Markasaurus

The highlight was certainly going to the San Francisco zoo on Saturday. Natasha and I went to see the new Grizzly Gulch exhibit that was just completed for a pair of female bears that were relocated to San Francisco from Montana. They were orphaned at a young age and had become too aggressive around humans, so the options were either to relocate them to a zoo or kill them. San Francisco offered to house them and built this fantastic new exhibit for them- it allows you to get inches from them through glass walls spaced through the eclosure. As you can see in my photo, the bears are clearly visible to zoogoers… even when they are sniffing their own poop.

Last night I had the opportunity to see Architecture in Helsinki at Bimbo’s 365 Club with my friend Ariane. It was a fantastic show, and it was made better by opening bands Yacht (from Portland) and Still Flyin’ from San Francisco. Yaht is one guy who does everything, and Still Flyin’ is 19 people who also do everything and play a fun variety of music that sounds something like a children’s chorus blended with ska. I’m not sure that is the most accurate description.

Speaking of music, I also stopped by Aquarius Records and picked up the classic Kurtis Blow EP “Party Time?” on vinyl for a dollar yesterday. Then I had to go to Radio Shack and get cords to hook my record player up to my stereo. It was certainly worth it. Despite questioning Mr. Blow’s lyrical judgement at times (i.e. “Corporate leaders smokin’ joints, big time athletes shavin’ points”) this is a very enjoyable album for it’s musical qualities alone. It’s not “The Breaks” but it’s pretty decent and touches on a number of political issues of the early 1980s. Plus, you’ve got to love the cover art. Yes- that is the New York State Department of Unemployment in the background.

Today was another unexpected day of warm weather in San Francisco. Check out the beach: