyal readers, I have heard the message loud and clear! 

 "Why aren't there any new blogs?" 

 "It's been 15 days since your last post!"  

"Is everything OK?"

"Every time I open up your blog its still Madonna!"

Ummm...of course it's still Madonna.  Come on now, those pictures were pretty amazing.  They deserved to be up there for 15 days, right?

All kidding aside, I was pretty tired and needed a break.  A lot has happened in the last 15 days. 

We elected a new president.  

Wildfires are back.   

And...drum roll please...

My "Our Lady Of The Valley" group on Facebook is up to 18 members!  

But I digress.  

What's wrong with the above picture?

Yes, not only do I own Crocs, but I wear them in public.  And if you live in the Marina District of San Francisco that is fashion faux pas numero uno!

The second issue with this picture is that it is mid November and it has been in the high 70s for several days straight and will continue to be that high for the rest of the week.  

So yes that's right, I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt without a jacket!  I swear the weather isn't this nice in the summertime here.  

On Sunday I threw on my Crocs and headed down to the laundry mat which was where I quickly remembered that Crocs are a no no in the Marina.  Every person that walked into that laundry mat did a double take when they saw my Crocs.  I will admit that I have been intimidated by the "Marina Croc Haters" in the past.  So much so that I rarely wear them.  But last night I stood proud as I "Gap" folded my laundry while wearing my Crocs!  They may be ugly but they sure are comfortable.

The Song Of The Day - Crocodile Rock by Elton John

I Have Already Tasted My Piece Of One Sweet Love. . .

It's Sunday!  And what are Sunday's great for?  Brunch!

Today my friend Shagun and I decided to try Mama's in North Beach.  I was excited to go to Mama's because I had passed by this restaurant once before and seen a line of people waiting to get in.  I equate lines to mean that this place must be good!

Shagun and I decided to meet at noon.  I arrived at 11:30 and immediately joined all the other people in line waiting for breakfast.  (Please see the people lined up along the side of the building in the picture above.)

Shagun arrived on schedule at noon and joined me in line.  We waited for two hours!

As we got closer to the entrance we were able to see the menu and start thinking about what we wanted to order.  We decided that we would get two of the specials and split it.  We chose the Dungeness Crab Omelet with Avocado, Sour Cream and Green Onions and Mama's French Toast Sampler Plate with Cranberry Orange Walnut, Banana Nut, and Swedish Cinnamon Topped with Bananas and Assorted Fresh Berries and a slice of Banana Bread for starters.

I know this is going to come as a big shock, but I am actually the one who picked the Dungeness Crab Omelet.  As soon as the plate arrived I realized I don't think I have ever had "Real" crab meat before.  This omelet was filled with large chunks of decadent rich buttery flavored crab meat.  The omelet was almost too rich when combined with the sour cream and avocado.  To help tone the richness down the omelet came with a side of potatoes and toasted sourdough baguette.

The French Toast Sampler was also very good.  I enjoyed the Cranberry Orange Walnut slice the best.

I also have to say the toasted slice of banana bread that we started out with was delicious.  The meal was definitely worth the two hour wait.

After brunch you could have rolled me to the bus stop!  But instead of heading directly home we walked across the street to Washington Square Park where the North Beach Jazz Festival was taking place.  We shopped at a couple of booths and then realized that the fog had aggressively rolled in while we were at brunch and it was now really cold and neither of us had the appropriate layers on to hang out in the park.  So we both went to our respective bus stops and called it a day!

The Song Of The Day - One Sweet Love by Sara Bareilles