Folsom Street Fair, continued

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photo by Donald Kinney

Sunday afternoon on Folsom Street -- a solid mass of humanity -- thousands of sweaty bodies in all stages of undress.   I felt quite out of place in my green polyester shirt.   At times, moving through the crowd was next to impossible.   Then I spotted these fellows with a bird's-eye-view of the festivity -- definitely a more relaxed way to take it all in.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Dominate me.   You are my master and I am your willing slave.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I suppose for the uninitiated, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence need a little bit of explanation.   I lifted the following from their website:

Starting in 1979 with just four nuns, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are now over 50 members strong.   The Sisters are made up of a very unique group of people who are as varied and interesting as our names.   One of our greatest strengths is our diversity of perspective; each member brings their own interests, drives and passions to the whole, making us all stronger.

Unlike more traditional nuns, we are an Order of many faiths, religions and beliefs.   However we are all united by the vows that each of us take: to promulgate universal joy, expiate stigmatic guilt and serve the community, our fellow Sisters and the Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.



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photo by Donald Kinney



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Holy Cow...   Just add ears and you've pretty much got a Batman.


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wild times on Folsom Street

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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh how interesting -- yesterday I had 20 "Blogger Followers", and today I have only 19...   Someone probably saw what was coming and gave me the boot.   I guess I've become just a bit too controversial.   I am absolutely delighted!   To quote our former Commander-in-Chief; "Mission Accomplished".



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So anyway, on Sunday I made my way over to the annual Folsom Street Fair, which I understand doesn't represent the whole of the gay community -- but this is definitely on the wilder side.

There was a heavy emphasis on leather -- for those who were wearing anything at all.   Spankings were being freely dispensed here and there throughout the wall-to-wall mass of sweaty flesh.   Menacing looking characters everywhere -- each with the heart of a pussycat.



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Gold's Gym had an entire side-block of dancers on platforms performing bumps-and-grinds to a thumping beat.   And yes, the music was loud.   CLICK if you dare, for a slightly more risque version of this shot.



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So, I guess it all boils down to love and understanding.   Acceptance and cooperation.   And that most essential ingredient -- having a really good time.   I'll show you a few more photos tomorrow.


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Polk Street, San Francisco

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photo by Donald Kinney

One block east of busy Van Ness Avenue is the lesser travelled Polk Street, packed with all sorts of interesting businesses and curiosities.

The photo is the stainless steel exterior of a restaurant on Polk.

The variety -- well, it's almost like going to the mall -- but I seriously doubt if YOUR mall has a store (for women only) with the mysterious name of Good Vibrations.   No, it isn't a music store...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Name your poison, or go with the ubiquitous tea.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Like I hinted, there's quite a variety of shops on Polk Street.   It's where the famous Swan's Oyster Depot is located.   You'll also find a pastry shop that is to die for, several little restaurants, no shortage of liquor stores and head-shops, a popular night-club called Red Devil Lounge, boutiques and purveyors of eastern mystical objects, and even two hardware stores if you need to do a bit of maintenance.



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Until I find out otherwise, I'm just going to assume that Camera Heaven is where good cameras go after they gasp their last breath.

Larkin Street is the next street east of Polk.


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San Francisco's City Hall

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photo by Donald Kinney

On Friday I had to wait for my car to be serviced, so I thought the best way to kill some time would be to hop on a bus and take a little trip over to San Francisco.   I had quite an adventure spooking around The City, but City Hall was one of the places I ended up.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Now, City Hall does have elevators -- but that's no fun.   Much more interesting to climb the marble stairs -- the maintenance crew obviously spends a lot of time keeping them spotlessly clean.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Now, I have to admit that my knowledge of City Hall is pretty limited -- so I lifted the following from Wikipedia:

The Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 damaged the structure, and twisted the dome four inches (102 mm) on its base. Afterwards work was undertaken to render City Hall earthquake resistant through a base isolation system. In an earthquake, the mass of the dome threatens to act as a pendulum, rocking the building's structure and tearing it apart. But the base isolation system of hundreds of rubber and stainless-steel insulators inserted into City Hall's underpinnings has the effect of disrupting seismic waves before they can affect the structure. San Francisco's City Hall is currently the world's second largest base-isolated structure (after the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport)—a triumph of seismic retrofitting.



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Here's a little tip -- if you want to stay current on everything that happens in the vicinity of City Hall -- including but not limited to the Opera, Symphony, exhibits, events, happenings, celebrations, and protest rallies -- then you'll want to cozy-up to S.F. Mike's blog over at: http://sfciviccenter.blogspot.com.   Highly recommended.



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The last time I was inside City Hall was a little over a year ago when the powers-that-be had given the green-light to gay marriage.   Well, not long after, the voters of California decided they weren't quite ready for equality -- closed and simple minds once again had the majority.

Now, unless the couple in the above photo are pulling a fast-one -- I mean, who checks these things? -- I'm going to assume that they have all the necessary parts for prolific baby-making.   They were a cute couple -- I wish them a ton of happiness.

Click on that green ribbon on my side-bar to see a similar photo.


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San Rafael, California

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photo by Donald Kinney

Well to be honest, San Rafael, California, doesn't really have a lot going on for it, except that it's the largest city in Marin County and for it's historical importance as home to one of the string of 21 California Missions established to whip the local native population into submission so their souls would be suitable for "Heaven".



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This is not Father Junipero Serra, as I've always assumed -- but Father Vicente de Sarria, the founder of Mission Archangel Rafael.   The mission was established in 1817 and received Mission status in 1822.   Between those dates it served as a hospital serving the sick for Mission Dolores in San Francisco.   You can read more about Mission Archangel Rafael here.

I've only been inside the Mission church once, so I decided to spook around once more -- after all, they have a sign on the door that says visitors welcome -- so with all the reverence I could muster I carefully opened the heavy door, only to find that they were right in the middle of a Mass, or whatever it is that they do.   Several people turned around to see who was coming in late -- imagine my shock -- I quickly backed out and closed the door.



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Detail from one of the Palm trees near the Mission.   Artistic, isn't it?

CLICK for an old shot outside,
and CLICK for another inside the Mission.



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Mt. Tamalpais as seen from San Rafael.   I think one of my goals in life is to photograph Mt. Tamalpais from every angle and under every weather condition -- a project that should keep me busy for a few years...


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home again, the Lagunitas Creek

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photo by Donald Kinney

When my cameras finally arrived back from repairs one of the first places I stopped by was my old favorite place -- the Lagunitas Creek.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Here's sort of a wide-shot of the Lagunitas Creek near what they call the Inkwells, which is a popular place for the younger crowd to hang out after school and on weekends.   During hot weather this spot can be ten to fifteen degrees cooler than back in "civilization".



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I probably could have done a better job of capturing this scene if I had framed it up a bit differently -- so I guess I had better get back out to the creek and work on it.



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When shooting reflections, generally the sun needs to be either directly behind or in front of of the camera, with the water in shade and surrounding vegetation illuminated.   Reflections are usually best when the sun is at a low angle -- early morning works best for me.


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Pines on Hawk Hill

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photo by Donald Kinney

Next time you are in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge, take a look around -- the tallest hill you see is Hawk Hill, and yes, Hawks, along with Ravens really do live there.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Before the main mass of fog arrives, wispy bits play in the pines.   Add a low sun and you've got a photo.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Photo-ops all over the place.   Snap, snap, snap...



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photo by Donald Kinney

And yes, there's a grand view of the Golden Gate Bridge from up on Hawk Hill.   Depending on how much is obscured by fog, you can see the entire Bay Area from there.

Camera Update:   Well it took 25 days when it was only supposed to take 10, but "my baby" is back home all fixed up.   Hopefully it will keep going for another 107,000 snaps.   Snap, snap, snap...


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San Francisco's Exploratorium

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photo by Donald Kinney

In my schooling, oh so many years ago, I had some wonderful science teachers who had the knack of making the unfathomable quite understandable and interesting.   And this same type of learning goes on at San Francisco's Exploratorium -- with an abundance of genuine enthusiasm for discovery.



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Nothing quite as fascinating as wheels for little kids.   Wheels go places.   With wheels at a kid's disposal there's never a dull moment.   Nothing more fun than imagining the possibilities...



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Give this kid a few more years and I'm pretty sure he's going to accomplish all sorts of amazing things.   Right after he finds a cure for cancer and AIDS, maybe he could work on slowing down the aging process for an old guy like me?



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Hey, look at that -- a blend of science and art...   Who would have known it was possible...

I shot these about two-and-a-half years ago with my then brand-new Canon5D.   Here's a few more shots if you're interested:
spinning wonder
pulley systems
fluid dynamics
inertia
bubbles
magnetics
brainstorming


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just an illusion

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photo by Donald Kinney

Lets see, I suppose that if I was a social butterfly I would first be seeing two faces, but what I see first is a curvy lamp base -- maybe it's not time for me to come out of my cave...   Any amateur psychologists in the crowd?

But hey -- how do you like that header?   Step away from your monitor several feet and Einstein will change into Marilyn.   No foolin'...   These were shot at San Francisco's Exploratorium a couple years ago.


But moving on...   How about a bit of fun?



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photo by Donald Kinney

Shadows are fun.   I should try to find and shoot them more often.



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photo by Donald Kinney

I think one of the most fun funnest things to do at the Golden Gate Bridge is to cross under using the passageway on the north side of the bridge.   From there you can inspect some of the newly completed earthquake retrofit work -- they've got it engineered so the ground supports for the bridge approach can actually roll around about eight inches in any direction.

The first time I walked under the bridge I was amazed at just how much it bounces around when a heavy truck passes on the roadway.   It's the true meaning of shake, rattle, and roll...



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I had to come back here and change the photo that I was going to show, because I remembered this shot from a couple months ago.   As I remember, spitting off bridges is some of the best fun a kid can have.


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good morning, Buddha

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photo by Donald Kinney

O.k., I think I've just about run the Asian Art Museum into the ground -- I'm sure it would have been better if I had more background information on the artifacts.   Say good morning to Buddha...



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photo by Donald Kinney

But moving on...   Say hello to Cousin Him and his lovely wife, Her.   They make a cute couple, don't they?



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photo by Donald Kinney

Hey look over there -- it's the Golden Gate Bridge.   Ever since it opened in 1938, folks have been wondering why it's painted orange instead of gold.

The explanation is that the entrance to San Francisco Bay started being called the Golden Gate about 90 years before the bridge was even built.   The entrance to the Bay is the "Gate", and the "Golden" part is the fabulous profits businessmen made off the miners.



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And sometimes people stop and take a photo or two on the Golden Gate Bridge.   I'm going to guess that the Bridge has been photographed about 17 billion times -- o.k., maybe I made that number up, but there's actually 268,606 of them on Flickr.


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two ceramic vessels

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photo by Donald Kinney

Well, there you go, two ceramic vessels -- that's about all your intrepid reporter knows about them -- just two beautiful ceramic vessels, and they look very old.   Wish I knew more.   Looks like I'm going to have to make another visit to San Francisco's Asian Art Museum and bone-up on all the detals.



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Little hope of peace when we [photog. pleads guilty too] so proudly show off these deadly flying machines.   Oh, I forgot -- they call these things "Peacekeepers".

These photos are from Blue Angels sub-set on my "big" site.



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photo by Donald Kinney

Oh, but they are impressive to watch and a lot of fun to photograph -- if you don't think about what they actually are too much.   The Blue Angels will be keeping the Bay Area free again this year on October 10 and 11.



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CAUTION >>>>>>   Political Statement follows:

It's fairly obvious to me that if we continue on our deadly course of world dominance, one ideology will eventually win out and the others will perish.   So much for co-existence...   Or perhaps a more likely scenario -- we may all perish.

And now that I've probably alienated about half of my visitors, let me alienate some more by recommending a visit to 911 Truth.org.   Believe me, I hate to be the bearer of bad-news, and entertaining the conspiracy-theories is pretty darned depressing, so forgive me if it looks like I'm trying to stir up trouble.   I'll keep it under my lid for a while...


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Japanese craftsmanship

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photo by Donald Kinney

Continuing the series from San Francisco's Asian Art Museum -- photos, but precious little information.

As I remember, this was in the Japan collection, but I can't tell you if it was intended to serve a utilitarian purpose.


But moving right along...



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photo by Donald Kinney

Dogs run free...



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photo by Donald Kinney

And waves crash in the most interesting of ways...



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And I think these people are great, whoever they are...   I'm going to guess this handsome family is from Germany or Austria.

These last three photos are from my Point Bonita set on my "big" site.


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