The (Former) Crossroads of the World

This terrific old sign is located on a building on Bush Street between Taylor and Mason.  Its current incarnation is a tanning salon. I have no recollection of this place ever being a hub of activity, but the club owner once considered the place important enough to be advertised as the "crossroads of the world".  Who knows, perhaps it was one of those "swanky" nightclubs you see in all those old 1940/50s movies, the kind with a floor show, cigarette girls and little lamps on the tables.  Then again, it might have been a real dive.

New Year's Blues

Back from a glorious Christmas holiday, it's hard not to greet the New Year with a bit of trepidation.  The very sad sight of dried-out and abandoned trees on every corner of The City speaks volumes. One of my biggest peeves are the Scrooges   who insist on tossing the old tannenbaum  onto the sidewalk on the 26th of December. Then again, the reformed Scrooge would be too busy spending Boxing Day hanging out with the Cratchits to rip down his tree! I guess it follows that if you've had the darn thing up since November 1st, you're probably eager to be rid of it.
True fans of the season (or observant Christians) can always take comfort in the fact that today is officially the 11th day of Christmas (Pipers Piping seem to be in short supply) and you can still look forward to the Feast of the Epiphany on the 6th.  Or, you can do what Walgreens does and put up the Valentine's Day stuff.

An Over-the-Top Christmas

If you're looking for elaborate private holiday displays, San Francisco probably won't top your list of cities to visit around Christmas time.  It's rare enough to spot a lighted tree in a window, let alone a lavishly appointed monument to seasonal excess.  Still, the occasional effort does surprise.  Here's a place out in the Richmond District that looks like Father Christmas' drunken nightmare.  Where do they keep this stuff when it's not on display?

Under the Mistletoe

In an extremely welcome touch this Christmas season, someone has placed little boughs of mistletoe above the street corners of the Mission and the Castro.  It's amusing to watch peoples' reactions to these kissing opportunities.  I think we need a bit more kissing, in general.

A Beautiful Millennium

I rarely find new condominium developments something to take any notice of.  They tend to be among the blandest and most inoffensive of urban structures as they have to appeal to a broad range of tastes (well-heeled tastes, of course).  There is one new building in San Francisco that is actually quiet stunning, in a relatively low-key way.  The Millennium Tower located South of Market has many surprises for the casual stroller.  I love the way it looks like a completely different building depending on the viewing angle.  It reflects light in some pretty amazing ways, as in this picture.  It has a wonderful profile when viewed from the Bay Bridge and appears to have a diamond-like design on the roof when the sun hits it at just the right angle.  Overall, much nicer than it had to be. For that I'm grateful.

Forgotten Corners of The City

In a city as closely packed as San Francisco (it's the second most densely populated city in America), it's always a revelation to come across some forgotten little place with no one around.  This is the end of 23rd Street near the DHL warehouse and the, now closed, P.G.& E. plant.  Heaps of atmosphere and a great place to leave a body.  The waterfront was lined with this sort of place 30 years ago, before our city planners realized that people like, really like, to be near the water.  There's a little, scruffy park across this inlet called Warm Water Cove Park. I'm not brave enough to investigate the temperature of the water but I'll check out the park soon.