I'm a lasagna boy!

In which Duboce Park hits the big-time.

A film production will build a set in our very own Dogshit Duboce Park. Filming instructions include the filmmakers saying that they "respectfully request that [residents] park [their] cars in the garage". Unless I missed something major in the past six years, street parking is often the only parking in a neighbourhood of Victorian buildings. Film production in the area has waned of late; one of my favourite films (The Lineup) and many others have filmed here. I for one am excited to see a BART station built at the corner of Duboce and Steiner. Hell, if the café-formerly-known-as-Coopers ever opens again, this might infuse good business. Especially if a parking garage opened underneath the park.

In which we shed no tears for Denver

I have previously made snide comments about the baggage-handling system at Denver Stapleton International, and lo! it is done, and answers Brian Aldiss's question: Who can replace a man*? Apparently not this automated monstrosity. Why didn't they use the technology Louis Borders developed for Webvan?
The New York Times' headline: Denver Airport Saw the Future. It Didn't Work.
* I must make that reference to one of my favourite short stories, a strong philosophical tale about a pack of automata roaming a world in which they have eliminated all humans.

In which I had bad luck with cars.

Shuffling through filesystems past, I found this: a photograph from the (late) San Francisco Examiner showing the white whale, the Volvo waggon (a 240 GL) nicknamed Moby, which I drove for just about a year until it met its untimely demise as the fulcrum of a tree that laid itself down across Fell St. just in time for the evening rush-hour. This of course was when everyone driving home'ards from Silicon Valley came up 101 north to the Fell Street exit, and dispersed across the north part of San Francisco. Where was I? Drinking sangria around a long table at Timo's. Of course.

In which we are non-deterministic

A random link and another offer great insight into the adage that entropy "isn't just a good idea, it's the law!".

In which we get there from here (Or, In praise of portland)

Once again, the pdx puts two and two together in a wicked way. This page details a bicycle-trip planner using freely-available online tools. The Cycle! Bicycle Advocacy route planner uses Google Maps to provide cycling route information.
The Bay Area Bicycle Trip Planner offers less invigorating, but more functional, route planning.

In which it is a contrast!!!

The Caltrans traffic cameras have really grabbed my attention. Other traffic cameras around the world: Atlanta, London, Toronto, Toronto, New York City, and others.

In which we scramble through the stacks

1st San Francisco Public Library Bike RaceSat., Aug. 27 
race starts at 1 pm, the Bike Kitchen, 18th and Alabama*

Check it out, bookish bike worms — this well-read road race takes thealleycat

concept to a circuit of SFPL branch libraries — teams of racers must pedal from 

branch to branch and check out an item at eachof ten libraries (Richmond and 

Sunset branches are obligatorystations), returning to the finish line with a 

magical mix of borroweditems and receipts.

On-site Registration 11:45-12:45 pm, $3/rider (towards cash prizes) —pre-

register via email and pay only $2 the day of the race. For moreinformation or 

to register, contact Adrian Leung atsflibrarybikerace@yahoo.com

A few years ago, the Dutchess and I rode 'round to all the branch libraries (this was before West Portal closed for renovation). Took purt near the whole dang day, and I wasn't even checking out books at each stop.

In which we uncover the financial mechanics of a popular band

At the Shellac show th' other day, the band made good use of their customary mid-concert Q & A session to endorse Anne Eickelberg of Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 as the "best bass player", and explain that Shellac (of North America) are an Illinois S-Corporation. This latter answer, by Steve, came in response to the question "Does Todd get paid more because he rocks so hard?" The trio appeared more loose with both their music and the organisation of the concert. They ad-libbed the set list, very obviously enjoyed themselves, and rocked hard. At the conclusion of Monday's set, Steve and Bob turned off their guitar amplifiers and then began dismantling Todd's drumkit -- while he was still playing. Always the models of efficiency, they took away the hi-hat, cymbals, kick, snare, and tom, and all that was left was Todd himself. They carried him off without further ado.

In which I find the manufactured landscape

I have been watching traffic on 101 all day. I find the grainy motion of the cars soothing.

In which junk food is evidence

Now I discover the truth about the "Twinkie Defense":

The expression derives from the 1979 trial of Dan White, a San Francisco, California (U.S.) City Supervisor who shot to death Mayor George Moscone and fellow City Supervisor Harvey Milk on November 27, 1978. During the trial, a noted psychiatrist, Martin Blinder, testified that White had been depressed at the time of the crime, successfully arguing for a ruling of diminished responsibility. As part of this testimony, Dr. Blinder cited White's uncharacteristic eating of Twinkies and drinking of Coca-Cola as evidence of this depression — briefly mentioning that this may also have worsened the depression. The unpopularity of the eventual manslaughter verdict (a lighter sentence which set off the White Night riots) gave rise to the interpretation that White's lawyers had used depression caused by Twinkies as his primary defense. Contrary to popular belief, however, White's defense in fact argued that this consumption was unusual for him and reflected already existing mental instability.

In which we pay homage to a colorful profanity

Yo:

Russian City to Erect Monument Alphabet Letter Created: 10.08.2005 15:29 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:29 MSK MosNews

Monument to the Russian alphabet letter, an e with an umlaut, pronounced as “yo” is planned to be erected in the Central Russian city of Ulyanovsk.

This letter called “yo”, the only Russian character with an umlaut, was introduced in 1797 by the famous Russian historian and writer Nikolai Karamzin who was born not far from Ulyanovsk, then called Simbirsk.

The monument will be made of red granite.

Linguists to this day dispute the utility of the letter. It is replaced by the simple e in official documents.

Controversy that has for years delayed permission to proceed with the monument centered mainly on the fact that to the Russian ear the “yo” sound is closely associated with a range of colorful profanities or other exclamations considered in poor taste by opponents, AFP noted.

In which we again visit with the police (park station)

On our way home in the wee hours of the morn, Anna spotted the contents of a purse spilled across the pavement. We rested up for a bit and then cycled over to the Park Station (did you know they sell tee shirts with a Grateful Dead logo? $15!), where I also learned that one can file a police report online.
The purse contents, by the way, included two (expired) driver's licences, three college IDs, a Social Security card, and a punch-card almost good for a free sandwich at a common sandwich chain. Certainly enough to steal this person's identity.