Independence Day and the Custom of National days July 4, 2009

The 4th of July is America’s National day, it is called Independence Day for the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain was signed on that day (July 4, 1776). I had to look it up, I’m not that acquainted with American history!

But I would like to talk about the tradition of the National Day. The concept itself is interesting, the main idea is to have one day where you celebrate your nation, yet it is never a random and innocent day! The national Day is like a country’s birthday, that is to say, someone picked a date they felt coincide with the Birth of the Nation. Which means the choice is usually political, even though its meaning will fade as time goes by this date always has a conscious or unconscious meaning.

The US picked the signature of one of its founding text making the country more than Independent from Great Britain, it made the US a well working independent and unified country.

In Australia, the National Day is called Australia Day, it happens on January 26, unlike the US it actually shows the strong bond between Australia and Great Britain. Australia day commemorates the arrival of the first British fleet in Australia.

Then there’s France, actually first interesting detail, in French we don’t say “National day” we say “fête nationale” (ie “National Celebration/Party”). Other interesting detail, People outside of France call it “Bastille Day” but in France we only refer to it as “14 juillet” (14th of July). But indeed the 14th of July commemorates the “prise de la Bastille” (the Bastille taken over ), the Bastille was a massive Medieval fort looking prison, and when we say taken over we mean destruction! It symbolizes 2 things, first the “people” (that is to say the non-Royal) destroying a symbol of oppression and the army joining “the people” (that is to say no longer taking order from the “Royal” who were supposed to represent God’s will on earth).

This year I have had the opportunity to celebrate Australia day in Australia and the 4th of July in America. They have in common the Barbecue (called “barbi” in Australian), gathering around friends and family grilling some meat drinking beer. American cities also organize all sorts of street fairs and Parades. But the most important tradition on the 4th of July is definitely the fireworks! To me it felt like the 4th of July was a good balance between gathering with people you know and enjoying outdoor activities with everybody.

In France you don’t gather friends and family “for” the 14th of July, and you surely won’t call anyone to say “Happy 14th of July”. You will probably hang out with friends and family, but not because it’s the 14th of July but more likely because it’s a day off. The highlight of the French National Day is the military parade. A typical “14th of July” will be, if you’re young, probably a picnic with your friends if you’re older the TV on with the military parade and a great big lunch. Then in the evening, probably go to the “bal des pompiers” (Firemen’s ball) I did it once and I swore never to do it again, and of course enjoy some fireworks.

Finally there is one thing all countries have in common… the deep relation between the national day and the flag. I think we should just call National Day “flag day”. And actually there is one thing France and America have in common, the blue, red and white! But it’s way easier to draw a French flag!

I enjoyed my first 4th of July, I accompanied Heather to Sonoma where some of her friends were having a get together. What I enjoyed most was the general atmosphere, it felt like everyone was just cheering and feeling happy and proud to be American. Although this year it was a bit tinted with the economic down turn as some towns decided to organize fireworks the day before to avoid extra labor costs!

Glow stick fun!

Sonoma Fireworks

Golden Gate Bridge By Night!!!

hot and hungover June 28, 2009

Sunday was beyond hot, it felt so weird, to have gone from cold autumn like San Francisco to blazing hot Sonoma! It felt all the more uncomfortable as I was struggling with a nasty hangover!

So instead of staying in Sonoma, we decided to hit the road in the airconditionned car and just go  and have lunch by the water in Sausolito, and enjoyed a nice stroll by the small marina, where many interesting boats (which probably never took the sea!) were nicely anchored. Then we drove to the Headlands, where we knew we would find nice fresh air!

Marina Sausolito

Flying pig

Headlands, if it’s not foggy, it’s Hazy!!

Water glistening on the top of an old army bunker

The San Francisco Lascaux!

Light at the end of the tunnel!

The Golden Gate Bridge, from the inside! I think that’s the last view of it missing on that blog!

More Golden gate!

Me and a bottle of Chardonnay June 27, 2009

Heather and I have had the opportunity to go do some house / dog sitting in a cute little cottage in Sonoma. So we left cold and extra Foggy SF for Scorching hot Sonoma!

Saturday, two of Heather’s friends Ronan and Didi joined us and in the evening we went to the Gundlach Bundschu winery to check out the Indierock fest, 2 bands were performing: Birdmonster from San Francisco and Deer tick, named top breakout band at the 2009 South by Southwest Festival in Austin by Rolling Stone magazine.

We enjoyed much wine, particularly Didi and I, we listened to the music, then after too much wine we started dancing… which means the evening was a bit foggy for me!

Birdmonster was nice and sweet, good Indierock, Deer tick… from what I recall was nice too, surfing on The killers/Kings of Leon wave, the singer has a nice kind of country style voice, and he made a duo with a female singer no idea who she was but it was sweet.

Well it was a fun night… I think! But I definitely paid dearly my excess the next day, with a well earned Hangover!

Foggy and busy road to Sonoma

Heather Didi and Ronan, Gundlach Bundschu

Moi, Didi, Ronan

Picnic by the stage

Birdmonster

Deertick

Then my evening started to look like that

Oh yeah! June 25, 2009

Just to show off my newly acquired vintage 50’s hat! The full funky outfit that will soon go with it will come later… fun, fun, fun!

Good riddance June 19, 2009

I tend to complain a lot about the weather in San Francisco, but you know me I’m always cold so I need very hot weather to feel alive! Anyways I just thought I’d point out that it’s not always foggy and cold, sometimes we’re blessed with a little bit of sunshine! When that happens the parks become filled with half naked people (even if it’s not that warm!). The thongs (as in sandals) are out and everybody tries to expose his body to the sunlight…

Today was a beautiful sunny day, still quite cool because of the wind, but at least sunny!

The unusual Palace of Fine Art, built in 1915, home to the science museum.

Time wasting June 18, 2009

Time is going by and everyday the same question… what shall I do with myself… The current employment situation in the US is as gloom as a Slayer album, with not much hope for a change (we’re all gona die… unemployed!)

After desperately scrutinizing depressingly job deprived career opportunity websites there’s still quite a few hours left in my day!

But thank goodness for me there is a place in this world where millions of time wasting souls can find shelter… it’s called Internet!

So I already have a blog, I have Facebook, tried Twitter (but never got into it)… I decided to try e-harmony, they have this pseudo personality test that will take you at least half an hour to fill! all part of their supposedly free trial. Well actually all you get for free are some alerts that such and such single person exist in your area and could be a great match for you! I found it a little frustrating to get at least 50 possible perfect match when Michael Page can’t even match me with an unperfect-job. Anyways the free trial only offers the name and age, if you want to see the pictures and more info you need to pay about 30$ a month… I’ve decided to blow that money in concerts instead, it’s all about priorities!

I’ve finally got a myspace! I know it’s such a thing of the past, but I’ve never been big on following trends! The point is I’m now “friends” with all the bands I want! So in the wonderful pretend world of Internet I am soooo cool! I can send them little thank you notes, but the most important thing is that I can find out where they’re playing, so I can get my concerts planning organised!

Otherwise I’ve taken up singing lessons and good news I’m sounding less and less like meowing cat! It’s going to be time for me to get in a band!

I’ve also gone back to one of my first love… costume design, well I’m not that talented so it’s more wacky cloths alteration!

Finally I walk and take pictures! Cheap healthy way to waste time! I don’t think I’ll post my voice on this blog, I might post some pictures of my costumes later… But in the mean time here are some pix of San Francisco!

PS: I welcome any time wasting proposal or job offer for that matter! (I know wishful thinking!)

Da Painted Ladies… This group of houses is actually very famous, you might remember it from “Full house” (”la fête à la maison”) I don’t find them to be the most impressive or prettiest but you’re supposed to check them out if you’re a tourist!

Haight district – this is the epicenter of the hippy movement it’s now a bit of the young rebel street with amazing record stores, and funky second hand cloths (my favorite playground when it comes to costuming)

Haight street

Love those flashy painted houses!

Yet another view of this amazing bridge! This time from Crissy field!

Logistic… that’s where I need to find a job!

View of Alcatraz!

Code Red @ The Independent June 12, 2009

I know 2 concerts in one week sounds a little extreme, but when I saw on Loud Farm, Datarock was playing at the Independent, I couldn’t just ignore it!

Datarock is a wacky electro-dance-rock band from Norway. They’ve just released a new album “red”. Thus a lot of people had made the effort to wear red last night! And if you only need one good reason to listen to that band, I say any band that could come up with a song entitled “Nightflight to Uranus” deserves some credit!

The atmosphere at the Independent was quite young and chilled, mostly university students, unlike at Slim’s, you’re only allowed in if you’re over 21. The stage is quite wide, so that was pretty convenient as I had no intention to mosh pit this time as I still have a few bruise from IAMX!

First band was from LA, Casxio, alternative-rock, alright, the singer has a good voice, it was well played but the songs were not risky, good  but not special.

Second band was Woodhands from Toronto. It’s the epitome of eletronica-geek as we like it! a nice bit, a Cramer looking dude with glasses. Loads of fun, their music has a catchy tune and their good nature is very communicative.

And finally it was time for Datarock! Although I like their style, I’ve never been an actual fan, and I think I was more curious than anxious… But I will say this, they rocked their audience. They played some of their classic and some of the new stuff, dancing, jumping, generally goofing around! They give it all, I mean it is the first time I go to a show and a band rewards its audience with an encore practically as long as the show! At some point they just all joined the cheering crowd! A really good atmosphere, and the crowd was much less fierce than at IAMX, there was no zombie hands lurking around ready to rip their cloths out!

Just fun, fun, fun! I’m really glad I checked it out! It was exactly the kind of therapy I needed! So if you hear they’re playing near you do check them out, you’ll giggle, you’ll jump around and you’ll scream out stupid things like “fafafafafafafafa”!

Woodhands

The red theme wasn’t so cool for taking pictures!

Rocking the audience

Fredrik going topless!

IAMX @ Slims June 9, 2009

Tuesday, oh glorious day! I went to see IAMX! I was a little nervous because I really like that band and I really hate disappointment, it totally breaks my heart when artists are just bad on stage. But I sooo wasn’t disappointed! It was absolutely brilliant! IAMX is the personal project of Chris Corner, former artist behind the Sneaker Pimps (remember “six underground“?). I guess you can classified IAMX as somewhat  electronic with a dash of alternative-rock, well you should just listen to it to figure it out!

The opening act, Hypernova set the mood nicely with a kind of “Franz Ferdinand” meet “kings of Leon” style, the singer has an amazing deep voice… very cool.

IAMX was on stage a little late, which means I had a little too much Corona! But I needed that considering there was some crazy fans out there! Ah well it’s part of the experience!… although some people really had some bad mosh pit manners!

It was a fun night, very intense Chris Corner played songs from his former 2 albums (”Kiss and Swallow” – “The Alternative”) and of course from the new one, “Kingdom of Welcome Addiction” they’re promoting. People sang along with him and he was brave enough to crowd surf a little, which means the groupie in me got to carry his back! He was kind enough to turn around and ask if we were ok! I’d be more afraid for him people were really trying to tear his cloths off! Oh the groupie in me was also rewarded with a small talk with the guitarist Dean!

Yeah I know, I’m a little old for this! But I like being young at heart! I love doing stupid things, they make life interesting!

Anyways IAMX I highly recommend if you have the opportunity to see them live! And the new album “Kingdom of Welcome addiction” is totally worth buying!

Hypernova @ Slims

Reaching for the stars! – Compared to most girls (and gay boys) I was a very tamed fan!

Chris Corner

Chris and Dean

A weekend in SF June 7, 2009

Well this week has been mildly eventful. No news on the job front, and therefore despair is slowly sinking in, no hope tired of change!

I realize now considering my swinging mood it might not be the best time to write! Ah well! Just bear with me for this one!

Saturday I went to the Union Street fair. They had closed Union street to cars and some vendors were selling supposedly arts and craft… nothing really ground breaking. The main attraction was beer anyway, and the “Marina crowd” was out and about. The “Marina crowd” are kind of like the high middle income kids, think 90210, the OC, they can be especially loud and obnoxious… and that’s not just me saying it, I have heard from very different people, so I allow myself this stereotype!!

So the fair was interesting in an anthropological kind of way! I really felt like I was in one of those cheap teenage American movie. On another hand I also felt quite lost and even smaller than usually!

Maybe I just wasn’t drunk enough (wasn’t drunk at all – self conscious about drinking by myself in the afternoon)

Designated area to drink…

People

The ladies cheering with the band

Sunday was sunny so I decided to clear my head from all the hopeless job hunting and just went for a walk by the sea! That’s really one cool thing about living in San Francisco, proximity to the ocean… but don’t be fooled this water is icy cold! I mean they are seals swimming around!

Point Lobos – San Francisco

Ocean Beach -San Francisco

To santa cruz and back June 4, 2009

Have I mentioned the weather is crap in San Francisco? Well, Heather my roommate and I have decided to fight back! As she is currently prospecting for an Airstream trailer to start her business, she invited me to join her on a drive  a little down south to Santa Cruz.

We first took the slow coastal road enjoyed the sunshine and beautiful scenery. It’s not the full blown vacation time so the road is not yet crammed with tourist and most of the beaches are quite empty…

I love scenic drives! We bought sandwiches at this wonderful high end grocery store called Delessio I really recommend! I got some organic peaches crumble undeniably delicious!

We made a short stop on the way and enjoyed a quick walk by the sea, all by ourselves, just us and the majestic Pelicans! We finally arrived at destination and I entered an Airstream trailer for the first time! they are quite funky, very sexy iron curves!

As for Santa Cruz, it’s a typical Californian surfing town as we picture them in movies. A few stores and of course an amusement park with roller coasters! The atmosphere was nice and peaceful, but a week from now it should become a lot more crowded and bustling!

It was a wonderful day that we ended by visiting the Bonny Doon tasting room, unfortunately the service was very slow, and the food did not meet our expectations. I wouldn’t recommend the restaurant or the wine, apart from the vin gris.

But all in all it was really a fine, fine day, a nice escape from the fog!

On the road to Santa Cruz

Stop on our way to Santa Cruz

No one!

Beautiful California coast

More Solitude

Natural modern art

Snap shot Heather

Da Airstream trailer!

Santa Cruz amusement park

A more peaceful Santa Cruz