Artist Date #2: B-I-N-G-O

My second artist date consisted of visiting a scene from my childhood. Today I attended the fall festival that my elementary school organizes annually. It is a family affair with carnival type games along the sides of the auditorium and the bingo callers up on stage.

When I first stepped into the auditorium, all of my senses were bombarded. I got a whiff of cotton candy and popcorn at the door, bingo numbers were being called out over a microphone and kiddies were running around with their parents in tow or with their own buddies.

I played two games of bingo. The first time I bought two cards for the price of 50 cents. Then the second round was blackout, meaning the entire card had to be filled. I was really close to winning blackout, but 3 people beat me to it. As each number was called, I could feel the tension mounting both within me and in the auditorium. Unfortunately I did not win any money, but it was interesting to visit a place of my past. As a kid, things seem so much larger and grand. Now that I come back after 15 years, it doesn't look that big. Also, I saw some of the teachers I had while back in elementary school and they almost looked the same. It might be the good Asian genes that keep them looking young.

I'm glad that's now out of my system. Don't need to go back for another 15 years now.

Bay to Breakers

Fan your feathers

Today the Bay to Breakers lurched its way through the city. It's supposed to be a race, but actually it's more like a Halloween party and carnival all mixed into one event. All the exhibitionists (figuratively & literally) were out in full force. You always get the occasional naked person walking around. Mostly people create makeshift floats or wear their wackiest outfit and parade about hoping to get attention. In this town, you have to work pretty hard to get some attention for being weird. ;-)

I'm all for having a bit of fun and wearing costumes now and then, but I think the Bay to Breakers should not allow alcohol in the race. I saw tons of people drinking beer, peeing behind the bushes, throwing cans around and just plain littering. That was just disgusting! I think the Run to the Far Side, another wacky walk that used to take place in the fall was a better alternative. You also had people dressing up, but I think the costumes there were more creative and funny. Unfortunately this race was stopped couple years ago.

I walked a bit next to the Bay to Breakers folks, but after a while the noise, chaos and hordes of partyers just got on my nerves. It was too much of a sensory overload on a Sunday morning when I prefer some peace and quiet.

P.S. - In the picture above you see a traditional Chinese knot ornament that was just hanging around.