Happy 75th Birthday, Dear Golden Gate!

An absolutely amazing fireworks show for an amazingly beautiful bridge. My children shouted "Happy Birthday" and "We love you!" as the breath-taking show filled the night.

© 2012 by Hayley Thisltehwaite. All Rights Reserved.

The Labyrinths - Envelope # 12

I arrived at Grace Cathedral, crushed with disappointment.  We have been spending the last few months of our lives dedicated to navigating the San Francisco Public School lottery process.  After our second round draft submission and lots of painful waiting; we received our letter from the school district.  I didn't make it past the first paragraph;

"The San Francisco Unified School District regrets that we are unable to offer your child an assignment to any of your Amended Choice requests because the school you requested are at maximum capacity for the 2012-13 school year.  Please note that since you did not register at the previously assigned school, your child will not have an assignment for School Year 2012-2013."
 
I could not fathom how we had spent months of research, touring, blogging, debating and consideration to wind up with Nothing. We had "coded in" over 15 schools.  My daughter's assignment school scores a 3 out of 10. Far from our home and not in the best neighborhood; I could not stomach the thought of stunting her future by enrolling her. Now we have lost that school too!  We will continue to work the system, but clearly the system is broken. I feel broken.

I continued to walk the Cathedral numbed...  But I went about my business... framing, shooting, compensating for the lack of light.  The beauty of the church seeped in and soothed my nerves.  I actually missed this calming force.  I breathed.  I thought.  I prayed.

At first I really didn't know what to make of the labyrinths. I had never actually seen one in person.
I expected a maze... maybe in a garden. There were 2.  Not as large or 3-dimensional as I imagined.  The path was non-branching. It ended in the center. There were no choices, just one way.

At the end of all my shooting, I put down my tripod and camera bag, to walk the labyrinth. Slowly as I walked through the turns, I was able to find peace within.  My mind quieted. I felt lifted. Public school lotteries seemed galaxies away. As I came to the end of the labyrinths, I exhaled the weight of the world off my shoulders.

Musee Mecanique - Envelope #9

Eerily Happy...  This is how I felt wandering around Musee Mecanique at Pier 45.  It's an amazing place packed with American nostalgia.  Clowns, fortune tellers, wizards, arcade and mechanical music machines breathe a life of their own into this oversized shed.

Oh Look a Cute Clown - Rather Spooky

Row after row of coin operated antique machines.. up to .25 or .50 a play. A child's heaven.  Lining up my shiny quarter in the slot... hearing that click of the metal arm and the clink of the coin is a most satisfying experience.   From Pole Position to a Proximiscope from the 1880's, I long for a simpler point in time.  These machines are handcrafted, one-of-a-kind. Made by men who dreamed of bringing entertainment to others. It's hard to see the profit scheme here.  The love put behind each detail can't be found in the aisles of ToysRus.  Unlike an iPhone ap, these games actually make me smile.

Diorama - I fell in love with these slices of American life, gone by.

The wizard reveals a fortune

 Proximiscope from the 1880's - Persistence of Vision....  a favorite toy gimmick 

Execution - The Arcade Game

Opium Den - Another favorite- I'm twisted, I know.

Bring Your Own Big Wheel

You heard it right - BYOWB - Bring your own big wheel. This wasn't an envelope... But should have been... This event encapsulates the spirit of San Francisco.

The idea: A bunch of adults (quite a few under the influence) grab a big wheel and race down the crooked-est street in San Francisco.   And not Lombard Street... Locals know that Vermont is actually the crooked-est street in SF. These locals bring a flair that you can only experience in this great city. I 'll let the pictures do the talking.

©  2012 by Hayley Thistlethwaite all rights reserved

Pier 39- Envelope #8

 In 1989, the Sea Lions started frequenting Pier 39.  Their original home was Seal Rock.  Several months before the Loma Prieta earthquake, they suddenly moved.  It is theorized that the seals feel safer  here.  An effort to refurbish the docks has given the Sea Lions more space and they have since settled in.

The pier has dozens of restaurants, an arcade, an aquarium and shops; but the real attraction is the sea lions.  People stand at the side of the pier to watch the sea lions rest, defend their territory, snap at sea gulls and "ARRRKkkk"...

Once we get our fill of the Sea Lion "show", we explore the Pier shops and restaurants. Stepping onto the board walk, there is a welcomed transition... from the smell sea lions to waffle cones. First stop the carousel.  Little Iris charges the 2 story ride with no fear...  

Next stop the Aquarium by the Bay, also on the Pier...   The aquarium features aquatic life from the SF Bay. Sharks, Bat Rays, Eels, Jelly Fish and the diet of the Sea Lions: squids, octopuses, sardines and anchovvy. The kids love the exhibit the touch exhibits.

Pier 39 reawakens my sense of childhood excitement and curiosity. I feel like I am 10 years old again and at Rye Playland.  In my twenties, I might have despised the commercialized pier, but with now with my 2 small kids; it's a perfect Sunday. 

©  2012 by Hayley Thistlethwaite all rights reserved

Botanical Tiles - Envelope #6

Ann Chamberlain created the Botanical Tiles project at UCSF Medical Center at MT Zion's Healing Garden.  Here the barren walls of the Women's Cancer Treatment Center are replaced with stories of loss, hope, perseverance, love and life. Ann came up with the idea while she was receiving treatment... A way of bringing the life of the garden onto the center's sterile walls.  Tiles are made with a plant impression and a patient's (or a surviving family member's) personal story. 

Reading these people's struggles is difficult.  But not as difficult as seeing a frail woman being carried by her husband into the center for treatment. Struggling to not fall over, she mutters, "I am not drunk. I am not drunk."  My heart is heavy with sadness. I want to help. I don't know how.

With tears in my eyes, I finish up the day's "photo assignment". Lote and I walk back onto the streets hand-in-hand with a deeper appreciation for the life we have right now.

 

 

 

Sutro Baths Ruins - Envelope #5

As I look at what used to be Sutro Baths, conflicting feelings of sadness and tranquility overtake me.  At the turn of the century, these baths were the epitome of opulence in San Francisco. Now they are  pools of brackish water.

At the time of the opening, it was the largest indoor swimming pool facility in the world. They were built by entrepreneur and former SF Mayor, Adolph Sutro. As I photograph the ruins I feel as though I am capturing someone else's dreams, smashed.  It's a shocking contrast to what lies beyond the edge of the foundation; the glorious foamy Pacific. 

This emptiness was once filled by 7 large baths (6 salt water, 1 freshwater all set at different temperatures), a skating rink and a concert hall. Too expensive to maintain, they eventually shut down.  In 1966, during demolition the baths burned down. 

I guess folks swam more for recreation then.

children playing in what I believe were dressing rooms

©  2012 by Hayley Thistlethwaite all rights reserved