2015 Purchase #4: Sutro Baths Handbill

After completing my latest tattoo (see Master of Suspense), I decided to stop by the Orange Circle to browse their antique shops. I wasn't expecting to buy anything because I will be attending the Long Beach Antique Market tomorrow morning. My dad and brother joined me to browse the current inventory. As we were getting to leave one shop, my dad made a beeline for one display case and quickly called me over. 

It was an old Sutro Baths handbill advertising its season opening in 1897. It was marked at $59, but then my dad pointed to a "50% off all items" sign and I immediately said, "I'll take it." 

As I walked out of the shop, my dad asked to take a look at it. He kept looking at the year 1897, but then I saw the month and day. "Daddy, look at the date." He was stunned. Imagine that! I purchased this relic 118 years to the day AND on the 109th anniversary of the Great Quake of San Francisco. Yes, this purchase was meant to be.

This will go great with the cardboard poster my dad gave me of an indoor picture at Sutro Baths. The photo below isn't my poster, but it is the exact same picture.

Sutro Baths is by far my favorite piece of San Francisco history; although PPIE is a close second. It's unfortunate that swimming house is no more, but the ruins make for a great visit and hike. Below is a collage of my photos from a previous visit a few years back.

The Master of Suspense

A trip to the Southland means a trip to American Vintage Tattoo. I got a simpler piece but it's a masterpiece!

I am a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock; both his cinema and his television series. This was largely due to my mom's influence as she, too, loves Hitchcock. I saw many of his films when I was a little girl, but at such a young age, I overlooked his grand artistry. Now I watch his films not only for pure entertainment but as a study of the human psyche, the art of suspense, the literary devices and cinematic technique. I often watch his series on Netflix, and if there is a Hitchcock festival, you can count on my being in attendance. I even have his albums downloaded to my computer. Whenever I soak in a warm bath, I have the album, Music to Be Murdered By playing as a serenade. Yes, strange, but really, it's just classical music including the famous Funeral March of a Marionette. 

Rather than have a detailed portrait, I decided on his most famous caricature; the Alfred Hitchcock Presents outline and shadow. I asked my artist, Bud, to use shading with different blue hues. This was often a style many pioneering film makers used for films with a night time setting: the use of blue shading. Bud did an awesome job. The lines are very clean, and the birds are stunning. My new favorite piece.

While you're here, enjoy Funeral March of a Marionette.

Back in the booth

I was asked to co-DJ at the Klipptones show this afternoon, and I happily obliged. I created a short list to be played only during the band break, and oh what a list! Most DJs tend to have their particular shtick as far as song choice, genre, era etc. There are many, many DJs out there, and it can be pretty difficult to set yourself apart from the others. However, when you develop your own personal style, your set list can be discernible from others. When I'm at Verdi, I can tell who's behind the booth for the evening. 

I only DJ sporadically so not many people would know it's me. However, I do have a signature style. You will always hear a Spanish language song. (Believe it or not, it gets people dancing.) I don't play music from current swing bands. I stick to the classics. I will always have a mix of different genres such as Classic Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, and Big Band Swing. However, my set list will contain mostly Jump Blues. That is my favorite style, and it isn't played enough at most venues. Stompy Jones's current lead singer doesn't perform nor can he sing that style so it's been a very long time since hearing particular songs. He is a good singer; it's just a different style. Anyhow, I'd like to bring back more Jump Blues. The music can be used for different dance styles: Lindy Hop, Shag, Balboa. It keeps all types of dancers happy; though it makes for a crowded dance floor.

The Short Set list for April 12, 2015

Not a hike per se...

...But it was definitely a trek through the Santa Cruz Mountains' foothills. Where did I go you might ask?

I finished my MA program December 2013 and have been teaching full time since. I miss being in the classroom as a student, and I really want to continue my education to the highest degree. I also want to stay local. That leaves Stanford, Santa Cruz and Berkeley. All of them are highly selective. I know I want my Ph.D. to be in literature, but the programs are very specific; that is, an area of concentration could mean a completely different program and therefore, a different application. You can only do so much research online before you realize you need to talk with the program coordinator. 

I decided to drive down to UC Santa Cruz (electing to drive through the peninsula). The campus is huge! Well, actually the land it sits a top has expanding boundaries beyond the buildings themselves. Still, I couldn't help but take in the gorgeous views of the foothills, Monterey Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The Humanities building is nestled in a forest of redwood trees. It was like being along my weekly hikes; the sounds of click beetles, birds tweeting, rustling leaves. It was soothing; very serene. I walked around the area getting a feel of the campus. Believe you me, my heart rate went up and I worked up a sweat. It really is a hike between buildings. It was awesome.

Humanities Building

Unfortunately, the program coordinator wasn't available, but a young lady was on staff to give me some information about the program and their current Ph.D. students. I was able to browse their profiles such as areas of concentration, courses taught, publications, etc. Imagine my giddiness when I saw some of these students/teaching assistants had full sleeve tattoos. In my mind, I shouted, YES! I can get more. My mom is always worried about my likelihood of teaching at a university with all my tattoos. Well, now I can tell her that it matters not.

Some of these students' studies can be way out there, so I don't feel too bad about my area of study. I have been undecided between two possibilities. Either I go with the practical: Literature across the curriculum or I go for my passion: Detective Fiction, Crime Novels and Film Noir. After my visit, I'm strongly considering the latter. My MA degree is already in a field of practicality - English TESOL, and I will always have a job teaching Adult ESL and Literature. 

As I reflect and write on my little visit, I think I'm starting to answer my own question as to where I want my concentration. Now the next question is, on which foreign language should I focus? I already speak Spanish, but I have no interest in Spanish language literature. I understand and can read Italian, but I'm not sure how it would fit with my concentration. French? I don't know. I still have more questions to ask.

I'll take a visit to Stanford in the coming weeks, but the way I feel right now, I'm really starting to like UC Santa Cruz. It'll be a long drive (60 miles), but I know of one colleague during my MA program who drove from Santa Rosa to attend San Francisco State. For me, it would only be about 35 miles from my job. And the drive back home (I'll always take Cabrillo Highway) is absolutely breathtaking.

2015 Hike #5: Sam McDonald Park

My mom has been feeling a bit stressed lately, so I told her to come on up to my home and relax during her spring break from work. I asked her if she'd like to accompany me on a hike. She was game. So this week's hike takes us back to the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. After meandering highway 84 to Loma Mar (on very little gas), my mom and I made it to Sam McDonald Park. As we were hiking, she kept thinking about how much the woods remind her so much of Puerto Rico, where she was born and raised. She loved listening to the creeks and cracks of the woods and the birds chirping. She felt at peace throughout the hike. Now she understands why I take these weekly hikes. It's more than just exercise. It's also a bit of a mental cleansing.

As I was hiking along, I kept thinking about graduate school. I want to return to school for my Ph.D. in Literature, but I'm still unsure about which campus I'd like to study. Stanford, Santa Cruz or Berkeley; in that order. I really REALLY do not want Berkeley. Stanford seems like a long shot. I keep thinking, should I strongly consider Santa Cruz? Then I heard my mom gasp loudly. "What is THAT?" I looked toward where she was pointing. "Oh! It's just a banana slug," I said as I was smiling. Then I thought, hmm...maybe I should consider UC Santa Cruz. It's along my hikes when I have my moments of clarity. 

Anyhow, my photo documentation was quite limited as all you see are trees, trees, and more trees. There isn't much variety, but I think I came away with some nice shots.