Good morning San Francisco!

Radiology inside and out

I finally got my copies of my x-rays from a few weeks ago.  It's a stress fracture that's healing nicely - you can see the callus forming.

Oh, and here's the view from radiology - pretty nice!

Spaceships and Santa karaoke

So Saturday morning started with a trip to the Farmer's Market, and on the way they were doing some work on the spaceship, and further down a guy in a Gap hoodie and a Santa hat was singing Christmas karaoke.

Meanwhile the Exploratorium was testing out some new exhibits, including a giant table that showed fog patterns, and a smaller table with part of the mud library available for your viewing pleasure:

Down by the ice rink I got to watch the Zamboni, while some other folks discussed the housing market:

Then it was people watching...

And commuting on Monday - including a guy knitting a scarf on Muni:



The Orchid Whisperer

A moment of silence for my orchid - he is officially gone.  He wasn't doing well, and just yesterday I learned that we have an Orchid Whisperer in the office, but it was too late.  We think the roots had already started to go when I got him - that fluffy stuff just doesn't drain well.

Fair well, Fred 2.  There's good drainage in Heaven.

Sitting still, reading a book

Believe it or not, I actually caught someone sitting still reading a real book.  I even had time to get some color in!  On the way home I got an iPad reader and a Kindle reader.  There was another real book reader, but not enough room on the page to get the proportions right.  Kindle guy got off the train before I had a chance to get more than a real cartoon-y sketch.

New bike and some sketches

I picked up my new bike this morning - it's a clearance special and I got my $500 worth.  I don't know what I'll want in the city, so I got something good enough - and a U-lock.  It's a comfortable ride, at least for a short ways, and the plan is to go for a longer ride tomorrow.

Meanwhile, here are some more drawings from airplanes, airports, and coffee shops.

Full moon and a Christmas tree

Beautiful moon out there, and I got the mini tree decorated.

Some city moments

Giant balls and organic cupcakes

Yesterday was the official Drawing Jam at Gage.  I spent the morning at the Farmer's Market and the afternoon test riding bikes (I finally ordered the Diamondback online from REI).  I felt obliged to draw something on Drawing Jam day, so I went down to the pub:

Today was my own personal Drawing Jam, and started out by checking out the giant Christmas ornaments that are downtown, followed by lunch at Plant Organic (fabulous chicken salad, sencha tea, and a cupcake for dessert):

Then it was people-watching and taking in the scenes of San Francisco:

...which included some folks fishing off the pier:

And some more people watching at the Marketplace, along with a cup of hot cocoa (Cowgirl Creamery - Blue Bottle is much better!):

For the grand finale, a DJ had set up across the street from the Occupy tents and the net result was Occupy Dance Floor.  The DJ was great, and a bunch of hippies dancing is grand entertainment.

People going places

More planes and trains and the buses that take you between the planes and trains.

Test rode a replacement bike this morning (Giant).  It was OK but I didn't like the handling.  I've got to love my bikes (I ride so much) so I'm going to try a few others.  I didn't want to spend the day bike shopping, though, so I went down to my favorite place - the Market Place at the ferry dock.  I tried some hot cocoa from Blue Bottle (Good!  they use dark chocolate) and watched the world go by for a while.

 

I sniffled a little every time I saw a bike - such a nice day for a ride!  I wandered across the way to the ice skating rink that's set up.  If my foot weren't bothering me then I would have strapped on some skates.  It was highly entertaining watching folks - so many people were just gripping the edge of the rink and pulling themselves around.  And anther set had their legs stiff as boards but were trying to walk.  There were a few who were really good skaters - mostly kids.  Then it was back to the Market Place for some dim sum and tea.  I tried a new tea that was good - some sort of toasted something - but I think a green or white would have been more suited for the day.

Tomorrow it's another trip to the Glendale office - more seatbacks in front of me!

Scenes of the city

My only Black Friday shopping was a trip to Utrecht to get some canvas (their brand was on sale 40% off).  I need more canvas like a hole in the head right now - but I'm planning another series and their super-nice stuff is pricey so I got a few.  Then it was over to the Market Place at the ferry building - wonderful place to just sit and people watch.



Today I was going to go for a nice long bike ride, but when I got down to the parking garage both of my bikes were gone - but I did find the remainders of one of the locks - cleanly cut.  So instead I let the apartment management know (I suspect someone went on a spree), and called the police and my insurance company.  The apartment building is going to set up a bike parking area that has a camera pointing at it (they're planning on adding more bike parking anyway.)  Then I went for a walk along the water.  Beautiful day.

I was thinking that I need to get a U-Lock to go with the cable lock, but haven't found a bike shop yet.  I'll get a bad-ass u-lock when I get a new bike, and that bike is staying inside the apartment!  That's where I normally keep them, but when I had movers and a zillion boxes that wasn't really doable - now it is (or will be by golly)

Planes and Trains and moving boxes

I can't believe I've only been here a month - it feels much longer!  The place is basically unpacked, but not exactly organized.  When I wasn't unpacking, I've been on planes and trains - flying back to Seattle to meet the movers, flying down to the Glendale office and taking the train to work every day.  I do love the train.

Here's a few sketches from those exciting days in Redwood City:

Final sketches of Seattle:

And a few from San Francisco, Cal Train, and airplanes:

 

Thanksgiving with Caesar

Me, Caesar, and a pizza this year - perfect!  The pizza was fantastic and there's the other half for leftovers.

Scanning like crazy

So I've finally got the computer all hooked up and I'm scanning my sketchbook.  Here's a look at the wayback machine - the trip down here with a duffel bag and nowhere to live.  It seems so long ago!

Happy Thanksgiving - I'm thankful that I found a cool place with an awesome view and my stuff almost fits.  Oh, and I'm not cooking - pizza for me this year.

Fridge magnets

Well, the Fridge is set. (And yes, there's stuff on the inside, too.)

Rainbow over the bridge

Rain this morning - but now there's a nice rainbow over the bridge:

Meanwhile, the studio is starting to look like a studio: