TwoFriedEggs

Lunch in Napa

2012-01-29T19:29:00.000-08:00

Okay, we finally went. To Morimoto's Napa outlet. For lunch on an off-season Sunday. I was astounded. This is showtime, big time, with a gentle food theme. This is Cirque du Soleil - showy, elegant, expensive, take-your-breath-away spectacular. The food is pretty good to great. I would call it asian/fusion. Asian origin with Western taste additions. We were both somewhat surprised. Somewhat

Marvelous View From The Hills

2012-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

ABC 7 posted this beautiful pic taken from atop the East Bay Hills of the Bay Area as a Winter storm moved out. Click to enlarge.

Oaktown, if you believe

2012-01-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

Fox News, and the New York Times, take a rosy look at our favorite Second City. Cut and paste to link: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1411956369001/ Or, click here

Carousel

2012-01-13T15:38:00.000-08:00

Leadership!

2012-01-12T18:16:00.000-08:00

Okay, I won't leave this up for long, but I think it's a revealing picture of Jean Quan, the current Mayor of Oakland. I have a theory, but it involves the Good Old Boys, so I'll save it for another time.

Life's Little Lessons

2012-01-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

Bacon is healthy. Bacon is awesome. Bacon throws off a lot of fat. When I was an impressionable kid, we were trained to save our meat fat and return it to the butcher shop to be made into bombs. I learned that lesson well, and to this day... In addition, I suspect, not throwing the stuff down a hot drain pipe may extend the life of the plumbing.

Guam USA

2012-01-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

It's truly astonishing, how much video about the island of Guam is floating around on the internet. If the script above doesn't load, try this: http://youtu.be/AMBUNHbVZIE

Ostrich Watch

2012-01-04T16:19:00.000-08:00

A bank in Amsterdam, Holland. A bank with a sense of humor.

Japanese New Year's Food

2012-01-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

It all tasted really good! Even the four kids had a ball. I think you can click to expand, if your stomach wishes.

Twinkling Toes?

2011-12-30T16:49:00.000-08:00

In Germany, I believe. Obviously, a musical city.

Cypress, Walnut Creek

2011-12-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

This place has been open for about a month, in place of the former VeSu restaurant. The chef is from the former Virage, a French restaurant, on the other end of town. Theme is French-California stylish. We went to celebrate our 46-ish Anniversary. Warm greetings upon entry, and a Kindle-like wine list pad to study. Fun, of course, but not connected to the bar. Oh well, it's geeky enough. Super

The Importance of Eyes

2011-12-26T20:54:00.000-08:00

We've had a few questions about eyes (left eyes) today, but all has turned out well. So, here's a chance for you to rest your own eyes. And, of course, our all-time favorite for study and peaceful contemplation: And, to all a good night! :)

2011-12-25T05:52:00.001-08:00

Don't Mess With My Grandma

2011-12-18T11:51:00.000-08:00

I was most impressed, of course, with the graceful placement of Christmas lights on the porch railing. Obviously, a welcome family to the neighborhood.

Apologies to Edward Hopper (1882-1967)

2011-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

In case you forgot the original:

Shanghai China

2011-12-12T16:54:00.000-08:00

(Wondering why the Party didn't change the name "Shanghai.") I've been to China only once, and that was to Shanghai, perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the mainland cities. It was sometime in the early 2000s. Very exciting and accessible city. Here's a pair of pics from Shanghai, looking over the Bund, across the river, to the Pudong New Area. Top was taken in 1990; bottom in 2010. Wow! Click to

America's Porous Borders!

2011-12-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

Two immigrants, captured on digital chips, moments after crossing the (Saranap/Lafayette) California border!

Miscellaneous

2011-11-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

This is called the Taxi Corral. It's in the middle of the parking structure at San Francisco International.

Buttons, buttons

2011-11-22T17:57:00.001-08:00

Evan Williams, of Obvious Corp., has posted a gotcha link on @Twitter: http://youarenotsosmart.com/2010/02/10/placebo-buttons/ Please push on it, and watch what happens. :)

She must be a relative, by birth or by marriage

2011-11-18T18:01:00.001-08:00

What we know: She resides in Germany. She is fluent in English. She has dyed her hair purple. Don't ask, because I don't know. :)

"Moneyball"

2011-11-15T15:08:00.001-08:00

It's always fun, and often frustrating, to be a fan of the Oakland A's. So it was great to head out for the big screen and watch "Moneyball" with Brad Pitt. I mean with DW#1, not Pitt. Pitt stars in the movie. It's a fun flic, replete with many shots of the Coliseum and West Oakland. And it's a good story, highlighting the buying and selling of human beings, always in search of the World

It's not (quite) Vermont, but . . .

2011-11-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

. . . here in Saranap, we do enjoy some Autumn colors. All in all, I modestly believe, a pretty decent show for November.

Oakland rioting, Berkeley loving

2011-11-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Cut and paste time, just because I can't get blogger to embed videos anymore. Things have gone to hell since Rudy left Blogger. Anyway, please do it: http://youtu.be/r_UsM05Qt1U And, if that's not enough (you know whom I'm talking to), try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScAv_GN8FGU

Random notes from Japan

2011-10-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, there are Halloween decorations all over Tokyo...any excuse for a holiday, I guess. Y100 is worth about $1.60. Dollar coins are very convenient. We should have some. Most things in Japan are very polite and very efficient, You pay for it all. It's (almost) worth it. 99% of taxis in Tokyo run on CNG. We're at about 20 % of SF taxis. We can do better. "Green" beer is non-alcoholic. It's

Old San Francisco

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking that may be a pic of North Beach and the hill now under Coit Tower.

Fleet Week 2011

2011-10-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Cut and Paste. Enjoy the sounds. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=8382264

Bummer

2011-10-05T20:16:00.001-07:00

Miscellaneous

2011-09-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

(So, I had these two pics and no place to put them.) I would take my new Jeep out for a spin, but, then I'd have to buy some insurance. :-)

Percussion Time! (In a three-piece suit)

2011-09-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/wgaD54YcXpA (I can't seem to do easy links any more. My fault. So cut and paste if necessary. Tks.) (Tried again Saturday morning.)

Which Was Wrong?

2011-09-13T17:35:00.000-07:00

Three pics are of relatively recent man-made objects. Each was designed to be attractive. As for me, I see humor in each. And, I wonder if Frank Gehry's work will be considered as poorly as the Edsel design now is.

Memories

2011-09-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Please forgive the lack of scale and the reprehensible color combinations but, guess what we found this weekend. Memories of warmth, anyone? :)

This Is Just Plain Fun!

2011-08-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

http://twistedsifter.com/2011/08/20-clever-logos-with-hidden-symbolism/ Just click on cut & paste the link above and enjoy a few minutes of design magic. BTW, if you have a Google toolbar up above, highlighting the URL will cause it automatically to show up in the search box on the G toolbar. Then simply click on "Search." Thank you, Google.

Slow Boat to Sitka

2011-08-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

There are a few things to be learned from a luxury summer cruise to Alaska in 2011: Cruise life is sybaritic (and should be done at least once in one's life.) Alaska is a very big forested state with many islands. Alaska's economy, in the small, coastal towns we visited, is anemic. That said, some memories: Let's see...Vancouver, Mandatory Abandon Ship Drill, Hubbard Glacier (in the distance)

San Francisco Summer Fog

2011-07-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

That thing the fog does from William Couch on Vimeo. The Fog is wonderful. I watch it most often flowing over the Oakland Hills to Orinda. This is the view from a roof in the City.Thanks to William Couch.

Nostalgia

2011-07-26T18:13:00.001-07:00

I do remember, foggily, those long-ago days. (Do not fret. DW#1 pan fried Dover sole for dinner tonight. That got me to thinking.)

Golf is for Views

2011-07-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

Rummaging through some files, and found the following: This is the approach to the ninth hole at the Presidio Golf Course in San Francisco. The course opened to the public in about 2008. Of architectural interest is, on the left, the Club House, which is on City land. In the middle, in the distance, is the Lone Mountain campus of the University of San Francisco. And, on the right, is the

America's Cup 2013

2011-07-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Bay is getting ready for the 2013 America's Cup. The course is inside the Bay, so there are many sites from which to view the races. The following aerial map is taken from the preliminary environmental documents. Pick your place and set out your lawn chair early. (Click to expand.)

I thought it was interesting...

2011-07-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

...and you might, also:

Getting Old Hurts

2011-07-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Haboob!

2011-07-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

And here I thought these dust storms (haboob in Middle Eastern Arabic) occurred only over there in the vastness of the deserts. But, on Tuesday in Phoenix: I'm impressed. Anyone want to buy a time-share in Scottsdale? Cheap price.

America

2011-07-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

Earthquake, tsunami via Twitter

2011-06-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

This is a fascinating study of Twitter traffic before, and just after the seismic event in Sendai, Japan:

How to Build an Automobile

2011-06-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Now this is how you build a car. Pres. Obama owns one or two auto factories, so he might learn from this: Wow!

Scenes from Above

2011-06-25T15:59:00.000-07:00

Here's what a camera might see when grabbed by a hungry seagull. Just what you'd expect, except for the stingy nips at the end:

Sutro Baths

2011-06-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

Some of you who have driven West on Geary Street to the Pacific and the Cliff House (v. 3.2) may have parked in the lot overlooking the Sutro Baths. This is what they looked like back in the day: Here's a bit of nostalgia from ABC7: (Postmortum. Today, 6/25/11 I noticed that the clip from ABC7 TV has disappeared, or expired, or otherwise died, and Flash can't play it anymore. Soribouthat.)

Just wondering...

2011-06-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

Don't have a bicycle, so I don't know. But, does every bicyclist have one of these? (No, not the seat!)

The Gap meets Beethoven

2011-06-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

He's 3 years old, but the music is good. (Don't pick your nose, kid!)

Grand Rapids MI

2011-06-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

GR is on the opposite side of the State in which I was born, but this is a long and friendly recitation of a well-known song by some of the folks there. You may enjoy it.

Classic Sinatra

2011-05-29T09:21:00.000-07:00

I snagged these pix off the internet this morning. For those who have residual admiration for Frank Sinatra, they may be interesting:

Pacific Grove, California

2011-05-27T21:12:00.000-07:00

Squeezed in between Monterey and Carmel, Pacific Grove is a friendly, old-California charmer of a small city. We are lucky to have friends with a condo in Pacific Grove. Golf between rain showers on the Pacific Grove Links (the poor-man's Pebble Beach,) dinner at the Sardine Factory, Monterey Aquarium, wine deep inside the Carmel Valley, all make for a pleasant few days. Behold: The condo deck,

The Passage of Time (cont'd)

2011-05-21T11:31:00.000-07:00

The subject is oft-pictured Alamo Square in San Francisco. Bounded on one side by Hyde Street, it's a feature on every Bay to Breakers footrace. Early 21st Century: Early 20th Century: I find the contrasts interesting.

Split Decision

2011-05-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

(I'm hoping that, politically, this one is right down the middle.) Two views of President Obama's speech on the Middle East on Thursday:

Lighthouses

2011-05-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

We had Pigeon Point up above a few days ago, in an enhanced picture taken on the one day of every year when the original Fresnel lens is lit. The lens was shipped around the Cape in the 1800s. A reminder (which can be expanded): Here's another lighthouse, from somewhere in Michigan, if memory serves. It's just a guess, but I'd guess that the photo was taken during the Winter months: Finally, a

Just back from Vegas

2011-05-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

only to find this in my pocket: This may be a bit difficult to explain. Working on it. (click to enlarge; then, destroy)

Time Passes; Things Grow

2011-05-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

Of course I'm talking only about the roses on the rose arbor.

I can't tell . . .

2011-05-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

. . .if these pics are real life or Photoshopped. Breathtaking, in either case. (As always, click to enlarge.)

Please Do Not -

2011-05-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

dress your infant as a taco, vegetarian or otherwise: Thank you in advance. :)

It's Been 7 1/2 Years

2011-04-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

but, today I received a check from Google from (I suppose) clicks on the advertisements running on www.twofriedeggs.blogspot.com/ . It won't replace my Unemployment Insurance, but it'll help! (Click to enlarge.) Thanks, Google!

It's a Reach!

2011-04-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

But she can do it!

Time For Country Gospel

2011-04-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

DW#1 says that Carrie Underwood was a winner of American Idol a year or so ago. With a voice this this, I can certainly see why: (Major HT to John Hinderaker of www powerlineblog.com for the links)

Memories of Sunshine

2011-04-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

And thanks to you. :)

May's Memorial

2011-04-23T08:38:00.000-07:00

She would have been pleased:

Girls

2011-04-21T19:23:00.000-07:00

Guess who had a Birthday last Tuesday: And guess to came to visit today: Good times...:)

Spring in Saranap

2011-04-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

April, 2011. What else can I say?

More from the Southern Entry

2011-04-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

We're looking at the Cherry Trees from the front stoop, and @miekow notices an anomoly: the red Cosmos in the midst of the yellow Daffodills. One is a Spring flower, the other a Summer one. (What do I know?)

Spring Keeps Springing

2011-04-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

So, finally, the (almost stately) Cherry Trees flanking the driveway are showing signs of life.

A Farmer's Work. . .

2011-04-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

. . .is never done: But, for many, it's happy work:

Oakland A's Opening Night is Friday

2011-03-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

But tonight (Tuesday) is Exhibition vs. the Giants. Everyone seems excited.

Water, water, water

2011-03-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Here in the Bay Area, we are emptying our reservoirs in anticipation of the Spring runoff, which should be huge. Up North, in Lake County, Clear Lake has overrun its banks and is lapping at the lakeside buildings. The lake is the largest inside California and has no outlet. When it fills, it floods. Most of the time, if you can get there, it's a pretty place. Cut, paste, and enjoy: http://

Yawn...

2011-03-24T19:15:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge. (But, you knew that.)

One Crazy Spring

2011-03-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

Just saying. . .

Cute!

2011-03-22T18:28:00.001-07:00

Only in Russia do you find cats that enjoy tight spaces:

Dabke Dance - Beirut Duty Free Shop

2011-03-17T16:24:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEp29GS1VXI Ahhh, Beirut. The Paris of the Middle East.

Way Back In The Day

2011-03-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

Young, chic men and women smoked cigarettes; it was the thing to do. After WWII, Zippo became the lighter of choice; it was simple, and it worked in the wind. Back then, my father gave a gift zippo to my mother: I have kept it. It brings back fond memories.

I found this interesting (Twitter)

2011-03-12T22:36:00.000-08:00

A bit adulatory, but fascinating. (Ev without his beard.) Enjoy. :-)

Buildings Really Rock & Roll

2011-03-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

From Japan, 11 March 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhJzdtzl6KY&hd=1

2011-03-08T18:21:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G7bGBUlx2M This one's for @miekow. :)

Come Fly with Me. . .

2011-03-06T17:46:00.000-08:00

This is fun. Strapped to the outside of a Shuttle Discovery launch.

One large city

2011-03-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

I recently found this picture on the web and couldn't wait to post it here. I put it here because, I hope, you can click and expand it to occupy lots of acreage on your screen. AWESOME HONG KONG You're welcome. :)

Just Sayin'

2011-03-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

Girls' Day, 3/3, is on Thursday this year.

Taiko!

2011-02-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

That's the Sensei (Coach) in the black tee shirt. And, that's DW1 in the black-over-white outfit. She's really pretty good! I was impressed. (The autofocus feature got in my way, and I apologize for that. I knew it could happen and tried to avoid it. Sorry :() (Click to enlarge, but you knew that.)

Mt. Diablo Panorama

2011-02-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a spectacular photo of Mt. Diablo and its foothills. I'm guessing that it's from the North. (As always, click to expand. This one has lots of pixels!) Thank you. :)

Christchurch Earthquake

2011-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Here's the only before-and-after picture of the Pyne Gould Building that I've found: It appears that the building lacked lateral strength and pancaked. But, what do I know? I'm tempted to subscribe to Engineering News Record again, just to follow the investigations. I read that New Zealand started to modernize their building codes in the 1970s. That seems quite recent, if true. It makes me

Dim Sum Dimensions

2011-02-21T16:05:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, as frequent readers may have surmized, we went into Oakland Chinatown for a dim sum lunch at Peony. It was excellent, as it always has been. And full of folks, most of whom were not Scandinavian. Today, we tried a new (for us) place for dim sum on this side of the hills. It's called "Tri-Valley Seafood" and it's located next to the Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton. We were pleasantly

Still Springtime

2011-02-20T15:50:00.000-08:00

Brief break from the rain/snow/ice today. Good time for dim sum and startled looks at Akiko's peach tree. The darned thing is blooming already! That deserves one more look at the summit of Mt. Diablo.

Spring Rains

2011-02-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

Damn, it's wet. We've had six days of this stuff. And, it's chilly outside. Brrr. Even worse, the cats have taken over DW#1's Snuggie! That, of course, prevents any human use of the snuggie. Sigh...

What a clatter!

2011-02-14T15:10:00.000-08:00

Awoke this morning to the most gawdawful ruckus imaginable. Three of Rossmoor's golf course ducks, who usually fly by quacking, decided today to alight on our roof with resounding thumps, and quack, quack, quacks. I was fortunate to get a quick pic. Hope it doesn't become a habit for them.

Nighttime Sunday in Tehran

2011-02-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haQnpDlBQNI&feature=player_embedded (Please cut and paste the two lines above. I'm sorry.)The sounds of youthful enthusiasm, shouted from one rooftop to another. I'm impressed. And some folks there are very, very nervous.

Springtime is Known

2011-02-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

for many things; for the rebirth of beauty from the ground. Behold the daffodil, the camellia, and the weed-like flowering helleborus: And, a bit, for birthdays

Cream Shabu-Shabu

2011-02-07T19:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, @miekow refuses to print her recipe for this delicious dish, so I'll take a stab. Here we go: This is a creative process. Take these ideas as starters, and add (or subtract) to your taste. Have fun! Get a wok, electric. Get at least four bowls, as needed. Make sticky rice in a Japanese rice cooker. Ingredients: 1)Meat dish - beef, scallops, shrimp, chicken, pork, whatever. In a bowl.

Yamagata Prefecture

2011-02-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is the Kikuchi family grave spot in Japan. Here, in October, will rest Grandmother May's ashes.

Ronald Reagan b.Feb 6, 1911

2011-02-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

My Birthday is next week

2011-02-03T18:06:00.000-08:00

But, of course, you remembered that. If you still can't find something to give me as a Birthday Anniversary present, consider: Thanks in advance. . . :)

Sometimes, I'm really happy

2011-02-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

to live in Northern California. This was Lakeshore Drive in Chicago today. Those cars are stranded, empty, cold inside. Brrrr

Asama-yama

2011-01-25T17:14:00.000-08:00

Mt. Asama, Japan Notice the clouds. The ones on the left are cold; it's winter after all. The clouds emanating from the top of Asama are warm; steam, actually. This is an active volcano (with a golf course at its base.)

For Memory's Sake

2011-01-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here it is, again! Forever: Interesting thing is that, as you reduce the image, the spirals disappear and the circles emerge. Try it. :)

Osaka-jo

2011-01-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

Well, we were younger at the time. Anyway, it was fun, and the food was good!

Across the Pond

2011-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

This Hummer H3 was recently spotted, outside an art gallery, in London. There should be no further discussion of the differences between them and us. :)

For those with Mailbox woes

2011-01-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

'Nuff said. :-)

New Years Feast 2011

2011-01-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

There were quite a few people, and quite a few dishes. Unfortunately, I didn't count the dishes (but I'm checking with others.)(As always, click to expand)(And, lick your tongue) We did a trial run on Anniversary Tuesday, the 28th. That's the suckling pig above. Then, on to New Years Day. First, the table before the guests arrived: And now, a sampling of the dishes available (including some