Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Intermission #2 - Live from the Albany Bulb!


As I've mentioned before, every now and then the blog will take a break from coffee, caffeine, and strangers for a short intermission. Here today, then, I'd like to introduce you to my recent trip to the Albany Bulb! You can read more about the Albany Bulb here and here, but basically it's a strip of coast along the East Bay known for its past life as a dump, a large itinerant and homeless population, legions of dog walkers, views of San Francisco, and impromptu art installations along its many paths. I also have a feeling the Bulb is a popular place for teenagers to drink a little beer, smoke a little pot, or drop a little acid. So, ladies and gentlemen, why not take a gander with me down the Albany Bulb's yellow brick road? If you'd like, click on the images to enlarge.


Slogans were plentiful at the Albany Bulb. Many of them involved f-bombs and incoherence, but I enjoyed this one, mainly because it's true. Science needs to be done!


Lost somewhere within the Bulb is a concrete structure known as The Castle. I'm pretty sure evil hobbits live inside.


Despite my better judgment and that wary, warning voice in the back of my mind, I stepped inside The Castle. I can't be positive, but I believe this is where nightmares are born.


You know what else was weird? Wherever I walked, I felt like someone was watching me....


I found this little guy trapped in the letter N:


Did I mention it was a windy day?


This guy told me about some treasure in a box along the shore. Even though I found the loot, I left the treasure in the box in case you ever visit the Albany Bulb. Be warned, though: something about this guy's eyes seemed a tad suspicious....


Words to the wise: always carry your resume with you. You never know when opportunity might come a-knocking!


Likely because the Albany Bulb is made of garbage and landfill, this tree was sprouting shoes instead of leaves:


This mammoth burger/sandwich was just lying around for the taking, but I'd just eaten breakfast.


And last but not least, I leave you with who I think should be the Albany Bulb's mascot. I'd call him Bulby, but I'm flexible on the name....

4 comments:

ellison said...

1. Do you know Bansky? http://www.banksy.co.uk/ (ie when graffiti was cool).

2. the castle reminds me of bunkers we went to go see in the mountains around madrid. but they were trying to defend the city from the fascist (albeit unsuccessfully). . . the nightmares got in...

J. Michael said...

I do know Banksy! Wasn't there some stink where he said he'd never do a show in a gallery because "art is all about the streets", and then whammo! he did a show in a gallery?

This castle was filled with nightmares and the smell of stale beer....

J. Michael said...

Apparently he's been busy in SF relatively recently....

http://blog.neonmonster.com/gallery/new-banksy-pieces-spotted-in-san-francisco/

ellison said...

i hadnt heard that comment of his but i dont care - his work speaks for itself (by that i mean his politics for me are A o K). some of those are SF shots are on his website. hehe.