As I escape from the miles of streetsweeper dust
To break into a world of not-so-sunny,
Where are the surfers now?
California likes to fail me.
A Half Century past, we'd be illegal,
just because I'm white
and he's not.
Now my friends and family are illegal.
Thanks, California.
You Bastard.
As I run to the ruddy, dark dock
To find myself in a land of grey fog,
Where are the hippies now?
California likes to fail me.
The Butchy Bee sets sail
with the mourners
and the roses.
San Francisco on a Sunday.
Thanks, California.
You Asshat.
As I slog through the dysmal downpour,
To wind up in knee-deep mud,
Where are the environmentalists now?
California likes to fail me.
Working hard manual labor
for minimum wage,
always minimum wage.
School is far too expensive.
Thanks, California.
You Shithead.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Final Project Proposal
A) I am particularly interested in the topic relating to San Francisco institutions, especially as it relates to the "painted ladies." These are houses, of the Victorian or Edwardian era, that were largely destroyed by earthquakes or demolished to make way for something new. Those that remain are mostly renewed, having been repainted in the bright colors of the kind intended for such buildings.
B) These houses relate as an institution because they have both been reappropriated by San Franciscans and brought to life through the creative efforts of several people in the 1960's and 70's, and now as an exemplum of gentrification. Once affordable, middle-wage housing, these clustered Victorians are sky-rocketing out of rational affordability.
C) Beyond taking some photographs of these houses, I will also research the distinct neighborhoods, their fluctuating "vibes" (and corresponding real estate prices), and how that relates to Brechin, Solnit, and some of the Beat poets (especially Felinghetti, though he is not really of the Beat movement).
D) The "painted ladies" are a collection of beautiful and historic buildings, yet they are no longer of the approachable, graspable world; they have transcended into the realm of expensive dreamscapes, partially due to the middle-class workers who so lovingly restored them. These houses exemplify the continuing loss of culture in San Francisco, and the ongoing gentrification of a previously free landscape, as explored by Brechin, Solnit, Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg and others.
E) My main concern is that my research might not lead very far - I plan to visit the city tomorrow, and will try to get specific addresses and areas of the houses to connect to a larger context.
B) These houses relate as an institution because they have both been reappropriated by San Franciscans and brought to life through the creative efforts of several people in the 1960's and 70's, and now as an exemplum of gentrification. Once affordable, middle-wage housing, these clustered Victorians are sky-rocketing out of rational affordability.
C) Beyond taking some photographs of these houses, I will also research the distinct neighborhoods, their fluctuating "vibes" (and corresponding real estate prices), and how that relates to Brechin, Solnit, and some of the Beat poets (especially Felinghetti, though he is not really of the Beat movement).
D) The "painted ladies" are a collection of beautiful and historic buildings, yet they are no longer of the approachable, graspable world; they have transcended into the realm of expensive dreamscapes, partially due to the middle-class workers who so lovingly restored them. These houses exemplify the continuing loss of culture in San Francisco, and the ongoing gentrification of a previously free landscape, as explored by Brechin, Solnit, Ferlinghetti, Ginsberg and others.
E) My main concern is that my research might not lead very far - I plan to visit the city tomorrow, and will try to get specific addresses and areas of the houses to connect to a larger context.
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