Springtime in San Francisco

Was in SF for a few days last week, and it is still one of my fave cities in the world. The air was crisp, a touch of spring and a little bite in the air, but sunshine kept me company most of the time I was there. Popped by old haunts such as Sears Fine Foods for breakfast (da best bacon crisps to date), Guitar Center (reloacted to 1645 Van Ness Ave but stocks less than what they used to) and of course Virgin Megastore (picked up Rachel Yamagata's debut - raw, tense, angry, imploring, and she's cute to boot). Skipped Banana Republic this round (although I heard they had a sale going on).
What's new in SF? A lot of reconstruction going on - some buildings left hanging onto their proud past with only their facades standing - everything thing else was demolished. But it was good to be back in SF if only fleetingly. Spring and SF.

Loaded

I'm the master of my destiny. I am what I eat. I am what I read. I am what I hear. I am what I say. And I'm so loaded. By food. Heavy lunches shouldn't be allowed during the work week. It saps energy. Help - I need to snooze. Can't. type. any. longer. Zzzzz.

Entry Restricted II

Well, the anguish over the privileged amusement park isn't about to subside. People are still incensed, infuriated, and insulted. The city's officials aren't going to make any apologies for their Fascist act either. Will the downtrodden tear down the walls? Can they ever find the collective strength? Shall they move on? And let injustice fester like a cancer, imploding within their insolent bodies in the distant future?

Can fairness be ridden roughshod by the seeming gain in economic benefits? Has pragmatism denigrated common sense and individual rights? Must we let them?

Entry Restricted

Imagine having a nice amusement park built in your very own city, with the latest and greatest rides, gizmos and attractions the city can ever offer. Now imagine that the park is opened exclusively for people who don't live in the city, but who are wealthy enough to pay the entry fee and for the rides.

The people in the city are shut out, and told that this is for their own good. There could be an addiction to rides, and the city's officials don't want anyone to get hooked and possibly waste their lifesavings on the rides.

Okay, they give in - people from the city can go, but they have to pay a hefty entry fee before they get in, much higher than what outsiders would pay. And the city's officials will post counsellors on site to spot would-be addicts, and haul them out of the park.

Gives me the jitters everytime I think about it - is there an affront to the freedom of choice and individual rights of the citizens? Strangely enough, there are people who live in the city who would happily choose to be shut out, for all kinds of reasons. But there are others who are insulted at the way they are treated.

What to do? Is there merit to discrimination, and should it be condoned in this case?

What are the benefits to the city's people if the park was a roaring success? What are the consequences should the park fail miserably?

Deep Purple revisited

Am listening to the 1976 Deep Purple line-up: David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Tommy Bolin, Jon Lord, Ian Paice from their Come Taste the Band LP. Great stuff if you gave it a chance, post-Ian Gillan, Richie Blackmore and Roger Glover.
Bolin's guitar playing is superb, bluesy and soulful. Great use of the guitar effects and slide. Coverdale's voice is sublime. Check out 'Coming Home' to see what I mean.

Wonder what would have happened if Deep Purple hadn't broken up after that...

London is the vibe II

Visited the weekend markets (Camden, Portobello, Old Spitalfields, Petticoat Lane, Brick Lane) and noticed something - it's like One Nation Under A Groove all over. Everything music stall I stopped at was blaring out ragga/dub music, which was great! Loved it!
70's funk was also a favourite among some stall owners, and I couldn't stop grinning ear to ear. Vibey or what? Pass that joint, mate.

London is the vibe

Just returned to my island republic from London. Old traditional London, and yet, it's fresh, exciting, and vibey at the same time. Caught Tim Garland's International Quartet and Judy Lewis at Jazz@Pizza Express, and Mark Crooks/Jim Tomlinson with the 'Lester Leaps In' band at Club 606. Great stuff. I love jazz, especially the free form stuff.
London's kinda expensive though.