Never seen a non-white mannequin

Then again I've never been to Sean John, Phat Farm or Tommy Hilfiger--which I'm sure must have African-American mannequins, right?

This one's from Nordstrom. I'm surprised I wasn't accosted by one of the floor staff and forbidden to shoot. Seems like the type of store that would pull that kinda shit.

indifferent lover

Love doesn't need reason.

It speaks from the irrational wisdom of the heart.

- Deepak Chopra

Sorry...

..about the "Banality of Evel Knievel" posting to anyone who was offended. When I first heard Hannah Arendt's famous quote about "the banality of evil," I immediately thought about applying it to my man Evel. I had a perfect opportunity to blog about it when he was in the news with the whole Kanye thing. So I posted it and then he died like an hour later. I know. Not cool.

So I was talking...

...to this guy at my work and excitedly telling him that I'd finally scored a victory in our fantasy football league and he says, "Oh you beat Shinjuku Metal Army?"

"Yeah," I say. He gives me this sheepish look and says, "That was Kevin's team." Kevin died like six weeks ago.

Kevin was a good man. One of the friendliest guys at my work. Most people (including myself) pretend they're too busy to acknowledge you as you pass them in the hallway But Kevin never did that--every time he'd say, "Hey, Daniel." He was a talented photographer too. RIP, Kevin Chan...

I call this one...

"Tempest" because it reminds me of the video game.

Remember this game?

photo plus...

..a little logo experimentation. This is my attempt at a nightcap version of the new balance logo. The wind filter-effect on the "m" isn't really popping like the nb logo does; it's actually not popping at all--unless you click to enlarge foto.

guess where these were taken

Nuclear fall-out shelter? An abandoned section of the NYC underground railway system? Also resembles a sci-fi set--like the one where Sigourney Weaver and Bill Paxton stumble upon Newt the space orphan in Aliens.

Just realizing it's probably not too difficult a guess once you see Vicky with the shopping cart.

just photos

Thinking of starting a blog called "just photos" seeing as I'm running out of interesting things to say and I only have two readers--thanks Kdubs, danielfan--this one's from a while back and is an exterior of that zeum/ice skating rink place near Third and Howard.

been intrigued...

by the tops of buildings for some reason. This one's the de Young.

bartenders in ref uni's

I recently stumbled upon a revelation--it seems in mid-'80s cinema, there was a trend of featuring bartenders in referee uniforms. This one's from Running Scared as you can see. Others I remember are About Last Night and Nothing in Common. I think there was also a Burt Reynolds movie with one. Maybe that one with Goldie Hawn--Best Friends? Or was it Switching Channels? You're wondering why, aren't you? Well, I'll venture a guess. Sports marketing really took off in like '86 with Jordan. Predating Nike were those irksome Miller Lite spots in which old ex-jocks like, say, Larry Tzonka (sp?) and that large, mustachioed lineman who starred in Webster would argue over whether Miller Lite's excellence was due to it "tast(es)ing" great or being "less filling." These ads all took place in bars obviously and I believe there was a referee in the house, presiding over the sparrings. So the movies just took this concept and ran with it. I've seen this at real-life bars as well; Dave and Busters, the popular Chuck E. Cheese-type establishment for adults has their bartenders running around in zebra-stripes. Anyone who wants to steal my idea can forget about it--I've already filed the necessary papers for my dissertation.

Uh oh...

Looks like the CHP's issued an Amber alert for the nightcap.

I think they need to stay focused on this guy.

free baby car

Van Nuys Graffiti

Quite possibly the most shameless rip-off I've ever seen. Actually, maybe that's second and this one's first:



In fact, if memory serves, I believe the synopsis on the box read "In the heartwarming tradition of E.T."

MN's...

...running this blog shit.

mahogany stallion

The true story of a man possessed by eight personalities

There's the willful and sadistic Bobby; the brawny yet taciturn carpenter, Roger; Egan, the pony-tailed and introverted programmer; Eustace, the confident and argumentative Ph.D. candidate; Vanessa--Daniel's only female self--is flirtatious, self-assured and quick to laugh; the demure and passive Sean possesses the mind of a 6-year-old; big-hearted Brian bakes and delivers cakes to lonely seniors on their birthdays; and lastly, Ethan, an agoraphobic hoarder who enjoys true crime shows.

no subject

ny street photography

Just looking at this series of photos after posting and, after second look, am not all that impressed (with the street photos that is--NOT vick). That whole building attached to the video screen on the first one is entirely devoted to m&m novelties if you can believe it. The rest are rather prosaic street portraits and of course my lovely V appearing contemplative and wistful.

God is watching us

And one look at that crack in his face and you know he's far from benevolent; he's an angry, vengeful god.

Francis Bacon at the 'cap

face-off

Firstly, why do you arrange your elliptical machines in this manner? Secondly, why oh why would you choose the machine opposite me when there are others available?

I find it surprising that..

...Snoop doesn't have an album titled Dogmatic.

Is that Lindsay Lohan or Wagner?

I was a little surprised when I saw this mannequin at Chico's--a store for 50-year-old+ women--taking on this snooty, cat-walking posture. Is all humility gone? Looks like after bringing down an entire generation of tweeners, the Lindsays and Britneys have moved on to the boomers. Better bring my A-game next time I go out to mom's.

Hopper at the nightcap

This photo I took in Monterey reminds me of some of Hopper's stuff. Just a quiet lil townscape centering on a long-abandoned saloon; nothing revolutionary but rather pensive and pretty.

What kind of store is this?

I've lived across from it for over two years and still am not quite sure. My guess would be a spa/beauty treatment place of some kind. As I was taking this picture, I considered getting a closer look, but I felt them watching me so I chickened out and scampered off.

Clement St...

has got some great, weird stores. This is a Chinese health/wellness store. Thoughtful of them to show you how that arm sling or neck brace will look on you. Of course, it's good to remember that neck braces always look better on mannequins.

Who are these guys?

And why are they wearing goggles? The guy on the right reminds me of that actor who always seems to play a snotty, overbearing ceo or prosecutor (Carlito's Way, The Game).

Why is it necessary to distinguish between high and low art?

Who's to say that Mozart is any more relevant than "Harden My Heart"?

One man's "Bette Davis Eyes" is another man's Catcher in the Rye.

I realize these are absurd questions but I heard "Harden My Heart" recently at 24-hour Fitness and was struck by how ridiculously great it sounded. Lots of folks like to dismiss pop music, but y'all need to recognize and realize the greatness that is Quarterflash.

Danactive...

..will be launching January '08. Look out for it!

sleep no way...

..sleep when I lay
six feet deep
and until that day,
i'ma be living like
it is that day

I'm constantly trying to find ways to infuse Lil Wayne lyrics into my postings. This movie I just watched--After the Wedding--reminded me of the lyric you see here. Very life affirming stuff. Watch it. And listen to Lil Wayne. He's the best rapper alive.

not sure

what good or service is offered here, but I think that "anon" guy whose postings you always see on message-boards owns it.

my eyes is going crazy

not exactly a sign

I know my theme currently is signage, but I'm going to sneak this one in as it does fit into the category, however broadly. What's funny about this bit of graffiti is that I took the photo over a year ago and it's still there. It adorns the wall of that weird Kennedy-era labor union building (567 local or some shit) in the wharf that resembles a geodesic dome.

signage

I veered off course again. Here's another one of those signs I promised.

Care for a nightcap?

2 for 1

These both were taken near the Bitter End on Clement St.

signage 2

signage

Photos of signage--especially weird signage--will be the 'Cap's theme for the next few days. This guy got creative with the dry-erase board as a cost-cutting measure it seems. I like his rendition of the aol guy. Who uses that anymore though?