...but not quite the end.
Its interesting how all the streets pictured in this book were serviced by cable cars, even up to the 40s. I would postulate that this was primarily due the to fact that most of the streets were and are extremely steep in parts. Back when they were dirt roads (even packed dirt) it would have been extremely difficult to navigate a horse and carriage or car up and down these streets. Which brings me to another interesting historical point: the streets in what would become San Francisco were laid out in 1835 by William Richardson, an Englishman.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A surreal moment
When I first moved out to San Francisco I had a number of "surreal moments"--times where I felt odd or out of sink with the surroundings. Since then I guess I've adjusted since they have definitely dropped off. I had one today though.
I'm working from home this week, so I opted to go to the bookstore during my lunch hour. There is a series of books called "Images of America" that consist of historic photographs of neighborhoods. I found one that must have been published recently since I haven't seen it before; its on San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood (where I live) and Presidio Heights neighborhood (right next door, so to speak). Of course I bought it and immediately headed to the park to look through the pictures since it was a beautiful sunny day today. It was really a trip to look through pictures of huge, beautiful mansions built in San Francisco's boom years (1860s-1920s, with an earthquake and fire in between). A fair number of these mansions are still standing, since Van Ness was the fire line in 1906. An interesting side note: I don't think any of these mansions were built by people who made their fortune directly from gold. The builders and early owners all seem to be "captains of industry"...bankers, business owners, railroad tycoons, etc. Their homes were incredible though...kind of makes me wish I was born it that era, and as a rich white male. But then again...the health care...
My surreal moment came while I was sitting in the park (Alta plaza) and turned the page to see a photo of the park from the 1930s, including the spot I was currently sitting.
Trippy, no?
(the end)
I'm working from home this week, so I opted to go to the bookstore during my lunch hour. There is a series of books called "Images of America" that consist of historic photographs of neighborhoods. I found one that must have been published recently since I haven't seen it before; its on San Francisco's Pacific Heights neighborhood (where I live) and Presidio Heights neighborhood (right next door, so to speak). Of course I bought it and immediately headed to the park to look through the pictures since it was a beautiful sunny day today. It was really a trip to look through pictures of huge, beautiful mansions built in San Francisco's boom years (1860s-1920s, with an earthquake and fire in between). A fair number of these mansions are still standing, since Van Ness was the fire line in 1906. An interesting side note: I don't think any of these mansions were built by people who made their fortune directly from gold. The builders and early owners all seem to be "captains of industry"...bankers, business owners, railroad tycoons, etc. Their homes were incredible though...kind of makes me wish I was born it that era, and as a rich white male. But then again...the health care...
My surreal moment came while I was sitting in the park (Alta plaza) and turned the page to see a photo of the park from the 1930s, including the spot I was currently sitting.
Trippy, no?
(the end)
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Christmas spirit, Vancouver vs San Francisco
The rules: all pictures are taken of outdoor decorations. Most are at night due to my day job; most are blurry due my very basic camera.
Round one: Vancouver
This is a hospital.
I really like the top of this building, it looks like a gingerbread house.
The art gallery in vancouver.
The very top of a hotel (not mine though).
Even the construction cranes are getting into the action.
Round one: Vancouver
This is a hospital.
I really like the top of this building, it looks like a gingerbread house.
The art gallery in vancouver.
The very top of a hotel (not mine though).
Even the construction cranes are getting into the action.
Yes Virginia, there is internet access...
...in my hotel, its just included in the corporate rate. At least I hope it actually is.
Weather is cold and rainy; I trying to get over a cough that won't go away. Perfect time to blog!
This week I got a pretty nice hotel room, so I took pics:
Unfortunately, lots of windows=tons of drafts. You would think Canadians would know how to put in double pane windows.
Weather is cold and rainy; I trying to get over a cough that won't go away. Perfect time to blog!
This week I got a pretty nice hotel room, so I took pics:
Unfortunately, lots of windows=tons of drafts. You would think Canadians would know how to put in double pane windows.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Nerve of some people...
I'm back in San Francisco, right now I'm sitting in a coffee shop since my neighbor's wireless is down. Its not even my favorite coffee shop, Peets, which was packed to the brim. I'm sitting in Coffee bean, sipping vastly inferior chai and hoping my battery holds out until someone sitting along the wall leaves. Sigh...why can't people maintain their wireless networks? Anyway, might be online a lot less in the near term.
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