Thursday, July 12, 2007

AFTER ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SUPRISE

Returning home from the accident investigation, I witnessed major street cleaning.
It seems like we have a North Of Market Street Clean-Up Group.
Have to say, I am quite impressed.
Trucks , people sweeping, people hosing down the streets with an actual cleaning fluid.

Thank you to the North of Market Clean-Up Group.

And, an extra Thank You to the Homeless Gentleman that was also sweeping, and wished me a good day. (He told me he was homeless, and was helping clean OUR STREETS) and by the way,
WISHED ME A GOOD DAY.

Yes, they are OUR STREETS and thank you everyone for partaking in the clean-up.

And HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THREE CAR COLLISION ON POLK STREET

This morning, helicopters were flying over my apartment once again.
Personal investigation was a necessity for me, because of our lack of current event news reporting. So, I bring you , me on the scene.
Followed above mentioned helicopter sounds.
There was a three car collision on Polk Street at the corner of "Federal Courthouse Plaza".
I got there as the mess was being cleaned up. One of the cars had sped into the court house, leaving a huge hole on the side of the building. Can't figure out how this happened, except for possibly speeding through a red light. Police on the scene said that the persons involved got away with minor abrasions. Very lucky people to be alive, I thought.
Had the camera with me , but couldn't take photo's of this. Sorry!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

SOMEONE IS PAYING ATTENTION

this morning's clean up

Could not believe my eyes and ears this morning.
After the article below, I went on my a.m. doggie walk.
Wow ! Will miracles never cease.

Street cleaning vehicles and crews all over the place. And guess what, garbage trucks were followed by the street cleaning. Oh, my.
City garbage cans were empty too.

My favorite abandoned building was even painted over. Of course a new tag showed up, but whatever.
Someone is truly paying attention now.
Thank you !
It's a start.

LESS GARBAGE CANS ON STREET ? WTF?!?

PILE O' STUFF

This is the result of less garbage cans on the street.
City people are going to keep using the street as their personal garbage cans anyway.

The Mayor says less cans. Also says the garbage cans we have on the street corners are overflowing. Are you kidding me?

Why don't you try emptying the cans on a regular basis, thus eliminating the overflow.
I have been photographing the result of garbage left on the street because I can't believe a city this small and with such surrounding beauty can't get it together.
It seems that you guys or one guy in particular in city hall is too concerned with personal stuff to actually notice the problems here in San Francisco (downtown area especially).
Hey, you invite tourists to come and admire this place. Clean it up !

If you read the article below in todays SFGate, the mayor also says there were tickets given for littering. I personally never saw this happen.
People in the downtown area as well as in the suburban area's of this city don't even pick up their dog feces. However, for the people that do, where would you like them to put their baggie?
I personally am putting mine in my building's trash can.
What about the homeless taking dumps on the streets? There seems not to be a baggie for them to put their stuff into (if they were so inclined).
Hey, Community Clean Up Committee , where are you on this one ? (or are you still working on the balloons?)

Current Mood........Get me out of here !

This is an actual quality of life situation !
SAN FRANCISCO / Trash cans cut back on city streets / Mayor defends policy but supervisors, residents complain

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

CRACK SMOKER IN MY DOORWAY

CRACK SMOKER IN MY DOORWAY



nothing says welcome home like this does !

been back in S.F. for about a week.and haven't stopped working til today. (sigh of relief).
was in NYC for a long weekend.
it was GREAT to be HOME.
Huge difference in city comparisons.
aka No Comparison !

Thursday, May 10, 2007

I Am Not Using Craigslist Again

First thing this morning, I posted a comment on the Craigslist website (local news section) regarding the balloons on the parking meter thing.
I questioned the legal issues surrounding the matter.
Guess what!
Flagged!!
I guess you can't question legal issues in San Francisco without getting Flagged. It was only a question.
All I wanted to know is if anyone has ever heard of such a thing.
You can however discuss all your perverted needs on this website without getting flagged.
Whatever, I'm done with Craigslist.
Perverts out there.........post away.......it's okay!

I did post the same question in the SFist comments. Not flagged!

It is a legitimate question.

Hey, Stanley Roberts of "People Behaving Badly", can you check this issue out for me? Please.
(The balloons, not the Craigslist thing) Thank you!

Are Balloons Tied to A Parking Meter Illegal?

It seems that the place of my employment is guilty of a quality of life crime.

No, not of the life-sucking variety.

The crime of tying balloons to a parking meter .
Now, I don't know about you, but I am personally mortified when I see balloons tied to a parking meter.

Okay, here's how the alleged "crime" goes down (please, don't try this at home):
the store gets ready to open (insert some suspense music here, it's okay)
the opening procedure list comes out (uh,oh)
one of the items on the list is "blow up 3 balloons and tie to meter in front of store" (insert drum roll)
Oh no, you say. Yes, this is on the list.
The rest of the list is too boring to mention (for now)
Balloons go up.
Okay, crime complete (Ta DA).
On with the day!

Okay, so nothing sounds too criminal yet. True. My place of employment has had this bad habit of tying the balloons to the meter in front for over 30 years.Hmm, you say. Me too!

Here's the lowdown about how we find out that our criminal activity has been noticed.

Yesterday, a gentleman called the shop, identifying himself as Jack Sween (Sweeney?) of the Community Clean-up Committee (please forgive me Jack for possibly not getting your name right) .
Okay, so?
Yadayadayada.....blah,blah,blah.....so I told the guy to call our office phone and speak directly to the owner, since this is owner-related and not sales-related.
Twice repeated what I just said and gentleman caller keeps talking.

Well, you know I naturally am fascinated with what the guy is talking about.

Subject: Illegal Balloons
Memo: None
Me: Are you kidding me? Or in other words...WTF

Subject Part 2: Quality of Life Issue (Yup, the balloons)
Me:(again) WTF

Okay, I have issues which have to do with Quality of Life. Honestly, I've never had an issue with a balloon.

So, because gentleman caller felt the need to discuss business that was not mine with me. I had the need to discuss issues that were mine with him. (insert big smile here) I was in fact quite happy to do this.

Here's the discussion: (after the balloon nonsense)
Me: Quality of life issues I have (balloons not included)(only listing a couple here)
a) just this morning I had to walk over a person sleeping in my doorway.
b) usually have to pick up my dog in the street so that he doesn't step on the glass , syringes ,human feces, food leftovers, vomit,etc. on our morning walk.
c)being accosted time after time by people asking for money or cigarettes
d)witnessing various acts of criminal activity , as in drug selling, prostitution,etc.
e)witnessing crack use and syringe users on my doorstep
I'll stop here.

So, Mr. Jack (caller) says that if I am having problems with these quality of life issues I should be calling 311 to report them.

Okay, Mr. Jack, then what ?

Mr. Jack says that the volunteers over at 311 will "work on it" .

I personally have called 911 when a person was trying to get into my building, and they didn't respond. (the person did get into the building and refused to leave until he had a police escort) We, the building residents were in fact trying to work on that (without cooperation).

I know someone who called 911 to report massive amounts of crackheads (on one of the various crackhead corners that are located throughout our fine city) which happened to be the front of this persons building. There was usage and selling of the above named product.
Response=none
Person who called's response to 911 people= "you mean it is legal to do this?"
Yup! Guess so.

Mr. Jack, when told where I lived, and after hearing my actual quality of life grievances, mentioned that when he went through my area, what stood out in his mind was the graffiti.
Are you blind? Or are you brainwashed?
Mr. Jack seems to think everything that I complained about in my area seems to be the direct result of the graffiti.
So, I mentioned the abandoned property and the low lighting features in my area. Mr. Jack, don't you think this contributes to the fine aspects which I have clearly complained about?
Nope.
So people, here's what it all means:

If you have a problem with a balloon on your parking meter call 311, they will respond. Seems to be true of graffiti too (according to Mr. Jack).
If your call relates to other , possibly things of a more serious nature,well....they will try to get to it.

To all the balloons out there:
Run for your lives !!

Just a note: the above mentioned balloons do not contain advertising on them and they are removed from parking meter at the end of the work day. The balloon remains are disposed of properly.



Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Good Morning Tenderloin Heights

I was planning on writing something serious today.
But, changed my mind.
I can do something more serious later.
It actually feels good not to feel serious.

So, I'm on my way to the laundromat. and hear a chorus of beautiful music.
The sounds of drilling up the streets on one side of me, on the other side, some homeless guy singing at the top of his lungs (actually sounded good) and here comes the fire engine.

People are marching by, holding their ears but for some reason this music was entertaining to me.

Sounds of city life. I like it.

Soon I will hear the Tuesday Lunch Bell.Then I can go on with my day.

On the downside, the dryer is now 25 cents for 5 minutes. Hmmmmm.

Nickelback - If Everyone Cared (video)

Incredible !
Message= Do Something.Anything !

Zion I - The Bay

this says it all

Monday, April 23, 2007

WTF


BAR CODE PEOPLE CONTINUED




OH YEAH, WE NEED THIS ONE TOO...............................





I myself, will be wearing the WTF shirt.
Because I seem to be in a constant state of WTFness !


I witness stuff and say WTF
I read stuff and say WTF
I hear stuff and say WTF

Why ? Am I the only one feeling this ? WTF !!


BAR CODE PEOPLE

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR BAR CODES
AT ALL TIMES.

People are labeled for one reason or another by others who may or may not know what they are talking about........professional degree or not.......it's all just an opinion isn't it? Kids are labeled, adults are labeled. The follow-up on situations aren't even looked in to. Or looked into the wrong way.

So I say, let's wear our label on our shirts !

Monday, April 09, 2007

Is This San Francisco Speak ?

When I ask most people here in San Francisco," How are you" (a common question) (also does not mean that I need a full rundown of your aches and pains )

I get this answer..... "I'm well"

What does this mean ?
Does it mean that you weren't doing so well before and now you are better ?
Does it mean that you just came from your shrinks office and they have declared that you are now
free to use the words. I'm well ?
What is that?

A more normal answer to the above question would have been:

I'm fine thank you. How are you?

Here's another one:

A common phrase in the world of retail, of which I partake is this one :

"Can I help you ? "

An answer I receive is this one:

"I'm good"

I really don't understand what that means.

A common answer might have been:

No thank you, I am just looking. or No, but thank you for asking.

And another one that I especially like is this:

When saying to a person "have a good evening"

response= "I will"

proper response=" thank you. you too".

note the absence of the words thank you in responses.

no manners? definitely
self absorbed ? yup !!

I don't understand.
Someone explain it to me.........please .

Note the word Please !

Thank you.

Is Passover a BIG Holiday

Last Monday, the person that I work for asked me this....

um,erm.(gulp)......"is this holiday (referring to Passover) , a big holiday ?!?"
Another co-worker was waiting patiently for the answer as well.

I, as astonished as I was just answered "yes, yes it is" and walked away.

I'm still pondering this 1 week later , as you can see.
I still don't understand how unaware of others people can be.
Have you been that sheltered from outside of your own world elements ?

This is what I said to most of my customers, last week......" have a happy holiday".
Their response, " Happy Easter".

So, I guess the person I work for was not the only one sheltered from outside of their own world.

Side note........Not one person that I wished Happy Holiday to , said Thank You .

That should be addressed as well .

Whatever you celebrate, I hope your holidays were happy !!

Thursday, April 05, 2007

My Commentary on the topic below !

thats what I'm talking about !!
Buy one and wear it .

Found a local news source

This mornings internet wandering led me to a couple of interesting places.
First up.....
Act Locally SF
Okay, this is the Mayor's ? blog.......on which there's alot of blah, blah, blah....I'm looking into this and that, etc.. However the most interesting part of this blog are the people of San Francisco's comments. What are the concerned citizens of S.F. commenting about? Well, all the problems that we "regular" people on a daily basis have to deal with........Muni......that's a given; Homeless people, uh, yeah.
....urination and defecation on the streets......there are obviously no public facilities in the streets.........well, maybe that large one over on Larkin that is being used as a homeless facility when not being used as a spot to bring your tricks. By the way some guy even suggested and linked to a company with receptacles that come out of the ground (not kidding) here it is for your viewing pleasure...UriLift International
what else, well the usual other stuff we deal with everyday....drugs,addicts,dirty streets,crappy roads, bad drivers, high rents, that kind of stuff.
So, I'm thinking, if everybody (so it seems) is so pissed off at all this.........Why isn't anybody taking matters into their own hands.....or forming groups to get the job done.
Why are we waiting for the folks in City Hall to do something ?
They do not live in our neighborhoods !
Are we not pissed off enough yet ?
I certainly am !
I personally have been asked by two different neighborhood associations to join them at their meetings. They obviously thought I had some good issues to bring to the table and bring into the light.
Guess what...I didn't attend....why, you ask......full time job, not 9-5 , usually not a regularly scheduled day off , and when there is one, someone will call in "sick", and I will have to come in.
No, I don't work in an office.
Now I'm thinking........damn.......other people work too, are either too tired or worn out, and have other regular responsibilities in their lives to attend or be interested in attending these meetings too.
That's why nothing gets done !
We are so busy with our rat race lives to participate.
Well guess what........we will have to start fitting this type of thing in !!
This city is and will continue to fall down faster than we can run on the hamster wheel.
Who will be affected by this ? Hmm....that's right.....you and me !
Not the sorority/frat people that don't live in our hoods.
Lets make a difference !
I will stop taking now, although I do have more to say.

But, I do want to share this local news site with you (it's very good):
BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » New Voice For The City

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

MY NEW LINE OF CLOTHING


Just wanted to let you know
Please stop by
some cool kids stuff too
thank you

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Update on Helicopters

Tried for quite a while to find info on the helicopters flying over my apartment this morning.

Amazing that this city has news studio's in ideal locations, but for some reason finds that reporting on a crash on Hwy 101 yesterday seems more important than keeping the public informed on what is going on RIGHT NOW.

A pedestrian was killed by a MUNI BUS this morning on Ellis & Leavenworth Streets.

Thats what happened.

Another pedestrian death.
When will this stop ?


As I mentioned at the top of the page , this information took quite a while to find. Had to sift through weather mis-info, traffic conditions elsewhere, things that happened yesterday, etc. .

we really do need a local-only news source for the city !
Anyone want to start one with me?
I do have television production experience.



Walking is Good

Sometimes I take long walks around San Francisco.
Usually, I try to get away from the city noises that I usually hear and try to clear my head of thoughts that I don't want to think about.

Right now, there are helicopters flying around above my apartment. I don't know what is going on outside. Usually the "breaking news" section of our local information source doesn't cover it. I think we need a better source for news here in the Bay Area. NYC has NY1......24/7 of breaking news. Right now my heart is racing.

Usually its the sirens that keep me jumping, late at night and early a.m. .

One of the many benefits of downtown life.

Pissed Off

I've been in pissed off mode.
Pissed off at people (attitudes mostly), news I've heard about people I know and about people that I don't know, injustices......well, alot of stuff .

For me, pissed off is a good thing. It gets me motivated. It makes me think. It makes me see things more clearly.

What actions will I take ?
I don't know.
But right now, the wheels are in motion. That's a start.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

People Really Behaving Badly

This morning , while reading SFist........read,read,read,blah,blah,blah....until this post and comments caught my attention
SFist: Not A Girl's Kind Of Girl

Are you kidding me ? So many people spending so much time on this crap ! I understand the small-townish, self-absorbed atmosphere here, but really folks, there are much more important issues in this town to be involved with. (Mr. Mayor included )

Mr. Mayor, I am personally tired of hearing about your self-induced problems. I am not cold-hearted in any sense and do wish you well . Your "girlfriend(s)" are also not my business,as well as their need for attention in the media spotlight and in my own blog.

There are much bigger issues here in San Francisco and in the world to have the media focused on. You are not a huge issue ! Sorry, this is not a personal attack. This is just my feeling about reading the morning news and finding this information up first and the more important issues down below it. The people of San Francisco's comments are astonishing as well, there are other issues people!

After the SFist article and comments, I moved on to this :The Chronicle Local News Blog : Siebel Strikes Back

wow !

This is truly SF People Behaving Badly ... only not caught on tape.

Friday, January 12, 2007

One more thing I would like to share with you today.

I watched this reporter on television once. and thought that he was great.....just wanted to share
Stanley Roberts' "People Behaving Badly"
watch the video's... this is San Francisco folks ! (although, it could be worse in other places)
Worth checking out....."Panhandling for drugs" video listed in the above link.
This is where I live.

Right after I watched some of these video's this morning, I took my dog for a walk while still chuckling away, witnessed something that would make one of the top ten in my estimation.
I only wish I had a camera with me !

Man running across street (well, two streets to be exact).........against red lights.....dodging early a.m. traffic....... I couldn't imagine what or whom he was running from or to....until I saw what it was.......he was running to get a newspaper from a pile that was left in front of the corner store (which was not opened yet) .........took the newspaper from the pile.......ran back across two streets , against the lights and through traffic again.......to get on a bus that was just pulling in.

This was too funny.......yet broke almost every rule.

Next time I go into the street, I will bring my camera !

Have a Great Day !
This morning as I was searching my usual haunts on the Internet , I came up with some extremely fascinating things.
The first place I read on line is GOTHAMIST , a NYC based news blog. It usually has more current information on local and non-local news plus other goings on than the usual sources for news.
Next place I go to is SFIST.....same idea and company, but local. Not nearly as informative as Gothamist, but usually there is something there to keep my attention and keep me entertained.
Usually, it would be the reporting of the Swells column in our local newspaper, The Chronicle.
How many Hats, Tiaras, mentions of local V.I.P. names and of course......how many minorities counted in the photo's. Pretty funny stuff....yet, not funny at all ! But, then again this is San Francisco and not New York.
Before you say....stop comparing NY and SF......and......why don't you move back to NY.....I will explain my position.
Things are just more noticeable here. It's a big, yet very small city......which is why some things just stand out more than they would in say, a larger city.
Okay, now on with why I am writing today.....
SFist linked to this article... abc7news.com: Yale Choir Assaulted; No Arrests By SFPD
I've been reading about this in the local free newspaper The Examiner . After this event occured it was mentioned in the paper......then nothing (tipical).....then again yesterday (a few days later).
The thought of nothing (or not enough) being done about this is killing me. Also, the opinions of the people writing in to the news blog are ridiculous. Read and see what I mean.
Another thing before I move on to topic of news #2........Most of SF crime does go unreported and alot of it is ignored.........that's my 2-cents !
Here is topic #2, which is another article I linked to:abc7news.com: Newsom Responds To Choir Assault Case

In case you are not in the Bay Area........Newsom is the Mayor. Watch the video! More importantly, watch til the end of the video.......thats the most entertaining part.

The Mayor, it seems was at a party on New Years Eve,(which he is entitled to do) and seems to have had a drink or two (which is ok), when the news regarding this incident came in. The Mayor then went to the hospital to check on the attacked men. Thus the reporter questioning (?) the Mayor.

Okay.........Sfist usually keeps people abreast of the mayoral goings on.....only because he (the Mayor) puts himself in that position. The things mentioned in the SFist blog regarding Mayor Newsom would include,how many meetings,if any, has he attended or refused to attend, what color his tie is(ususally ice blue), has he or hasn't he used gel in his hair(looks better without the gel), who he is dating, how old they are, do they have a Myspace page and overall what he has been seen in public doing.........alcohol included.

Obviously these people have way too much time on their hands, but honestly, this stuff is too amusing to ignore.

Note to Mayor Newsom.........do what you want to in your private life( it is your business).....you are entitled to enjoy yourself........please remember that because you are a public figure
......people are watching your every move..........Try Being a Little More Discreet. And do not be offended by people asking you about these incidents after the fact..........You have placed yourself in the public eye.

Thank you....

Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year Everyone .

I have forgotten or have been too busy to blog. Working does that. But I will now make up for lost time.

I'm still here in S.F.'s Tenderloin Heights. This will make it almost 6 years for me.
I , myself can't believe it . Toyed with the idea of moving "back east"....actually still considering it. But.........I do love my neighborhood and all the goings on. I kind of like the surreal feeling I get here.

Here is what I've gotten out of my time spent in "the heights":

I "know" all of the dog walking people........not their names, but I do know their pets names. Pet people are the best !.....I wave hello to the corner-store guy , the laundromat attendants, the corner coffee shop people.......they all wave back.
The drug dealers and prostitutes are still here (just for the record), they are all pretty friendly too.
The "Loony-Bin" Hotel (name withheld) , on the corner is still as busy as ever......whenever I hear the sirens (that would be every night) I know where they are headed. The place is more of a residential hotel.......seems mostly older people, loonies, and federally subsidized folks just down on their luck live in this place. Alot of them are handicapped...walkers, wheel chairs and such........there is not a handicapped entrance in sight......Isn't there a law that warrants a handicapped entrance ! I've heard alot of stories from people that live in this place.........people jumping out of windows, and off of roofs.........fights.........throwing things out of windows (at people) (I am a witness).......and more.......oh yeah, and the federally subsidized meds are being sold or traded on the street for non-subsidized meds. I myself have seen the transformation of one elderly gent with a walker........the guy could hardly walk with the thing.......now......no walker.....seems elderly guy has a regular dealer down the block......who keeps him feeling young. It's a miracle !
By the way, the loonies all say hello too !

The place where I work in "upper-my shit don't stinkville"....(yup. still there).....it's a small retail establishment.
We have had at least 4o employees come and go in the past 5 years.......WTF.....is work a difficult life-choice here?

So, all in all, I am still fascinated with this place.....It is a study in life.....my neighborhood, it's a good place.....it's real......real is good ! " Working-class" people seem to get the shaft in life, but at least we are real.....and we care.......say hello, it's okay....smiling to others is good too. We're all in this world together.....not separately. Make eye-contact........don't look away......you might learn something. Learning is also good !

And one more thing........if you end up on Craig's List in the Missed Connection's....it's your own fault.....Just say Hello !!

Have a great 2007 !