Paul Weller‘s odd, bromantic approach to a “Long Hot Summer” in the Style Council video from the 1980′s.
I know it’s hotter in some other parts of the country, but I’m finding the heat to be unbearable, especially with the recent humidity in San Diego. I’ve been teaching at the language school in the mornings, get to work in an old high-rise with my classes, but there’s no air conditioning to keep me cool. Office-casual attire is expected. That, and the heat leave me really drained.
This weekend, I went to the customary celebration of Pride in San Diego. It was different this year. For the past several years, I marched with St. Paul’s Cathedral, but this time, I wanted to watch the parade itself. I got to hang out with my friends Scott and Kay, along with his neighbor Eydie. I missed visiting with all the groups pre-parade (and taking pictures of them) this year, but I got to see most floats in action. I wound up taking a little over 700 pictures this weekend. Here are some of them.
Obligatory display of male flesh for my Pride Post. This House Boi represents the clothing and furniture shop in North Park.
Clever, snarky caption alluding to some emasculated fundie (fire)men’s lawsuit that they were sexually harassed while riding the firetruck through the Pride Parade in 2007.
Spooning spoons at Adams Avenue Grill. I went out with my friend Scott on Sunday morning for breakfast, celebrating 11 years of friendship. On their tabletops are butcher paper and crayons, which I couldn’t resist drawing.
Taking a picture of someone taking a picture in my direction.
My Friday night was marked by the San Diego TwineUp, a small scale local Twitter meetup with big party energy. Rob, AKA Downtown Rob, of WebWizards was generous with hosting at his downtown home (which has a fabulous south view), providing a lot of the wine, and having Rock Band set up for group fun and alternating with the iPod video playlists for ambient background noise. I’ve been to most of the TWineUps, save one, since it started, and this night’s event had the highest turnout so far. The first one had only four people, including Rob and yours truly, and this one had about 10-15 people in all. I took lots of pictures pictures and sent much of them to my Twitpic account via my iPhone. Here are some of them, along some from another camera I brought to the party and a few taken by Rich of Rich and Creamy.
This Tom of Finland-like ad, plastered on the now defunct Landlord Jim’s, caught my attention yesterday when I was in Downtown for a few errands. The poster was very arresting, even in its weathered state.
Moleskine and rollerball pen in hand to jot down those thoughts.
Walking around is a lot like writing. It doesn’t cost much, but it’s easy to get hung up on the venue. Some places are utterly fabulous like Downtown San Diego or the interlocking wheels of Washington D.C., where a stroll can yield infinite possibilities. One can walk past the various points of interest as the background or even make a stop. Then there are the great outdoors, which offers beauty in many great varieties. The hike or the walkabout in these settings are part of the experience – they are sources of pleasure as well as material for discussion. But what about the places that aren’t so idyllic?
In the spirit of the Repeal DOMA Rally tomorrow in San Diego, San Francisco, and other cities, here is the Life and Times of Harvey Milk, presented by Hulu.Com. Note: This is the 1984 documentary on Harvery Milk, not the feature film with Sean Penn, which is fabulous. Do go the theaters and pay the $10 to see Milk. Also, take action regarding DOMA, whether it is attending the rally or writing letters to Obama’s transitional office.
Hat tip to Brian for posting the vid earlier this week.
My online version of my MFA creative writing afterlife. So much for the afterglow.
