Road Trip Up North --- Picturesque

GG Bridge --- Leaving SF.

1st Major Point --- Avenue of the Giants, the majestic Redwoods (about 32 miles).

Our voiture went through this tree --- massive!

My silly "lil" brother, Rej.

We tried to stop him but to no avail; he wanted to go up there.

Nature is amazing.

I am always in awe of it.

Wading to cool off.

I heart rivers. Saw tons of it on the way up.

One of my favorite cars --- 1950s truck model.

Saw this in this little town called Miranda.

Someday, I'd like to buy one and spruce it up (i first fell in love with it when i saw Aidan driving a beautiful green one, from one of the SITC episodes).

We drove, via Highway 101, North. It's by the coast.

The views are striking, yet calming.

We are nearing the California/Oregon border.

Oregon.

The drive to Crater Lake, Oregon.

Crater Lake --- "Mount Mazama collapsed a large caldera, which was later filled w/ Crater Lake." (Wiki)

And... my beautiful Family =)))

We were there until the 4th.

Saw the towns (Ashland, Oregon; where we ended up) 4th of July parade.

I love small town gatherings.

It has more charming characteristics, than big cities.

--- Treasured memories ---

"Take me out to the ball game"

America's national past-time --- Baseball.

A few weeks ago, I've become an official fan.

I'm in high spirits when my team (SF Giants) wins

and I'm dismayed when they lose.

I like it; I usually don't watch sports on TV

(i prefer to watch sports live).

It helps also that the SF Giants are winning most of their games

---they are in the pennant race.

In the spirit of the game...

Chicago style hotdog

(toppings: jalapeno, tomatoes, onions, mustard, pickles, and ketchup---

of course, everything is organic and sustainably raised).

and Becks.

and Chili Dog

(toppings: vegan chili, jalapeno, and cheese)

Game on!

J-town and the 'Mish w/ Rej

Went for an early dinner with Rej in J-town.

Had a huge bowl of Ramen at J-Town.

Glad, he liked it.

Then I took him to this place called New People.

In this building, there's a Cinema (where they show old Japanese movies); art gallery; artsy paper and things; and a clothing store.

For dessert, I took him to 'Mish (short for Mission).

We had coffee and shared a slice of Banana Cream Pie --- I fin'ly found my pie!

They have great Pies and not to mention community spirit (they are involve in SF's youth advocacy).

This is from BoingBoing.net

Funny conversation between book dealer and customers.
By Mark Frauenfelder on December 2, 2009 11:12 AM

The BookMine, an old and rare book dealer, has been collecting funny conversations with customers and would-be customers. Here are a few:

(phone call)
Hello. I have some old books for sale.
What kind of books?
Old ones.
OK. What subject areas?
Where does it say that?

(grown-up, looks around)
Do you have any real books?
Yes.
Well, not like the ones you have here. You know, real books!

I'm not sure what you mean.
You know, books that are real.
Sorry, none of our books are real!

(phone call)
I have some old books.
Really, so do I.
How much will you pay me for them?
Good question. What do you have?
I'm not sure.
Why don't you bring them by.
Drive all the way downtown?
That's usually the way it works.
You're kidding!
Not really.
How much do you pay for books?
Depends on what you have.
Are there any other bookstores in town?
Yes.
What are their phone numbers?
Hang on, let me look them up for you.
(After being left on hold for 10 minutes, he finally hung up)

Charity and Solidarity

As you know SEA (SouthEast Asia) Pacific has been ravaged by typhoons, tsunami and earthquakes these few days.

People, like the food carts in the City got together last week to show support and donate a portion of their revenues to the victims in the Philippines. Mikey-Ike and I went to a couple of them. Food cart festivities on Wednesday night (not pictured) and last Friday.

This is Little Skillet.

In my book, they have the best fried chicken (don't worry we make sure those chickens are organic and sustainably raised) in the City. And waffles!
Mouthwatering. Juicy. And fresh.

These goodies are from the SweetCart lady. It's a chocolate cupcake with peppermint icing. OMG! It was divine! I'm kinda picky with my cupcake texture - I like it a bit fluffy and light. This one hit the right spot =)

And - I learned how to make a cupcake sandwich (photo below).
*Hold the top and bottom of the cupcake, and lightly twist it to separate the top and bottom. Then take top with the icing and flip it over, so that there's only icing between the two pieces of cake - Like A Sandwich =)

We had a bowl of Brazilian food called Moqueca de Camarao (Shrimp Stew, Bahian style), or I think it was. It was muito delicioso!

And also to-die-for brownies with chocolate mousse on top. I devoured it before I could take a photo of it - so bad.

We arrived a bit early (Mike-Ike didn't want to miss out on the fried chicken), when we got there we were probably the first 10 people. And we left after our scrumptious meal. Later on,I heard that everyone had a good time for a good cause.

Golden Gate Park, SF, CA

I was desperately in need for some fresh air...

I took my camera and headed to the park.

To my surprise, apparently the California Academy of Science [you'd love this place] is opening tomorrow. It has been renovated.

If you can, check out the structure of this building - "197,000-square-foot rooftop to accommodate a living tapestry of native plant species".

This is the De Young Museum. Funky architecture. The top of the tower is accessible and the view is pretty spectacular, 360 degree view of the City.

habibi.

I went to a Roots Meeting last weekend. It was so boiling outside that I thought my head was going to melt or maybe leave my shoulders. I think the only thing keeping it on place was my old friends. The park was also poppin' and bathing in light.
Very summer.
Very reggae and roots.







Then came the evening. The light changed so rapidly and abruptly.
This is Oona.
She is one of the most beautiful people I know.
Inside and out.
But tremendously out.


My sweet 'Anna works at Mbar in the center of Helsinki city.


Hanna and I, we have come a long way.
Gone together, heart to heart.
Sometimes ripped it open a bit.
Then fixed.
My habibi.


Helsinki in the summer is a lot of love if ones heart is open.
This year I am open.
Avoin.
Öppen.
Open.
Oh so open.

- E

Hej.

Sometimes I see things.
Things that are so beautiful that I forget to breathe.
Do not worry.
It only lasts for a tiny second!

But for me that second is a little eternity.

- E