The battle heats up
Red and yellow bell pepper, onions, cilantro and steak--the start of a great chili
The big chili cook off is Friday at 10, but there is no grass growing under Gail’s feet. The chopping and slicing and dicing are going on already.
When Gail sets out to cook, don't get in her way!
We told Iris we were going out for goat meat to add to the chili, Iris said she prefers emu.
Friday morning will be the test of the ultimate chili—make sure you are there!!
Fighting the law: follow up
Phil Mocek, the man who fought the TSA in Albuquerque, made a comment yesterday’s blog post. So I took the opportunity to write him back and ask a couple of follow up questions:
> I think you were great, and it’s fabulous that you won.
Thanks. I really just went about my lawful business, carefully
avoiding the surrender any of my rights, and keeping cool under
pressure. My attorneys, Molly-Schmidt Nowara, and Nancy
Hollander, are excellent. They did great work, and I like them
both a lot. Judge Fitzwater did a great job, and the jury seemed
to pay close attention.
> But is there any long-term success?
Probably some. I don’t have any delusions about this case setting
precedent (it was in a low-level court; no court reporter, no
recording by the court). But we have TSA staff and police stating
under oath that ID is not required in order to fly, cameras are
allowed at the checkpoint, and TSA airport staff are absolutely
not law enforcement. I went in with the only documentation that
was required of me and documented my interaction with public
employees. I was calm and respectful to them, but they did not
like my lawful activity. They accused me of things I did not do.
They pushed it as far as they could, and they lost.Three days since posting my video that the state presented as
evidence, about 55,000 people have watched it. Maybe others will
be inspired or emboldened by it.
> If you went back to ABQ tomorrow and did the same thing would
> the goons arrest you again? Or do the cops continue to do what
> they want and if you fight them hard enough you beat the rap but
> they still enforce their non-existent rules?
Good questions. I’d love to find out, but I can’t afford the risk
of doing so. I’m paying for my defense out-of-pocket, and while
friends, family, and people I don’t even know donated several
thousand dollars to my defense fund, I expect to owe another
$10,000 when the bill comes. You’d think that in cases like this,
where your rights are *blatantly* violated — with video evidence
— interested third parties would pick up the tab or do the work
pro-bono. Not so in my case.I’d love to see someone else go into ABQ with camera rolling and
make some observations.People who read the complaint, heard the testimony, and saw the
evidence think the police seem likely to have committed perjury.
If so, it probably wasn’t the first time. None of them is new to
the job. Hopefully, they’ll be more careful from now on.—
Phil Mocek
Here’s what Phil said in his comment yesterday:
There’s lots more information about this case and its implications, including a complete audio archive of the trial, on the Identity Project’s Web site. See http://papersplease.org/wp/mocek
Honest citizens standing up for their rights are modern American heroes. Sheeple who accept anything the TSA and police do because “as long as it will make us safer”, not so much.
He fought the law, and the law lost
Some years ago, coming home from Albuquerque, I mentioned to the ill mannered drone at airport security that she should be happy, McDonalds would soon be hiring and she could get a real job.
She called the cops.
So the city of Albuquerque devoted 20 minutes of valuable police time to threatening to arrest me for “disturbing the peace”, a crime that seems to be totally undefined beyond whatever the police want it to be in the moment. Then they let me go, because I had not done anything wrong in the first place and they weren’t succeeding in intimidating me.
I am really pleased to bring you this story:
Phil Mocek fought the law, and the law lost. They arrested him on trumped up charges of crimes that don’t even exist. The jury found him not guilty on all counts. He didn’t even have to testify–the “evidence” presented by the prosecution proved his innocence.
Cops and the TSA hate to be photographed, but the law says you can. They just don’t want their constant abuse of your civil liberties to be seen in public. Notice how they make up laws–just because the cops tell you something doesn’t make it so.
The incessant erosion of our civil rights in the name of so-called “security” is a much greater problem in the long run than the chimerical dangers the TSA and Homeland Security keep trumpeting to keep the populace in a never ending state of fear. We need more men like Phil Mocek to push back against their depradations.
Five alarm news
Iris told us last night that she was planning free lunches the fourth Friday of the month, which is this week, and started wondering what she might provide.
When she got to the idea of Chili, Gail volunteered to cook a pot, too. Two exceedingly competitive women, one lunch item. Thus was a fiery competition born.
Even if you never play cards on Friday, this is the week to start. At lunchtime, there will be two crock pots. Try them both. Vote. We’re going to see who has the greatest touch with the chili powder and ground meat.
This should be fun.
Big time unit game
Iris on our couch after the game.
I love to see a full room of bridge players, and today was a major delight.
Given that there was a huge football game on, my expectations for today were low. I guess I’m not the only non-fan around. Gail and I got to the club about 12:40 for a 1:00 game and the joint was packed. Of course, all the good food the unit board put out helped to raise a crowd.
Iris said we should all just find a place to sit, so I spied a nice quiet table in the back. They forgot to tell me that there was a separate 199’er section, and the people were giving me the big fish eye as I sat down. Lynn Sacco explained to me that I was in the wrong section, and I had to slink out of the room.
Eventually, it worked out that there were 18 tables in the open game and 4 in the 199’er– the biggest turnout I have seen in Pleasant Hill in many a year.
There are a few new innovations with the change in ownership–money is collected in envelopes at the table, the travellers are round-sequenced (meaning you just write your score on the first available line from the top), there are pick-up slips for the last two rounds to facilitate quicker scoring, there is a clock at the back of the room to call the round changes. Change is often difficult, but we’ll get accustomed to things pretty quickly and the games will run more easily, I should think.
Iris is pumping so much energy and devotion into her new venture that it is contagious–table count is up considerably already, and there are more changes and innovations and surprises to come. Friday night, Feb. 11 will be a special game, with dinner beforehand. I don’t know the theme or menu yet, but save the date anyway–I guarantee it will be fun.
The best museum you never heard of
Sitting very quietly on the San Francisco Bay, a warehouse that had been vacant for 28 years has been transformed into the greatest site for the exhibition of photography in the world.
A mere seven years ago, Andy Pilara, a Silicon Valley gazillionaire, saw a Diane Arbus photo that captivated him. He bought it. Then another, then another. His collection, based on the principle of collecting a relatively few great artists in great depth, now numbers over 2500 pieces. He needed a place to hold/show them.
Searching the Bay Area, Andy found the disused Pier 24. There were 10 foot holes in the floor through which the bay could be seen, but the location, just under the Bridge, was fantastic. Three years of hard work, a great architect, vision, will and money have transformed Pier 24 into 28,000 square feet of the best exhibition space possible.
When Pier 24 first opened, they showed their own collection, and it was spectacular. More photography than I had ever before been able to enjoy in one place, perfectly displayed. They have a policy of not placing any tags or labels on the walls–you are supposed to simply enjoy the art without stopping to study the name, date, artist and materials of each. While this is against the trend of other museums, it clearly works for a site which will draw a dedicated and knowledgeable audience.
Innovative ways of hanging and displaying the art increase the delight
A museum can’t exist forever on just one show, though, so other work has been brought in.
Currently, Pier 24 is showing the collection of Randi and Bob Fisher. Bob is the son of the founder of the Gap, who has an extensive collection which was shown at SFMOMA last year.
This collection is in the same vein as the museum founder’s–a narrow selection of great photographers in great depth. In particular, their collection of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher is simply astonishing. An enormous room is filled floor to ceiling with their structuralist documentary work.
Shots of women's faces as they walked in New York, by Harry Callahan.
Admission to Pier 24 is free, but limited. You have to make a reservation before, on their website. They permit 20 people every 2 hours, so the space is quiet and contemplative. You are encouraged to take your time, to think and look and absorb.
I can’t say enough about Pier 24–it’s simply the finest photography display space in the world. Not many people seem to know about it, and you owe it to yourself to get there before the rest of them find out.
Pier 24 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
Open By Appointment
Monday – Thursday
9am to 5pm
Phone: 415.512.7424
You’d think a conservative would know better
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. Governor to most of the people, at least.
“Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother and you’re not my sister, and I want to be your brother,”
There are many people in America today who profess to be conservatives. I don’t understand them.
Genuine conservative principles favor keeping the government out of people’s lives. Allowing the greatest amount of personal freedoms consistent with safety and security. Minding your own business and letting other people mind theirs.
Today’s conservatives, though, seem to hold to the precept that everyone is free to live their life, as long as it conforms to their narrow principles. Freedom of religion, as long as that religion is fundamentalist Christianity. Freedom of association, as long as homosexuality stays in the closet where it belongs. Freedom of choice, as long as they get to do the choosing.
So today, Alabama has a new governor. Or at least some of the people do–those who share Governor Robert Bentley’s bible-thumping Christianity. The rest of the state? Jews, Muslims, Ba’hai, Hindu, atheist? Not his brothers and sisters, that’s for sure.
I’d be ashamed to be part of any “conservatism” that includes Robert Bentley, and I can’t understand why his supporters aren’t.
Retail therapy with Harry
Not a bad starting point
Tuesday is usually a day for bridge with Gail at Redwood, but yesterday we went off on an expedition: our friend Harry was in need of some retail therapy, otherwise known as shopping in the big city.
We met in Union Square, and decided to try someplace we hadn’t been for lunch–the Grand View room at the Grand Hyatt hotel. First, though, we had to negotiate our way into the building, which had a large group of very loud labor protesters in front, walking in a circle, waving signs and making an astounding amount of noise on their bullhorns. The Grand Hyatt has a large number of very polite, well dressed security people who will walk with you through the lines or lead you to another entrance. The Hyatt has even erected scaffolding around the front entrance to shield all this from public view.
Once inside, we took the elevator to the 36th floor for lunch. The view is splendid, the food mediocre. My pannini was cold in the center, the supposed ‘burrata’ seemed like ordinary mozzarella, Gail’s cobb salad was ordinary at best. Go up there for a drink in the bar and the view, don’t think you’re going to get a great meal.
Time to go shopping. First stop: Sak’s Mens store. Harry headed straight up to the fifth floor for the designer sportswear. This is easy for me–not a chance of finding anything my size. Things on sale might have been reasonable, otherwise prices were absurd–a hooded t-shirt was $195.
Down the block and around the corner, we found Hermes, that French monument to conspicuous consumption. These people think $100 handkerchiefs and $560 beach towels are normal.
High class outpost for "cheese eating surrender monkeys"
So your baby will be born with both a silver spoon and a silver fork.
Doesn't everyone go into San Francisco for new horse tack?
Although Hermes is best known for its beautiful silk scarves, it has a history as a leathermaker. You might not think of it as the place to buy your next saddle, but they sure have some beautiful tack.
Well, I don’t have a horse and don’t want a $100 handkerchief, so off we went.
It was time for Neiman Marcus. Although NM is a standard stop for us in the city, yesterday was the quietest we have ever it. We were outnumbered by sales staff. And there was nothing on sale, and it looks like they have taken out the Issey Miyake boutique. I’ve always wanted an Issey Miyake shirt, but the only Japanese my size are sumo wrestlers and they aren’t much of a market for designer clothes, so he doesn’t make anything I can wear. The visit to NM was sort of a low point, although Gail did get a new bathrobe.
Retail therapy should feed the mind as well as the wardrobe, so we hit a gallery.
Can't shop just for the body, have to treat the mind as well
Horse made from old auto parts and other scrap metal
This is table top sized. I'm still thinking about it.
We stopped in at Caldwell Snyder gallery to see their newest works. The extraordinarily affable Roger Azevedo assisted us, happily having a painting sent down from the attic so we could enjoy the work of Doug Schneider, an artist Harry went to school with.
Where were you? by Doug Schneider
Next, Gumps.
Having 4 front door shows confidence that you'll have a lot of customers.
Gail is a big fan of Gumps. I think that he shopping algebra is that Gumps is to Cost Plus as Neiman Marcus is to Target.
Not many people need an enormous copper snail, but Gumps is there for those who do.
I chose not to buy the $45,000 rolling prime rib cart. I passed on the $440 marrow spoons. Maybe I’m just not a Gumps kind of guy.
Harry headed for home, and Gail and I had one more stop to make.
Can't pass up our favorite designer.
Gail’s favorite designer is Albert Goldman, the brains and heart of Façonnable. We’ve been in his boutiques in SF, Beverly Hills, New York and Nice. Didn’t get anything today, but that doesn’t mean we’ll stop looking.
And it was time to hit the trail back over the bridge and through the hills. Energy replenished, wallet diminished, retails therapy had worked its magic once again.
More Blue than Valentine
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star
Disjointed, disquieting, displeasing. Dis movie has a few flaws.
Gail and I went over to the dome to see Blue Valentine tonight. I know that I keep finding myself on the opposite side of the street from the bulk of the reviewers, but I just didn’t like this movie.
It has all the right ingredients–two fantastic actors, just acting up a storm. A serious story about young love decaying into anger and disillusionment. An 88 on the Tomatometer. If only I could like the characters, or at least not be actively repulsed by one of them, the husband.
Cyndy, played brilliantly by Michelle Williams, is a sweet young thing going to school, taking care of her aged granny, going out with a varsity wrestler. One afternoon, she and the wrestler are making love and then all of a sudden she is furious, he is apologizing, and she won’t speak to him anymore. I never did figure out why.
Dean is a low class loser, hauling boxes for a moving company. He seems to have a good heart, artistic talent and plays the ukulele. He meets Cyndy at granny’s nursing home, and tries to flirt with her. Not having a phone number, he gives her the number where he works and hopes she’ll call.
A romance blooms. A child is born. They marry.The dog dies. The romance dies. Cyndy is smart and educated–she is an ultrasound tech in a doctors office. Dean likes painting houses because he can start drinking at 8:00 am. Why would anyone think these two belonged together in the first place?
The performances in this film are first rate. Michelle Williams, especially, brings a depth to her character that reminds you of what acting talent can be. Gosling chews up the scenery, but his character is so unlikeable it’s hard to root for him.
We all bring our own baggage to the theater, and watching drunks scream at each other is never something I enjoy, so undoubtedly my own prejudices have colored my view of Blue Valentine, but Gail didn’t like it either, and she likes heavy hurtful drama. And for this I missed the Friday Night Fights.
The old standby
The ruling junta of the Diablo Valley Bridge Center.
Out to dinner tonight with the big shots from the Bridge Center–Iris, Gail and Barbara. They let me come along to drive and open doors.
We went to Postino, the old standby restaurant in Lafayette. For a long time it was the Tourelle Cafe, now it’s Postino. Same beautiful stone building, slate floors, Italianate decor. When we want the full restaurant experience right here, Postino is where we go.
The food is as modern as today–local, sustainable products prepared with an expert eye to presentation as well as taste.
Pan seared white bass on basil mashed potatoes. Note the little red things to add the perfect color.
Since Mike B. wasn’t with us, I could order the Insalata Di Cavoletti, brussels sprouts sautéed in brown butter with pancetta and hazelnuts. I guess it’s unwise to feel too virtuous about eating your veggies when they’re smothered in brown butter, but they sure taste good.
Then I had the dish above–nicely prepared bass, in a beautiful sea of bright green basil mashed spuds. Ordering the fish makes me feel sanctimonious, even as I reach for more bread and butter.
Gail had the risotto and meatballs, Barbara enjoyed the linguine with clams and Iris had the same fish as I did.
Service is top notch. I still don’t like it when places serve some weird concoction they call “iced tea”, but they had no problem bringing me a pot of Earl Grey and a couple of glasses of ice, so I’ll forgive them.
Postino is first rate modern Italian fare, apparently a good wine list, reasonable prices and fine service. That’s why it’s the old standby.
Postino
3565 Mt. Diablo Bl, Lafayette
on Opentable for reservations
Totally Unauthorized 