Romance, through the eyes of Hitchcock ....

But first, there are many things to do in California

I've only been to San Francisco once, and that was in the winter, February, as a matter of fact. My California time otherwise has been during warm-weather months, and my excursions largely ranging between San Diego and Los Angeles.

I tried to learn how to surf (on big waves, really, in the actual ocean) when I was in California. The only thing I learned was what it feels like to be a basketball -- tossing, tumbling, bouncing and bouncing and bouncing. Among my favorite California places were a bar called Maynard's in La Jolla and a nearby six-floor hotel, in which only the first floor was occupied. (The other floors, most likely, were condemned.) I cannot recall the name of the hotel, but I have come to refer to it as the "Hotel California." Most certainly, you remember the Eagles' song:

... "So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say ...
Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis" ...

Is this relevant?

Of course not, but I thought I'd mention it, anyway. Now, to the subject at hand:

The Ideal Couple: Episode II

Continuing our seminar regarding some of the great romances of San Francisco as depicted in the magical world of motion pictures, Alfred Hitchcock has produced a pair of my favorites. First, let us turn to the "The Birds." Notice here how gently Mitch is holding Melanie after she single-handedly fought off an attack from the feathery fiends. My assumption is that the woman on right is from PETA, and is trying to steal Melanie's fur coat during the confusion.

Mitch must be a wimp to allow Melanie do the fighting.

None of us, I am certain, will ever forget Scottie and Madeleine in Hitchcock's San Francisco classic, "Vertigo." I've never figured out how such an old dude like Scottie could land such a hot, young chick like Madeleine, but I guess that's just the way "old Alfred" envisioned the story. Anyone else besides me keep getting dizzy all during that movie?

So, men actually once wore hats instead of caps? How classy.

To be concluded tomorrow (barring the unforeseen) as Episode III

Music Note: Listening to (and sort of watching) David Bowie ....
Specifically, his "Glass Spider" concert ....
(Unbelievable guitar work, especially when five on stage at once)

Waiting for the howl of romance ....

Winter doldrums require diversions

This blog (god, what an ugly, unappealing word) was started as a distraction from winter, and as a bit of a farce.

January and February have become more-or-less a period of winter doldrums for me in recent times. Some years I go on a reading binge. Other years I try to spend a few weeks on a sunny beach. This year, for a diversion, I began randomly "cruising" the sea of blogs -- reading, reading, reading.

What began last August as "following" the writing of an individual turned into sifting through a gamut of thoughts, ideas and expressions produced by countless people. Such is the experience of surfing upon the sea of blogs. As a result, I have grown sort of attached to a couple of writers -- at minimum, feeling empathy, at most, feeling attraction. Empathy is fine; attraction is not what I want or need at this point in my life.

By that I mean while I do very much enjoy a pretty face, I find intellectual stimulation and commonality of interests more fascinating right now. And, on that note ....

The Ideal Couple: Episode I

My mind has been wandering lately, of that you can be sure. It's been drifting southward from cold, snowy Minnesota to the foggy, damp climes of San Francisco, California. "Why?" I just heard someone ask. Thank you, for asking. Because there are princesses, divas, contessas and other assorted wolf-loving ladies by the thousands, listening and waiting there impatiently for the howl of romance to pierce the silence of their drab, soggy lives.

Inflating my memory, some of the great romances of San Francisco as depicted in the movies float to the surface. Who can forget Chris and Walker in "Point Blank?" See Chris gripping Walker during a confrontation with "Archie Bunker?" See Walker calmly gripping his Model 27, Smith & Wesson, .357 magnum, with a four-inch barrel? Nice piece. That is true love.

Chris holds Walker while Walker holds his revolver. A man's got to know his limitations.

Near the top of the list among the more attractive couples of San Francisco movie fame must be Matthew and Elizabeth from "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Here we see Matt clutching Liz in a rather informal manner. I'm not certain if the action in the photograph is related to the title of the movie but, since we’re all pretty much adults here, I won't worry about it.

There’s Matthew. There’s Elizabeth. Don’t use your imagination.

To be continued tomorrow (barring the unforeseen) as Episode II

Music Note: Currently listening to Alice Cooper ....
Specifically, "Mascara & MONSTERS" ....
(Never a fan of Alice, but I think every boy/man can relate to "Poison")