Technicon Valley --- Day 5/42

Walk: Marin Driving, new garage
Distance: 1 mile, small stretch



Ciwt may have to get serious about setting up a home office.  Oh dear; her tech knowledge gap keeps widening with keeps growing with every breakthrough down the road in Silicon Valley.

Rapid Retro --- Day 5/41

Walk: Sacramento Street, Trader Joe's
Distance: 2.6 miles and small yoga



Ciwt was going to go to the de Young museum today to hear one of her favorite docent lecturers today.  But he was touring the Oscar de la Renta Retrospective.  Retropective less than 2 years after his death?  And aren't some of his clothes still in stores?  To Ciwt, the retrospective doesn't seem very removed from going downtown and crusing through the designer departments of Neiman's and Saks. Not museum worthy but probably drawing enormous crowds...

Missing Picassa --- Day 5/40

Walk: No

Distance: 0, nice home yoga

Ciwt is busy wrestling with Google Photo so catch you tomorrow.....

Is It A Girl, Boy, Red, Pink..? --- Day 5/39

Walk: Palo Alto Talk on World Vision, SPCA/Pets Unlimited (Callie 6 mo exam)
Distance: 1 mile, small yoga



Waiting, waiting to see what color these lilies are...

Easter, 2016 --- Day 5/38

Walk: Trader Joe's
Distance: 2 miles and home yoga



Easter is rebirth, renewal and time for Ciwt's pet tree to come fully back to life..

            
and the crocuses to be $1.29 at Trader Joe's     And the planter box Italian parsley to be harvested

Hello, Call Me Apprehensive --- Day 5/37

Walk: Polk Street, Sundance Kabuki (Hello, My Name is Doris)
Distance: 4.3 miles, small, necessary yoga stretches


David Teniers the Younger (Flemish, 1610-1690), A Man Holding a Glass and Old Woman Lighting a Pipe, ca. 1645, oil


Now does Ciwt, a woman of a certain age, really want to go to a movie about a woman of a certain age making a complete fool of herself over a younger man?  She assumed No Way! But now the reviews, from both critics and real people, are so over the top about Sally Fields' acting, the movie buff in Ciwt feels she must see it.  Starts in a couple of hours.  Fingers crossed for dignity and non-gooeyness, but Ciwt is apprehensive.

Update:  Very good acting.  For Ciwt (who has an MA in psychology) though the movie was sad. Here is why:  Doris has Real mental issues/problems/whatever, but the movie just cruises right by them into improbable cute.  And this lack of real understanding of who Doris is by the young screenwriter seems sadder than if she were handled realistically.  Yay for Tyne Daly's strong presence which (almost) balances the sadness factor. Overall though: Ciwt says it's worthwhile;  see it (on an upbeat day) and form your own opinion.

Sky Eyes --- Day 5/36

Walk: Sundance Kabuki (Eye in the Sky)
Distance: 2.8 miles and small yoga



Ciwt just returned from movie Eye in the Sky about a drone episode (B- Ciwt rating), and this (drone?) picture of her neighbor, the Presidio seemed appropriate - and beautiful.  Quite the looker, the Bay Area.

Another Day, Another Art Work --- Day 5/35

Walk: Marin Driving Day
Distance: A few blocks, home yoga

When in need of a laugh images in Why Cats Paint never fail Ciwt...

New Art Digs --- Day 5/34

Walk: Dogpatch
Distance: 1.5 miles


                                                                    
Ciwt was happy to be back in her old art gallery milieu and at an an excellent new addition to that scene.  The Minnesota Street Project is a much-needed artist studio building in a once funky area that now 'belongs' to San Francisco's young, super well-paid techies.  Artists and galleries all over the city have been priced out by the droves, so it is with great joy that a small group of people figured out a way to build a home base for at least some of the artists who used to be the hallmark of San Francisco.

The project had its grand opening last Friday, five days ago, and testament to how much our art community is missed and loved were hours long crowds around the block in the howling wind and showers.  Many/most didn't even get in.

Ciwt wishes the galleries luck in their galleries close to the new cash, but, looking at $75,000 and up price tags she is also apprehensive.  Techies are not known to be a group of leisurely art lovers, and most can just type away on their computers creating some for themselves if they want it.  I few companies and individuals will likely become major collectors.  But how many, time will tell.  So far it has taken diligent work by galleries and foundations since the beginnings of Silicon Valley to get techies to grasp - muchless embrace - the concept of using money to support charities and the arts.

Sole Work --- Day 5/33

Walk: Union Square, Fillmore
Distance: 3.5 miles


Helene Schjerfbeck (Finnish, 1862-1946) Dancing Shoes. Oil on canvas, 1882

Now Ciwt is on to the ever elusive (to her) shoes...

Ahhhh --- Day 5/32

Walk: Small in the Hood
Distance: 8 blocks, home yoga


Robert Ryman, Untitled, early 70's


“Anávyssos House”, Aris Konstantinidis architect, 1962, Greek coast near Athens.



Other images to soothe the soul.

White on White --- Day 5/31

Walk: Cinema Club (VIVA), new garage rental
Distance: 4 miles


Robert Ryman (American, 1930-)

Ciwt remembers going to Robert Ryman's first one-man New York show in 1967.  So soothing then and even more so today (in the midst of Ciwt's current and consuming closet and hair rampage).

Almost There --- Day 5/30

Walk: Fillmore Street
Distance: 2 miles and infinite closet work



Here's an 'almost there' image that brings chills to Ciwt's heart.  Has she told you about coming home and finding a mother raccoon and her three babies in her kitchen?  Everything out of the cupboards and all over the floor, Ciwt's cats nowhere to be found.  Babies scurried away out the back door (whew), but Mama decided to defend their new food source (ie, my stuff) and started swaying, growling, fiercely watching my every quiver.  Ciwt stared back just as fiercely and for some prehistorically determined reason prevailed; Mama turned and lumbered toward her babies out on Ciwt's deck.  Then she led them out the deck door and straight down the outside of Ciwt's building - at least four stories, straight down the side.  Ciwt watched amazed and so happy she wasn't a mini example of the bear scene in Revenant - because, turns out,  raccoons are direct descendants of bears.

Flux, cont. --- Day 5/29

Walk: Fillmore & Sacramento Streets
Distance: 3 miles



Things still fluid...

Go Granny, Go --- Day 5/28

Walk: Marin Driving Day, San Rafael, Fillmore Street
Distance: 3 miles




Maybe tomorrow Ciwt will catch up with herself.  If not, running bee good stuff.

White Out-- Day 5/27

Walk: Union Square, Fillmore Street, Sacramento Street
Distance: 3.5 miles

White Blouses.  White Tops.  No More Black Needed!  This is Ciwt's new mantra.  If you see her heading toward any black pants or jackets, Stop Her!  It's not easy to break the black habit of living in black habits.  

Yes, Some More Sand Over My Head, Please --- Day 5/26

Walk: Goodwill, Town School Clothes Closet, Sacramento Street, Fillmore Street
Distance: 3 miles and heavy lifting



Oh dear.  When Ciwt grew up there was a saying "Don't talk about religion or politics' - and she thinks there was a third thing, money maybe.  It was more than a saying actually; it was pretty much an admonition based on the premise that bringing up any of these subjects was destined to provoke unpleasantness at best and settle nothing.

So when her downstairs neighbor invited her down for dinner on this important primary voting night, she thought, "Good; I'll be away from all the political results and talking heads."  Until, that is, she ran into to said neighbor who said, "This will be great; we'll have the TV on all evening and watch the results come in."

And we'll be drinking wine, and who knows who has what opinion.  And these are my neighbors....Oh Dear....Here I go....

Til Then....---- Day 5/26

Walk: No, Big A Home Day
Distance: teeny yoga





                                                FOR MORE CIWT...

Just Say No --- Day 5/24

Walk: Walgreen's
Distance: A few rainy blocks

                                                 
  (* not Ciwt)

So guess who is walking around in a Walgreen's wrist splint?  Ciwt.  And, here comes the embarrassing part, guess why?  Yoga, of all things.  And guess who is at fault?  Ciwt, of all people.

So avoidable if she had listened to the advice she has dispensed year after year in class after class and CIWT: Listened to Her Body.  From the very first chaturanga (yoga push up) her wrist felt weak and painful.  The very first!  Did she listen and stop?  No, she did a whole practice with many push ups, each weak and painful.  The throbbing didn't set in until the next day...

Your body is smart.  Listen to it!

Maybe A Wee Too Critical? --- Day 5/23

Walk: The Hood
Distance: 3 miles, small home yoga

The other day at the de Young Museum artistic children made and displayed 95 cupcakes to wish

Wayne Thiebaud  a Happy 95th birthday.   Cute idea, but for Ciwt it didn't work visually.  Look how calm and timeless the artist's painting is. No matter how 'mundane' the subject matter, Thiebaud gives it dignity and presence.

Picky, picky Ciwt.  They're just kids...Don't be such a spoil sport....Yah, Yah, Yah

Where's My Lollipop? --- Day 5/22

Walk: Union Square Hair Salon, Sundance Kabuki (10 Cloverdale Lane)
Distance: 2.5 miles, small home yoga, nervous energy expended in salon chair and tense movie



And the rest of my hair?

Comes that day you can't avoid a situation any longer.  In this case, Ciwt's hair, a lifetime 'situation,' but getting worse and worse with each cut.  (PS - If you've had mostly good hair days in your life, you'll probably want to stop reading now).

Anyway, Ciwt had some ideas about what was wrong which she tried to explain to her beloved hairdresser to no avail.  So yesterday she was talking with a French boutique owner she respects who Highly recommended a French hairdresser who cuts for all her events.  You know how picky the French are, so Ciwt steered her car through our morning monsoon to a consultation - in English - with this man.

And his analysis was amazingly Right On/Parfait, just what Ciwt had been guessing all these months/years. (Apparently he has a client with hair just like Ciwt's who comes every 6-8 months for just the teeniest trim.  So he totally gets it). The downside - which Ciwt also already suspected - was that, in order to remedy what was going on, a Lot was going have to be cut off.

She thought about doing something right away, and actually asked him if he had time.  But, quelle dommage, he was totally booked.  Whew.  Then, as she was headed to the elevator, he called out to her:  Due to the storm, someone had just called to cancel her appointment for that very time slot.  So, Ciwt, held her breath, sat down back down in his chair and watched the inches of her hair fall on the floor as he cut. She didn't dare look in the mirror.  At the end, voila!, a Great job. (You can call Ciwt 'Amelie' for a while).

Is six months a very long time?

Driving Not Dancing in the Rain --- Day 5/21

Walk: Marin Driving Day in the RAIN (but of course Ciwt doesn't complain)
Distance: A few blocks and nice home yoga



Ciwt is happy to be home.  Marin roads in the wind and rain can be hair raising.

Long Day --- Day 5/20

Walk: Sacramento Street, Laurel Village
Distance: 2.5 miles and wee yoga

Ciwt Guarantees It --- Day 5/19

Walk: Legion of Honor, Laurel Village
Distance: 3 miles

Retire and you will be Sooo BUSY!  But, come to think of it, maybe stay away from these activities.
(See yesterday's CIWT...)

Rx: Mat Time --- Day 5/18

Walk:  No, home doing taxes and other desk stuff
Distance: 0, Home Yoga



Sports injuries and aging athletes: This is a topic that comes up from time to time in CIWT.  Maybe partly so Ciwt can keep reminding herself that the time for major workouts has truly passed.  The older body really has to take care.

Today she was reading about two Superior, Championship athletes in tennis, one of her old sports, who are face to face with this juncture.  Rafael Nadal, the Adorable, Likable Whole-Hearted scrambler, appears to be nearing his twilight at age 29.  And Maria Sharapova, age 28,  has been sidelined over a drug issue, but, truly, she has been experiencing many injuries in the past few years (as has Nadal).  Sad to see such athletic skill decline.  But it does in every body.

Wonder if either of them will take up yoga (or already have).  That would be nice.

When in Drought - Part 3! (Kids) -- Day 5/17

Walk: Legion of Honor
Distance: 1+ mile, small home yoga

When in Drought...Part 2 --- Day 5/16

Walk: T. Joe's  More RAIN!!!
Distance: 2 miles, small home yoga

When in Drought --- Day 5/15

Walk: No, Rain!
Distance: 0, Home Yoga

Too Many Flowers? Can't Be. - Day 5/14

Walk: Marin Driving Day
Distance: 6 blocks and home yoga



The Oscar de la Renta Retrospective is opening soon at the de Young. There is great excitement. He is beloved by the women he dressed and many others; tickets for most events have been sold out for weeks.

 THEN, a month later, while Oscar's show is still up and probably filled with excited viewers, the annual Bouquets to Art which is always beautiful and always crowded  will also be on and also at the de Young. Ciwt thinks some scheduler might have been on vacation or something when both these lovely and Popular events were put on the calendar.  Docent tours have all been cancelled during Bouquets, extra security has likely been hired, museum personnel and goers like Ciwt are getting prepared.  Too many flowers sounds like an impossibility to those of us who love them, but, for a few days in April, it may be close.  CIWT will be the first to find out.

Answer: What is Sacramento? --- Day 5/13

Walk: de Young, Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA site, Union Square galleries
Distance: 3 miles


(Present)San Francisco City Hall, completed 1915

So today Ciwt was showing a visiting art friend around San Francisco and took her to the Asian Art Museum located in our Civic Center.  Civic Center is home to our City Hall, a majestic Beaux Arts style building prominent among other mostly civic buildings in the same style.  Ciwt told her friend something brief like "That's our City Hall" as they walked past.  But, turns out, her friend thought Ciwt was saying "That's our State Capital Building" and was confused to find it wasn't.

Jeopardy fans, school children and some aware adults know California's capital is actually in Sacramento.      But do any of us know how that
                      California State Capital Building, Sacramento, completed 1874
came to be?  Not Ciwt, and when her friend asked about that, it was Ciwt's time to be confused.

Turns out the answer is that common one: Follow the money.  In our case out here, the Gold Rush. Sacramento was a destination point for people coming to California to strike it rich.  And after gold miners, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, and other service related entrepreneurs soon followed giving Sacramento an economic base.

There were other reasons as well: Sacramento was not near the ocean so there was little chance of invasion, but it was near rivers that led to San Francisco and other economic ports.  And, at the time of its establishment as the capital, many of the most powerful people in the newly formed State of California, like John Sutter and John Marshall, were already there.  They were among the power elite that had seen to it the City had been planned, street grids were completed and a government was in place. So, no new city had to be formed, and the Capital could be moved into an area that already been established.

So now you, Ciwt's friend and Ciwt know.