Halloween on BART

Today was Halloween! I love this holiday for this very reason: I can wear a costume! When I was 18, I stopped trick-or-treating (okay, just "treating"), but never stopped coming up with new costumes to wear. Last year, I was a Tavern Wench. The year before, I was a Klingon princess, and the year before that, I was a Librarian (No, not a naughty librarian, as so many men ask with a hopeful lilt to their voice). This year, I dressed in Japanese street fashion -inspired by the photography book "FRUiTS." Holly took me through the office showing everyone and telling them about my costume...embarrassing, but fun -and flattering. Thanks, Holly!

It's funny how people on BART were staring at me today...or avoiding my gaze. Maybe it was the pink streak in my hair. Perhaps the glittery pink leg warmers? Or was it the nose ring? Naw...that can't be it.

After work, I had nothing definite planned, so I decided to ride to the end of the line...to Daly City. I talked to this witch named Jeanne (she was dressed as a witch, but was very nice), and found out she worked for Kaiser Permanente, as well...just at a different location. She educated me a little about the area because she got off at Daly City. I liked the spooky aura of that city. It was crisp and wet and cold. She showed me off that if the fog wasn't in the way, we could see all the way out into the ocean! Now, that's a definite lure for me.


I walked along Powell to see if I could find some weirdos before having to take off for home. Well, there really weren't too many, dang it, but I did see a group of young men who did a great impression of street thugs. One caught me taking the pic...but I sped past them since I walked much faster than them being that I didn't have the waist of my jeans belted around my knees. (snicker). I just got a great visual of all four trying to run after me and what a decidedly nonthreatening and goofy sight that would be.

Next to these guys was a pirate and I was wondering at how lucky that guy was that these guys didn't jump him just for looking so...well...pretty? He was wearing the puffy shirt and I think he wanted to look like (Captain) Jack Sparrow. I wonder if his girlfriend talked him into wearing that getup. But seriously, he didn't look half-bad...and he kept eyeing me like I was some tavern wench (I was that last year, buddy!) - And all that kept running through my head was "Arrr, matey!"

Through the mall I went because I wanted some gourmet hot chocolate and a piece of dark Irish Cream flavored chocolate. I thoroughly enjoyed my hot chocolate but saved my chocolate for my ride home. As I walked by Juicy Couture, I stopped dead in my tracks and laughed out loud. The mannequin in the window display had a wedgie. I'm sure the designer for the display thought it was a good idea at the time...or perhaps they didn't have a mannequin with a butt small enough to sport these underthings in the way they were meant to be worn...It looked ridiculous. They also had the mannequin wearing a fluffy green scarf. Now, does that make sense? A scarf, a gauzy blouse, tight underwear and socks. Seeeeeexy. I love fashion but I love to laugh even more. And dang that was funny! (By the way, I didn't want to seem like a pervert, so I was very sneaky about getting a photo of this view of the model).

On my way back to Powell Street station, I had hoped to see some interesting things...I kinda did...And I also had something wonderful happen -one could call it a Halloween miracle. I walked by some guy sitting on Powell Street and he asked me if I wanted to buy some flowers for $1. I expressed my regret that I had no change. I started to walk away and he motioned me back, then said, "How about I give you some flowers just for talking to me." I was delighted but hesitant..."Are you sure?" I said. He said, "Yeah." Then he smiled. I introduced myself to "Michael" and told him "Thank you!" several times...I was unreasonably proud of my Halloween flowers. I took a lot of pics. Normally, I don't like to get flowers because they die and that makes me sad. I'd rather get a potted plant that I can kill myself. (Just kidding...I'm not too bad with plants).

Me with my beloved Halloween flowers. :)

A close-up of my beloved Halloween flowers.
I think they are tiger lilies, but not sure...and don't care!

While riding BART on Halloween, I saw several interesting people around me:

Jolly guy and I had no idea what he was but he was dressed up as something. He and his daughter were getting a kick out of me taking pictures of myself with my flowers. Then he fell asleep.







On my way to Powell Street, these teenage girls were sitting near me. You can't see it well, but the girl with the white cap on was actually a little Asian girl with a panda-type costume. She had black makeup circles around her eyes and there were little black ears on her white cap. It was really cute. Wish I had gotten a better picture.







The cutest thing I saw on the entire trip, however took the form of a little green dinosaur. This kid was a ball of energy but absolutely adorable because he kept giggling and laughing while his dad played with him. I didn't want to get a super clear pic because I realize that it's not always good to take a pic of a stranger's kid and post it.

Haiku Tuesday

I see them
They see
Right through me.

He sees me
I see him
Beautiful.

I see them
I see them
We exist.

Palace Hotel Haunt

The day before Halloween, Beth, Chris and I went to the Palace Hotel for a "Ghost Tour." It was Beth's discovery and it was free! Before the tour began, the tour guides handed out disclaimer fliers. It was kind of funny because it had a list of disorders on it that might be affected...There was a huge group so they split us into three groups. Essentially, we walked from large room to large room and a different hotel staff member would tell us real "ghostly" encounters of visitors or workers in the hotel. There were a couple of stories of some rather randy female ghosts...I had a hard time not laughing at the story of the Lady in Red...The lady read to us about the Lady in Red by candlelight and had a display (or shrine...??). Our narrator looked like one of the earth mother librarians at our town library back home in Oregon...that, or "Crazy Cat Lady." But she was nice and seemed rather chipper after telling us about the poor men that were "touched inappropriately" by this ghost. Our next storyteller had all the lights out and had just a flashlight illuminating his face. He was hysterical! He read about certain appliances turning on -all by themselves. He emphasized the "all by itself" parts in an exaggerated spooky voice. Beth and I were giggling through the entire thing. We were pretty sure that it was meant to be funny, although there were a couple annoyed glances as we left the room. Sorry -did we ruin the funny scary story for you? I took a couple of pics -and then Beth captured me taking a pic with her camera phone. :)


There was a chair labeled so no one could sit in it but the ghost...It was labeled, "Seat occupied."


After our "ghost tour," we decided to go for gelato in the cafeteria of Woodfield (?) Mall. I have a new favorite ice cream: Rum Raisin. I know Beth got a conglomeration of cookies and cream and chocolate, but Chris...he chose vanilla bean. I mocked him -but only a little. It was actually rather good! It's been a while since I tried just plain old quality vanilla ice cream. I like the more exotic flavors -and I love trying new ones, too.

On my way home from the BART station, I passed by this car in front of Walgreen's. For some reason, I think it's so cute when a dog sits in the driver's seat. It's like they are trying to pretend they are driving -before their master comes back and relegates them to the passenger side or the, heaven forbid, the back seat! So cute! This bulldog just kept watching me watch him. It was also kinda cute that there was a "handicapped" sign up in the car right next to his head. As far as I could tell, it's a handicap to be a dog when wanting to go joy-riding, which is what I imagined this dog wanting to do. Me and my imagination! The guy that owned the dog came out as I was trying to get a good pic of his dog. He was flattered, as far as I could tell. I mean, who wouldn't be? A person wants to take a picture of their pooch because it's cute? Now, that's cool.

The Weight of Glory

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a.....There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, culture nightmare s, arts, civilisations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whome we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.”

C. S. Lewis
The Weight of Glory


Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!

William Wordsworth
Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood

He gave up his seat...

I have to put this up as a tribute to the young man who gave up his seat for me. He didn't have to, by any means, but he did. It was late at night, I was exhausted and my asthma was acting up. I'm sure he had no idea how much I appreciated his small act of kindness -especially when every so often, I witness and experience disrespect from the opposite gender. So a late-night stranger gave his seat up for me. Thank you.

A Snapshot Candid

This was taken when I was waiting to take the BART home from work. This guy walks over to the wall and just plops his leg right up and starts stretching...streeeeeetching...He briefly looked around -To see if anyone was admiring his flexibility? I don't know...but he proceeded to stretch the other leg in the same way. Man, he was flexible! The two girls you see in the photo went up to him and struck up conversation while he was streeeeeetching. I didn't get a pic (dang it!), but these "groupies" decided to have a go at it and started stretching their legs along with him. It warmed my heart to see perfect strangers bond over fitness.

As I was coming out of the mall into the BART station, I saw these little guys strutting around like they owned the station. My mouth just broke into a grin. I'm sure people were wondering what the goofy grin was all about...Oh, well. Animals do that for me. I could be having a crappy day (or as my nephew might say, "cwappy"...oops -he learned that from me) and I could see this dog in the passenger seat of a truck appearing almost human-like in his belonging...and I will just grin. Animals are a gift that I am very grateful for. These two pigeons were not shy, either. A person was walking in their path and they just let the human walk around them...heehee. Go, pigeons! Maybe I anthropomorphize them a bit too much, but that's what's so fun about animals -their relatability.

When I was wandering around Borders looking for the FRUiTS book (Japanese street fashion photography book), I came across this obscure little booklet that said it was a tattoo book for those who love books...(Nerd alert! Talk about 'geek chic'...Sheesh!). When I came across this page...um, tattoo...I laughed out loud! For those who don't want to hold a mirror up to the computer or try to read backwards, it says: "I (HEART) DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM." This actually kinda irks me some because it's not using proper English. Add an "s" at the end of "System" or add a "the" in front of "Dewey." Nothing says "Naughty Librarian" like a tattoo that declares a love for the ancient book organizing method: The Dewey Decimal System.
Seriously, I need to not be surprised when people look around to see who is laughing by their self. I certainly would look, but it would be a refreshing change from all the prim book readers I see on the BART every day. Not to mock people for not being as "reactive" as I am, but it still would be nice to see some animation in at least one person, once in a while.

I used to embarrass myself by reading "Far Side" at school and letting fly with a loud laugh at certain ones. The "Far Side" has a special place in my heart for making my normally proper roommate (my first roommate living on my own) start laughing uncontrollably in church. It was the comic strip where the caption said, "Ways nature says 'Do Not Touch'." It shows a puffer fish, a couple of other animals that have ways of warning with their bodies...and then a guy in a trenchcoat, with an inner tube around his middle, a bazooka, a boot on his head, and a molestache with eyes in a wide-eyed, sidelong glance. Now, don't ask me why I had this comic in my Book of Mormon, but it fell out when my roommate was borrowing it. She had a fit of the giggles that I still remember to this day. It was awesome. Not especially reverent, but I'm sure God would see the humor in it. After all, he made those animals...and others...like hamsters. He made nature's Tribbles to be deceptively cute. They are actually all evil little imps who will kill you in your sleep if you don't latch their cage shut at night.

Vindicated...I am now LEGAL.

I went into work and everything went as planned until I took my break. I left the building (without my name tag...oh, so embarrassing to wear) and then came back in with some of my co-workers...Of course, the "unmotivated" guard chooses this time to stop me and tell me I need my photo ID by Tuesday (Oct. 30). My coworkers kept telling him they could vouch for me but he kept telling me something...I wasn't really paying attention since he speaks like Boomhauer from the TV show "King of the Hill." I just kept getting more and more annoyed so I just walked off in a huff (I know, real mature and professional). Well, I decided I had had enough and I took my coworkers' advice and asked if it would be alright to leave work to get my ID. My supervisor said that would fine and I rode the BART to Pleasant Hill station, walked the three quarters of a mile home to get my birth certificate and other ID for the DMV. Then walked back to the station, took the BART one station over to Walnut Creek and started walking...in the wrong direction. This went on for almost a mile and then I realized that I didn't recognize any of the street names I had written on my directions. So I trekked on back to the BART station, more determined than ever to get that ID, and looked for a bus that went to the DMV, but then decided to take a $6 taxi ride (I think I was 'taken for a ride' on this one) to there because I was getting all sweaty and I wanted to cool off so I would look nice for my picture. I needn't have worried because my picture ended up looking AWESOME. It's really bizarre because I think my ID photos tend to look the best...maybe because the pic is smaller and I can't pick it apart like I would when it's a bigger pic. Well, I have to show it off :D I also only got 3 wrong on the test that I barely studied for...I don't know why I'm so proud -probably because these were common-sense questions and I don't think I'm especially gifted in that area.


It's kinda blurry but that's what happens when you don't use a scanner and use your camera phone...but I love it! I didn't ask the lady behind the counter if I could get copies of it, like I did last time when I got my license in Utah. She was amused in a way that a person is amused when they are humoring a person with a ridiculous request.

I don't think my picture looks anything like the one I took on the BART (top of page) on the way there...weird.

Haiku Tuesday

Sinking in my seat
I shift my gaze
Yep, he's still staring.



My mantra is now:
"I am not a
Weirdo magnet."




Elderly woman enters
Not a seat in sight -no wait...
I smile.

Berkeley Dreamin'

Today, when riding home from Berkeley this evening, I saw a lady that resembled a tired angel. Her hair was snowy white and she was tall, but her face looked drawn and weary. Poor cross-eyed angel.

I was talking with a friend of mine about ways to react when facing a dangerous situation. I said that if someone sitting next to me got in my face, I'd punch them. Well, truth be told, many people really don't know how they'd react when faced with a scary situation. I'd be more likely to freeze-up but I would hope I'd take action, if I could. There are so many variables, though. What if he has a gun?...What if I can't run away?

So many things run through my head when thinking about my safety and I keep wondering what it would be like to live in a world where I could walk at night and not have to take precautions. It probably be a world where unicorns roamed the plains and where little fairies would gather round and weave flowers into my hair. And perhaps I'd have a lovely mirror that would sound loud applause and sing "Bootylicious" every time I peered through it. Sigh. While I am dreaming, throw in some exciting romance with a Fabio look-alike...no, wait...that would be a nightmare. Did you know "Fabio" means "bean-grower"?

I'm done being serious, for now. Recently, I was waiting for the BART, and this female cop was on the other side of the rails walking up and down the walk. She looked like she could be a character straight out of Police Academy (or a sleazy cop show one watches late at night...). Why? Well, she was very "fit", and her uniform looked like it was sewn right onto her. Her blonde hair was in a chignon and immovable. I know this because it was a windy day and I saw not a hair move. It looked like the hair below...



She kept prancing up and down (okay, maybe not "prancing" but she certainly had a skip in her step) the station and peering over the wall, giving every guy with a policewoman fantasy a great look at her...um...(rhymes with "um"). Okay, do people say "bum," anymore?

I don't think anyone else could see the humor in this whole show, but I certainly did because it conjured up great memories of watching the Police Academy movies with my brothers. Those movies were hilarious...at least, I remember them being that way. I was cracking up to myself because, well, I knew no one else would get it.

Getting ready for "All Hallow's Eve"

I came across this poster outside of Tetzini...or something-or-other...a circus, which Dan and Victory went to before. Apparently, they have some of the best performers in the world. I love seeing the gigantic posters as I walk along Embarcadero.




I was amazed to see the texture of the skin as I looked at the poster. I had to touch the poster (yes, I knew it wasn't real, but I'm very tactile). And then I had to capture the part of it that captured me.



I saw this ad outside of Fisherman's Wharf and I was enthralled with the reflection of city lights in the shadow.

The Psychology of Crowds

Anyone ever think someone was staring at them and then realized they weren't? Well, this has happened to me many times -maybe because I'm a bit paranoid and a bit of an egoist (yes, egoist). I also have had some pretty blatant offenders catch me on a bad day, though. I give them the exaggerated stare and the off-center neck extension to communicate my "displeasure" at being stared at.

As a woman, I get a little tired of guessing if it is a menacing look or just an admiring look...because I sometimes can't really tell the difference -so out shoots the neck and the bug-eyes and then they are really sorry they even looked at me. Do I have issues? I think not! (Chuckle). I dunno...maybe I should be flattered...that 15 year old kids and/or 80 year old men are checking out my butt! Ewwwww... I mean, I know I'm a goddess, and all, but seriously! I also love observing men checking women out. As long as it's not me, it's kinda funny...and kinda cute, at times. Sometimes, it's downright creepy. There's this skinny, older guy that rides the BART that is a disturbing likeness of an evil Orville Redenbacher -with his red bow tie and his wee beady eyes. Imagine that "Orville" isn't smiling and has brown hair...then you will see what I see. But I'm sure the real Orville was a very sweet man, bless his little (dead) heart.



The guy always stares at the women around him. Somehow, I don't think he's sending good wishes their way because he always seems to be hard-faced and sullen. I'm not trying to be mean -and sometimes you just don't know about people. At least, I don't. Perhaps he is just lonely...(And I wonder why I get into trouble so much)

To All the Cute Couples I've Seen

I have seen so many cute couples (and a couple of obnoxious ones) on BART. I happened to get a few snapshots of couples in front of me sharing a moment together.

This couple got on the BART and they were obviously in love -which is a beautiful thing to see. They were probably in their 40's and still acted like best friends. I knew I had to capture something of this when they shared ear phones. It took me forever to get the right shot -and it's still not super clear, but hey -it's a camera phone, after all. :)


The next couple I saw was an elderly couple that obviously loved each other deeply -and they kept making comments back and forth about various things. I caught them leaning into each other in this pic:


Then, I was walking one night and saw this adorable younger couple walking ahead of me. I wanted to remember this handsome couple; I took a snapshot.


I didn't know any of them and I was touched just watching how they treated each other. It made me think about how I want to end up. I want to grow old with my best friend, and still be eager to share the little things, as well as the big things that I see in the world around me.

Thank you to those couple who inspire the rest of us!

Saturday Night Life with Holly

My sister from another mother and father accepted my invite to go into "The City" and hang out. It was so fun! I received an email from her that told about our time in the city in great detail:

Hi Esther ---
The SF City adventure last night was fun!

We met up at Urban Outfitters. Awesome basement bargains! I keep thinking about BOTH the tree branch jewelry holder AND the birdie lamps. =-) (Bless her, she loves birds! That's so cool).
Me: I bought iron angel wing wall hanger (for 5 bucks!) and recounted my weird encounter with this guy on the BART...yes, Holly -I AM a weirdo magnet! (I told my bro about it today and he said the exact same thing...weird!) The guy on BART had been watching me from Pleasant Hill station...and finally came and sat right by me, even though there were plenty of other seats. I ignored him for the longest time because I was listening to my iPod and also sketching, but finally, my curiosity and irritation got the better of me and I took my headphones off to see if he would tell me what the heck he wanted. It didn't take long before he commented on my drawing. He said, "I couldn't figure out who you were drawing..." (Well, gee -could that be because she had no head...?) I told him I didn't know either.

There ensued a rather awkward conversation in a thankfully populated BART car. Well, it came out that I had lived in Utah, so the guy asked me if I was Mormon. I said yes. He proceeded to stand up and ask me, "Who do I look like?" I was at a loss. And just praying that he didn't get any weirder...prayer not answered because his next comment was, "People tell me I look just like Joseph Smith." I just stared at him. I really didn't know what to say...But you know, it's kinda weird that he kind of did look like him...maybe he wasn't lying...? I'm soooo gullible.

I tried to find out which stop he was going to but he said he didn't have a destination. Yet another red flag. Why me?! Anyway, I had the brilliant idea to say, "I know this is kinda weird, but my friends won't believe me if I say I saw a guy that looked just like Joseph Smith...can I take your picture?" He allowed me to take his picture:

I did this because of the reason I told him and because I wasn't sure if he was going to follow me. He did get off at the same station but I made it clear I was going on by myself (and I also lost him). I was a bit shaky when I arrived at Urban Outfitters to meet Holly. I was soooo glad I wasn't on a solitary trip this time. I tell ya, it's not fun to be sitting on the BART planning ways of defending yourself, should someone try something shady. Running through my head were many things -and most were questions as to why he chose me to bother.

I suppose he was just a lonely, awkward guy. Some of the stuff he told me didn't even add up. He told me he was LDS (Mormon) and he also had a southern accent but he grew up in the Bay Area...I'd like to think he was just some harmless and bored guy, but I am way too easy of a target, as it is.

And we walked around and around and saw the sights and the neat looking people and went to the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel to Harry Denton's Starlight Room. =-)
Me: Then she showed me the star on top of the hotel from several blocks away. We also encountered an elderly couple on the elevator on our way up...it was funny because the old lady said "He flirts with all the girls and the boys...haha! He was giving me and Holly "the eye" as we got off the elevator. Dirty old man!

And alas, enjoyed a lovely meal at Cesario's Italian Restaurant in : Union Square, Nob Hill (601 Sutter Street @ at Mason St).
Me: My first time ever at a real Italian restaurant and saw some guy drinking from -what looked to me like a tiny tea cup- but was an espresso cup that they use in Italy all the time...wow...I need to travel more. Holly was very generous and let me have more bread than my share...she's great at sharing. I had pesto linguini and it was very good and very filling. We had to walk around for a while after eating. As we walked, we came close to the Tenderloin District. I didn't know much about that area, but Holly filled me in about the characters that I could expect to see (druggies, prostitutes, people shooting-up). We passed some big guy who had a large blank folded across his chest and Holly quickly put me on the other side of her so she'd pass by him -and I had this fleeting thought that he could be a flasher. She's got my back, she does.

And finally, had Coldstone Ice Cream...the richest sweet treat I think i have ever had ....pumpkin mint mixture extravaganza.
Me: I had pumpkin and Irish Cream mixed with graham cracker crust...mmmm...

Well, that was our fun trip to SF...in a nutshell :) Thanks for hanging with me, Holly! You are one fun gal!

One more before I go to bed...

These images are from two SF trips ago. The pic with my lovely reflection is from a plaque attached to some sort of park that doesn't seem to have much of a point...but it's fun!



Also, walking along Embarcadero, I spied these two creepy, giant head sculptures that I was intrigued by. The head was not angrily convulsing...my hand shook and out came this awesomely macabre photo, courtesy of my camera phone. :D


I am a huge fan of sculpture, especially if it is rather strange and creepy. That's one reason I adore Edward Gorey and also The Addams Family. Surprisingly, I am not a huge Tim Burton fan, although I can appreciate that he is a genius and have liked several of his films, including the new "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" -with Johnny Depp (who is a genius in his own rite).

Dear BART Lady, You are my inspiration...

Well, here I am again. I keep telling my friends, coworkers and family that I am doing a blog of my BART adventures, so I better do it. Besides, I have tons of camera pics I want to share...

To the left is the inspiration for me to start this documentation of my adventures in and around my travels on the BART. Thanks to my adorable friend Theresa, I was able to secure a picture of this lady. No, she is not dead. That would make me a whole new kind of weirdo. She's just some classy businesswoman looking rather...um...unclassy. I think she captures a certain attitude of trust that I've seen often on BART...which I will never have, thank you...It is not, in my opinion, a good idea to fall asleep in a public place, period. For example, someone could take a rather unflattering photo of you and post it on the web...(heehee).

Haiku

Haiku is my favorite kind of poetry. Short and sweet. A lot of meaning in just a few words -rather than a sonnet...which I refuse to read!


Oiling along Grant
Oblivious
Stained with boredom.

Powell Street wisdom
Head up
Walk fierce.

Careful to make my way
Eye contact! Please,
Smile at me.














What am I doing here?
Money all around me
Their eyes are different.

A different person
Each look in the glass
I will not be ashamed.

He cracked a smile...

I know. Real mature, Esther...but, man! This photo made me chuckle all the way home (heehee!). My brother called me Harriet the Spy, but I think I'm doing all of us a service by recording this fun moment for future generations to come.

The story is this: While these young hipster guys were distracted by the policemen talking to some BART passengers, I sidled over to the cement block they were sitting on and snapped a picture. I slid away, completely unnoticed, like a pale, amused ninja. I felt so sneaky!

I told myself that I needed to keep my mischievous side under firm reigns, in the future. -But as long as no one gets hurt...

Rodin would be jealous...(not really)...

I love sculpture and so I decided to take a few shots of some beautiful pieces (at least I think so) I saw in a shop along Fisherman's Wharf. The above shot reminded me of a Rodin sculpture that I love, love, love. I think the shop keeper, a tall, older, handsome Italian gentleman, enjoyed the fact that I was having so much fun taking pictures of the sculptures with my dinky little camera phone (I love my dinky little phone!). I shared some of the pics with him and he liked them.

Faces intrigue me, whether I'm looking at a portrait or a real person, I study the face a lot. I find so much beauty in the human face -especially if there is some strangeness to it. My dad used to say this quote often: "There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." ~Sir Francis Bacon, "Of Beauty"

I am reminded of this beautiful Polynesian family that rode on the BART one day. The mother and father were both deaf. They had two little ones in their piggy-back stroller. The mother had caramel colored skin, except for a complete lack of pigment in an upside-down triangle shape, starting from her crown to her eyebrows. She had dark freckles and cobalt blue eyes. I remember her curly hair being red -kinda like a less intense color of a "red velvet" cake. One of her children had the same lack of pigment in the same spot on his head, except his hair was black and then stark white -kinda like a skunk, though I am loathe to compare this beautiful child to a smelly creature. I had the hardest time not staring, but the woman and child were so arresting. I haven't seen them since, although I would love to.

Here are a few more pictures I took:

Check out the beautiful line of the arms.
Man, I'm trying to get my arms more "muscle-y" -and this is an inspiration for me.

She looks so smug...wonder how smug she'd be with a drawn-in mustache.
Just kidding -I love this shot.

Chocolate goddess of stars

I felt a little voyeuristic taking this picture, but I thought it was graceful...besides, I love bronze. (I believe the store was called "3-D Harlequin Romance").

This sculpture reminds me of someone...

Love the detail of his beard. I think his mouth is a fountain but I think it'd be cooler if water squirted from his pupils. Not as dignified, but certainly more interesting...
and a bit more of a conversation piece.

This reminds me of something I might see in Italy. Don't ask me why.
This baby looks a bit...um...drugged, maybe?
Still, I love it -hence, I have put it on my page.

Thought this lion was one of the coolest ever.
Wish I'd got a pic with my hand in its mouth...darnit.
I took two lion pics...

They both remind me of Aslan, from the Chronicles of Narnia.

I just think of Adam, the Keeper of the Garden of Eden, when I see this sculpture.

She reminds me of a Medieval Carmen Miranda...and she looks kinda worried.
Maybe someone was picking her grapes...

Again, I like her arms.

I find this face to be hauntingly beautiful...almost alien. Okay, alien.

I just thought it was pretty...

This is a pretty rockin' fish fountain. I loved the detail in the fins and the eyes looked so real.

I love drawing fish, so it'd be real trip to sculpt one. They are complicated creatures to capture.

Just a closer detail of the eyes.

This is a close-up of a sculpture of a dancer. She looks a little like Emo Phillips.
Pretty, and disturbing.