Snowflake's California Adventures

[Snowflake]

Heh, MW, if only I did not have to work for a living! I'd have more time for my hobbies and research!

BTW, proud of you on your 75 minute walk! You go!

[MouseWife]

I'm with you on that!!

Well, looking at the glass half full, it only makes the time you have to devote to your hobbies/research all the more sweet!

I hate work. But, it is a means to an end, no?

Thank you, this was a long walk today. Usually we break it up with a stop for water at Starbucks but took a different route. I think it is much better not to stop, keep the heartrate up. But who can turn down sitting out at Starbucks and people watching while chatting it up with my cronie?

[Boss Radio]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Yeah, I started this thread a long while back and it would appear I have had no adventures, but I have. I've just not posted about any of them, yet.

Tonight I had a mini-adventure in my own hometown. It was a pleasure and a 100% treat (in more ways than one) to get to meet BossRadio at the venerable and beautiful Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Once upon a time there was one who was Not Afraid. Not Afraid was well versed in the social graces. Not Afraid's fame has spread to many kingdoms where she has many friends and no enemies. Having such a large circle of friends, Not Afraid advised Boss Radio (the Prince of our story) who was traveling far from his kingdom of Santa Monica that there might be a friendly face to meet in the far off land of San Francisco (especially since Strangler Lewis was too far away). After transmitting to him the super secret code numbers and sending him forth, she proceeded to key in the super secret code numbers to contact Snowflake and to give warning that the original chick magnet was coming to town.

Like two taxicabs slamming in to one another on Market Street, almost, Snowflake cabbed to the venerable and beautiful Palace Hotel where she scanned the lobby and came upon Boss Radio enthroned in a very ornate chair.

He was, said he, admiring the splendour of the Palm Court (splendiferous it is, too).

Having quickly decided it would be more fun to talk and nosh and imbibe, rather than roam the streets of San Francisco we adjourned to The Pied Piper Bar for noshing, imbibing and conversing. I also came to admire the Maxfield Parrish mural over the bar.

Like the walrus, we talked of many things. Of people who are Not Afraid and the little childhood history of Boss Radio and €, both LSPE and EH1812 came up in the conversation (all good mind you, rest assured you, all of you, are universally adored). Boss Radio came also with sage advice for this would be writer. That was much appreciated. Princely wisdom, indeed.

Having decided that feeding some hunger would be a good idea, a delicious Niman Ranch burger was consumed by me (with the very best french fries, seriously, very delicious) and it's been so long since I recall having had a burger, this one, topped with cheese and the most delicious bacon, was a burger to be remembered. The Prince in the Rocky T-Shirt (vintage 1976) paid for dinner, for which I am indebted. It was a visit that afforded me great pleasure and (I think) a new friend. The food was delightful, the conversation was delightful, Boss Radio is delightful all in a rustic Baronial atmosphere that was a pleasure to indulge in (except when the place filled with the urbanites after work, who insisted on noisily trying to drown out our intimate conversation).

Our short time together was over far too soon, and next time, we will make it to the Cartoon Art Museum (which is RIGHT BEHIND the Palace Hotel).

If you want to see a cool site on the history of the Palace Hotel, this is the place to go, much wonderful content if you love venerable buildings as I do. Much to recommend here.

A small adventure, certainly, but not without merit and one that will be remembered by me with much pleasure, once upon a time.

Snowflake,

The pleasure was all mine. You are wonderful company, and if that in itself was not enough, you refer to me as a "prince," which is high praise indeed.
I am usually referred to as a "hobo," because of a certain plaid sportcoat I favor.

I shall put my new royal nickname to use immediately.

[Snowflake]

By sheer dumb luck (and being a member of the museum certainly helped) my visiting friend Jeff (I call him my brother, if I had one, he'd be it) and his family (Dad, Stepmom, Sister and Brother in Law) went to the De Young Museum today and managed to get into the sold out opening day of the Dale Chihuly Exhibition.

Not thinking we'd get in, I left my camera at home (stupidly) and as we walked through the incredible exhibition, I remembered, I had my cell phone with me. I took 65 pics, but only managed to get a few off the phone before the battery died. (Le Sigh)

Here are a few samples (sorry, crappy cell phone camera, but some are not too terrible) at least they do not kill Chihuly's artistry (also, sorry, too tired to resize them, if a mod wants to or can, please feel free):

This is one called Sun, an outdoor installation at the Palace of the Legion of Honor (ther is one inside and one at the Conservatory of Flowers) and one more outside the De Young (I took a pic from the observation platform, still on the phone)


Two from the Boat installations, incredible and HUGE





Some sea forms




Reeds (alas, fuzzy, I have 3 others on the phone, clearer)


Persian Ceiling was beyond incredible






Final was Mileflores





We had a great time, no question about it. I plan on going at least 5-6 more times to take this all in. Anyone wanna join me?

Later we stopped at the Cliff House for drinks and appetizers (I do not normally imbibe, but for Father's day and to see my bud, my brother, Jeff, I had a pear martini and got more than buzzed on that one drink) then a quick visit to the USS San Francisco Memorial at Lands End, most moving, I'd never been there. I will go back to hike the trail (preparation for Yosemite, me, for once, thinking ahead)

Frida Kahlo this coming Thursday at SFMOMA.

[innerSpaceman]

Ugh, the photos are so big ... I can't see any one all at once. Um, but beautiful. The floral stuff looks like it may have been done by the same artist that did the incredible ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Ugh, the photos are so big ... I can't see any one all at once. Um, but beautiful. The floral stuff looks like it may have been done by the same artist that did the incredible ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

That would be correct

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Ugh, the photos are so big ... I can't see any one all at once. Um, but beautiful. The floral stuff looks like it may have been done by the same artist that did the incredible ceiling at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

I just resized em iSm

[Snowflake]

Hopefully no repeats from before. These in no way do any justice to what I saw, but I had to share!

[Deebs]

As usual, I've been loving you too much. Consider yourself mojo'd again.

GORGEOUS photos.

You, me, libraryvixen & Frida?

[Not Afraid]

Oh, I need to see Frida. I wonder how I'm going to manage that one.