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Category Archives: News

Not Another Sunday

09 May

A sad sight to see.

Driving back into San Francisco yesterday afternoon, I exited the freeway onto Harrison St. at 4:55pm.  In another minute the corner of Harrison and 12th “greeted” me– or would have I should say– on this somewhat warm and very sunny Sunday.  At this moment my own eyes caught for the first time what many people throughout San Francisco hoped never to see.

The first word on the sign taped to the door is the only one that really speaks, boldly presiding over all others, lunging out like a slap in the face to all who approach it.  At just about 5:00pm on a bright and clear May Sunday, the corner of Harrison and 12th was practically lifeless; I didn’t see a soul around.  What an ugly and unwelcome difference, I thought as I drove on, compared to the several hundreds of Sunday afternoons preceding this one.

Anything could happen, the future remains uncertain, and at least a few shreds of hope remain alive in the face of some largely concealed wheels of business negotiation.  Whatever comes tomorrow, however, does not change the fact that today, right now, the door notice remains up.  San Francisco has lost a historical and iconic gathering spot, and I along with several of my friends have lost a favorite– and most certainly unmatched– social space.

The Eagle Tavern is now closed, as of May 1.  While yesterday marked the second Sunday of this current and quite possibly permanent situation, socially and emotionally speaking this was not another Sunday at 12th and Harrison.  Unfortunately, however, it looks like we’ll be seeing more Sundays like this one for the foreseeable future.

 
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Posted by on May 9, 2011 in News, San Francisco

 

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Long Live The Hats!

30 Apr

My favorite hat of the day.

Unbeknownst to me it was going to happen, in the final preceding hours it did.  And here I am now to admit to it.  This is to say, the strong undertow of Royal Wedding current pulled me in, drowning me in a sea of fixated early-morning delight.

I must say I really do love all the hats.  The wedding’s collective display of such “unique” headpieces simply makes me wish for such bold proclamations of fashion more regularly by American women.  Sure, there’s always the Kentucky Derby, though this is by far not enough.

British socialite Tara Palmer Tomkinson has earned my nod for number one in the Royal Wedding guest headdress department.  Then, while much has already been said about Princess Beatrice’s headpiece and the ridiculous nature thereof, of which I do not necessarily disagree, she nevertheless earns plenty of points in my book for “individuality.”

From striking, to silly, to relatively tame.

A fantastic, stand-out color choice.

Taste and elegance.

On the male side, the groom appeared positively stunning in his Irish Guard uniform.  Of course I’m always partial to any formal dress of bright red.  The now Duke of Cambridge stood boldly and brightly in his own right, wonderfully complementing though of course not upstaging his beautiful bride, who herself appeared most tasteful, elegant and at least superficially at ease.  The groom’s brother emerged not half bad himself, might I add.

Her Majesty made her own cheerful and refreshing color choice, I must say.  The yellow proved more fetching to me than her usual runs of ivory or robin-egg blue.  Speaking of usual, however, the Duchess of Cornwall left me squarely unimpressed.  Camilla’s predictable choice of champagne (she wore almost the exact color in her wedding six years ago) merely washes her out.  Then again, perhaps she knows better than to “shine” in the public eye, especially on this occasion.

The media coverage was thorough and satisfactory all around, as I bounced between CNN, FNC, MSNBC, TLC and E!  I did gasp when a TLC commentator referred to “the mother of the groom” in speaking of Camilla, continuing on to say she assumed the role in Diana’s unchosen absence.  Really?  Au contraire!  Diana would surely spin in her grave at such an assertion, one most certainly unfounded and with which few if anyone would agree.  As such, I’ll let it go.

A lovely springtime choice for HM

Needless to say, all the planning and preparation has come and gone.  The Royal Wedding has happened, Prince William is a married man, and hopefully Prince Harry made it to his “survivor’s breakfast” in good company this morning.  Now for the “Royal Recovery,” and perhaps the start of wagers on whether or not William’s first child will arrive as quickly as he himself did!

I’m happy the wedding occurred, I’m thrilled to have watched it, and I look forward to the next gathering of positively outrageous hats!

In the meantime, do a Google Image search of “Royal Wedding Hats” and enjoy!  Here, I’ll do it for you!

 
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Posted by on April 30, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Current Events, News, Reviews

 

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It’s About Influence…

25 Apr

 

There she is??

I didn’t get mine.  Did you get yours?

The guest list was unveiled over the weekend for this Friday’s Royal Wedding, and it looks like more than a few people did not receive their invitation.  Not that this is so horrible; it simply leaves me to wonder if any of the eliminees are really griping about it.  Personally, I think I’m fine with not going, and I hope you quickly get over it as well.  Just chalk it up to that alleged “Camilla influence,” especially if you were ever rude to her.  This will teach you!

It looks like our chances would have been better if we ever dated William or Kate.  After all, both of them have invited at least some of their exes!  Good for them, I say, as I’m pretty sure I’ll do the same for my own wedding.  Herein lies some influence that just may have superseded the Duchess of Cornwall’s plan, unless of course all of them were always nice to her.

Meanwhile, if you desperately need to take your mind off all the final Royal Wedding preparations this week, perhaps you should sit down with a bag of jelly beans and see if you can find the bride, again!  Your replica, however, will likely not yield the apparent profit of the “original.”  Still, you might influence some type of “Royal Watchers” to open their wallets, so it would appear.

In any event, this is one rare and memorable week of Royal Melodrama, fueled by seemingly endless humor, hysteria and downright insanity, all held together by crisscrossing waves of “influence.”  May it all continue.  My attention is growing, dare I admit.

 
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Posted by on April 25, 2011 in Humor, News

 

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Nothing Lasts Forever

15 Apr

Not that I’m disappointed or in any way affected.  It’s certainly worth a mention, however, along with a moment of reflection on a long era coming to an end.  This is to say, the world of daytime soap operas is soon to suffer severe and debilitating loss, if not meet its demise altogether.

ABC’s announcement yesterday that it’s cancelling  two daytime programs on the air for more than forty years comes initially as a surprise, but then as less of a surprise the more I think about it.  “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” have existed since 1970 and 1968, respectively, both MUCH older than I am after all!

Times are changing, of course, in broadcast as much as anywhere else.  Then too, nothing lasts forever, not even Susan Lucci’s job, as she’ll soon be out of one for the first time in 41 years!  Of course she already has something to say about this.

All I can say is that I can’t recall the last time I watched an episode of either show, as I’m not one to sit around watching daytime soaps.  (I’ll sit around watching nighttime soaps anytime.)  Nonetheless, I realize this will certainly be a painful loss for many faithful viewers, as they’ll now have to rely on “General Hospital” for their daytime fix of tacky melodrama.

Nothing lasts forever, except perhaps the memories of a chronically drama-stricken Erica Kane!  A very different daytime programming world is clearly, and not-so-surprisingly, upon us.

 
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Posted by on April 15, 2011 in Media, News, Television

 

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Almost For Reelz?

04 Apr

Katie as Jackie

The steadily maturing Katie Holmes has been transformed into a surprisingly convincing First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, bearing a striking resemblance to the beautiful and beloved woman herself, at least in appearance.

This is all I can say right now on the much-hyped miniseries “The Kennedys.”  I’ve not yet seen the first two-hour installment that premiered last night on the Reelz Channel, though apparently many of you have.  Reelz is not easy to come by, considering I searched for it on two televisions with different providers, only to twice come up empty-handed.

“The Kennedys” would no doubt have been much easier to watch on The History Channel, where it was originally supposed to air before the real-life family balked over the series’ accuracy (or lack thereof), leading to the network supposedly feeling the pains of controversy and caving into the pressure that came with it.

After all that’s been portrayed over the years about the Kennedy family, through so many films and other artistic outlets, each of them certainly varying in accuracy from one to the next, I have to scratch my head and wonder this:  How could the Kennedy family possibly object now?  What exactly is so inflammatory about this particular production that its alleged offenses supersede all others that have come before?  Now of course, amid all this controversy-themed chatter, I’m all the more eager to sit down and watch “The Kennedys” and answer my own question.

In any event, the recaps and reviews are quickly coming in.  Some even appear to disagree with my simple nod to Ms. Holmes, which I may or may not have to later amend.  Nonetheless, “The Kennedys” is reportedly setting ratings records, no doubt fueled in part by all the misplaced buzz that has preceded it.  One way or another, I’ll soon be deciding for myself if Katie’s Jackie, along with the rest of the players, are or are not “almost for reelz.”

And that’s my yet-to-be-determined opinion.

 
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Posted by on April 4, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Media, News, Presidential, Television

 

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Her Last Laugh

25 Mar

It’s always good to maintain a sense of humor, especially posthumously.  Apparently Elizabeth Taylor, laid to rest yesterday at Forest Lawn in Glendale, managed to pull off her last laugh from the grave. 

Good for her, I say!  Then, I wonder if she expected anyone to dare attempt to one-up her.  In any case, the service was smaller than I would have expected.  I’m sorry I missed it, but my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. 

Thankfully we have this portrait to enjoy for the ages, which of course has already hung in the Abbey for the past few years.  The same place at which I dined this past Monday, some 36 hours before her death, was one of Liz’s recent favorite hangouts. 

Once the Abbey’s current construction is complete, the Grand Dame will again preside over her scores of martini-slinging visitors.  No doubt she’ll be enjoying her own martinis in spirit, right along with us.

 
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Posted by on March 25, 2011 in Current Events, News

 

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The Letter of the Night

28 Feb

The Oscars always make for a jovial and memorable evening, while serving as an acceptable excuse to either host or attend a well-dressed, booze-flowing get together.  I regret to report I did neither this year.

Then, the day after, comes the typical crisscrossing of scathing Oscar commentary from just about everyone and anyone in Hollywood who has something to say.  I don’t blame them.  If I were (still) a Hollywood type, or at least working in that arena, I’d have much more to share right now than I do.  However, seeing as San Francisco is now my home and I’m not chasing the tails of Big Screen glamour, I here now defer to the true critics of the event.  Variety has this to say about last night’s very-somewhat-shortened telecast, while The Hollywood Reporter offers up this review of this year’s two “young” co-hosts.  Check them out if you haven’t yet reached your Oscar coverage capacity.

I will say is this:  James Franco in drag, especially a la Marilyn, wins.  An extended speaking appearance by 94-year-old Kirk Douglas, for better and for worse, wins as well.  And that which no one can go without mentioning, including myself apparently, makes for win number three as far as I’m concerned.  This, of course, would be Melissa Leo’s now-famous f-bomb, the first such “bomb” in Oscars history so it’s said.  My reaction:  So the “f-bomb” what!  Or better yet:  “Big “f-bomb” deal!  WTF with obsessing over the F?  Granted, it was certainly the letter of the night, if as nothing else than an overall grade by many critics.   As for Ms. Leo, she was emotional, and it was natural ad-libbing, so cut the woman some slack.  At least she extemporaneously earned a unique, though hopefully not detrimentally lasting, title for herself!

And that’s my opinion, sans another F.

 
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Posted by on February 28, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Media, News, Television

 

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A Smokin’ Issue

11 Feb

I do not smoke cigarettes.  Still, I say those who do certainly have the right, especially in the privacy of their own space.  Health issues and social judgments aside, it’s legal, if nothing else.  As such, I find this article in today’s New York Times absolutely appalling.

It’s one thing to ban smoking in enclosed public places, and some such prohibitions are sensible.  However, the practices described in the NYT piece simply go too far.  How dare any employer intrude upon the legal practices, however unhealthy, of any employee’s private life.  As mentioned, smoking is not unique in terms of the damage most people do to their bodies and health in one way or another.  Is there no end?  Shall employers start passing up applicants who drink alcohol, eat fried food, or sleep around?

The nanny state, or at least the mentality thereof, often oversteps.  This is yet another example of such behavior.  As always, I believe in letting people do what they want to themselves, especially when it’s private and legal, and most certainly without threat to employment.  In any case, it’s a smokin’ issue to consider, study and debate.

And that’s my opinion!

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, News

 

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The “Super O” Interview

08 Feb

In addition to the game itself, another much-planned-for event took place this past Super Bowl Sunday, one that has naturally incited all sorts of reaction and commentary from numerous points of view.  I’m speaking of the “Super O” exchange, otherwise known as Bill O’Reilly’s one-on-one live interview with President Obama.

Many viewers, along with plenty who likely didn’t watch the interview at all, might already have their minds made up as to what they think of the entire meeting, based primarily on their respective opinions of the two men themselves.  I call this unfortunate, as I believe the interview is well worth a prejudice-free watching.

All things considered, this “Super O” interview is a success in my book, as both O’s deserve fair and ample credit.  Mr. O’Reilly steered the conversation effectively, being politely confrontational while still presidentially respectful.  Mr. Obama spoke with some refreshing candor and somewhat informal style, while conveying his points clearly and not managing to “run out the clock” as anticipated.  Mr. O’Reilly’s “interruptions” saved this from happening, of course, keeping the mutual dialogue engaging, extemporaneous and even mildly entertaining.

Watch the interview here for yourself, if you haven’t already.  Then, and only then, read some of the post analysis.  I’ll be glad to hear what you think.

Simple conclusion:  High marks for both O’s, politics aside.  And that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on February 8, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Media, News, Politics, Television

 

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Another Voice of Support

02 Feb

This is a first, I do believe.  While it’s certainly NOT a first for the offspring of a high-profile Republican family to voice their own potentially divergent viewpoints, I mean to say this is the first time I think I’ve ever heard young Barbara Bush, daughter of W, speak out about anything at all.  Her twin Jenna seems to have always been the more chatty one.

Nonetheless, Barbara has spoken, on the issue of marriage equality.  I’m pleasantly surprised and of course very pleased of her standpoint and demonstration thereof.  Follow my link to her short video clip, if you’ve not seen it already.

This, Barbara’s voice of support, serves as yet another example of an apparent generational shift in social attitude, one that transcends largely vacuous partisan labels.  It’s safe to say we’ll be seeing more of this in months and years ahead.  Thank you, Barbara!

 
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Posted by on February 2, 2011 in Current Events, News, Politics

 

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New? Not.

19 Jan

For a brief moment, I got excited.  Then upon closer inspection, I was underwhelmed.  Of course this is simply my first, instantaneous reaction based solely on outward appearance.  There could be a lot more going on that I do not yet see.

No, I’m not talking about a date or meeting someone new, though I suppose it could sound this way.  The matter at hand is the 2012 Audi A6, introduced to the U.S. last week at the Detroit Auto Show.

More and more cars look alike these days; styling has grown rather clone-like and uninspiring over the past decade especially.  When a popular manufacturer such as Audi unveils an “all-new” model, I do get excited to see something, well… new!  So in this case of the “new” A6, the headlights have been granted new shape.  Ok, fine.  Is this all?  Sure, the back end is different, and I will say better, than the outgoing A6.  Still, it looks just like the current A4, and not too far off from the recent “redux” of the A8.  All in all, and again, merely upon initial impression, I’m looking not at something “new,” but rather at a slightly tweaked punch of the same old cookie cutter.

Perhaps Audi could learn a lesson from Jaguar.  Now THERE is new!

And yep… that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on January 19, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Cars, News

 

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The iPhone Answer?

11 Jan

After several reliable and issue-free years of Verizon mobile phone service, in late 2008 I made the compulsory switch to AT&T, purely because I chose to get an iPhone.  Despite the enjoyment and many advantages of the device itself, overall service quality has never been the same.  In fact, as a good number of iPhone users will agree, AT&T’s coverage and signal strength is far inferior to that of Verizon.

Finally, and perhaps not a moment too soon, the game is changing.  Verizon now says it will sell and support the iPhone.  With this announcement, the war between the two rival providers looks like it will stick around for a while, if not grow. 

No doubt this will be an interesting technical evolution for all of us concerned.  Over time, will Verizon’s iPhone service really prove the better?  Or will AT&T earn the “not-so-bad-after-all” title?

Considering my current AT&T calls are dropped on an almost daily basis, and/or I get no signal at all, especially in hilly parts of San Francisco where friends’ Verizon signals in the exact same spot remain strong, I’m tempted to sooner or later give Verizon iPhone service a try.  With the time remaining on my current contract, however, “later” may be my answer.  Verizon, meanwhile, will have plenty of time to prove its superiority in the iPhone world.

Will this be the iPhone answer for all of us?

And that’s my opinion… thus far.

 
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Posted by on January 11, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, News, Reviews

 

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Textual Purity

06 Jan

When in one morning you come across same-issue editorial commentary in the left-leaning New York Times, the right-leaning Fox News, and the leaning-every-which-way Onion, then you know you have a matter worth pondering.

So, here you may ponder for yourself: 

A)  The New York Times  B)  FoxNews.com  C)  The Onion

All three sources appear to agree, pleasingly so to me, that such action is no doubt a bad move.  Call me, with respect to the NYT commentary, a “textual purist.”  After all, we cannot rewrite history to appease excessively delicate sensibilities of the present day.  Otherwise there would be no end to historical works deemed “offensive” and in need of “revision.”  (The Bible, anyone?) 

History is context, and history is education.  Classics must be presented and absorbed in their original form, with textual purity, from which any current commentary or disclaimer can be added and discussed, if need be.  Anything else is inauthentic and in itself offensive. 

And that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on January 6, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, Current Events, News

 

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“Better Way” On The Way?

04 Jan

It seemed like all we were talking about back around Thanksgiving, but I haven’t heard much barking on the subject lately.  Then yesterday I came across this very encouraging article, reminding me the issue will indeed carry into 2011, and thankfully so!

This is the year that, with any luck via sensible working minds, we could finally see that “better way” start to come to fruition.  It’s certainly well past due, to say the least.  In the meantime, I’m happy for yet another reminder that I myself am far from alone in my viewpoints.

Just as I blogged here in November, common-sense must prevail.  Let’s hope a better way is on the way.  And that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on January 4, 2011 in And That's My Opinion, News, Politics

 

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No Manhattan?

26 Dec

Date-specific history always captures my attention, especially through photography.  As such, the San Francisco Chronicle did the capturing this morning, with this 1971 photo of the Transamerica Pyramid under construction.

As it looked in 1971.

This is the first time I’ve seen this excellent photo.  I’ll admit that until now I could not have told you off the top of my head exactly when the Transamerica Pyramid was built, though I would have guessed (and correctly so) that it’s a contemporary of the World Trade and John Hancock Centers.  Is it any coincidence that “The Towering Inferno,” set in San Francisco, commenced production in 1973?

Fittingly enough, today’s Chronicle piece discusses the now-almost-40-year-old so-called “Manhattanization scare” that rattled at least some factions of San Francisco.  Suffice to say, the article concludes with the seemingly intended-to-comfort reminder that “San Francisco did not turn into Manhattan.”

Perhaps my recent and succinct description of my new home city is inaccurate.  For months now, I’ve been referring to San Francisco as “a mini Manhattan with hills.”  Apparently, as I’ve just now come to learn, more than a few people would beg to differ.

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2010 in History, News

 

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The Satirical Point of View

21 Dec

Among all else, I’m always one for a healthy dose of satire, on just about any topic under the stars.  As such, as an addendum to my entry yesterday regarding DADT, I’m now happy to present the satirical bend on the topic. 

The Onion is absolutely fantastic and has been so for years.  I highly recommend it as one of your regular news sources, if for nothing else than to consider an issue from its humorous point of view.  Just don’t make the mistake that one Chinese journalist did a few years back, of reporting an Onion story as fact.

In any case, satirical news lives and must live, on anything and everything!  And that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on December 21, 2010 in And That's My Opinion, Humor, News

 

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There’s Something About…

14 Dec

In the spirit of the now-almost-classic movie “There’s Something About Mary,”  I’m thinking now of a sequel.  Perhaps it should be titled “There’s Something About Bristol,” or “There’s Something About Sarah,” or better yet, “There’s Something About Anyone Named Palin.”

After I wrote here just last week about how the Palins seem to incite strong and distinct reactions from friend and foe alike, now comes this laughable bit of news.  Really now!?  I mean, the girl might not have talent, but is she worth destroying your television?  I think it’s safe to say it’s “not just her” in this particular case, though it’s fairly amusing to think she could be the “last straw.”

There’s something about this entire turn of events.  I’m not sure what it is exactly, but it sure makes for a fun news story!

And that’s my opinion.

 
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Posted by on December 14, 2010 in And That's My Opinion, Humor, News

 
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