True Talent

Despite incessant singalongs in the car and interminable renditions of 'The Old Grey Mare' and 'Heart & Soul' on the piano, I will admit that I have no musical talent whatsoever, which is likely why I show such deference to musicians from all walks of life and singers at every level on the annoyance scale. They have a talent which I completely lack.

Now, I would like to add Michael 'The Destroyer' Heffels to this gifted set. He represents the uncelebrated talent in the musical industry as the 2005 Air Guitar Champion. I cannot identify with certainty what incredibly rare talent he had to possess to become the World Champion; however, I am fairly confident that I cannot compete in this arena either.

I'll just have to buy the t-shirt.

Found It

Finally! After years of tormented searching I found exactly what I was looking for at a quaint little store in Monterey, CA; John Denver photos! Whew!

Skip Doesn't Like the Odds

I will gladly confess to knowing nothing about earthquake predictability, but part of me thinks that the so-called 'experts' should be able to do better than a '25 percent probability that the next big earthquake with a magnitude of 7 will occur on the San Andreas Fault within 150 miles of San Francisco sometime during the next 20 years.' Cool. It also might rain somewhere on the West Coast in the next 2 months.

I am not impressed.

Article at SFGate.com.

Skip Cares About What You Think

Not that anyone else's opinion matters, but if you do want to involve other people in any kind of decision-making or survey (i.e. where to go for dinner, the best concert venue, who's cooler John Cusack or Bill Murray) you can create a Snap Poll for your audience. It's fabulous.

Bluegrass Festival

Sundays don't get much more perfect than listening to soothing bluegrass music with friends in Golden Gate Park.

Match Made in Heaven; Part I

Much like 'Beyond Tanning & Video' in Metro-Lex, Virginia, the pairing of sushi with fish n' chips is pure genius.

Route 89, Placerville, CA.

Skip's Politically Correct

Just a little Friday giggle for you...The oldie but goodie, 'The Singhsons.'

Dorm Room Decor Matures

Those who consider rock posters adolescent are clearly oblivious to the imaginative, often gossamer and intriguing creations I have seen.

The budding business of concert posters as art has made for some impressive posters that would shame any 'Nirvana 1991 Tour' poster and, in limited printings, they won't be seen in every home around (unlike the ubiquitous vintage Euro ads). In fact, these artistic iterations would look grand in my modern, urban, organic apartment. Or something.

Concert posters at Option-G, The Heads of State and The Small Stakes.

Skip Fell For It

Well, it turns out that my doubts about the verity of the Hurricane Katrina pics were warranted! An alert reader, Tara 'Junior Mythbuster' Hillier (her self-imposed title I might add), sent in an explanation of the photographs from my 'Katrina' entry. Apparently, they are not even snaps of a hurricane but rather capture the phenomenon of supercell thunderstorms taken in 2004.

The following images are dramatic and real but mislabeled. They are not photographs of Hurricane Katrina nor is this the first time they have circulated under false pretenses. In May 2005 they made the rounds labeled as a storm near Bunbury [Australia] and in July and August they were forwarded as pictures of storms in various parts of Canada. Storm chaser and photographer Mike Hollingshead, to whom the photos have been attributed, confirmed taking them (most can be found on this page on his Web site). They actually document various supercell thunderstorms, tornados, and other meteorological phenomena Hollingshead observed in 2004.

I have a few thoughts on this; (1) Whoever named this type of storm deserves a medal. It's like a superhero weapon storm, a HALO storm even. (2) Seriously, Hurricane Katrina or not, the images are still absolutely remarkable. We should give credit where credit is due. Excellent work, Mother Nature.

Invisible Shield

In the world of iPod protective coverings, there are very few that make the cut. Most are too bulky, too sticky or too ugly to even consider swathing over your iPod. If only there was something strong, thin and invisible...

Someone has heard my cries!

And, if I were an Apple Nano, I would surely want such an Invisible Shield.

The Power of Nature

I am in shock and in awe of these photos of Hurricane Katrina (courtesy of my 'roommate'). A tiny part of me thinks they are fake...

Skip's Speech

In case you haven't already figured it out, I absolutely adore words. All words, every word. No words are free from my smothering enthusiasm; corpulent words, small and fruity words, flowery and excessive words, those both sinister and seraphic, and most importantly, words that give the impression that I am more intelligent than I actually am. I think today's 'Word of the Day' will fit nicely into the latter category.

immure \ih-MYUR\, transitive verb: 1. To enclose within walls, or as if within walls; hence, to shut up; to imprison; to incarcerate. 2. To build into a wall. 3. To entomb in a wall.

I love it. 'Word of the Day' at Dictionary.com.

Music Video

Oh my. You simply must watch this animated music video of He-Man singing a Four Non-Blondes cover song. Trust me. You may lose some brain cells but it is well worth your 2 minutes.

When you are done laughing, you can thank my friend Mike 'Collars Up' Crittenden.

Smooth Skip

As much as Gillette marketers may try to differentiate razor gender by prettily packaging the wimpy girl version in pink, I have no desire to color coordinate my razor to my 'chintz n' printz.' Thanks, but no thanks. I'd much rather have the Mach 3 which is ten times the razor the Venus is...and now, I will once again defy marketing attempts by immediately purchasing the Gillette Fusion with FIVE blades!!

Bring it on. February 2006.

The Real Question

Who wouldn't want to live in California?

Movie Time

Yes! I want a DVD Movie Projector! You bring the popcorn.

Optoma DV10. A steal at $1,499.

Skip is in Love

If you haven't already heard of the Apple Nano, then I strongly urge you crawl out of the hole in the ground in which you live and fall in love with it like the rest of the planet. But, even if you are already obsessed with the Nano you still may not know about the company that designed it...with which I am now obsessed.

Frog Design is a product design, marketing and brand strategy company that has clients ranging from Apple to Dell to Tupperware and Disney. The company has created not only the Nano, but also Lufthansa's airline terminal, Microsoft's Windows XP brand identity and the sounds Apple computers play when you get a new email or do something stupid.

Honestly, how cool would it be to work on noises computers make?!?! I really want to work for Frog Design.

A Man After Skip's Heart

Recently I consumed a burrito that was the size and density of an iron brick. Ever since then, I have felt the need to share my gastronomical discomfort with everyone I see. (Misery loves company after all.) Never was I so thankful for my talent for boring, pointless anecdotes than when I relayed this fascinating story to the ever-funny JJ. He directed me to an alarming and absorbing website that covers the San Francisco 'burrito scene,' ranking each Mexican (meat) loaf on a mustache scale and providing links to each establishment's record of health code violations. It's awesome.

Burrito Eater.

Opera in the Park

This afternoon was spent lazily lounging in Golden Gate Park listening to the dulcet sounds of the San Francisco Opera. Now, I'm more of a symphony girl myself, but with the sun shining and a picnic fit for a queen, I think I could have slept to the opera in the park forever.

Skip to the Beat

A few nights back, I had the tremendous pleasure of attending the sold-out John Mayer Trio concert at the Fillmore. I could bore you with details of the simplistic beauty that is the Fillmore concert hall; absolutely sublime acoustics, groovy posters free for ticket holders, kind, cordial bartenders all made even more pleasing by barrels of glossy, red apples for all who attend...but rather I will focus on the audience.

Most John Mayer concerts are brimming with screaming, pre-pubescent girls with no sense of musical respect nor, clearly, an ounce of self-respect. As much as I believe in female solidarity, to be in the company of these chicks is entirely miserable for a calm and mannerly concert-goer like myself. The joy of attending a John Mayer Trio show, is that not only do I get to silently admire John Mayer and his guitar skills, but the jazz-infused setlist precludes the irritating Abercrombie bunch from attending.

It was pure bliss.

Safety Skip

Hurricane Katrina has brought such shocking and unfathomable results, it is hard to believe that there is any good that can come from her wrath. Though the grief sits heavy on my heart, I have certainly learned a few things with regard to humanity, generosity and the importance of readiness.

As much as I don't like Gavin Newsom, his creation of 72hours.org, a streamlined, informative and well-designed site for disaster preparedness, was nothing short of necessary for a city similarly cursed by natural catastrophes. The website includes instruction on what to do in case of an emergency, required supplies for most disasterous events and intended city action plans.

For anyone and everyone, it is worth a visit.

Skip's Ship View

Being on the west side of the building is the constant lament of the gals who work in Non-Apparel because instead of the sparkling water and bridge views enjoyed by the east-side girls, we delight in the Spear street parking lot and some screaming children from the day care center. It was such an unfortunate fate...until now.

While building a condo development in a lot outside of our offices (did I mention the construction site view as well?), the team of observant workers discovered the exo-skeleton of a ship dating back to 1849 when the area used to be a small cove and at a time when San Francisco was erupting with people searching for gold and liberal sympathy. Just kidding.

Nonetheless, being rather impressed by all things archaeological, I'm now quite content with my luck of location.

Article at SFGate.com.

Skip Skips Town

My oh, my. What a week! My daily obsession with blogging had to be sidelined for a time while I actually did some work for my new job. I mean, I feel I must since they are paying me and all.

I'll leave the loquaciousness for tomorrow; however, I'm offering some photo hooks to keep you coming back for more of "Skip, Yip & Scrap head to the PNW (Pacific Northwest)." Woo-hoo.

Signs of Fall

I absolutely adore Fall; changing leaves, crisp air, yummy cashmere sweaters, an end to the profuse sweating and climate oscillation that comes with the Summer indoor/outdoor temperature differentials, perhaps my ski bunny vest being put to use, football season naturally, and clear skies that seem almost sharp in contrast to the haze of summer. Of course none of this applies to the seasonless netherworld that is San Francisco, but I can still sense the anticipation of Fall in the people on the streets.

For the mass media junkie that I am, Fall also signals the arrival of new television shows and the return of my most favorite programs, destined to hook me with attractive leading men, gratuitous plot complications and romantic entanglements. However, the process of ironing out my chosen obsessions for the season can become quite daunting, thanks in part to the networks' fondness for changing the day a program airs, widespread premiere week inconsistency and the need to reset all of my Tivo Season Passes.

Happily, the TV Guide Premiere Date list and Fall TV Schedule (in printable form) has made this task much more agreeable and is just one more thing to love about Fall.

Cat Plays It Safe with a Helmet

Skip's Wish List; Part I

Since my blog has temporarily turned into a glorified Birthday/Christmas list, I would like to add one more item to the mix.

This woven rope bracelet with diamond link by Devon Paige McCleary, to me epitomizes the 'elegant yet casual, wealthy yet humble, elitist yet still kind to the little people, is she or isn't she a celebrity' look to which I aspire. Nevermind that it is $2,500. The jury is still out, but I think I might be worth it...

Twist Online.

Ski Bunny Skip

I have delusions of being an urban ski bunny. I have no clue where I would wear this, but I want it.

Puffer Vest with Fur Trim. J. Crew.

Skip's Kits Like Smelly Shoes

Same shoe, different cats.

Spelling Matters

The spelling of my name has been an unfortunate thorn in my side for almost my entire life. I'd like to think that I'm unique because of it (Being a Katy with a '-y' has a certain sex-appeal, no?), but the truth is that it just confuses the more simple-minded among us; those people who cannot fathom spelling Katy any other way than with the insipid '-ie' ending.

Now, being a forgiving, tender woman, I'm willing to overlook this minor blunder; however, what really frosts my cookies is the penchant some people have for renaming me completely...to Kathy. Do these people not read?!?! Do they assume I cannot spell my very own name?!?!

This was particularly frustrating when the exact man I was attempting to butter up (a certain Mark C., manager of Jackopierce) condescends to write me back as 'Kathy.'

Hey Kathy,

Thanks for the email. That's awesome your sister is coming out for the show. Backstage passes aren't as exciting as they sound. Jack and Cary both spend time after the shows talking to and hanging out with the fans so there will definitely be time for you to hang out and chat with them. How's that?

MC

This simply will not do. My little mind is swirling with wicked thoughts of revenge...

Skip's a Big Fan

So, my sister and I are obsessed with Jackopierce. Childish, yes, but we don't care. The band occupied our concert schedule all through high school and into college, we even flew to Houston for a New Year's concert. It was a grief-stricken day when they disbanded and chose erroneously to pursue futile solo careers. Cary Pierce had a string of unsuccessful albums that were just sad while Jack O'Neill began a new band named 'American Horse' which just screams disaster.

Luckily for us and them, the two men have come to their senses and have reformed the original Jackopierce. Fabs is flying into San Francisco for the concert at the Swedish American Music Hall on October 28th and I have written a letter;

Dear Mark,

I can't tell you how elated I am that Cary & Jack are back on tour as Jackopierce. My sister and I are huge fans...we've seen them at the House of Blue's in Chicago (with Matchbox 20 opening), Trax in Charlottesville and flew to Houston for their New Year's Eve final concert. When we discovered that they were playing in San Francisco (my current residence), my sister immediately booked a plane ticket from DC for the show at the SAMH on the 28th of October.

Now, I'm not exactly sure why I'm writing this other than to gush to you about the band or what exactly I expect you to do, but perhaps I could ask for a backstage pass or something equally innocuous but immensely exciting for my sister and I...? Thoughts?

Thanks, Mark.
Katy

We are so getting hooked up.