Monday Mural: Minion Mona Lisa

This cracked me up when I saw it.  It's printed on vinyl and was pasted onto an apartment building wall.  No one took credit for this comical 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

Theme Day: bicycle

The first of each month is City Daily Photo's Theme Day.  Today's is "bicycle."  Here we see the opening of a new parklet and bike parking in front of Manifesto Bicycle shop.  Go to CDP for more takes from around the world on the theme.

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.

Monday Mural: narrow fit

Found this by accident on San Pablo Avenue in the Golden Gate district.  This gal fits into a narrow jut out and is by Boko.  She's a little disconcerting with those botoxed lips and blank eyes.  The pose reminds me of the art nouveau work of Alphonse Mucha.  Sort of.

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 for a number of days and will not be able to leave comments on murals posted this week.  My apologies.

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

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?

Monday Mural: blue elephant

This lovely pachyderm is found on a wall in the Temescal neighborhood.  It took me a while to see the animal; then I admired its fluid lines.  I'm pretty sure it went up in late June but didn't notice 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

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.

Monday Mural: looking askance

Recently there seems to be a number of food and entertainment joints that have closed down in this one block stretch of Uptown.  When this happens, street artists move in and use the spaces to ply their trade.  Here is a piece by GATS on what seems was a sign on a now defunct business.  You can't miss his style.  This is a half face from the cheeks up with abstracted names of street artists running down the nose.  To my eye it has the look of Maori tattoos.  Don't know who drew the woman, but she appears a smidge uncertain about the guy she's glancing at.

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

Z café

This is Z Cafe, a popular restaurant with a noisy bar.  Why is a new car perched out front?  Because a car dealership occupies the other half of the building.  In fact, the cafe space was carved out of part of the showroom.  For a while the cafe definitely smelled like new tires.  I guess the wall separating the two sides wasn't sealed off well enough.  Thankfully, the problem was eventually solved.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: nite owl

Mr. Nite Owl looks like quite the dandy.  Found in Uptown, this Cannon Dill mural takes the place of this one.  It's six to 8 feet high and viewed over the tall front fence of a Victorian-era house.  Cannon Dill is one of my favorite street artists.

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

baby batman at the Lake

Walking the Lake is always interesting.  You never know when you're going to run into a Super Hero.

Monday Mural: bird bees

Here's another mural by Granillo which can be found down the block from the Warriors mural.  These hybrid bees looked familiar, so I went into the archives and found this.  It has to be the same artist, right?  Granillo was also featured three weeks 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

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.

Monday Mural: the champions

Yet another Warriors-centric post.  This mural, by a crew called Illuminaries, is in North Oakland at 27th and Northgate; it went up a week or so ago.  I  think the signatures are names of those who helped paint the mural.  At least I hope so.  The Steph Curry pose looked odd to me.  Illuminaries says the gesture is "the infamous Mac Dre thizz face."  Yea, I don't know what that means either.  During the time I was at the mural, two cars pulled up so their occupants could get their pictures taken in front of it.  It looks like this will be a mini shrine for the Dub Nation.

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

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