A story about a hike: Robert Louis Stevenson State Park

A few weeks ago in Calistoga, California, I went on a hike with a new friend from San Francisco.  The story I wrote engages with ideas of the non-human.  I'm trying to depict how the vast mountains and nature intersect with the social experience of the hike.  Once again, the story "Howling" is hosted on Cowbird, but I'll also post the text below if you click read more.

Hikers came down the steep, shadowy trail. At each foot fall, their leg muscles absorbed force, arms bounding at the elbows, as gravity drew them through constellations of movement to the car lot at the bottom of the mountain...

Conspicuous Stitchery San Jose

I dropped off something to have embroidered today at this "Conspicuous Stitchery" shop right near my house.  Yes, I did meet Cam, the owner.  He's just as over-the-top Goth sexuality meets nineties grunge flair as he looks in the portrait. A huge banner of this portrait is hanging right over the register. It's like the picture is saying, "Look into my eyes, and order a monogrammed baseball hat with a skull design. I dare you not to." As you might expect, I kind of had a hard time talking to him.  I had just never met *anyone* like him. He was a super kind and helpful person though, so don't let the eye sex death grip fool you. 

Gif of the mountain haze in San Jose

Only my second attempt at a gif file.  I think I can do a lot better, but just so you know, it's easy to do through the free sites.  Couple uploads and a click.  I'm wondering if you surrender your image rights when you upload to the sites....

Memorial Cross park

While I was running errands around town, I stumbled upon a small park near the airport.  It was a little strange.  I can't recall city parks in Texas with religious statues and certainly not Catholic ones.  As the city of San Jose website explains, the park (Memorial Cross Park)  was actually the site of the second mission of the Franciscan friars from the 18th century. So, there's definitely a historic reason to justify it, but the park is even moreso odd because it totally contrasts with the neighborhood surrounding it.

It's in the middle of an industrial area with the airport one side.  The video below especially shows the contrast of the airport and the busy intersection, and then the manicured sanctity of the park with its mammoth cross.  The ancient within an industrial core...St. Francis embattled and isolated within the concrete that is modern day San Jose. See the picture set on my Flickr stream.

Decay and the American dream

Just shared the photograph of San Carlos street via Cowbird.  If you haven't checked out the stories there, you really should, yo.

Iconic San Jose

From top to bottom: 'Western Appliance,' San Carlos St.; 'bikers,' Irving St.; 'home with snow flake,' Villa St.; 'palms on the Alameda 1'; 'palms on the Alameda 2'; Herbert Hoover middle school; 'the Alameda motel'; 'Harding and Stockton'; 'conversion van,' Stockton Av.

Manhole covers 2011

 

Far from a comprehensive list, but here is a partial catalog of the cities I have visited in manhole covers.  In 2012, I promise not to miss a municipality.  The other three photos are mine, but I had to borrow Austin and New Orleans.

Image credit: "Austin, manhole cover" via @Larry Miller

Image Credit: "manhole cover" via @shil