DIG IF YOU WILL THE PICTURE PART I

The Presidio

Downtown Shadowplay

Portals to the Past - the old Hostess Bakery

The Golden Gate Bridge

Condo Conversion

A bridge at the bottom of the now empty Nacasio Reservoir

St. Francis Yacht Club Lighthouse

Embarcadero Center

Here are a few of my favorite shots taken over the last several months.

Not bad for a cell phone camera, huh?

DIG IF YOU WILL THE PICTURE PART II

Mission Dolores at sunset

San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

Sutro Tower

Burlingame Caltrain Station

AMC Metreon

Middletown, CA

Petaluma Vistors Center

And here are a few more.

LIKE A VIRGIN

Before there was Twerking, there was Madonna, seen here dry humping the stage of the venerable Radio City Music Hall, as she performed the title track from the best selling album of her career (10 million copies) at the very first MTV Music Awards.

Our 30 Years of Madonna celebration continues with her Number 1 hit, Like A Virgin.

It should be noted the show was co-hosted by Bette Midler and Dan Aykroyd.

MTV GIRL

Sometimes when I'm watching a movie, I can tell that I'm watching a performance that will earn the actress an Oscar nomination. I knew this when I saw Whoopi Goldberg in Ghost, Diane Ladd in Wild At Heart, and Jodie Foster in Silence Of The Lambs. However, I have to admit that even though I knew I was watching an amazing performance, I also remember thinking that Foster wouldn't win because actresses don't win for these kinds of films.

It was one of the few times in my life when I was wrong.

Anyway, I'm bringing it because it was the same feeling I had as I watched my longtime girl crush Amy Adams sashay her way through one of the best films of this year, American Hustle.

Time to start writing your acceptance speech, Amy.

HOW LOVELY ARE YOUR BRANCHES

Merry Christmas from the staff of The Steaming Poop blog.

MUSIC FOR THE MASSES

Arcade Fire - Reflektor
Their fourth effort is, like every album they've dropped so far,
fucking awesome. The track that caught my
attention was the 11:16 minute Supersymmetry. Sublime.

Best Coast - Fade Away
There's a reason this Southern California-based
group is one of my favorites - they never disappoint. I saw them
at The Fillmore in August - Fucking Awesome! The track that
has my attention is Who Have I Become.

Black Leather Motorcycle Club - Specter At The Feast
This group was recommended by Amazon as a
group that I might like. Good Call, Amazon. The track that
has my attention is Let The Day Begin.

Company - Bird Skulls
Former office mate Ryan posted this on Instagram and
since his recommendations are always spot-on, I gave
it a test drive. Ryan's record still stands at a perfect
100%. The Curse is the track that has my attention.

Solange - True
Although this is was released in November 2012, I didn't get
a chance to listen to True, until 2013, so this counts as a
favorite of 2013. This EP rocks my world and the
track that has my attention is the reflective 
Looks Good With Trouble. So beautiful.

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
I can't decide if Worship You or Finger Back are my favorites
but the entire album is damn good.

Washed Out - Paracosm
This release presented a problem - I had a real hard time picking out
which track caught my attention the most because the whole album is so
 damn good. However, Great Escape is the song that has me hitting
 the REPEAT button the most.

BAD WORDS

When Hollywood treats its movie-going audience like adults, I feel like it should be applauded so it happens more often.

I present to you a so-called Red Band trailer (trailers approved for adult audiences only) for the upcoming release Bad Words that I caught last night.

Looks good to me.

FOOT IN MOUTH DISEASE

“The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with. This is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”

-- Louisiana Governor and (alleged) civil rights activist Bobby Jindal

Gee, it sounds like someone is in need of a tutorial on the constitution, something I'm always happy to provide and here it is: 

Free speech protects American citizens from being silenced by an act of Congress and the last time I checked, A&E (the television network that broadcasts Duck Dynasty) is not a part of Congress.

Bobby, go to school, go learn something.

I DO

"It's gonna happen, whether you like it or not."

-- Gavin Newsom

It's the ultimate ironic twist that after the pivotal role Utah played in the passage California's Proposition 8 back in 2008 (Okay, it was the Mormon Church but you know what I mean), our 45th state became the 17th to allow same-sex marriage.

Boy, the lord works in mysterious ways, huh?

DRESS YOU UP

The latest entry in our 30 Years of Madonna celebration is Dress You Up, from her 1984 release Like a Virgin. 

I have a particular fondness for this clip, although I'm not sure why.

Anyway, it should be noted that her opening act on the aptly-named The Virgin Tour was The Beastie Boys.

You're welcome.

LAME DUCK

"Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. . . They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word! Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

-- Civil Rights spokesperson and Duck Dynasty "star" Phil Robertson

I'm not sure how pissed off you're allowed to get when you ask a redneck a question and you get a redneck response.

But don't get me wrong. He's still an asshole.

JFK

The legendary Judy Garland paid tribute to her friend, President John F. Kennedy, with this emotionally-charged and moving performance of The Battle Hymn of the Republic. The president had been assassinated earlier that day in Dallas, and she had been strongly advised by the brass at CBS, the network that broadcast her show, to NOT make any reference to the events of the day.

She correctly chose to ignore the advice and the show went on.

OBAMACARE

On Obamacare: Things that started as jokes went on to huge success: EuroDisney, Hubbel telescope, Spiderman musical . . . Ronald Reagan.

Chin up!

-- Bill Maher

Well said, Bill.

Chin up, and LIGHTEN UP, folks. 

MATERIAL GIRL

I have to admit that it hurt a little bit when I saw on the news a few days back that album 29 years ago this week, the Number #1 on the Billboard charts was Madonna's sophmore album, Like A Virgin.

Okay, actually it hurt quite a bit, especially since I owned it on cassette.

Oh well.

Anyway, may I present the latest entry in our 30 Years of Madonna celebration, the first release from the biggest-selling album of her career (10 million copies), Material Girl. It should be noted that it was during this shoot that Madonna was first introduced to future husband, actor Sean Penn.

You're welcome.

EVERYBODY

Although it wasn't much of a radio hit when it was first released in 1982, Everybody proved to be very popular on the dance club charts and was included on her self-titled debut album the following year.

Filmed on the stage of her beloved (and long-gone) Manhattan dance club Danceteria, I present the latest in our on-going celebration of 30 Years of Madonna.

You're welcome.

WHAT A FEELING!

One of the more iconic films from the 80's, Flashdance is back in the collection. I proudly held my head up high as I walked across the store to purchase it.

I doubt very much the cashier really cared.

BEST COAST

So their new EP, Fade Away, dropped a little over a month later than they announced during their show at The Fillmore back in August, but who cares, because it was well worth the wait.

Presenting my new favorite song, Who Have I Become, from my favorite band Best Coast.

HOLIDAY

The Poop's 30 Years of Madonna celebration continues with her first hit, Holiday. Personal opinion, of course, but this really is the best song on her self-titled debut album.

Although this low-tech video leaves a lot to be desired.

HALLOWEEN

It's hard to believe that the classic horror film Halloween turns 35 this year.

Just as fresh and brilliant today as it was when I first saw it, this movie not only is the first one I ever saw on video (1979), but it's always my number 2 pick as the scariest film ever made.

What's my pick as the number one scariest film of all time, you ask?

Pretty Woman (1992).

A THOUSAND WORDS

Photographer Bert Stern and Monroe sharing a carefree moment during what turned out to be her final photo shoot.

TRIBUTE

I once saw Lou Reed in the back of a cab turning from Greenwich Street on to 6th Avenue, and it totally made my day.

Here is my personal favorite, I'm Waiting For My Man, by The Velvet Underground.

So long, Lou, you did good. Real good.

BURNING UP

If you are going to be a superstar DJ, there are three simple rules you need to remember: Number One: You can always rely the Studio 54 compilation set. They're premixed! They last for hours. 

And Number Two: Madonna. Always works. 

-- James St. James (Seth Green) to Superstar DJ Keoki, Party Monster (2003)

My tribute to 30 years of Madonna continues with the second video from her self-titled debut, Burning Up.

You're welcome.

IF I ONLY HAD A HEART

"I found it credible. I know from the experience we had, and the necessity for adjusting my own device, that it was an accurate portrayal of what was possible."

-- Former President and Supreme Leader Dick Cheney, on an episode of Homeland, featuring a story line where terrorist assassinate the Vice-President by disabling his wireless pacemaker, triggering a heart attack.

Wait a minute, Dick Cheney has a heart?

LUCKY STAR

Okay, I have to admit it hurt a little bit when I recently realized it had been 30 years since Madonna's self-titled debut album was released.

Actually, it hurt quite a bit.

Anyway, this is the first Madonna video I ever saw, and I have no problem admitting that it was love at first sight!

I present to you one of the best songs on an album that not only happens to be her best, but is arguably one of the 10 best albums of the 80's, Lucky Star.

You're welcome.

CHERRY PICKERS

So the tea-baggers managed to hijack the government and shut it down for two week, in what turned out to be a poorly planned and executed attempt to defund Obamacare.

First, the news pictures of wheelchair-bound WWII vets being denied entrance in to the World War II Memorial because of the government shut-down didn't read too well in the news, so a bill was passed allowing it to be re-opened. Then, a second bill was passed to allow furloughed government workers receive back pay for their time off work, essentially giving them a free two-week vacation (which I don't begrudge them for a second).

Let's not forget the bill that had to be quickly passed, restoring military death benefits.

Then, the Houston Chronicle finally couldn't stand it anymore, and took back its endorsement of Senator Ted Cruz, saying:

"When we endorsed Ted Cruz in last November's general election, we did so with many reservations and at least one specific recommendation - that he follow (retiring senator Kay Bailey) Hutchison's example in his conduct as a senator. Obviously, he has not done so. Cruz has been part of the problem in specific situations where Hutchison would have been part of the solution."

Interesting.

So if my scorecard is correct, I'd say not only did Obama win, but if the democrats can hold it together and not fuck it up (as they tend to do), I'd say they'll win in 2014, too.

We'll have to see if voters memories can hold out until the congressional elections next year.

ALL TIED UP

I love my new bow-tie.

WASHED OUT

From an album that I have a hard time picking out a favorite song - because they're all so damn good - I present to you Don't Give Up from the latest Washed Out album, Paracosm.

J'adore cet album tellement.

PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK

It's so difficult to put a friend in the past tense.

Nearly 10 years after I left the city I lovingly refer to as My Oz, I finally bid my beloved New York Yankees a fond farewell. It just got too difficult to follow a team based 2,500 miles away, especially without cable or satellite service. Besides, most of the players that were on the team when I lived there have since retired, the old stadium has been replaced with something nicer yet too expensive to visit, and I'm no longer familiar enough with the new players to make it worth my while.

I deleted the MLB app from my cellphone, removed their Facebook page from my list of Likes, and stopped following their Twitter page. However, I will still wear the shirt pictured above with fond memories of all the Nathans hot dogs and Cracker Jack that I washed down with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in The House That Ruth Built.

BRIDGEWORK

The Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge has finally opened to traffic, ten years overdue and $5 billion dollars over budget.

I don't think transportation officials get to pat themselves on the back just because they opened it a few hours earlier than anticipated, as they did last night.

CEMENT POND

Beer, barbecue, a swimming pool and lots of family gossip?

Okay, Pete and Gina, here I come!

SUMMERTIME

This is me and my surfboard yesterday afternoon.

So long to Summer 2013.

You were pretty awesome.

THOSE WERE THE DAYS

I happened to stumble upon a few old postcard photos of San Francisco as it looked back in the day.

Kinda cool, huh?

CASTING CALL

So it was announced yesterday that Oscar-winning producer and writer Ben Affleck will play Batman in the Man of Steel sequel.

Hmmm.

MORAL MAJORITY

"This establishment recognizes that we all have political differences and we serve people from all walks of life. We also believe it is imperative for people to have standards. The Mayor of San Diego will not be served in this establishment."

-- A sign that hangs on the front door of the San Diego Hooters restaurant.

Well, thank goodness the high moral standards of Hooters won't be compromised by serving wings and beer to embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, who is expected to resign later today.

BEST COAST

No one was more surprised than I when it hit me as I entered the venerable Fillmore Auditorium last night to catch one of my favorite bands Best Coast, that it was my first time.

For real, until last night, I had NEVER been inside The Fillmore.

Anyway, the group is in the middle of a "mini-tour" in support of their upcoming EP release, which is set to drop next month.

By the way, the show was awesome!

ROBIN THICKE

Even though I'm a fan of his music, singer Robin Thick has a douchey-vibe that I find really off-putting.

One look at this video and I'm sure you'll agree.

However, his recently-released album, Blurred Lines, is so damn good that I'm able to easily put that issue aside. Seriously, this could be the album that finally allows him to step out of the shadow of Justin Timberlake.

WASHED OUT

As a writer, you sometimes have to borrow from others for inspiration, and in order for me to accurately express how I feel about the new Washed Out album, Paracosm, I'll be borrowing from one of the best, Cole Porter.

There are only six words I need to borrow to properly review this album:

So in love . . . So in love.

ROAD TRIP

Okay, Tahoe, here I come.