Tuesday, December 18, 2007

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.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Saturday, December 01, 2007

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.

Monday, November 19, 2007

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...

Thursday, November 08, 2007

I call this one...



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

Remember this game?

Saturday, November 03, 2007

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.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

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.

Monday, October 22, 2007

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.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

been intrigued...


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

Thursday, October 04, 2007

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.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Uh oh...


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

I think they need to stay focused on this guy.

Monday, September 10, 2007

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."

Sunday, August 26, 2007

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.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

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.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

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?

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Saturday, August 04, 2007

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.

Monday, July 30, 2007

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.

Friday, July 27, 2007

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.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

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.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

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).

Thursday, July 19, 2007

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.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Saturday, July 14, 2007

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.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

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.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

signage


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

Saturday, June 30, 2007

2 for 1



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

Thursday, June 28, 2007

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?