A+ Birdwatching --- Day 13/24

Walk: Hood

Distance: 3 miles
 

So today Ciwt was walking by the little park next door which, it turns out, is known among birdwatchers as one of the best.  It is also a major home base for growing flocks of red headed parakeets (which are mistakenly though understandably called Wild Parrots).  Bright green and chattery they swirl around the park neighborhood, landing here and there for a while on trees and rooftops.  You feel lucky if you see them in flight or for a moment on their temporary perches.

But not today.  Ciwt heard the usual squacking but assumed the parakeets were hidden in some trees.  Then she looked up to her left and saw a bunch of them just hanging out on a bare limbed wintering tree.  Maybe the birds would stay for a moment longer and she could have a closer look, so she climbed up the stairs and saw several people with their iphone cameras pointed at the birds.  Surely the birds would fly away any moment with all these people around.

No, they stayed put, still squaking and flitting around, but right there.  Beautiful, antic and fun to watch.

 

Now this is the kind of bird watching that appeals to Ciwt!

Survivor Guilt --- Day 13/23

Walk: Hood 

Distance: 2 miles

As most of Ciwt's readers know, the 49ers survived as victors in yesterday's playoff game against the Detroit Lions.  We're relieved and happy out here, but there is no overturned cars joyous celebration.  To get to the Super Bowl, the 49ers had to dash the hopes of a team beloved in many areas of the country - including the Bay Area.  Lots of people out here are either from Detroit or spent many years rooting for the franchise and many of them were in the stands yesterday. 

When the Lions came to play San Francisco it was their first Super Bowl opportunity since the franchise began as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans in 1930.  And they almost did it!  So close; they were fired up with energy and played beautifully.  So beautifully, at half time Ciwt congratulated her friend who grew up near Detroit and said she would happily cheer for the Lions in the Super Bowl. But as Yogi Berra said: It's not over till its over....

Most fans out here were mindful of the 49ers' difficult task as spoilers.  Those who weren't were reminded in sympathetic columns by our local sportswriters.  As long time sports writer Ann Killian wrote before the game: They (the 49ers) are the villians in this script.  And after the game, she acknowledged both the sensational playing of the 49ers in the second half and some of the coaching errors that changed the Lions' momentum.*

Survivor guilt:  If the 49ers beat the Lions, it would be inevitable.  They did....

*If you are interested to read her pre- and post-game columns, here is a link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/author/ann-killion/

Where Are the Dogs? --- Day 13/22

Walk: Lafayette Park Dog Run

Distance: 2 miles

So one of Ciwt's favorite and most heart warming outings is walking to the park across the street to watch the dogs cavort with each other, their owners socialize and think about whether to get a dog herself.  

Midday today she headed out, and when she reached the dog area of the park (really it all is), this is what she saw:

Empty!?!

No dogs or owners: 

Then she realized: Playoff Football Games! Apparently the whole park crowd was absorbed in the play and the dogs were staring patiently at their owners.  She turned around and went in to her place to watch herself

New Season, New Artistic Director, New Ballet, New Era(?) --- Day 12/21

Walk: SF Ballet

Distance: 3 miles

So Sf Ballet's 91st season has begun out here and it is definitely not your grandmother's - or mother's or sister's - ballet.  At least today's performance and world premiere of  Mere Mortals wasn't.  

The stage: mostly black, empty except for a huge AI video screen.

The music: Synthesized electronic combined with full orchestra. Very loud aural roller coaster.

The costumes: broad shouldered coats and capes; shiny latex body suits.

The dancing: Full gallop writhing, undulating, spinning, completely in sync with each other and the music for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Simply superb.  Then curtain and home.

The story: Not sure, something to do with Pandora, Prometheus, Hope.

Audience Reactions:  LOTS of standing, clapping, whistling, "Bravos" from the likes of Ciwt.  On the other hand, the man sitting next to Ciwt sat silent, motionless and staring throughout the performance and beyond.  Then still staring straight ahead, stood and said out loud "Well, that's one I'll never see again."

Wright Good Fiction --- Days 13/19 & 20

Walks: AMC Kabuki (American Fiction)

Distances: 3 miles

So, Ciwt found the movie American Fiction so intelligent and well acted, she went once and then returned the next day.  What role can't Jeffrey Wright excel in?

Blood from a Stone --- Days 13/17 & 18

Walks: Marin Errands    AMC Metreon

Distances: 3 miles    6.5 miles

So Ciwt can certainly see why Emma Stone has been winning all this year's movie awards and should absolutely recive the Best Actress Oscar.  Her performance in Poor Things is astounding -  breathing vitality into a scientifically cold, cynical, raunchy but very well done movie.

Moving On With LUGG --- Day 13/16

Walk: Public Storage

Distance: 3 miles

Bye, Bye 43+ Years of Stuff

So San Francisco has a service called LUGG that has been invaluable to Ciwt in her moves out and in and out.  You can call them and request nearly instant service, and, with bells on, they come through.  

For instance, today Ciwt woke up finally ready to let go of a lot of things - furniture,etc - she was done with but still holding on to.  So she hurried her fingers to the LUGG app and chose the option of a small van with two men in less than 30 minutes. And in 15 minutes they were at her home.  Things from there were loaded into the van first, then it was off to Public Storage for the rest.  Two hours later the stuff was on to new homes and Ciwt was home and free.  Yay, LUGG or whatever similar services her readers may have where they live.

Only Your Hairdresser Knows --- Day 13/15

Walk: Hood

Distance: 4.5 miles

Pooh with Peace Plant

Over time Ciwt's hairdresser has given her a couple of meaningful gifts - besides great haircuts.

At various times she learned that Ciwt did yoga and that her nickname growing up was Pooh.  So a few years ago when Ciwt moved she surprised her with a sweet Peace plant in an adorable black pot.  And this week Ciwt received a nearly original copy of Winnie the Pooh which her hairdresser had found at a garage sale.  So thoughtful.