Bobby D.

Ahhhhhh Bobby Milk. 

"Who?" you ask? 

Why none other than Robert De Niro, perhaps the greatest actor of his generation. 

I've been a long, LONG time fan. I don't know what the appeal is, but for as long as I can remember, I've always been drawn most to him. I've seen many of his films; not all because he has done a few box office bombs. Perhaps it's my preference for noir of which many of his films fall under that category such as Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Angel Heart (a horrid movie, by the way), and Heat. Then of course there are the mafia/crime films like The Godfather II, Once Upon a Time in America, Untouchables, GoodFellas, A Bronx Tale, Casino. There are just too many to list. Or maybe it's his devilishly good looks that often morphs into a mean mugging face. 

When I decided to finally have a male figure tattooed on me, I asked my tattoo artist, Bud, to make an Edwardian era gentleman with a caricature of Robert De Niro. When it came to placement, he put the stencil on my right forearm. I shook my head no. "I'm not ready to go below the elbows." He was understanding and placed it on my bicep.

When I flew down to L.A. last month, I made my requisite stop at mi amiga's (Wendy) house in Long Beach. She showed me her latest tattoo that Bud did before he went on medical leave. I was in awe. It was a portrait of Johnny Depp; her all time favorite actor. That was when I realized that I am finally ready to go below the elbows. I messaged Bud and said when he's back at work, we're doing a De Niro portrait. He's definitely stoked to do it. I'm hoping we'll get it done this summer.

So in the meantime, I've been researching the right image for a black and grey portrait. Wendy keeps pushing me to get Travis Bickle. EVERYONE does that character that it's become a cliché. But I did come across some great examples.

This is my favorite one. 

Then there is the ever popular Jimmy Conway.

It's too bad this artist put the mole on the wrong cheek.
I hope it's a mirror image.

And this great color portrait from De Niro's role in Machete (which I've not yet seen).

Then there's this curiosity. Frankenstein's Monster. I guess the person who owns this tattoo really loves Mary Shelley's classic novel.

I even saw one Max Cady tattoo though I don't know why anyone would want to tattoo a homicidal, sociopathic rapist. I've only seen this movie once and that was enough. I really disliked that character immensely. I know De Niro's rolls aren't usually the nice guy types, but this character is just too extreme for me.

Of course there is the classic Vito Corleone which is the character I used as a model for my caricature.

I was surprised to find that the character I plan to use isn't among the most sought after design. Neil McCauley. I LOVED him in Heat. It is my favorite De Niro movie. I also think this was when De Niro (at age 50) was at his most handsome. Of course, I am a sucker for goatees. It makes any man more attractive. What I also liked about this character is that despite his tough exterior, he really had a soft spot with some vulnerabilities. It's what made him human.

So this will be my portrait. Hopefully Bud will be back in the shop when I go back this summer. The spot will be my left forearm and a gateway to full sleeves.

2014 Hike #6: Fort Cronkhite

As I hiked the Lagoon Trail last week, I noticed the adjacent hillside with a different trail. The headlands have several trails that branch off in myriad directions. It's not possible to traverse every trail in a single day, so it was back to the Marin Headlands at Fort Cronkite. 

It was a serene walk along the coast with the waves crashing, birds chirping, ship horns blowing and the buoy bell tolling.

As I ascended the trail, I came across a split where I could continue on the current trail or on to a paved trail. I decided to stick with the rocky trail. The views were breathtaking. Waves crashing agains the rocks below. Cliffs with layers upon layers of sediment. The pine trees that curved over the trail providing a natural canopy.

Eventually, the trail grew thinner until is disappeared completely. Unfortunately, I was along side a steep hill. That meant continuing along the makeshift trail of previous hikers who carefully descended. I thought about going along the paved road once I returned to the split, but the weather went from a light rain to a near downpour. Perhaps next week when the weather is better; when I don't have to put Daisy in a sling and carry her along the trail (she's still in her walking cast). Until then, enjoy the beauty of the Bay Area...even during rainy days.

MOAH

After my 49ers devastating loss to the Seahawks, I stated, "I REFUSE to watch the Super Bowl." Most everyone doubted that a football fan as myself would forgo watching the biggest game in sports. Have they forgotten how much of a loyal 49er Faithful I am? I kept my word and avoided all media related to Super Sunday. 

My plan was to shop the Alameda Antique Fair, but it was rained out. Instead, I opted to spend the day in Palo Alto. I'd been wanting to go to the Museum of American Heritage (MOAH), so I finally made it a point to go. MOAH is housed at The Williams House; a 1907 custom built home by and for Dr. Thomas Williams, who established his medical practice there making him the first to open a doctors office in Palo Alto. The home currently houses five exhibits, one of which is a rotating exhibit of different artifacts. This season's exhibit is the history of television. I'd always thought that television was invented in the 1950s when in fact it came out decades before. TV sets appeared in the American home in the 1940s. The exhibit had several early models on display.

The other, permanent exhibits feature the following: a 1930s kitchen, a 1920s general store, a print shop and a 1920s garage & automobile workshop. I absolutely loved the kitchen. Though I currently own a 1940s WedgeWood stove, I'm considering purchasing a 1920s-30s working stove. (Of course, I have to buy the right house for it, first...yes I'm still on the house hunt.) The refrigerators of that time looked like pieces of furniture more than an appliance. The laundry area was somewhat reminiscent of my grandmother's house. Which reminds me, I have a 1930s electric laundry machine that would make a great addition to my future house.

The house garden is currently in its winter state, but I can only imagine how beautiful it will be come spring. 

After the museum, I decided on lunch at Palo Alto Creamery only to find that it has changed its name. It is now Peninsula Creamery, but at least everything else has remained the same. Good selections and good service. 

And since it was still early enough in the day (which meant the Super Bowl was just getting started), I walked down to my favorite movie house, Stanford Theatre. The current festival is Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life). On the bill was Mr. Deeds Goes to Town  and the pre-code Forbidden with a very young Barbara Stanwyck. Both wonderful films that highlight the ordinary Joe/Jane in extraordinary situations. At times, I was a bit teary eyed because some the themes hit close to home. But that's what makes Capra a cinema genius.

I must say that this was a lovely and enjoyable Sunday.

It's a Bitter Little World

One of the best SF festivals is the Noir City Film Festival held each January at the Castro Theatre. This year's festival featured Noir Films from around the world; Europe, Latin America, and Japan. I missed opening weekend because I was in Los Angeles, and I was unable to view the original production of  Brighton Rock since I had a scheduled performance with my dance troupe. I was able to catch 2 double features on Friday and Saturday. So of course I adorned myself in 1930s true vintage attire and transformed into a femme fatale that was often the central character is noir cinema.

Friday's films were El Vampiro Negro and Le Sailare de la Peur. Both films were very well made. I was impressed with Vampiro's cinematography with its sharp lines and downcast shadows. The music enhanced the melodramatic atmosphere. The acting wasn't too over the top as most low budget noir films had been during its hey day. Le Sailare was a stark contrast. This film was indeed, suspenseful but I saw no elements of noir. In fact, more often than not, the mood was lighthearted. What I enjoyed, though, was the actors' abilities to code switch between four languages; English, French, Spanish and Italian. I'm fluent in English and Spanish with a good knowledge of Italian. I felt dizzy at times as I was trying to adjust to the abrupt code switching. The film also appeared to be a bit anti-American with its tongue-in-cheek reference to the U.S. obsession with oil (apparently it's something that has always been and will always be an issue). I laughed it off since I agreed with most of the sentiments. Apparently everyone in the audience did, too. 

The Outfit

Saturday's bill was two French films; Duex Hommes dans Manhattan and Du Rififi Chez Le Hommes. Both films were very well made. Duex Hommes brought some memories of my times spent in New York; usually spent roaming the streets at night because that's when you see real life in NY. That life was well represented on screen. Rififi is a heist film. It reminded me so much of The Asphalt Jungle and Heat; the organization,  implementation, and the aftermath of a successful heist. The best scene was the actual heist; 30 minutes without dialog or music which added to the suspense. Like Le Sailare, some actors code-switched between French and Italian so it was nice to hear some dialog without having to rely on subtitles.

I loved my hair; a la Rita Hayworth

After the showcase, I met with a friend (and fellow dance troupe member) where we discussed noir fiction. I'm a longtime fan of Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy, and I've read all their novels. I'm looking into other authors and found a Gil Brewer pulp anthology. I never heard of him but I purchased it anyway based solely on the title Redheads Die Quickly. My friend also bought a copy. We had a good laugh since we're redheads (though she's a natural blonde and I'm a brunette). I also purchased a small book for my coffee table. A small book comprised of the greatest quotes in film noir cinema.

Though the festival lasted a mere 10 days, there is always a noir feature throughout the year. This Sunday will be a Rita Hayworth double feature: The Lady from Shanghai and one of my all time favorite Rita films, Gilda. 

2014 Hike #5: Lagoon Trail Loop

I'm back home in the Bay Area after a brief trip to L.A., and it's back to hiking the Marin Headlands this weekend.

Since Daisy is a bit handicapped at the moment (she's healing from a freak accident with an escalator at SFO. The floor panel sliced her paw and she has stitches), I decided to do an easier trail that wasn't too strenuous for her.

How is this comfortable? She really does sleep this way.

So we went back to Rodeo Beach and walked the Lagoon Trail Loop (a little more than a mile around the lagoon). It started off with a soft foundation, yet difficult to traverse: sand.

The trail led up to a steep incline before leveling into what seemed like a walk through the woods to grandma's house. I felt a bit like Red Riding Hood as I stepped slowly forward. I stopped to take in the sounds of the humming birds' fluttering wings. The soft sway of the branches through the breeze. Even with the twisted branches, the surroundings were beautiful.

As the trail neared its end, there were stunning views of the headlands and along the path galloped a horse. 

The Marin Headlands is quite expansive and there is plenty more I've yet to explore. Until next weekend, enjoy the photos.

2014 Hike #4: Juanita Cooke and Hiltscher Trail

In keeping my New Year's Resolution of weekly hikes, I managed to squeeze in a trail on my trip back to SoCal. This weekend, I hiked along Juanita Cooke trail in Fullerton, CA. It started off quite boring as it was just flat terrain with little to no elevation and trees on either side of the dirt path providing some relief from the sun. 

About a half mile into the trail, I came upon a different path; the Hiltscher Trail. This was much better as it provided more picturesque scenery. Along the trail were creeks, horse stables and chicken coops; a bit of country in the city. I came across a bridge (I have a thing for bridges) where I stopped to do my dancing stretches (the pliérs, kicks, arm stretches). I think for future trails, should I come across a bridge, I will stop for this routine. 

I'm glad I was able to enjoy a bit of nature on my short trip to the southland. Though I must say; the Bay Area has far better trails.

New Ink for the Bookworm

“But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground.”

-FSF

  

I've noticed an uptick in interests for my tattoo posts. It's been awhile since my last session and therefore fewer updates. I've finally made it back to the shop though I had a different artist work on me. Bud, my usual artist, has been on medical leave. I figured I can have someone else do smaller pieces and save the larger more complex pieces for Bud. 

One must have a love of literature to understand this new ink. I changed the colors to reflect my preference. One: yellow ink just wouldn't look right on olive skin.  Two: I wanted the eye color to look more like mine. 

This pretty much summed up how I feel today...

With my primo photobombing.

The day started off well. The game got off to a good start with the Wilson fumble and the first score of the game. We led at the half and throughout the 3rd quarter. But then Kaepernick choked BIG TIME! 

This is one painful loss. I don't know which NFC Championship loss is worse: Roger Craig fumbling the 3-peat away. The Dallas Cowboy losses back in the 90s. Losing to the Giants (again) in 2012...this was pretty bad (though nothing is worse than losing the Super Bowl and I'm still having a hard time getting over that loss).

But in the end, I'm forever a 49er Faithful. I have been since birth and I'm a 3rd generation Niner fan. You win some, you lose some. For better or for worse, they will always be my team.

GO NINERS!

As for this year's Super Bowl...well this will be the first time that I REFUSE to watch. You can find me at the Alameda Antique Faire that Sunday. Should be less crowded next month.

Getting the 'billy on.

It has been a very, VERY long time since I've gone to a rockabilly show. I met up with a couple of friends for a car show/rockabilly show at 23 Club in Brisbane. It was definitely a friendly atmosphere and the people there (mostly car clubs) were super nice. One of my friends stated, "that's because there were more men than women." I didn't realize it, but yes, there were fewer ladies. Of those who were there, most were older and therefore beyond the cattiness and were very friendly. I manage to dance a few songs in addition to enjoying the music and meeting new people. It made me think of the L.A. Rockabilly scene. Though I'm more into the swing dance scene, I think I can leave a little room for RAB. 

2014 Hike #3: Rodeo Beach and Pt. Bonita Lighthouse

Last week was a cold, foggy trek through Hawk Hill, and as a result, I got sick. Usually I go to work sick, but by Wednesday, the flu knocked me out and I missed the last two days. I'm now in recovery mode, and when I saw the beautiful weather outside, flu or no flu, I decided to back the Marin Headlines for another hiking trail.

Today's hike was at Rodeo Beach and Point Bonita. As beautiful as the Peninsula is, I'd have to say that Marin offers far better trails and views.