stinglikeabee | Entries tagged with san francisco

1. Antonio Villaraigosa is re-elected Mayor of Los Angeles. Not that I had faith someone else would win, and generally, Villaraigosa isn't that bad*. BUT re-election has increased speculation that he intends to run for Governor next year. Oh dear lord.

1a. When I arrived at SFO last week and saw San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's huge grin on a welcome sign, I cracked up. Because it's miles away better than the pictures of Villaraigosa's empty-eyed stare mugging the camera. Anyway, Newsom will be running for Governor next year. I can't wait for the lulz when opponents replay the 'Whether You Like It Or Not!' clip that was an intense soundbite for Yes on 8 adverts.

2. PAD is more than out-of-touch with his audience and other comic book fans, he's stomping around in a fountain of White privilege and splashing the rest of us (via deadbrowalking and

brownbetty).

*I bring you the classic LA Weekly article, The All-About-Me Mayor: Antonio Villaraigosa's Frenetic Self-Promotion.

I'm posting this from Groundwork in Hollywood, in the company of

parlance and her writing group. I've actually managed to pull out 600-plus words for the unnamed ficlet, which is great, but I've also drunk too much coffee and feeling a bit sick. *blergh*

Since I won't have the time to post this later tonight, here's the rest of my writeup on Wondercon:

( There I go again with the rambling... )

I'm brushing my teeth when I hear the news Ralph Nader is running for president, again. In surprise I nearly choke on my toothpaste, and reach out for the remote. My third day in San Francisco and things are pretty weird.

There is nothing wrong with third party candidates, of course. Other countries have them and many of those governments are formed from coalitions between different parties. Problem is the US invests heavily on the two-party system. A third party candidate would not be equal to a candidate of the major parties, and may have the power to disrupt political balance as seen in 2000. While it's nice to believe in Nader's quixotic quest, it's infuriating he's doing it again. Like that weirdo in class who, when the teacher's left the room during a test, insists everyone not cheat. That kid knows he's going to get beat up and scorned by his classmates, but does so anyway. You'd have some sympathy for him, if it weren't for the insufferable and holier-than-thou belief in his own stance.

Anyway, back to the second day of the Wondercon.

( Long story again... )

I'm not sorry to say this, but CNN is absolutely shit. Ever since Fox News came on, CNN's dumped its formerly formidable news coverage in favour of shitty opinion programs masquerading as journalism. Nancy Grace, for fuck's sake. What the hell makes her deserving of air time? Speculating on live television on whether Britney Spears is mentally deficient? Damn, it makes me depressed.

I know this is probably old news for those who have cable, but I don't and it disgusts me. Not only that, I remember the days when CNN actually had journalism credibility. When I wanted to be the next Christiane Amanpour and put my life out in a war zone in order to broadcast the unseemly truth. God, but MSNBC was a welcome respite. Even when it's as sloppy and concentrated on US-centric news read by pouty female newscasters who think it's the height of hilarity to put on a horrid accent and impersonate the French premier, it's still miles better than the drivel put out by CNN. Anyway, enough with the evils of cable news rant.

( Day 2 in San Francisco )

It starts, as such nightmares seem to, at LAX. Why this creaking, smelly old thing disguised as an airport is still around astounds me. Anyway, it wasn't the getting there that was the problem. Thanks to my previous post on San Francisco, I followed the advice and used the bus. Not only did I avoid the traffic jams, but I spent only $0.50 on a 30 minute ride. Naw, the problem was once inside.

( The full monty here )

Brrrr... It is so flippin' cold. I nipped out to have a look at the lunar eclipse an hour ago but had to rubbish the idea on account of the neighbourhood's trees being whipped by the wind. Meh, I'll have to watch it on the news.

Right now I'm juggling watching Law & Order Criminal Intent, packing for the trip, cleaning up the room, watching a DVD of the Justice League, paying my bills online, and thinking up something to eat before bed. Argh argh argh, I know, anyone sane would have packed days ago :( I like doing stupid stuff, apparently.

Wondercon! XD By the way, io9.com is sponsoring a benefit for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund on Saturday night (details here). I'd love to go but there's the special premiere of The New Frontier that ends with a panel with those involved. Now I'm a sucker for Darwyn Cooke, specially if he's talking cos the man's funny and speaks the truth. I'll probably be there starstruck till midnight. Anyway, the benefit is 8 to 11pm. Hope I can make the couple of blocks that night. Otherwise, my contribution will be to the website as per usual! Oh - Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny will be at the 'con. Heh, if only I still had the X files crack fics to read to them.

Another piece of good news: the other party in the accident accepted liability! YES! According to the estimation, the damages to my car are worth $4,000 but it will all be taken care of by insurance. I wish there were an emoticon for the crazy silly dance I'm doing right now. Ahem. I was hoping to have it started before I left, but next Tuesday's the date. Gar will be fixed and happy within 2 weeks. YAY.

Remember my gyro post? Vegan Dad posted his recipe and it looks scrummdiddlyicious! I can't wait to try out his Tzatziki sauce on potatoes, mmmm...

Oh, I wish I could end this rambling post with something good. I mean, I won't be back until next Monday and probably will not post till Tuesday. Gotta end it coherently, right?

Nope. Happy belated birthday Batman!

Current Mood: excited

This entry is written for the benefit of those who read this LJ and are actually interested in the things I have to say (THANKS! <3) and for future-me who will inevitably forget the lessons of the past.

Lesson #1: I am a nutter. That's right future-me, you are mad. Irreparably mad.

Lesson #2: Remember Lesson #1? Keep it in mind always. It's easier that way.

( The explanation and pics (includes gratuitous bear poses) )

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Dawn Landes - Young Folks (Cover)

Uh huh, all right, yeah, I'm back. And I reek of coffee.
This year instead of moping about and drinking myself silly, I decided to head out to San Francisco for my birthday. Say WHAT? Listen, 3 weeks of unbelievable hell consisting of 3 publishing projects back-to-back and I couldn't wait to leave fucking LA. I picked a place where I was far, far away from work, bosses, colleagues, and family. Since I couldn't afford the East Coast, I picked NorCal.

Much has been made about the NorCal-SoCal rivalry - at least at my university. Classmates were always discussing what SoCal lacked, as if stoners could argue they were connoisseurs of MJ and the foods that go along with the munchies. Personally, I like the idea of the entire bad-temperedness between the two regions as a street fight between Dashiell Hammett fans and Raymond Chandler fans, culminating in a shaky truce when the poor Leslie Charteris fans stumble upon the melee with their shiny little halos. It's okay, no one likes the Saint anymore.
But everyone makes fun of LA as the shallow, valley-girl that's all flash and substance. People actually sneered when I said I was from LA, usually after they mistook me as a native. Even the tourists (from the South) on my tour sneered. WTF? I don't think Angelenos really say anything bad about NorCal, except to make fun of Barry Bonds or (sometimes) pass judgement on San Francisco's gay community. And okay, Hollywood stereotypes everyone in their shows and movies. But they even do it to themselves! See the film Crash (the one that won an Oscar, not the car sex one).

Anyway, I had horrible experiences the last two times I visited the city and I thought it was time to do it, and do it right. Nothing that interesting happened the short period I was there - The Pogues are playing tonight, and my flight was early afternoon. I missed the Nike run today as well. Oh, and there was the lights off San Francisco event - I swear I saw a ghost that night. On the other hand, LA seems to be on fire. Hmm. Sorely tempted to remain in the city then. Selfishly, I hoped my workplace would be consumed by fire and I wouldn't have to wake up at 4.30am in order to beat traffic. The news explained Santa Ana winds seem to be blowing embers of the Malibu fires to other trouble spots and that more wildfires have sprang up. A few on my flight were on their cellphones, ranging from upset to bemused with the devastation. One couldn't return home because the road was cordoned and the neighbourhood evacuated. Hopefully no one will be hurt and the fires will be put out shortly.

Because no one asked for it, I'm going to be posting my pics from the trip soon. According to my mother, I came home a hippie. It's the raspberry beret I bought from H&M. If anything I think I look French-ish, but my mother keeps pointing and giggling. When I wore the beret at Union Square, a bunch of students ran pass me searching for tourists to interview... Okay, I'll admit I kinda look like Patty Hearst during the SLA period. *sigh* At least I've got a Halloween costume now.

The best birthday ever? Hell, it'd be the best year I've ever had simply for this:

For serious, I have that on my work laptop. Erm, maybe I shouldn't have revealed that last thought.

Current Location: Los Angeles YO!
Current Music: The Black Ghosts - Any Way You Choose To Give It (Radio Edit)

the happy mania

honi soit qui mal y pense

Entries tagged with san francisco

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The last day of Wondercon

So... much... happy!

What I heard (and it's long!)

First, I have to get there... (day 1)

Last day before flight!

As promised

Where Was Kiley?

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