My City By The Bay

There are so many songs about San Francisco out there from the well known and famous “I Left My Heart In San Francisco”  by Tony Bennett to the obscure “I’m always drunk in San Francisco” (my theme song)  by I believe Nancy Wilson - not sure.  Remember the 60’s gem “If you’re going to San Francisco be sure to wear flowers in your hair?” & the classic “We built this city on rock n roll”  There are so many from different artists that pay tribute to my city by the bay.  I was thinking today that as a poet, living here all my life I’ve never written a poem to San Francisco.  I don’t know why that is, maybe because I live here and take it for granted at times or maybe it’s just too familiar.  However I’ll have to work on that and get something written.

 In the meantime I want to introduce you to a song penned and composed by my friend Jerry Holland, award winning songwriter and his wife, my dear friend Sony Holland.  After moving here from Nashville 6 years ago they were inspired by our fair city and created a tribute song to San Francisco.  It captures the vibrancy and essence of the city with a voice unmatched by anyone I have ever heard.

So, without further adieu here is the link to On A San Francisco High, sung by vocalist Sony Holland http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/5/4/1047701/Sony%20Holland%20-%20On%20A%20San%20Francisco%20High.mp3

For more information on Sony you can click the link in my links or visit here at: http://www.sonyholland.com

What are some of your regional favorite songs? Enjoy!

Chinese Buddha

Buddha
The Koran

Japanese Calligraphy

Stone Calligraphy From Iran

The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is one of the world’s largest Asian museums.  It was originally located in Golden Gate Park for over 30 years.  Due to the large collections housed in the museum, the city - meaning us voters, voted to move it into the newly renovated main public library location in the civic center area of SF.  It has been permanently housed there now for about 5 years.  To be honest I was against that move.  I thought it should have remained in Golden Gate Park.  However, that being said the museum is gorgeous.  There are floors dedicated to various regions in Asia to include China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Korea, Persia etc…

There are sculptures and paintings, calligraphy and jewels and so much more.  The artwork is strategically placed so that the lighting enhances each piece.  These pictures were taken inside, with an inexpensive digital camera and without flash.  They did not allow flash within the museum.  I never can understand why.  Anyway, so as you can see the lighting is excellent.

I am drawn to calligraphy.  I wish I could understand the writing.  I did and could however imagine the poet who created those intricate pieces and how their passion flowed throughout the scrolls.  They are timeless yet simple and elegant pieces of art.

I was also very taken by being able to view the Koran.  It is prominently displayed within the Persian exhibit at the museum within a well lighted display case.  The writing is in gold and the pages ornately designed.

The Buddhas from all over Asia are simply stunning in this museum.  It’s fascinating to explore each Buddha and how they differ from region to region.

The stone calligraphy piece from Iran was also displayed in the Persian exhibit.  Again, the calligraphy fascinating and delicately sculptured on stone.  It was interesting to see calligraphy in that medium. 

I absolutely adore the gift shop there as well. They’ve got everything from art, sculptures, books, music and cards to jewelry, handbags, totes and your standard bric - a - brac.  The items in the gift shop are high end.  It’s not like those souvenir shops you see all over the touristy areas and the price point reflects that fact.

The Asian Art Museum is one in which I frequent.  Since my trips to Hong Kong I find myself homesick for my adopted foreign land so being able to get a taste of Asia while at home here in San Francisco is a real treat.

For more information visit the website at: http://www.asianart.org

And for all of you travel bloggers and readers out there if you’d enjoy some posts about Hong Kong let me know and I’ll get some pics and posts up on my other blog at: http://apoetsview.today.com

So, I was taking my walk along the Great Highway at Ocean Beach.  It was a cool yet sunny day and while walking I was enjoying the sights and sounds of the Sunset district.  The Sunset district is located along the far west side coast of San Francisco.I had my camera with me, as I always do on my walks.  I like to get photos of the ocean, the cliff house and Sutro Park when I am walking in that area.  I was approaching Fulton Street on my way up to the cliff house when I noticed a crowd of people on the beach with what looked to be a horse.  Now a horse on the beach is not unusual as the park police patrol the beach on horseback.  I didn’t have my glasses on so I couldn’t exactly tell what was happening.  As I drew closer I saw that it was not a horse at all but a camel.  Now that was a first.  I’ve seen many different oddities along the beach in my time but a camel?

I walked down to join the crowd along the sandy beach.  I was so in awe of this creature that I forgot to even ask why he or she, I didn’t check, was there.  Let’s call him he.  Tall in stature he seemed so confident and gallant.  He was calm and laid back and actually posing for pictures.  It was almost like a red carpet event on the sand.  At one point someone with a little dog came over to join us and the camel started to run after the dog until his handler stopped him.  I went up to pet him and found his fur to be so soft and warm.  He was very tame and obviously loved the attention.  What he was doing there I don’t know but it certainly was fun seeing him there.  I’ll never forget my two hump furry friend.