Michael D Housewright

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San Francisco Sunday Walk - Hipstamatic Tour

After lunch light

San Francisco Sunday Walk Hipstamatic Tour - The city walk is perhaps my favorite convention to spark creativity and bring me closer to the world around me. It is very easy for me to sit and become detached from the world as I toil away editing photos and writing at home alone 4 days a week. When I have the opportunity and the weather to simply wander city streets without a plan or a purpose this is when I am at my best mentally. On this cool day the sun was high and the wispy clouds bathed us in dappled light.

Of course all city walks need fuel. On this day we broke in our new egg cups and the latest method for soft-cooked eggs over heavily buttered toast. Steam from fresh Central American coffee and the smells of Irish bacon brought joy and energy to this morning preparation. Of course a Texas Rio Star grapefruit balanced our vitamins and reminded us of home. Home is the boot point, the zero, and the control. We must always have that sense of home to experience fully where it is we are going.

Strolling through an area of the SF that until recently was intimidatingly sketchy we happened upon AQ which was chosen by more than one publication as San Francisco restaurant of the year. It was sadly just before time for them to open otherwise we would have popped in for glass of wine, a snack, and some photos. We will be back so stay tuned for that post. The light was near perfect for this image and I think Hipstamatic should hire me at this point.

Near the lovely Yerba Buena Gardens Juliet spotted this grove of trees. I love the detail of the bark and the mystery of what lies on the other side. That mystery drives me. What does this taste like, look like, what's down there, what's over there, how is that place? Curiosity...this blog could be called that just as easily as The Blissful Adventurer.

As the light began to fade the mysteries got broader and the criminals began to eye my wife. At one point in time I am certain I got a premonition that a young man crossing the street with us was armed. It was almost fight or flight and you know if I am typing this today which one I would have chosen.

Through a window I caught this sushi chef prepping for his evening. He also spotted me and ducked his head. Don't be scared, be proud of what you do. No need to hide, just cut me some fish and let's be friends.

Our walk continued into the darkness. We reached the fabled Civic Center and caught this lonely lamp-post outside of city hall. I love this lens combo on Hipstamatic and it danced well in the Old Photo Pro app. When I am out here this is a painting for me. This is the way I want to live. I am alive when I am experiencing and almost dead when I am not.

We stopped long enough earlier in the walk to take this self-portrait. I have the arms of someone nearly 7 feet tall so I can capture unique angles and perspective. Juliet was standing on a 14 inch rise and it felt amazing to have her so close to my eyes. We walk this world and we relay what we find.

Cheers to Sunday walks in San Francisco.