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.

W is for Warriors

Oakland's Golden State Warriors have won the NBA Finals!  This is their first championship in exactly 40 years.  At least one drought is over.  If you follow basketball, you know what an incredible season this has been for the team.   The Dub Nation is celebrating tonight!!  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: garage tree

Every so often I run into a garage mural.  This one was found in West Oakland.  No signature that I could see, unless it's right in front of me imbedded in the design.  In which case, fuggendaboutit, I'll never be able to read it.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  Game 5, Go Warriors!!

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

the last rays of the day

In the last rays of the day, reflections become only suggestions.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Oakland's castle

Downtown Oakland still has an amazing number of its old-time buildings.  So much so that I've often wondered why Hollywood hasn't used it more for period movies.  Here's one, probably from the 30s, still holding onto its original sign.  I'm guessing it's now a strictly residential hotel.  One day I'll check out the entrance and lobby.

bird sanctuary

Walking the Lake at dusk is a great reminder that Lake Merritt was initially and foremost the nation's first designated wildlife refuge.

Monday Mural: back alley barracuda

Here's another mural found in the Solano Way alley.  Granillo's work was  previously seen here.  I'm struck by the stylistic difference between these two works.  Lots of creative ideas swirling around in this guy's head.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  And thanks for continuing to post during my recent absence.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Warriors make it to the Finals!!

In case you were wondering, the Warriors won the Playoffs and are champions of the Western Conference of the NBA.  This is their first division championship since 1975!  Is Oakland excited?  Oh, just a little.

Yesterday was the first game of the Finals; they played the Cleveland Cavaliers (who won the Eastern Conference) which has the great LeBron James.  The Dubs got off to a rocky start but the game soon turned into a neck and neck heart stopper.  In the last seconds the Warriors tied the score and the game went into overtime.  In those extra 5 minutes the Dubs found their A-game and won 108 to 100.  19,000 fans were screaming in happiness and relief.  They only need to win three more games to become the NBA national champions.  OMG, it seems so possible.  For my Aussie friends, your countryman Andrew Bogut is a pivotal player on the Warriors and is amazing to watch as he defends the basket.  Next game is Sunday night here in Oakland.  Go Warriors!!

p.s.  This photo is a grab shot from my television.

sweet and inviting

Miette is a sweets shop at Jack London Square where everything looks inviting and is wonderfully presented.

Theme Day: stylish

The first of each month is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo world.  This month the theme is "stylish."  Couldn't resist showing you the window of Leopard's Legz in the upper Fruitvale District.  I'm not sure this is to everyone's taste, but they surely have customers for this look.  For other takes on the theme, be sure to visit City Daily Photo.

Monday Mural: sound wall

These advertisements are on the wall of an audio store very near Solano Way.  While the mural  reproduces company logos, I like the way they included the old Bay Bridge.  San Francisco looks like the Emerald City.  Kind of eye catching.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be gone for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments, but the Linky will go up (fingers crossed) every Sunday evening.  Cheerio.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

walking the lake

The Lake is popular every day of the week.  With a 3 mile radius, it's a popular course for both walkers and runners.

T is for tattoo

As you all know, the Millennials are heavy into tattoos.  Compared to what I generally see around town, this tattoo is down right modest in size and complexity.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Memorial Day

In memory of those who served.

Monday Mural: Shop in the Laurel District

These wonderful trompe l'oeil images decorate a Laurel District wall.  Rather inviting, don't you think?

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be gone for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments, but the Linky will go up (fingers crossed) every Sunday evening.  Cheerio.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Fern's Hotel

Fern is probably long gone.  This is clearly an old time hotel that probably originally rooms with  a bathroom down the hall.  It's survived the decades although it has fallen on hard times.

West Oakland beauty

There was a spurt of development in Oakland after the 1906 earthquake as San Franciscans, who lost their homes to the giant earthquake and ensuing fire, came to Oakland to resettle.  West Oakland has a still has huge number of their pre-earthquake Victorian houses.  This beauty has been lovingly restored and just shines.  I love that rounded porch.

shipping and receiving

Who knows how old this sign is.  I'm guessing 1050s.  Spotted in West Oakland just off Mandela Parkway.

Monday Mural: Oakland 2 Gaza

This mural is found on International Blvd around the corner from Solano Way.  As you no doubt have noted, many murals in Oakland have political themes.  Some might say that all street art is political.  What do you think?

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be gone for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments, but the Linky will go up (fingers crossed) every Sunday evening.  Cheerio.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

old motel sign

This sign was spotted on a short dead end street in the downtown area.  The sign looks vintage, so I'm assuming the business is too.  I doubt the neon is working.

strange crop

Spotted in a West Oakland community garden.

Monday Mural: Korean heroine

This massive mural is on the long wall of Ohgane Korean restaurant on Broadway.  Artist Dave Youngkim handily tells us the story:  As a 16-year old EWHA student, Yu Gwan Sun organized a rally after the March 1, 1919 protest that led to nationwide demonstration in Korea against foreign occupation.  To signal the start for those gathered around the pagoda that day, Yu lit a bonfire on a mountain.  A tiger approached her, and instead of consuming her, looked on her and left--a symbol of blessing.  Though soldiers killed her parents, and she died in prison, her heart for freedom lives on. The mural is triple the size I'm showing you and conveys the dignity and respect afforded her by her people.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be gone for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments, but the Linky will go up (fingers crossed) every Sunday evening.  Cheerio.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Q is for question: can they pull it off?

 

The Warriors won the first game in the second round of the NBA playoffs.  This photo shows the jubilation that followed the win.  Yippee.  In the next game they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies.  Uh oh.  The question remains, can they pull it off to make it to round three?  The Dub Nation has its collective fingers crossed.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: those d**n kids

Driving up 5th Street I saw this truck and pulled over.  It's not the best thing TDK (Those Damn Kids) has done, but I found it amusing.  I've met Krash2, whose not exactly a kid anymore, but is still passionate about street art.  BSK is another crew they often work with.  Sometimes individual artists are in both crews.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Monday Mural: planet of the apes

This mural is on a large wall facing E. 8th Street in East Oakland.  It looks like an ape uprising at the Golden Gate Bridge.  The mural was signed with complex pieces (one seen on the right side) that I had no hope of reading. The foreshortening of the images contributes to a strong sense of movement and immediacy.  If there is another level of meaning to the images, I'm in the dark.
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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

why the drawbridge went up

I'm usually amused when I see why a drawbridge has gone up.  Small sailboats like this, with their not so tall masts, have a lot of power while tootling along the estuary.  This is the Fruitvale Bridge which also has a railroad track section that can be be lowered when a train wants to cross the estuary.  (Visible at the top of the photo).  Versatile bridge, no?

Monday Mural: lovely ladies

The minute I saw this mural I thought of Allyn whose beauties you've seen before here and here.  This time she had more than the usual collaborators including Tati, Yoshi, Reds, and Twigs.  This is found on International Blvd. just a block from the Lake in what is called the Eastlake District.  Another celebration of female beauty with a slight nostalgic twist.  Well, except for the figure on the right who though beautiful, looks like she's waiting for the Mother Ship to return.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Monday Mural: International Blvd. mural

Here's another mural found on International Blvd, just on the other side of the wall from this one.  Sorry, but I couldn't find a signature.  I'm guessing it is another work of the Community Rejuvenation Project.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Monday Mural: tree house

This mural by Griffin One is on the side of a two-story building in East Oakland.  It is also next to the Doty bird I showed you two weeks ago.  They often work in tandem.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Monday Mural: more birds in the Laurel

This small mural is painted on the back of a magazine rack for multiple newspapers.  Interestingly, the rack is no longer in use and the other side looks very shabby.  Seems like the rack should be removed; but in the meantime this image adds some sparkle to the streetscape.  Couldn't find a signature on this piece.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

spring has sprung

Last year I showed you this pergola in Mt. View Cemetery.  This year I wanted to show you it's wonderful display of wisteria.  Wisteria is a favorite planting in the East Bay and seeing them in bloom is always a pleasure.

Monday Mural: dogs, cats, and rabbits, oh my!

This amusing mural adorns a holistic vet's office.  What makes the practice holistic?  I'm afraid I don't know.  I do know of one office that offers doggie acupuncture.  Really.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be out of town and unplugged for a while, so will not be able to leave comments.  Apologies.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

late afternoon at the Lake

This scene is late enough in the afternoon, that the lanterns and Necklace of Lights have already turned on.  Since it's redesign a few years ago, the Lake has become incredibly popular for walking, picnicking, and general people gathering.

Monday Mural: another Doty bird

I found another bird mural by Edward Doty.  Just love how he presents them with such sentient awareness.  Can't tell you what kind of bird this is, but I'm pretty sure the real plant is a cotoneaster.  And the bird is sitting on a New Zealand tea plant featured in Friday's post.  I'm guessing the mountain in the background is Mt. Tamalpais which is part of the bay skyline  and found in Marin County.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

things to see while you walk the Lake

When you walk around Lake Merritt, you'll see these trees with twisted branches that over time tend to lay down on the ground.  The lake’s iconic plant is the New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum sp.), which grows with picturesque gnarled branches along the water’s edge.  We love them because of their unusual texture.

Monday Mural: in the field

This loving image fronts a vacant lot on International Blvd. in East Oakland.  All around the man and his truck is a poem written in three colors as if one line is echoing the other.  I couldn't read much of it because of the angle of the sun in my eyes but I thought the image had a lot of dignity.  And I liked that it fronts on a lot that looks green and lush as if he were out in a field.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Hungry?

Spotted this week at the farmer's market at Jack London Square.  Made me laugh.  Belatedly linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: the firefighter

Artists Mike and John Manente have created a new mural on the back wall of the Haley Law Offices. This is the fourth mural in their series "The People of Oakland."  "The Firefighter" is a portrait of a friend of the Haley lawyers who recently retired after a long career in the Oakland Fire Department.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Monday Mural: alley mash-up

This is another wall in Solano Way, a four-block alley lined with street art.  I didn't see signatures but am thinking this is a collaboration between Canon Dill (the fox) and Girl Mobb.  Maybe the fox is  sweating because of the arrows in her hand.  The piece and tags appear to be newer and I didn't bother trying to research them.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

rrribbit

This giant frog graces the facade of a metal recycle center previously featured here.  These folks are too clever by half.  Ah, the artistic mind...

Monday Mural: solemn greeting

This is a new mural to me, probably put up a couple of months ago.  The photo was taken in the late afternoon when both the light and shadows were strong.  The mural celebrates the local Vietnamese community.  Behind the young woman are photos of local families.  The small markings in the background represent designs in traditional Vietnamese textiles.  I couldn't find a signature.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

mortuary architecture

Have you ever noticed that mortuary architecture is quite grand?  I wonder why that is?  This business goes back to 1873, although I doubt the building does.

Monday Mural: mermaid with attitude

This is the companion mural to Queen of the Deep shown a couple of weeks ago.  Some of the sea creatures look a little afraid of her.  This one is also by Bode.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

as the sun sets

Taken before the rains came.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

dusk at the Lake

It's a beautiful time of day to just sit and watch the changing light.

running the embarcadero

Late afternoon, and the Lake has a lot of activity around it.

looking across the lake

Who doesn't love using telescopes and binoculars to bring the far near.  Especially nice on a bright winter day.

Monday Mural: girl mobb

Here's another tall mural along Solano Way.  This one is by Nina of Girl Mobb.  She seems to favor hooded figures and disembodied hands.  The pink softens what could be a gruesome image--an ironic element I'm sure.  Here's another one by her posted a little over a year ago.

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 your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato