June Gloom

It's been a very long while since I've posted this month; hence the title, June gloom. Life has not at all been gloomy (but this blog has). Rather, it's been particularly busy the first half of June. It was the end of the quarter at my campus which means lots of grading and grade submissions. I'm also enrolled in an "Investigating Film Noir" summer course which also takes up a bit of my time having to read articles, watch films noir, provide a commentary and take quizzes. (So far, I'm acing the course.) Then of course watching the NBA Finals. Congratulations Warriors! I will always be a Lakers fan, but I will support the home team. I really am happy for the Dub Nation.

This last half of June has been vacation time from work. My parents came up to visit for the week, and we spent most of our time in Santa Cruz and Monterey. It wasn't about basking in the sun along the coast. It was antique hunting, and there were quite a few off the beaten path shops especially in the small towns between Santa Cruz and Monterey. It was about the car shows where Santa Cruz has their annual Woodies on the Wharf. We also stayed local to the San Francisco Peninsula as we hiked a few trails and shopped at the Treasure Island Flea Market. Then there were days when we just stayed at my home binge watching Films Noir. 

That's about all of June in a nutshell. Eventually I'll get off my lazy behind and start updating both this blog and my film noir blog. Ciao for now.

Dark Passage - Investigating Noir

I have always been a fan of the darker elements of fiction whether it is written or visual arts. As I contemplated a specific study for my future PhD program, I decided it was best to focus on my passion; Detective/Crime Fiction, Film Noir and the Wrong Man. I already have several ideas going through my brain, but I'm coming close to developing a thesis for my dissertation. So as I prepare for the application process, I have been re-reading some of my hardboiled collections and purchasing new ones. Then, as I was watching Turner Classic Movies, I saw a preview of the coming summer series Summer of Darkness: A Film Noir Festival. Every Friday, TCM will be airing 12-13 films noir. It's a good thing I have Fridays off. It will definitely be a day of lounging and film noir viewing.

In addition, TCM has paired with a free online course entitled: Investigating Film Noir. The course offers certificates of completion at the quarter's end. Yes, indeed, I signed up. I figured it would be a good start to my upcoming studies. Therefore, I've decided to start a new blog with a focus on Noir where I will critique and analyze films noir, art, and hardboiled detective novels. I welcome all who follow this blog to check out the art of noir.

Dark Passage - Investigating Film Noir

The City of Angels

I had no plans to leave the Bay Area for the Memorial Day weekend. I would have been perfectly content to spend my 4-day weekend relaxing at home. After all, the weather has been less than stellar so I probably wouldn't have gone out for my hikes. Then my mom calls advising me to come visit. So I made the 6 hour drive to SoCal Thursday night. Since I rarely see my brother, I let him know that I was venturing down, so why not hang out Friday night? He still had to work, but definitely wanted to check out the Tease If You Please burlesque show.

My parents live about 26 miles outside Los Angeles of which most is freeway miles. Considering it was a Friday and a holiday weekend, I gave myself extra time for the traffic. There really wasn't much traffic; much to my surprise, but the interchange was backed up once I hit the city limits, so I exited Soto and drove down Whittier Blvd. (the L.A. version of El Camino Real) to downtown L.A.

What I love about this route is the crossing over the L.A. river along the 6th Street-Whittier Bridge and the downtown skyline in the distance. Although the San Francisco Skyline is the most beautiful, there's something remarkable about the downtown L.A. skyline. Of course the appeal ends once you complete the crossing into L.A.'s skid row.

Once I arrived at my brother's loft, he informed me that he wouldn't be home for another hour as he was still on the Metro Link. So that meant having to kill time. I walked along Spring Street to the Last Bookstore. With each passing street, I kept thinking how downtown looked much like San Francisco; only cleaner. So many friendly faces greeted you with a hello which is a rarity in a big city. At that point, my opinion of DTLA has changed to a more positive one. However, I still love San Francisco and I still think Portland far exceeds the appeal of Los Angeles. After all, at every corner I kept seeing Dodger Blue. In fact I gasped when a few Dodger clad men were checking me out and I blurted out, "I'm a Giants fan, sorry!" I wasn't sorry that I'm a Giants fan, but that we kicked their butts the past few days. They just laughed in a humorous way (not insulting) and kept walking. Then I landed in front of The Last Bookstore. Yes, that is indeed the name.

I really enjoy coming here not only to browse their inventory, but also for its ambiance. I must applaud them for their creativity. They created an art of showcasing their inventory.

My favorite is this tunnel into the labyrinth of bookcases. It is structured completely from books.

Once you get through the labyrinth, you descend into an art gallery housing artists' work booths and a display of their paintings and functional art.

There are also some antique shops, but they were not open for business. They had already closed an hour before my arrival.

Side note, I really loved how my reflection came out relative to the 1940s suitcase. In fact, I'm kicking myself for not having taken a photo of my outfit. I wore my latest dress acquisition from the Alameda Vintage Fashion Fair, my dark brown 1930s ankle straps, a black swing coat and a black scarf to shield my hair from the wind. The scarf seemed to have made my cat-eye glasses more alluring. I received several compliments from both patrons and employees at the store. One even stated that I HAD to be an out of towner. I smiled and said that I was visiting from San Francisco. 

My favorite room, though is this work of art entitled Diagnosis. It is like a scene right out of a Tim Burton film.

One last room I entered was the rare book room. I thought that meant really old books from a century ago. Not quite. While there were some older selections, many of them were 1st edition contemporary novels or those signed by the author. The entrance, though, wasn't in vain for I saw the most stunning art collection. It wasn't so much the collection, but the its arrangement. It left me breathless.

Yes, I did leave with a purchase. I bought a Dashiell Hammett collection of his novels for a mere $8. Detective and crime novels are my favorite literary genre. I've read Chandler extensively as well as the contemporary Ellroy with many unknown authors in between. But I had yet to read a Hammett novel, but I have seen films based off his novels and short stories as well as those he had screen written. If I'm going to pursue a PhD in Literature focusing on crime/detective fiction and film noir, I owe it to myself to read his work.

I walked back to my brother's loft once he informed me that he arrived home. I love his place. He lives on the top floor with a commanding view of Los Angeles. Inside, he maintains a jazz themed decor. I only took one indoor photo as I want to respect his privacy.

From his bedroom, you can see the Eastern Building. On his balcony, you see the downtown skyline. Across the way, I noticed what I thought was a bbq. He informed me that in fact they were shooting a film or television show in the alley. He says it a popular spot to shoot scenes including on the top parking lot. My brother is definitely a city boy whereas I prefer the quiet suburb or the even quieter country life. I love San Francisco, but it's more a playground before retreating to the quiet city of Burlingame. Although, I see my future along the coast where it's most serene. But I digress.

My brother recommended stopping at the Edison for a cocktail before heading out to the burlesque show. I've heard about this venue, but had never been. I am so glad he brought me there. It definitely had its Prohibition era vibe and it was nearly identical to San Francisco's bar Local Edition. You walk down a flight of stairs to the central bar location. 

There are several rooms designed for those who wanted a quiet spot to converse with their party. The walls were projected with early 20th century silent films. The restrooms had servers supplying soap and paper towels just like the old days. Because this was once an electric company, there were many old circuits and other machinery that I know no name for. They were integrated into the decor providing a glimpse into old Los Angeles underground.

My evening martini

We finally made it to Tease If You Please. It was unlike any burlesque show I've been to in San Francisco. In SF, they are large venues to serve a large audience. In LA, it was a very small, intimate setting. The decor and architecture was strictly Art Deco; at that point, I new that I would love this show. The ladies were absolutely stunning not only in their performance but as a true artist. I wish I could have taken more pictures, but the audience was barred from doing so. These were just the few sneaking shots I took.

The night ended with us walking a few blocks in downtown and my brother pointing out the architecture and the new construction. Apparently, Los Angeles recently appealed a city ordinance that required all tall buildings have a flat top. Now new constructions will have spires or be more pointed. One new building currently in construction will be the tallest in LA. "The skyline's appearance will change by 2018," he said. I found that a bit disheartening since most new buildings look sterile, but he's more optimistic stating that Los Angeles will have a nice mix of classic and contemporary. We'll see. I'm sure he's right. For now, lets just appreciate how it looks today.

2015 Vintage Purchase #6: Blissfully Blue

It was day 2 of the Alameda Vintage Fashion Fair. There were less people in attendance which made it much easier to navigate around the facility as well as explore the inventory at a slower pace. I made only two dress purchases today each from a seller I've previously bought from on many occasions.

The first dress came from Oren's shop: Relic Vintage. He had two lovely pieces and both fit very well, but I opted for this lovely number below:

It is so light and airy perfect for the summer months. I love the colors and the accented bows on each sleeve. It's a bit too delicate for swing dancing, but it's definitely a great day dress to wear to work. And since my job is located in Santa Clara County where the temperatures are high, this dress will keep me rather cool.

The second dress is from one of my favorite sellers, the lovely Christina of Skirt Chaser Vintage. I've been purchasing from her for over a decade when she was known as Señorita Hollywood on eBay. She really knows how to dress her clients. There were three dresses to choose from. One of them was too big in the chest area (how did these women in the 40s have such tiny waists with huge breasts?), the second dress was such a beautiful 30s dress. Now that I think about it, I wish I would've taken a picture of it when I was trying it on. The fit was pretty much at my waist measurement at 31-32". It was also supported by a single snap. But oh it was a lovely dress, but I opted not to buy it. If it's meant to be, it'll be available when I'm ready to purchase. I have been slimming down so it'll probably be a perfect fit in a couple of months. The dress that I ended up buying was another blue number.

This cotton day dress is a bit loose, but perfect for the dance floor. It also makes for a great summer dress. This was the type of dress that I've been searching for. Cotton dresses fit for a swing dancer. 

There weren't too many cotton day dresses out there at the fashion fair. Those that were available were either the wrong size or the wrong decade. I saw quite a few mid-late 60s dresses with very gaudy colors. Those from 20s-50s tend to have more softer, lighter colors, which seem to work better with my olive complexion and red hair.

Eventually, I will need to make a day trip to Santa Rosa, where Skirt Chaser Vintage is located. I know there are other vintage clothing shops in downtown Santa Rosa, so it would be worthwhile to check them all out with a stop in Petaluma. Perhaps in July. Definitely stay tuned for a post on that trip. Cheers for now!

2015 Vintage Purchase #5: 1940s Day Dress

It's that time of year! The 2015 Spring Alameda Fashion Fair descended upon Michaan's Auctions located at Alameda Point. I have withheld purchasing vintage clothing (well I bought one dress at the SF Vintage Fashion Expo earlier this year) so that I can save on purchasing more day dresses. I have plenty of evening dresses and gowns and a good amount of day dresses, but I really want to expand this realm so that I can have comfortable cotton dresses to wear to work and on the swing dance floor.

1950s themed fair. And the sunset over SF was just stunning.

The fashion fair is a two day event. The first night is always the early buy party with a fashion contest, live band and open bar. Most people come dressed in their vintage best, and of course I was no exception. I wore a blue cotton day dress from the late 1940s. I paired with a pair of true vintage  (circa 1930s), ankle strapped, peep toes. I pin-curled my hair for a side roll and ringlets.

Night one tends to be the most crowded evening because most buyers are about getting the best outfit regardless of price. I'm no different. I try to find that "Wow!" dress, but it was really hard sifting through all the inventory with so many people blocking access. It was quite rude, actually.

I was able to make one purchase today. I found a 1940s day dress at a great price: $45! Of course it's missing the belt, otherwise the dress is in perfect vintage condition.

The color is peachy with some red, gold and black print. I love the little flowers and starbursts. Since the buttons are black, I will probably just pair it with a basic black, thin belt. 

Tomorrow it is back to Alameda for day 2, and hopefully I am able to browse through other sellers' collections.

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.