Saturday, December 28, 2013

Window bike shop

Mi fave bike shop is Citizen Chain, it is located at the corner of Powell y Chestnut.
Last Saturday, I spent some time in North Beach. This window display is just a few steps westbound on chestnut :)


I had to put mi bag up to capture their little ceiling bike rack (¡too cute!) the window glare was super bright.

It was great to catch up with Dallas and spending a bit of time at Citizen Chain.
After hanging out at the shop, I went for a long walk along the Bay. It was a beautiful winter day at approx 60°F.

I am not the most active person on FB, so I just learnt that their window was smashed in late November, with a hammer to smash their front window and steal a bike. It was a grab and go. Damn. So be in the look out for an Italian colors-painted Motta Personal (2001).



I'm not sure if the FB embed feature works, so here is a link [Citizen Chain Cyclery broken window]
The window has since been replaced and looks great. 

If el santa didn't bring you the vintage or pashley bike of your dreams, make sure you visit this little gem and my favorite bikey corner in north beach.
Just a note, none of my posts are/have ever been sponsored. I just really love these guys :)

xxom

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Saturday phone fotos.

Hi, here are some quick phone fotos from yesterday.

At the SF Rapha store at the corner of Filbert and Fillmore. One of the coolest parklets around town. Also lots of good men in beards/people watching, most wearing a bit of lycra and in good shape :)
Good for an early cafecito+sun dose sans marina drunks.


This is a quick shot also with the cell phone, from the east window of Reveille's brick and mortar on Columbus. It is one of my fave coffee shops in the city and I couldn't be more stoked on their 3rd location opening soon in the Castro.


---
morning. afternoon. evening.
 

mi friend muffin was kind to come along with to get my hair some TLC.
we had coffee beforehand. cocktails y pizza afterwards.
MELT ALERT: my hair lady has THE cutest dog.


Good day.
xxom

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Jake Fried and his awesome paintings: he describes them as “altered state of awareness.”

Had to share these super cool hand-drawn animation I just found out about last night.

Raw Data from Jake Fried on Vimeo.

His vimeo bio reads:
Jake Fried (b.1984) lives and works in Boston. Originally known for his paintings, Fried has spent recent years working on a series of hand-drawn, experimental animations or "moving paintings". He has been an Educator at The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston since 2007. His website is inkwood.net
¡Súper!

--
Sprudge has a great little interview with him and three of the 1-minute awesome videos, you can check it out here → This Artist Uses Coffee For Beautiful Animated Short Films

xxom

Monday, December 16, 2013

mucha música Monday: last edition del 2013

Well 2013 kinda started with live music and so it turns out it has been (not over yet!) a great year for checking out bands live. That, I love.
✕  I'm not a fan of best-of-year lists but this is a great short read: Eight Reasons Why We Love End-of-the-Year Lists via the newyorker
Looking forward to see fave bands and continue to randomly find gems on the local radio stations. Also learnt a ton from your comments, tweets and various others ways throughout the last year – thanks so much for sharing!
I appreciate tremendously that you continue to enjoy these Monday musical column with the few of you that still read mi blog :)

Gracias,
M.

✚ | Mexican Institute of Sound: Escríbeme Pronto
Was great to see Camilo and crew once again at the YBCA with mi fave música crew =)

✚ | Andrea Echeverri: El Fusil y La Corbata
Her new single dropped last Tuesday. So stoked.
I love you Andrea. So much. 


✚ | Lorde: Team
I have been an enthusiastic follower of whatever this 17-year old young woman presents to the world since finding out about her earlier this year. I am a fan.
… “This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was queen,”… “Dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. and of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn’t need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger.”

✚ | The Seshen: 2000 Seasons
Really digging this Oakland band. They are playing in The Chapel (SF) this Friday, Dec. 20th. for KALX's Solstice in Stereo. More than a few years ago I submitted a few designs (for shirts, or an anniversary print? I forget) for KALX, I'll have to dig into my scanned archives at some point.

✚ | Joel Gion: YES
The BJM's Joel wrote this. SF's favorite tambourine player.


✚ | Phantogram: Fall in Love
New single by Phantogram, though it sounds layered I thought it fell a bit flat in comparison to some of their previous material. Will be cool if the video may compensate for it? Can't wait to hear the complete new album 'Voices' (drops Feb. 2014)


✚ | La Cumbiamba NY: Avión de Papel
Fun music, found it via the David Byrne blog. Really enjoy all the NY/bridge views :)


✚ | Kitten Grenade: Gray
Just found out this SF Ukulele player, I typically don't like this type of too-cute music, but this is kinda cheering me up. –Found via thebaybridged



✚ | Hologram: Flesh and Bone
These Swedes are playing tomorrow at Bottom of the Hill.
-also via the baybridged


✚ | Bro show
Recently my mom told me she just learnt what a man-cave is from lady gaga. I was confused/concerned. She also watches the Ellen show daily. Then I said -mom, I never watch the show, I'm at I work-
She said “Ay pues fijate en el internets” -well, look in the internets- (of course sounds better en español). ohright, DUH… hahaa!


✚ | Lou/VU in NY
And if you are enthusiast of before/now imagery, you'd dig this:
Finding Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground’s photo locations in NYC via thestrut.

✚ | Betty Black: Fatality of Love
“Betty Black releases the video for “Fatality of Love” today. The smoldering and kaleidoscopic video finds her in odalisque poses and shattered reflections as she contemplates rejecting a lover before they betray her. This is the first video from the just released Fatality of Love (The Remix EP)”


✚ | March 25th, 2014
Johnny Cash, new album.
Heard about this on the AM radio, my mouth was opened for quite a bit…
“Out Among the Stars” drops March 25th | Out Among The Stars, A Lost Johnny Cash Album, Coming March 25, 2014 Newly Discovered Studio Album Premieres 12 Previously Unreleased Tracks

✚ | Dr. Maya Angelou: His Day is Done - A Tribute Poem for Nelson Mandela
And last but certainly not least:

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

fotodiary número 3: for diciembre.

half moon bay sunset
Half Moon Bay sunset.

hayes valley
Weeknight, some kind of urban space talk. Hayes Valley.

San José Sharks
San José, after the Sharks game.

Portal
Portal, Oakland.

velcro du noir
Home is where Velcro is.

IL newspaper snail mail awesomeness
Newspaper snail mail awesomeness from the land of the fighting Illini.

half moon bay pier
Half Moon Bay pier

half moon bay bike rack by the docks
Half Moon Bay bike rack by the docks.

brava
Inside the beautiful Brava theatre.

Untitled
24th street at night, from behnd the Brava's doors.

--
ybca
YBCA upstairs, after watching a 1940 German film about morphine.

up.
SF MOMA, currently closed for renovation and surrounded by other buildings, hotels.



--
As December continues its yearly route through the peak of emotions winding down to conclude yet another year, this is a minute photographic ode to it.

I observe and listen to December quite closely.
It frequently gets omitted from all those best of year and notes of such listing nature.

I like December's quiet and serene path even if many prefer to chose its chaotic and consumerist drag alter ego.
I will patiently await for the first sunrise of the upcoming page, after this chapter concludes.


Sincerely –Meli.


--
✕ | Images Lumix LX5. and last two images with [phone] HTC Evo. All unedited. Randomly from Sept-Dec 2013. 
✕ | Words by Meli – after eating 3/4 of a small pizza and the last bottle from a six pack of the first tasted Anchor Holiday Ale of this year, purchased 2 weeks ago, 4 blocks away.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Mucha música martes (Tuesday)

Monday +1day of los lazy= Tuesday.
Hope you all had a good few days of food, family and/or friends. I, slowly am getting back into the grind.
zzzzz.

Martes de música y arte. 
Short y sweet dose.
Here we go:

✚ | Mission Local features: Diana Gameros
I love her. I got to see her 2 Sundays ago.
BELLEZA musical.
She is originally from Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua, MX) and now based in San Francisco♥


✚ | The Shoes: Wasting Time
The shoes like the bikes and the young men in their videos. The youth The cool :)


✚ | The Shoes: People Movin


✚ | Billie Joe Armstrong & Norah Jones: Foreverly
Norah y Billy Joe cover the Everly's and Foreverly was dropped last week. How'bout that?!
Below, the lyric version.
For the last few Decembers I have enjoyed getting into total folk-mode, will be headed to the music store in west portal, amoeba or aquarius soon to buy the CD – this will be a great road trip addition.
Liking this very much so, what do you think?
You can listen to their interview here: [NPR] ‘Foreverly’ Yours: Billie Joe Armstrong And Norah Jones Get Close


✚ | We Are The Brave: Sparrow
We Are the Brave were formed in Sydney, Australia. Easy synth pop to listen to after the 2pm coffee dose.


✚ | Natalie Duncan - Devil In Me (Live from Universal Studios)
Found this via Patrina's tumblr, so good :)


✚ | My Brightest Diamond "Be Brave"
Then I found this via Patrina's hubby Dave, los fantastic!


✚ | OutKast: Ms. Jackson
Last but not least, Outkast is reuniting. Are they for real?!


✚ | Perera Elsewhere: Everlast
Found this via one of mi fave music blogs 8106 – can easily space out duuring work. BTW the mobile app for soundcloud is pretty no-fuzz, clean, easy to use. me likes.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Boonville

Untitled by meligrosa
Untitled, a photo by meligrosa on Flickr.

Finally dropped roll (fuji-superia) y got prints from 4thJuly weekend around Anderson Valley. I'll scan a few rolls eventually :)

Monday, November 18, 2013

mucha música monday

✚ | Thao & The Get Down Stay Down: Feeling Kind
music videos on the Bay Bridge, it was a only a matter of time. BTW I heard on the radio last week they are playing on Valentine's day 2014 at the Fillmore.
–t/h pal y super long time reader Alex, gracias! via boingboing


✚ | Luccetta: Magnetic Bike Lights
I received a nice email from Emanuel, an industrial designer promoting his cool magnetics lights. I like the video, it is video is ultra simple and catchy :)


✚ | David Lynch: Bad The John Boy
The latest and greatest by the man from Missoula, dropped a single this past week. Be ready to trip, or space out. Or maybe too weird for headphones. Apropos for a Monday morning, I suppose.



✚ | Dukes of Chutney: Domino


✚ | WorldBicycleRelief: Mobilize Me
Inspiring work.
“Imagine racing the sun just to get by. People across rural Africa face this challenge every day. Without adequate transportation, access to vital resources such as healthcare, education and economic opportunity is often out of reach. When you donate to World Bicycle Relief, you mobilize entrepreneurs, healthcare workers and students as they fight to feed their families, build their businesses, treat the sick, finish school, follow their dreams and change their world.”


✚ | Digital_Me: Bike Rider - Smile From The Streets Of Rothschild
Shay aka Digital_me:
Nov4 - Bike Rider is a 4 parts concept mix, trying to share the experience of listening to music while riding bikes in Tel Aviv, all in a sample-full hip-hop attitude.


✚ | Winners
Oct.2013: “The Sweet Ones new video featuring the single "BOBBY TIGHTEN UP" from TSO's new record due out this spring. Filmed as a satirization of an 80's style bike movie and gag reel spoof, The Sweet Ones continue carrying the torch of Quirk- Rock.”


✚ | Allies for Everyone: You & Me
According to mi email, this album dropped Tuesday last week. This is light tingy synth-pop to space out at work and think of a weekend bloody mary with blazing fog non-existent sun rays…



✚ | Anna Calvi: Eliza
Last and definitely not least, what a voice. Just learnt about Anna Calvi via the BayBridged as she played at the Independent last night, which I missed. English women, born with such solid pipes. Liking her so far.


have a great start of the week.
sincerely, xxom.


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Los events: 6th Annual 2013 SF Bike Expo

Happening this Saturday 11/16 → The awesome folks at rideSFO have once again organized the Annual Bike Expo. It has been a great pleasure to see this grow from the beginning, please make sure you check it out! All info below:
✖  |  I N F O 
San Francisco Bicycle Expo
Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, California
November 16th, 2013, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
All kinds of cyclist looking for the best deals on cycling equipment of every type.
Admission F R E E



SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Cyclists of all ages and types among San Francisco’s diverse bicycling population eagerly await the city’s largest annual cycling event, the San Francisco Bicycle Expo, which returns for its 6th year at the Cow Palace, November 16th, and for the first time entry to the expo hall is FREE.

Event promoter Philipp Segura said, “You’ll find all things Cycling at the SF Bike Expo. This year we have put a strong focus on all the great products and services that the cycling industry continues to make available, and manufacturers from across the USA are coming to show. Of course our famous bike swap meet will take place, and that remains the best place to find great deals and hard-to-find parts. There is no doubt that our event helps put more bikes out in the world it helps small bike businesses get their name out. It’s going to be another great SF Bike Expo!”

The 48,000 sq. ft. South Hall of the Cow Palace contains 230 booth spaces where dozens of cycling teams, clubs and individuals have purchased tables at the bike swap, while more than 50 manufacturers have signed up for full exhibit booths in the Expo area.

Expo sponsors include Bern protective gear, Bicycle Times and Dirt Rag magazines, the renowned websites MTBR.com and Roadbikereview.com, and Oz Racing- a softgoods brand and manufacturer in the Philippines.

Handmade bicycle enthusiasts are once again offered the opportunity of a complementary on-site photo session for their beautiful bicycles at the Handmade Bicycle Guide studio.

✖  |  Bike parking
Valet bike parking is free and will be provided by Potrero Bicycle Works, and the expo hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Auto parking is $10 and attendees are requested to arrive by bicycle or to ride share.

✖  |  About San Francisco Bicycle Expo
All things Cycling! Founded in 2008 and produced by rideSFO, the San Francisco Bicycle Expo represents the myriad interests of the Bay Area’s vast cycling community, from fashion and apparel to backyard bicycle fabricators www.sfbikeexpo.com

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Small Business Saturday SF/OAK

I don't have AmEx, but I am one heck of a loyal coffee customer in my community ;-)
Love the title→ “Small Business Saturday, Coffee & Community” (Nov. 30th)
Qué cute:
Saw this commercial last night while watching either ESPN or reruns of The Big Bang Theory.
Features The Mill SF on Divis, Manifesto Bicycles in Oakland!, General Store in Ocean Beach & a few others. Info/local shops are listed on theselby (his first commercial w/the Director's Bureau).

Also in Oakland: Creative Growth. They are super! I admire their work and dedication, my little artsy heart skipped a beat.
Good stuff♥

Monday, November 11, 2013

mucha música monday: local love

Short + super sweet post for Howell Devine.
This past weekend KT + I headed over to Club Deluxe for late-nite pizza & some spirits. Howell Devine is a fun jazz/blues beats local band, and they played a few sets that night. What seemed like their super no.1 fan completely stole the show, dancing to the music the entire time with such freedom and passion.

Hands up. Hands down. Lyrics. Pause.
Turn. Stand. Hips. Move in place.
And his Rolling Stones 50th anniversary shirt.

He must have been a bit over 60 and the youngest at heart amongst us, the happiest person in that very moment. And as the small, packed and pleased audience, it was as refreshing as it was enjoyable.

video from their website/youtube channel:


- -
As of for me, this was a good weekend with great company. I don't always get to see many of my friends within two days. Very grateful to savor every moment. This is the only foto I took this weekend (and a couple of my friends' cats, of course)
howell devine


I think my twitter pal Andy will like this, he has in the past commented/
tweeted to share great bands+music :)
/ More info: howelldevine.com | @HowellDevine | FB/howelldevine

xxom


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Cafecito chronicles: Of morning coffee and the solar system.

un quick sketch
from mi moleskine.

7:52AM
Monday Nov. 4th. San Francisco, California.
I began to wonder if I was going to break a sweat as soon as I set foot in the coffee shop.
My black wool sweater has been cleaned over the weekend and has no sign of floating lint patterns or Velcro cat hair. Black patent boots. And that black wool dress that has been to date my favorite consignment find.

The windows are as steamy as that one scene in Titanic, and I can't help to think of that puberty-soft skin Leonardo must have had.
“The usual, Meli?” she asks.

I have moved on from the steamy adolescent lingering thoughts and started observing fellow patrons as I make my way to the espresso machine to pick up my drink which will be ready in a few minutes.

The vulnerability of people waiting for their morning fix is unique.
The wet hair. The occasional lack of planning which becomes everybody's emergency.
The spills.
And the grinder goes off again.
This will be my second cup after the one brewed at home. It is a few minutes before 8am.

I usually run into this guy who wears all-Giants gear, all the time.
When I'm not looking, he stares at my Athletics pin on the left collar tip of my summer jean jacket as if he is disappointed or something. Or maybe stares at my chest, I couldn't give a fuck. He is harmless and has no idea the espresso machine is shiny, like a rearview mirror. I've watched my share of surveillance movies and television shows.
He's not once talked to anyone other than the people who work behind the counter.
I was not wearing my jean jacket, and neither was this dude there today.

As I waited for my drink I walked towards the southeast corner of the shop.
I continue to observe and randomly exchange looks with whoever is making my coffee. I don't have an urgency to look at my phone at all. I have a fond of appreciation of moments that some might otherwise consider insignificant.


“Your look – Your colors” he said as he figured-8 his right hand over his face while shifting his New York Times section away from him. “You ARE like a planetarium” slowly bringing his right hand back to his coffee cup.
I was unintentionally wearing all black today and all the color that accompanied me was my purple (lavender, as my barista crush at this same location likes to call them) sunglasses, earrings and lipstick. I was a bit confused but mostly flattered. Did I hear that right? I thought, a rather peculiar and playful choice for an adjective.

“Why, thank you” I responded. I complimented him on his coat, his poise and I asked what article he had enjoyed the most this morning. We exchanged a few words about Julie Taymor and shortly after he handed me his business card.
He looked at me with a pensive vibe, and kindly asked if I cared to join him for coffee and further NYT talk. I said I had to go to work and couldn't stay.

I reached over the counter for my drink, and saw the barista –we'll call him Nick–.
In my mind I blow him a kiss as I reach over the counter, and wish I had met him when I was 21, but in real life I can hardly manage to say thanks and grab my drink without spilling it all over myself trying to take the first sip.

“Did you get a haricut? –ohwaitttt, oh OK I know– I don't think I've seen you without a hat in months” Nick said.

8:02AM
Left the planetarium.


---
on an unrelated note:
✕ | Patti Smith Mourning Lou Reed (New Yorker) –via fellow bookclub friend SSK
✕ | Lou Reed's 71st bday post

Buen viaje, Lou.
xxom


Monday, November 4, 2013

mucha música monday: noviembre

✚  |  La Mecánica Popular: La Paz del Freak


✚  |  DJ Equal: Lost in the Evening
DJ Equal is from NC, based in NY. I found this pretty good listening to this after my 3rd cup of coffee and before noon. good balance of mellow and modern hip soft talk from what sounds like a young 20something voice. I'll take it.


✚  |  Emptied Gestures Art
Beautiful!


✚  |  Cass McCombs - Dreams ComeTrue Girl
bikes y skateboards. muy bien :)


✚  |  Trails & Wails: Nunca
Found out about this band, playing in November via the NewParish email newsletter, cool stuff.
“we are four people and we write pop songs out of dreams and mistranslations. after we met at & graduated from Berkeley, Emma lived in Spain, and Keith in Brazil. at start of 2012 we were all home, full of ideas & obsessions for new words & sounds we'd learned, and we made a band. we all sing & write together, in lyrics crossing between spanish, portuguese & english.”


✚  |  Son Lux: Lost it to trying
Cool video+music, found via iso50
–“Ryan Lott, better known by his stage name Son Lux, is a post-rock and alternative hip hop musician based in New York City, New York, currently signed with Joyful Noise Recordings.”


✚  |  The Mountain Goats: Scorpio Rising
–Mercury retrogade returns: “Give yourself the time, space and attention to feel.”– via AdrienneVita


✚  |  Warpaint: Love is to Die
Yes, a new single is out. I found this band via that one song Elephant a couple of years ago and liked them so.


✚  |  Warpaint: Elephants
ok this is the one. Undertow is also pretty good.


✚  |  Paul McCartney: Queenie Eye
mamigrosa made me look up Sir Paul's new song the other day, she loves him.


✚  |  MGMT: Alien Days
mellow melody for a monday

Thursday, October 31, 2013

happy halloween: velcro y the witch

We wish you had a safe and fun halloween.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN: best card ever<3 meow
–beautiful card—

The real treat today was to have lunch with Eric, and have dinner with KT.

--
hope you all eat lots of candy.
cheers, friends ♥xxom



Friday, October 25, 2013

PDX | no.5 Cafecito

PDX | no.5  C A F E C I T O

Instead of doing one big Portland blog post, I've share some short dispatches of moments y fotos.
There are now a few in the past two months – you can check them out here: PDX | past posts
Hope you enjoy them.
xxom
--

This week we turn the stumptown spotlight to my love, COFFEE.
My favorite aspect of coffee shops is mostly the company, people watching, chatting, not chatting, and being in Portland was all of the above, y rain.
Overall a very pleasant experience.
Some simple details below – here we go:

✚  |  Maglia Rosa at West End Bikes
1111 SW Stark St
Untitled
Untitled
Went to Maglia at least 3 times, the first time I got to talk for sometime with Phuong Tran (a teeny peek of her in the first picture behind the cart) She is a former barsita champ and an absolute pleasure to talk to.
marzocco y stumptown powerduo
La Ratta found this place from the internets, me thinks.
We walked there a very early morning and it was great seeing some of the early birds around town.
las crónicas del cafecito
las crónicas del cafecito
I love this trio, very much so. Stories in the making, like it's our full time job. Really.

 ✚  |  Stumptown at the Ace Hotel
1026 SW Stark Street
After enjoying lunch at Lardo with Patricio, we were due to walk over to this famous spot.
oh hai
Of course a couple of the baristas knew him, such a rockstar :)
and then…
Don't you love it when you run into your friends without planning to, in a visiting city. Look for a coffee place, find me. Here's la ♥QELI!
Ace hotel
*Note: The restroom is cool.
Ace hotel
Here is this picture again, because why not – I love it, so much good going on:
OH HAI

 ✚  |  Barista
529 SW 3rd Ave
This spot was open on early Sunday morning. A coffee shop after my heart.
caffeine flag
sunday morning at barista
Dave, many thanks for reccommending this spot. 
Quiet, nice, super good y open super early. 
Instant fan.
stumpzocco ♥
orchid clocks
A nice detail, those clocks are all times from different Portlands: AR, CT, PA.
Muy nice.

 ✚  |  Fresh Pot
724 SW Washington
calacas y cafecito
calacas y cafecito
Had not really planned to stop by this shop but the large prints on the shop's walls drew me to it from walking across the street. Turns out it was indeed a coffee shop, but sadly closed on Sundays. Next time! :)

 ✚  |  S Mystery cup of awesome
Y A Y
Pine State serves biscuit deliciousness. But first, a misty walk through the farmer's market at the PSU campus was started with this surprise latte from Trina y Dave. OMG.
The latte came from a place where morning magic baristas know everything about expired film photography and japanese vintage macro lenses. Or I imagine some place like that exists. This coffee surprise from them was the BESTESSSSST.
mushroom gravyyyyy FTW
YUM.
--
/ All fotos taken with my LX5


Have a great weekend.
xxom


--
The sequence of events is in no particular order.
TBC→

Monday, October 14, 2013

mucha música monday

✖ | María del Pilar: Huaso de Los Angelitos
Glad I've subscribed to one of my favoritas Angelina email newsletter, I get all kinds of awesome update doses on what Pilar is up to with música y all. This video is super cute, all those hats - also she featured her dad, and the beauty of being around horses. ¡muy bonito!
“…directed by Helder Sun + Ally Garrett. Featured is the Club de Huasos USA from San Bernardino, CA where we filmed on their ranch all the horses and huasos. Gepe and I are filmed overlooking Downtown Los Angeles at Angel's Point in Elysian Park. My father also makes a cameo. Can you figure out who he is in the video?…” -via María Del Pilar's newsletter.



✖ | Upstairs Downstairs: Parkas Indoors
Easy to listen to music. I like that.
[via thebaybridged – Jason Shane] “…Self-described purveyors of “dreamy, folk-tinged indie rock,” Upstairs Downstairs crafted an ethereal and mysterious thirty-five minute follow-up to their debut, 2010′s Inland and Out. The new album bounces between borderline shoegaze material and folk rock, driven by moving vocal melodies (led by Ford’s powerful voice) and McGraw’s intricate and often soaring guitar work. It’s a gripping record from start to finish, pulling inspiration from a myriad of influences.”



✖ | Coo Coo Birds: Mariposa Venenosa

Also found out about San Francisco-based band los Coo Coo Birds via theBayBridged. Scruffy sticky sounds y repetitive messy riffs. Me gusta.
You may have heard their music already via the locally based GpPro commercials.



✖ | Cat Doorman: Madame Claire
I found out about this Californian now based in Portland via the currently happening through the end of October at a library near you – SFPublicLibrary 2013 Tricycle Music Fest.
Love her voice and energy, so positive and calming.
Cat Doorman is Julianna Bright: “…musician, an artist, a mom and a big believer in the power of art, story and song to make us kinder, braver, better humans.” 



✖ | Meneo: Vamo A Ve
A ver, a ver (let's see/lemme see/we'll see) if this tune boosts your energy, or reminds you of adults doing aerobics with flourescent outfits, LA Gears and leg warmers while you were too busy playing with hot wheels (you= me.)

---


✖ | Ibi Ego: Hookie
Ibi Ego is a band from Tijuana, found via TheBlogofJulioRomero. A cup of Zoé mixed with a half-cup de Babasónicos, and add a dash of simplified industrial synths ala New Order.


✖ | but first, coffee
treat yourself to a good cup of unpretentious coffee, or tea.
it's my birthday this week and that is my favorite thing to do with loved ones, friends.

foto by KT. i no longer have blond hair. or any hair, for that matter.
Meeting Meli to discuss ideas

fotos are also one of my fave things in the world. if you live in the city of internets, share a link in the comments below or tweet / ig  and I'll share a set later this month.

thank you very much for reading.
xxom

Thursday, October 3, 2013

café para tres

OH HAI
cafecito break: en portland, or.
stumptown at the ace hotel | 1026 sw stark street
--
august, 2013

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

café para tres.

café para tres
cafecito break: en santa monica, ca.
the refinery | 413 santa monica blvd
--
june, 2012


Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Friday, September 27, 2013

have a nice day.


underground y under surveillance
Underground y under surveillance.
Riding the metro, Union Station.
Los Angeles, June 2012.
--


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Los events: Team Jorts, Cyclecross y BayCycle

Thursday: DFL CX fotos - CX PARTY DOWN

Sept. 26th 5-10PM 21+ at 111 Minna
More info → 111Minna event page | Facebook event page

“CX Party Down Its that time again! 
CX Party Down! 
Come out to kick off the Bay Area Cyclocross season 
with Nachos, Videos, Photography and Local Builders. 
Hans Kellner, Jon Suzuki, Pamela Palma, Jenny Oh, 
SyCip, Inglis/Retrotech, SoulCraft, Falconer Cycles …”




Thursday: Team Jorts
Thursd. 9/26 | 369 Pine Street (fi-di) MEET 6PM leave 6:15
These ladies are the awesomesauce.
+ Follow them Jorts→ blog | @jortsmaterial | flickr

Here is the info their ride today:
Team Jortz is super excited to announce a womens only ride around the City of San Francisco in three parts to provide a safe space for women who are bike-curious and want to start riding around the City but really want to go with a friend. 
Hurrah! Team Jortz is your friend! We 'll roll around various regions of the City for an hour or so with you and break you into bike commuting, negotiating tricky intersections, conquering fears of the unknown and having tons of fun with other ladies on bikes! 
We are happy to say that this is a place where you can ask any question you want, wear whatever you want, ride whatever you want and be whomever you want! We ask that you have a front and rear light and wear a helmet please. And obey the rules of our shared roads. 
Rides:  
Thursday September 26th 
Thursday October 24th 
Thursday November 22nd 
All rides will Start at 6:00PM and leave by 6:15pm 
The pace will be easy to moderate. Women and girls of all ages are welcome!
We will leave from 369 Pine Street in the SF's Financial District, where our very wonderful and oh-so-jortzy Sponsor,Shaana Rahman's office is located!If you don't know much about Shaana Rahman, we'll tell you all about her and the great work she does for women and the cycling communtiy! 
We look forward to seeing you and riding with you and liberate ourselves, together!

Friday: BayCycle Project
Have you heard of this dude biking across the Bay?
+When:
Friday, September 27th
Oakland departure 8:45am – 9am, San Francisco arrival 9:05am, Press conference



His name is Judah, he is a single dad, and this is his indiegogo video, cracray – love his enthusiasm:

“The ride doesn't end at the water's edge” More on Judah's project here: baycycleproject.com


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Of pies y stolen bikes.

Well, the other day I was struck by hormones like a fastball from a pro baseball pitcher.
I obliged to my rather rare dessert craving and decided to stop at Mission Pie after work to stuff my face with a slice of I'msogonnaeatthiswholethingrightnow.

Anyways, as I was leaving I spotted out of the corner of my eye a bikeshare bike. AH! have yet to see one up close I thought. Immediately noticing something was not right.
It wasn't the bike that completely gave it away –half covered with a mix of toilet paper and bubblewrap– but the two people walking it, they could hardly finish getting themselves across the sidewalk.

Luckily I had an almost full-charged bat phone.
I gave it a second thought about taking a picture, but then I went for it.
This took me .25 seconds to decide.

These two could HARDLY stand-up straight, nevermind walk. The person in orange with long blond hair almost fell twice sideways but kept his/her hands on the bike grips.
I recall learning that Mission Police Station had a team dedicated to the huge bike-theft problem that the city faces, and that they were on Twitter. I was aware of this thanks to our very own local bike-theft ninja Jenny Oh.

So, I tweeted this photo minutes after spotting the bike on 25th that evening, a couple of days after and few twitter threads later, the bike was back with Bay Area Bike Share.




You can see the thread here → twitter.com/meligrosa/statuses/375445738546675712

“IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING”
+ Follow SDPD on twitter → @SFPDBikeTheft
+ A great interview & tips by Jenny of “SFbiketheft (Officer Freidman!) Who's SFPDbiketheft? Meet the man behind… 
RESOURCEFUL: Learn tips, find links and important info at this large Google+ Bay Area group: [Stolen Bicycles Bay Area, public group]

+ The second recovered BABS bike! via the timbuk2 blog: Recovering a stolen bike 2
+ SAFE & SFPD's bike program was approved on September 19th –bike registration coming in the near future(!)

+ Learn more about Bay Area Bike Share → bayareabikeshare.com
They have continued to provide what seems like active tips on their various social media channels:




+ Additional info → stolenbicycleregistry.com | @stolenbikessfo on Twitter 

Alright, so I was very glad to have contributed my 2 pesos glad to help out & that it worked out.
It has numerous times being proven that great things happen when you mix the Bay Area bike community with social media + word of mouth: pulling positive forces is awesome.

Hope our community continues to communicate & work together to fight bike theft.

And speaking of hormones, here is a pretty picture of flowers from the delicious Mission Pie.
Not taken that same day:
earlier this morning at mission pie. after cafecito y before work.

---
This stolen-bikesighting foto was tweeted on the 4th of September.
OK, that is all for now.
xxom

Monday, September 23, 2013

mucha música Monday: late september

+ ISEO POMPALEO
Learnt this past week about iSeo from Barcelona via mundoflaneur [article/interview here] and I like her. In her poetic playful words:
“iSeo es mi alter ego. Ella duerme en mi interior y cuando se despierta, cantamos, componemos melodías y nadamos en una burbuja.”[translation by me] → iSeo is my alter ego. She sleeps within me and when she awakens, we sing and we compose melodies, we swin in a bubble
¡¡♥!!


+ MISTER LOVELESS
Cool video produced by local cats PerezBros with very familiar night scenes.
Found this one via the BayBridged on America's cup concerts [link]
Blogged posts blasts from the past, a few past stockton tunnel posts here, here y here.


+ BLOOD ORANGE
This goes to a special Guyanese en Nueva York that is of the handful of you música fans out there that enjoy my Monday música doses – ¡gracias! I'm inspired by his moves. I'm going to try that next Friday night… ;-))
–via Pitchfork– “I decided to visit Georgetown, Guyana for the first time the town where my mother is from. She, herself has not been back for 30 years, 3 years before I was born. I tracked down family members, including my 92 year old grandfather, who I had never met before. In this video you will see our first ever meeting.”


+ ENIGMA
A few weeks ago I had this Enigma song which was so popular in the mid-90s stuck in my head for a few seconds only.. Thought I'd share.


+ TUNES4TUBES
The following 3 videos are bands playing at the Tunes4Tubes tomorrow Tuesday 9/26 at the Rickshaw Stop here in San Francisco.
▲ CON BRIO | Saw them first time bit over 3 years ago [2010 post] and really enjoyed them.


▲ WHISKERMAN | the video was filmed in Oakland. Awesomesauce. Wouldn't be complete without a cameo appearance by the green and gold. Go A's!


▲ CRADLE DUENDE | from the bike music fest a few years ago:  
“Sounds, sights, and sceneries during Cradle Duende's performance at the 6th Bicycle Music Festival, the largest 100% bicycle-powered music festival in the world, at Old Cabin Meadow in Golden Gate Park. Cradle Duende is a combination of Kezmer and Flamenco to be coined 'Klezmenco" with a new twist of latin, reggae, and ska influence to get people dancing when necessary.”

Sunday, September 22, 2013

big ♥ sunday

Pittsburgh Custom Bike Builder Helps Man Ride Again | Michael Trimble was born with no arms, adopted at age 9… “I would like to inspire others and show that despite insurmountable odds, anything can be achieved if you have the will and fight for it" 


Hope you enjoy this story+video as much as I did. 
♥!!


-Full Article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette here: 

Friday, September 20, 2013

PDX | no.4

PDX | no.4


united state of portlandia
PDX: united state of portlandia
Portland International Airport is a joint civil-military airport and the largest airport in the U.S. state of Oregon, accounting for 90% of passenger travel and more than 95% of air cargo of the state. -wiki

--
The sequence of events is in no particular order.
TBC→

Thursday, September 19, 2013

PDX | no.3

PDX | no.3
Asides my good college friend getting married in Portland this past month, one of the highlights was to finally meet IRL mi longggtime cyberamigo Dave y his wife Patrina. It came as no surprise that they are both awesome.

The first night we walked around a few brick buildings. In California we don't have that many brick buildings due to our grounds shaking and doing their platonic dance often. There are some, but not many. After a few turns, from SW 6th street and we walked right into some cilantro scented imaginary cloud and we ordered some vietnamese food. The sandwich I had for dinner was delicioso, the beer was light and easy. The company was the best.

I don't have many pictures from the first day other than the train and at the airport.
A handful at night.
It was my first time to the beaver state and as soon dinner and pals was planned, everything else was to be left behind in the hotel.

After dinner, we spent some time walking in the rain, drinking and the rain. Theater spotting!
cine
It happened to slightly rain everyday we were there but it was the very brittle kind.
Dave y Trina were very patient to show us around and also give us places to check out and things, food, and spots they are fans of. I love these two Oregonians.

We even got to meet their kitties and check out their angelic apartment. How rad is this elevator?!
dave y patrina cherub friends

There is a minute wine bar at the bottom of their apartment with a small black chalkboard next to its tiny entrance and most people talking and chatting the night away all over the place. They were plenty of tables but most people preferred to hang right by its rather small bar. If I recall correctly there was only one person wine-tending.

We ordered some post-dinner spirits while it was raining. We sat on the curbside tables without anything covering us the light rain. Chatted.
Mellow bohemian súper cool at its finest.
Thankfully thin polyester dries quite fast and after a wonderful evening to be had, back to the train it was. Shortly after met with Morpheus.

Gracias Dave and Patrina, was beyond wonderful to spend some good times with you.
xxom



--
The sequence of events is in no particular order.
More TBC→


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Back to Earth Two by El Zumpango films.

Gracias to Jesus from El Zumpango films for letting me know of his newest short film, featuring local cyclist and fellow randonneur Manny Acosta. This was recently shot over in Half Moon Bay. For those of you outside the Bay Area, that is about 30 miles south on our beautiful coast.


Back to Earth Two
from El Zumpango on Vimeo.
A journey from urban sprawl to the California coast via bicycle. 
directed & shot by jesus beltran aka elzumpango 
edited by samuel t martinez 
manny acosta as the cyclist 
music hedron by bbng

Look at all the greenery!
Redwoods.
+ Manny's complete Flickr set is available Half-Moon Bay S240 by MannyAcosta

+ More on Zumpango films here:
jesusbeltran.com | zumpango films on facebooktumblr

+ Previously posted: Back to Earth (I) last summer, was glad to see it had a great response around Zumpango films' social media channels.
8AUG2013 | Back to Earth


- - -
Keep up the great work you both, they are so beautiful.
♥ | Have a great weekend everyone.
xxom