Hard to avoid thoughts of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.    Life is a gift.  How shall I spend this precious day?    

I snapped this photo at Bar Jules and when I looked at it, I thought of a Edward Hopper painting of people staring vacantly in a restaurant.  These two people are at separate tables and both seem lost in thought in their own worlds.  In my mind, the person inside looks out at a light that shines on a world that he wishes he could be part of (actually I cropped the other person out of the photo - but that wouldn't be as interesting).  

 

 The evolution of design in architecture moves relatively slowly while the look of fashion, graphics and electronics can  change almost overnight.  Those who follow fashion will notice the slightest change in fit, color, length and other minor details that add up to the "new " look.  I admit to being a little ignorant about fashion, but I follow an interesting blog called the Sartorialist started by a guy who photographs people on the street around the world.  Sometimes trendy, sometime very ordinary, he photographs people who obviously pay attention to how they dress. 

This guy on Valencia Street in the photo above obviously pays attention too.  You don't just happen to roll your jeans up above your ankles, add a sport coat and run out the door.  That's a big "look at me"  statement.  Sometimes it's great and sometimes it's not.  We all need a little self-knowledge and confidence to know what works.  It's the same in designing buildings.  If you design something that attracts attention, it better be good. 

I was walking along Valencia to a restaurant when this guy walked by me.  I thought, what the heck and snapped a picture.  This is my first attempt at a Sartorialist type photo.  Check out his blog here. His photos and the look of the website are great.  

 

 Nice colors and textures.

 

I must have jiggled when I took this i-phone photo on the left on a rainy day in Manhattan.  I liked it blurry as it reminded me of impressionist paintings of Paris like the one on the right.  

Dore Alley is right around the corner from my office.  If you look carefully at the corner of the brick building you will see a steel "bandage" and repairs in the brick walls -- a legacy of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake.   Bricks had crashed down denting the cars below leaving gaping cracks in the wall following the mortar pattern between the bricks.  

At one time, the "bandage" was black but I guess it was too much of a noticeable reminder of the vulnerability of these unreinforced masonry buildings.  

 

Here's another accidental photo on Folsom Street.  Sitting in my VW at Vega Cafe, I notice the diagonal shadow of a post on the sidewalk.   I snap the picture and look at it.  The different elements in the photo connect with one another.  
The shadow on the window sill of the car merges with the diagonal line and then again merges with the shadow of the building leading the eye back for forth.  The building green recalls the green of the car.  Not a great shot, but enough to think about for a bit.  

 

 

Located next to Slim's Nightclub in SOMA, Bar Agricole, 355 11th Street,  San Francisco is the hot new place - both from the design and food aspects.  Haven't been  there yet, but it looks pretty interesting.  In its previous incarnation it was a plumbing supply warehouse, very down to earth and gritty.  

Now it's polished up quite a bit.  I  like the simple details like the stones here separating the fence and sidewalk.

At Vega Cafe, Folsom Street, San Francisco