Monday Mural: Year of the Rooster

Happy Lunar New Year, you all.  I found this auspicious mural by Omael Macasa on a Chinatown utility box.  He's done a number of murals in Oakland; this one is in association with Dragon School.  I think the rooster is crowing "Gung Hay Fat Choy" or 新年快樂.

Welcome to Monday Mural.  If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you; just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Happy Holidays

Sorry, no Monday Mural today.  Meet you back here next week.  Happy Holidays to all.

'tis the season

It's that time of year when we start looking for the perfect Christmas tree.  Apparently this guy found his at a nearby tree lot.

Dubs reach the NBA Finals---again!

This is déjà vu all over again.  For the second year in a row the Golden State Warriors have battled their way to the NBA championship finals.  Their opponents are the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Again.  Can lightening strike twice?  Dub Nation fervently hopes so.  Last night was a good start with the Warriors winning Game 1 104-89.  The noise in the arena was deafening as the team locked in and definitively pulled away from the Cavs.  Waaaariors!!

This photo is a grab shot from television during last year's Finals.

Christmas lights

Some people go all out with their holiday displays.  Here is one example on Picardy Dr. where all the houses on the street light up.   I'm told it's part of a neighborhood covenant that requires participation.  The display brings lines of visitors from all over the area who love to show their children the festive scene.

halloween approaches

The time of ghosts, goblins, and goodies approaches.  Hope yours is fun and safe.  Taken at Piedmont Avenue's annual Halloween parade.

E is for electric slide

Ever try line dancing?  It's very democratic because anyone can join in since you don't need a partner.  Part of dancing in the street at the recent Temescal Street Fair included the Electric Slide.  Don't know this dance?  Check out this YouTube instruction video on the dance.  Simple yet so much fun.  The ladies got lots more people to join in when they started this dance.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

low and slow

Classic car shot at a vintage car show on Telegraph Avenue.

D is for dancing (in the streets)

The Juan Escovido band was playing up a storm at the Temescal Street Fair.  The lady in the hat was totally into the music and danced with abandon.  She encouraged other women to get up and dance and before you knew it, there was uninhibited dancing in the streets.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

another summer fair

This summer has been warmer than most.  Seems to be a trend around the country.  This season of outdoor events has been extra fun due to the absence of chilly weather at the end of the day.  This is a crafts market that occurred this month at Jack London Square.

singer in the band

Juan Escovido (son of the great Pete Escovido) has an R&B band that performed at the Temescal Street Fair.  Juan plays congas and this guy could tear up a soul song.  Can you believe I didn't get his name?  The band had people dancing in the street.

B is for balance

Stilt walkers are always a hit at street fairs.  Whenever I see these folks I can't help but think, "How do they do that?'  Whatever they do, their balance is always perfect.  And with such confidence, too.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

out for a stroll

This man and his daughter were out for a stroll at the local street fair.  They both seemed to be enjoying the sunshine and mellow vibes.  Cute, don't you think?

the sky is a steady blue

The skies have pretty much been like you see behind the parasol.  The past several days have been sunny and warm with a bit of wind in the afternoon.  Perfect for outdoor fairs like this one at Jack London Square.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

you find music everywhere

The annual Temescal Street Fair has several music stages up and down Telegraph Avenue.  This group was performing in The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, our local recycle/upcycle/reuse store.  These guys performed in the tradition of Woody Guthrie, singing original songs about injustice and social struggle.  Sorry to say, I didn't get their names.

A is for acrobat

It's amazing what you see at the Temescal Street Fair.  Here we have a demonstration of circus acrobatic art presented by Kinetic Arts Center.  Not only do you have to bend your spine in various directions, but you have to do it 6 feet off the ground.  Uh, no thank you.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

tilt-a-whirl

One of the many mini rides at last week's annual Temescal Street Fair.

X is for (e)xercize

This is stretching it a bit, but is the best I could come up with for X.  Before the start of the Warriors parade, a trio of unicyclists came rolling down the street dribbling and passing a basketball.  They were even able to bounce the ball back and forth between their legs a la Steph Curry.  Well, sort of.  Apparently there are unicycle basketball teams around the country, where wearing a helmet is de rigueur.  Who knew?  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Oakland Warriors parade

Yesterday was the parade and rally for the Warriors' NBA championship.  It was an intense yet mellow experience considering more than a half million people showed up to celebrate.

Drat, Steph Curry just would not turn towards me, so this is the best I could do.  Note the championship trophy at his left hand.

Steve Kerr, the brilliant rookie coach (although he owns 5 NBA championship rings from his playing days) did turn my way.  His speech at the rally was the best of all.  Oakland is bursting with pride at the Warrior's accomplishment.  Now, if they would only decide to stay in Oakland.  I guess 40 years of devoted fandom isn't enough to keep the owners from looking elsewhere.

Memorial Day

In memory of those who served.