Kittens Learning

Is this applicable in other circumstances?

Two Airplanes. Different Times. Different Missions

I just couldn't avoid the comparisons.

That's a Russian Flying Battleship from WWII.

And an American Reaper from right now.

Interesting contrasts.

New Walnut Creek Restaurant

Lunch this Friday with Dear Wife #1 at Eleve (place accents over the first and last "e") in town. It's in that weird triangle bounded by Locust, Civic, N.Main next to the Honda dealer and kity-corner from police headquarters.

This is, ostensibly, a Vietnamese-fusion restaurant. Whatever, the food is delicious. I'll return for dinner, where the peanut-carpaccio is on the menu. Good service, a bit pricy, might be noisy when full.

I'll give a preview of the calimari. Go to http://www.eleverestaurant.com/ for lots more.

I used to ride a BMW

Those were fun times.

Dish Lane

I don't know, but the historical contrasts in the photograph, as well as the colors, attracted my eye.

Twitter has a Conference @ Ft. Mason

And, guess who was there?

(photographer unknown)

Oh, April showers, bring May flowers

But April storms bring rainbows!

How cool is that?

Left Hand, Right Hand

This is a Stutz Bearcat. Stutz made luxury and racing cars. Stutz was the last American car manufacturer to make a right-hand-drive car,  in 1921.

The movie below shows a slow cable car ride down Market Street in San Francisco in 1906, only four days before the earthquake. (Date was determined by shadows, license plates, and etc.)

And, here's a Stutz Limousine, from 1927

(Notice the steering wheel location.)

 

The Discoverer

Young Master Henry takes after his scientific parents and closely investigates how buttons, handles, and pedals work. This is very important for a young, inquiring mind.

Mexicali Mexico Earthquake

This purports to be a pic taken outside of Mexicali at the time of the earthquake earlier this week.  I picked it off a Twitter post attributed to @SteffanAntonas.

Fascinating illustration of the power our gentle world has within it.

Merle Haggard. 'Nuff said.

Please enjoy.

What a Real Vacation is Like

First, there's eating; a lot of eating

Then, there's playing with cousins. Lots of playing

Good Timing

Well, the Bromsgrovians go back home across the Atlantic later this week and, sure enough, the front driveway Cherry blossoms are blooming. They do this every year at the end of March/beginning of April.

The show is always spectacular.

Getting All Ready For Tomorrow

Well, the tempertures are certainly doing their best for the arrival on Friday of Hanako, Mark, George & Henry.

This warm weather is bringing out the Cherry blossoms. They look great! 

Now, if only we had a battery charger!

Final 2010 Budding Report

So, final interim report.

First the Gingko tree. Some landscape architect told all his students, many decades ago, that the Gingko was the oldest known tree species.

Older even than the Sequoia.

Next, a pic of the lavender bushes in full bloom. Look carefully and you might spot the honey bee that was feasing thereon.

And, finally the backyard Cherry tree, with its emerging blooming flowers.









The ten driveway Cherry trees shall have to await DD and DSIL's arrival in less than a week.

And, today, a new flowering tree

This time, it's the weeping Cherry outside the Japanese Room window.

And now. . .

 I do believe that HiltonHouse is getting ready for the arrival of Hanako and Mark later this month.

These pics show the leaf buds from the regular Japanese Maple outside the kitchen.

Still remaining are three different types of Cherry trees. We shall see.

And, Again!

First, the Camilia. Then, the daffodils. Then, Akiko's Peach tree. Now, Hisako's red-limbed Maple tree!

3/3

March 3d is Girls Day in Japan (and elsewhere.) So here's a cheer to all the girls - granddaughters, daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and greatgrandmothers!

HAPPY GIRLS DAY

(That's a seven-tiered display. The number of tiers is significant.)

Frank Gehry is A Famous 21st Century American Architect

And now, I can see where he gets his inspiration for building designs!

Earthquakes are a bit scary.

You see, if the roadways/freeways collapse, then you can't travel on them, or under them, or over them.

You are trapped!

This is a bit nerve wracking.

We hope that the strengthening that CalTrans did after Loma Prieta and Northridge, will prevent the damage shown above. This pic is from Chile on Saturday.

It Looks Like 1910,

But this pic was taken on 26 February 2010 in the Upper East side of Manhattan.

(Thanks to @alexisglick.)

(Click to expand.)

Hey! I'm only running a quote.

(From today's Health Summit at Blair House) (That's VPOTUS above. He said this.)

"I'm always reluctant after being here 37 years to tell people what the American people think. I think it requires a little bit of humility to be able to know what the American people think, and I don't, I can't swear I do. I know what I think. I think I know what they think. But I'm not sure what they think. And the second point I'd make is..."

Now, back to our regular programming.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mr. George

(Just look at what you helped to create, and wisely set on its way.)

It's Time For You To Smile...

I told you...

Beginning To See Signs

First, the camilia bush, then the daffodils, now:

Akiko's Peach Tree started to bloom today!

San Francisco Municipal Railway (aka MUNI)

I follow @sfappeal on Twitter, and 3 or 4 times each day they report on a collision/injury/death on the San Francisco Municipal Railway, aka Muni. Hence, my affection for the trollys, ancient or otherwise.

Now, I just have to get rid of these images. (I've never ridden Muni!) Enjoy.

(I think there are several messages herein)

DW1- - -

Happy Valentine's Day

(Happy Chinese New Year's, too)

Housing Crisis?

(click to enlarge)

Only in the Socialist Demcratic Republic of Berkeley. Nevermind the inherent conflict between "democratic" and "republic." This is Berkeley, after all.

And, for any housing-deficient birds out there, take your pick.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/02/025570.php

Scary New Pix

The NYT has published these new photos from the NYPD

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/02/10/nyregion/20100210-WORLDTRADE_index.html

It's That Time Of The Year

Star-Spangled Banner

This is a great rendition of our national anthem. Thanks to Richard of Albuquerque for the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr-XHBjE&fmt=18