Beej Weir is on the Schmap!

A few weeks back, I got a message at my flickr account telling me that 2 of my photos had been shortlisted for inclusion in the upcoming 8th edition of the Schmap Guide for San Francisco and asking me for my approval of said shortlisting.

If my photos were used, I'd get a photo credit and a link to my flickr account.

I gave them the go-ahead, figuring they'd probably opt for photos from, y'know, actual photographers with training & skill.

But, no, they did indeed use my photos. Sweet! They're part of the Golden Gate Park & SF Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum sections.

These are the photos in question (click on the thumbnail for the full magilla...)


Thanks, Schmap Guides!

Downieville Addendum

Now's as good a time as any to test out the Photobucket account. I've already burned up half of my flickr account allotment for August. Just click on the lil image and theoretically you'll get a bigger image. And if you click on that? A bigger image still. Great! Let's begin...

So, the Lure Resort is a nice place. It's divided into 2 sections of cabins: the side WITH electricity, indoor plumbing and quaint adorableness.

And the side we were on: just quaint adorableness and a communal bathroom & shower.

But, that was the idea. Campin. "Roughing it". No worries. I make pretty good fire!

And at least we had a roof, 4 walls and a thing that was sort of a bed.


A few more random images...


Here's Downieville's movie/live(?) theater. They were showing a documentary. Pity I didn't get more details. I didn't want to appear obnoxious all snappin pics like a ditsy tourist...

Destination: Downieville

At the end of July, Donna and I joined our friend Marie on a little Gold Rush country getaway- the Lure Resort in Downieville, CA to be exact.

Downieville has a pretty colorful history. It's hard to believe this tiny place with a population of 300 or so was once home to 5,000 49ers (as in gold miners, not football players). It must have been a fucking madhouse.

It's also the only place in California to have ever lynched a woman. Her name was Juanita. She stabbed a miner. There's a breakfast named after her at the local diner.

Interesting place.


There's more on my flickr page...

The North Yuba River...

Downieville, CA July 31, 2009 01
Originally uploaded by beejvision

or maybe this is the Downie River. Not sure which. It was a delight to dip in, though. More pics from our lil trip to Downieville to come...

Portrait of Mrs Beej's Tongue As a Young Woman

Sat July 18 2009, Brazen Head, SF 03
Originally uploaded by beejvision

We were waiting for our pepper steak...

Lunchtime News Update, July 9, 1540 AD

On this day in 1540 AD...

Henry VIII of England annuls his marriage to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.

Dammit! I'm only up to episode 304 of The Tudors and now I know how the season ends.

History should come with "spoiler alerts".

And when is that crazy-eyed Johnathan Rhys Meyers gonna put on the fat suit and carry around a turkey leg?!

Sure, maybe that song is less than historically accurate. But, are you telling me Showtime's playing fast & loose with facts? They're cable, for God's sake! And cable you have to pay for, too. That should mean something.

If movies have taught me anything- it's this: Henry the VIII was a big man. Charles Laughton doesn't play you in a movie if you're some skinny dude.

Check out the pic above: Henry's clearly holding a croissant in his right hand. (He was king of France at one point, too, right? I have to admit sometimes I drift in and out of the episodes).

Or maybe it's a rolled-up pancake. The point is: the guy liked to eat.

This is no way to win an Emmy, Mr. Meyers.

Actually... what the hell is Henry the VIII holding in his right hand?

Death & Chocolate (& Bologna)

Two food-related deaths for your lunchtime perusal...

NJ Man Dies in Vat of Chocolate

And this item, brought to our attention by the ever-vigilant Howard Stone...

Oscar Mayer is Dead

Mr Mayer lived to be 95. And if he was any fan of his products, his body will probably have a shelf-life twice that long...

(image from www.yournameinchocolate.com)