San Francisco MOMA in October

John and I went to the SF MOMA in October below are some of the pictures we took. I'll name the ones I can remember or find on the web.

Picasso Les femmes d'Alger (Women of Algiers) 1955

Mario MerzItalian, The Lens of Rotterdam 1988

Roof top Garden: The lady in the chair is intently looking at the glass and stone structure. I could not help taking a picture because she was so intent.

Katharina FritschGerman, Kind mit Pudeln (Baby with Poodles) 1995/1996

me!

Andrew Kudless’s P_Wall, 2009 (Comissioned by SFMOMA)

This one was strange. I looked like foam body parts.

These two I don't remember the artists either but they fascinated me.

Didn't understand this one but I loved the abadoned hat.

Don't remember the name of this one but I loved it. It was pencils in some sort of bolt.

This one of course you would recognize. Frida Kahlo.

San Francisco: CJM

As the title suggests, I'm in good old SF this week. I can't believe it is the middle of August and I'm still cold. I brought along one of my heaviest scarves -- the one that makes me flush -- but its not enough. Luckily I keep a jacket or two in the office for such an occasion and I whip out my current favorite bright coral jacket to light the way back and forth to my hotel. I'm styling. BTW, ladies don't prespire or sweat, they become flush ... it's a southern thing.

Even though my hotel is a few blocks from Union Square, I always find myself walking along the path to the Contemporary Jewish Museum because over the past year that has become my favorite open space in San Francisco. It is half a block from SFMOMA and you get a great view of the MOMA's architecturally interesting roof. The CJM itself has a great water feature out front which is quite relaxing but I am mostly drawn to the museum store which is polished black onyx gem of a building that appears to balanced on one of its points. I always love walking underneath it imagining it is tilting ever so slightly in my direction. thought always makes me laugh to myself and shake my head. I'm sure one of the crazies who hang out there have seen me do this before and thought I was crazy.

Maybe I am, as many many times I have walked by those buildings and have nver gone in. Somewhere in my mind, I believe I'm afraid the going in will destroy the wonderfy sense of awe and mystique that hits me when I walk by. The building was designed by architect Daniel Libeskind and was to include an adaptive reuse of the landmark Jessie Street Power Substation, designed by Willis Polk in 1907. this was Libeskind's first commissioned project in North America.

The water feature out front reminds me of a serenity pool. there is no sign of noisy splashing water except for the roaring fountain across Mission street outside the Metreon. the water surface is glossy, flat, and mirror-like. I almost wish I were more vain...

Pictures to follow. Now with pictures.

South Restaurant

Have not written in a while because I was either lazy or did not find anything noteworthy. But my fingers are itching again so here goes.


Finally found an authentic southern restaurant in Orange County! South in San Juan Capistrano which is about 27 miles from Huntington Beach which ought to give you an idea how far we had to go to find good ole southern cooking.


We have been there twice now and I love the food! Last time we went, the waiter suggested the fried okra. I had not had fried okra in 10+ years! We heartily agreed and when it arrived, we downed the squishy crunchy goodness forgetting how many calories they had. OMG! I have missed fried southern food! The one thing they don't have is tattertots but I can live with that.


The menu is great. Between the two times we went we had corn bread while we waited for the food to arrive, hmmm my total weakness. Crab cakes and gumbo for appetizers -- very good. Blackened redfish and Fried chicken. The fish was heavenly the fried chicken was ordinary. The next time was the catfish and roast garlic chicken. Both dishes were very tasty except the chicken did not taste southern.


Dessert, which I have trying to stay away from beckoned deliciously from the menu. We gave in and had the key lime pie. That was worth waiting for. I am not a pie person, but the yellow tangy goodness topped with whip cream hit the sweet spot. It was divine. I would come back just for desert and next time try the chocolate pecan pie.


While it does not beat actually being in New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, or Mobile the food is the closest thing I have found to good southern cooking here. While it is right off the highway, the location is not the best in the almost obscure strip mall with no tell-tale signs out front or on the street facing side.


With that, I am on to more exploring of Orange County. Next Santa Barbara.