Saturday, February 23, 2008

The World of Tomorrow

I just started reading this collection of short stories by the sci-fi writer Isaac Asimov.

What is so fascinating about the few stories that I've read so far (most of which had been published in the mid 50s) is that they can conceive of many fantastical machines & futuristic appliances; a giant all-knowing computer, say, or a "chronoscope" that can look into the recent past.

But what they don't conceive of in this future is a world where lighting up a cigarette in an office or public building is frowned on.

I mean, these people of the future light up EVERYWHERE. The office, a federal building, in bed. The only character who is portrayed as an anti-smoker is some poor sap who burned down his house when he carelessly half-stubbed out his cigarette (and his daughter died in the resulting fire). So--the only reason he doesn't smoke is that he's been emotionally damaged.

Ahhh...the 1950s. When smoking was king.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Storm of the Century!!!!!!

That's what the local new channels would have you believe. Not really, though.

It looks pretty for now but soon it'll be grey and slushy.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Land of the Giants!!!

Airforce One as it lands in the...LAND OF THE GIANTS!!!

Seriously--how could some kid leave this toy unattended in Inwood Park? This is a cool plane!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Christmas Decor

I always leave some decoration up by mistake. And then I look and think, "what is that angel doing up there?"

Without the christmas tree underneath it I seem like a religious nutter who hangs angels all over the place.

And hanging angels all over the place is just one step away from hanging those woven twig heart ornaments things. You know the ones with big red ribbon streamers...

I need to take that angel down.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Frozen

One of the many people caught in time at Pompeii.

Italy 2002. Film: Ilford hp5+, I think.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Go Dog Go

At the dog park in CA.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Foggy Fog

Off the Ferry Terminal, San Francisco.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

San Francisco Hotel Views


One way- a MUNI bus depot. The other way-Coit Tower and the TransAmerica building (oh, and an Obama sign).

Friday, February 01, 2008

Run!

Out my window today. Cold, rainy, wintry-mix.

From Wikipedia:

"Many factors influence the form precipitation will take, and atmospheric temperatures are influential as well as ground conditions. Sometimes, near the rain/snow interface a region of sleet or freezing rain will occur. It is difficult to predict what form this precipitation will take, and it may alternate between rain and snow. Therefore, weather forecasters just predict a "wintry mix". usually, this type of precipitation occurs at temperatures between -2°C and 2°C (28°F–36°F)."