Dolphins

While waiting in line, for coffee, I noticed the person in front of us had a backpack with a button, which read, "I'm sick of these dolphins and their shit"

This appartently references the 2004 film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou". Video. The quote said, "Son of a bitch, I'm sick of these dolphins."

Exploratorium 08/27/2016

Dawn and I visited the Exploratorium's new location, for the first time, on Saturday. Dawn wanted to see the Strandbeest exhibit before it closed.

Overview:

"This summer, experience Strandbeest: The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen at the Exploratorium from May 27 to September 5, 2016. This special exhibition features enormous kinetic sculptures called strandbeests—“beach animals” in Dutch—that mesmerize with their eerily lifelike motion. Constructed largely of PVC tubing and equipped with sensory organs and ever-evolving survival strategies, these amazing beests walk a wandering, wind-blown line between art and engineering, mechanics and biology.

Physicist-turned-artist Jansen has been creating strandbeests since 1990. Iteratively designed and intricately assembled, Jansen’s self-propelled creatures have evolved over the years, becoming increasingly complex and lifelike, with specialized adaptations to help them survive in their seaside environment.

On tour for the first time in North America, the exhibition is illuminated by artist sketches, immersive video, live beest demonstrations, and the lyrical photography of Lena Herzog, who spent more than seven years documenting the strandbeests’ evolution."

We watched one strandbeest move, then watched a 30-minute documentary, "Strandbeesten", which featured music by Marcio Doctor.

Afterward, we drove down Highway 1 and ate, at Cameron's Restaurant & Inn, for the first time. I went with the "King's Draught", which turned out to represent Hop Dogma's "Pyros Prost":

"Pyros Prost - In the mood for something unique? This chili beer has an American rye as its base but then has habanero and jalapeño peppers added post fermentation.  It’s hot, but not overwhelming. The nose is of freshly cut peppers and it pairs quite well with many foods.  6% ABV (Honorable mention for specialty beer of the year at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition)"

Dawn had a can of Murphy's Irish Stout , and we split an "English Pastie: 'Pasty stuffed with beef, potatoes, peas, carrots, and smothered in rich gravy'" and a Chocolate Brownie Sundae. Dawn had wanted to go to Tartine Bakery, but we decided to postpone.

The pub had a book on the shelf, "Folklore of the Australian pub", by Bill Wannan (1972), ISBN 0333139062.

Links:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/strandbeest
https://www.jwz.org/blog/2016/06/backstage-at-the-exploratorium-heat-exchanger-is-a-truly-epic-series-of-tubes/

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

• LIFE MAGAZINE - Negative Asset Manager, 16 years. Reference: Sean O'Connell (address upon request)
• One of 3 known non-Navy SEALs to helicopter “free release” in gale-force waters (North Sea).
• In a single day: Biked, ran, and long-boarded over 17 kilometers to Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption.
• Scaled highest peak of Noshaq Mountain (northwestern Afghanistan face)
• On Icelandic fishing trawler, earned keep as boatswain (unpaid deckhand) for one day

Shrimp Boil

Peeled about 50 shrimp and boiled:
http://spanishsabores.com/2015/03/12/perfect-boiled-shrimp-recipe-gambas-cocidas/

Radio Song

Iron & Wine (Sam Beam) and Jesca Hoop's, "Every Songbird Says", from their 2016 album, "Love Letter for Fire", on the Sub Pop label. Audio. Lyric: "I'm a mountain side, I can wash away."

Santa Cruz Apartments

Surveying the area

• Capitola Cove Apartments
• URL: http://capitolacoveapartments.com/
• Pets:
• Cats OK
• Pet deposit: 
• Pet rent: 
• Floorplans:
• Floor Plan A (850-950 Square Feet): Same as B, but no balcony
• Floor Plan B (850-950 Square Feet): Balcony
• Floor Plan C (1000-1300 Square Feet): Same as C, but no pantry
• Floor Plan D (1000-1300 Square Feet): Pantry
• Floor Plan E  (1300-1650 Square Feet): No balcony
• Note: all 2 bed, 1 bath
• Utilities:
• Water and Garbage included
• Corporate: Elizabeth/Liz Hirata (and Mel); E&M Properties, PO Box 2869, Santa Clara, CA 95055 Santa Clara, CA 95055 
• Property Management:
• Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9am-12pm 1pm-5pm Saturday: 10am-2pm Sunday-Monday: Closed
• Resident Manager: Jennie Machado
• Contacted: 
• Thursday, August 11 (a.m.), via web site contact form, requesting info
• Site visit: Saturday, August 13, around noon
• Small complex
• Met Jennie Machado, resident manager (1905 Wharf Road, Unit A, Capitola, CA; 831-475-6342; fax: 831-475-8054)
• Met resident, lived there a number of years, suggested rent keeps going up; most expensive: $2,600; least expensive: $2,100
• Capitola Gardens
• URL: http://www.capitolagardensapts.com/
• Pets:
• Cats OK (max 2)
• Pet deposit: $500
• Pet rent: $50
• Floorplans:
• 1 bed, 1 bath
• 589 square feet: 
• Rent: 
• ??
• Utilities: 
• Note: only seems to show available floorplans (?)
• Corporate: Goldrich & Kest Industries
• Property management
• Hours: Mon: Closed Tue - Sat: 9:00AM to 6:00PM Sun: Closed
• Resident manager: Tiffinie
• Contacted: 
• Thursday, August 11 (a.m.), via web site contact form, requesting info
• Breakwater Apartments
• URL: http://www.breakwaterapartmenthomes.com/
• Cats OK
• Floorplans:
• Corporate: GreyStar
• Hours: 

RESOURCES

https://localwiki.org/santacruz/Apartment_Complexes

Outside Lands 2016 - Recommendations

Via: https://www.jwz.org/blog/2016/08/outside-lands/

Låpsley
LCD Soundsystem
Peaches
Halsey
Diiv
Hælos

GOES - Global Online Enrollment System

KEVIN

Jul 30 - Submitted form
Aug 4 - Conditionally approved for interview
Aug 24, 2016 - Interview
Aug 24, 2016 - Full Approval with number.
Aug 30, 2016 - Receive card in mail.

DAWN

Jul 30 - Submitted form
Aug 8 - Conditionally approved for interview
Aug 24, 2016 - Interview
Aug 24, 2016 - Full Approval with number.
Aug 30, 2016 - Receive card in mail.

PARKING

• When on 101, remain on the road towards International departures. You will come across a fork in the road as you drive up, stick to the left of the fork (do not go up the ramp) and once you take the left, stick to the right to get to the hourly parking A section of the garage (this will turn into G after a bit of navigating through the garage). Once in, make your way to the "G" section of the garage (follow the green lines on the road). At one point, you will completely exit out of the garage in order to reach the G section. 
• Enter international departures, park in garage g. Go to the third floor of the parking garage. Keeping following signs for arrival. You'll see the signs for the office and a bunch of people waiting in line. (costing $38 for the entire time)
• Anza park & fly and took the shuttle over as the Anza daily parking is $14, far less than the airport. 
• Long Term parking and took the Bus to the international Terminal. It spits you out and just take the doors closest to you and go down to the staircase on the left. Tahdah.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/global-entry-office-san-francisco?sort_by=date_desc

24/7 Pilot ends Aug 10

INTERVIEW STEPS

• Room can hold four appointments at a time, but dependent on staffing levels (that is, may only have three workers)
• questions: 
• have you ever committed a crime, where did you travel to, do you travel for leisure/business, etc. 
• what countries did I visit, was I dual nationality, did I have my other passport (no), have I been arrested, have I had issues with customs or immigration?
• fingerprinting
• picture using a webcam

TIPS - WAITLIST

• Arrive around 8 or 8:30pm--longer wait, but go home earlier
• Put time on the waitlist, to avoid mixups
• Get a seat very close to the office door or even just sitting on the floor near the office door, that way you don't have to get up and stress every time they come out and start calling names.
• Charge devices
• Water bottle, light snacks
• Smile at staff--they're human too
• slow or no work btw shift changes
• "We were told 2 to 4 am is a good time to come for an interview. " on a weekday.
• print out my letter and suggest you do to make things easier.
• bring your passport and drivers license (with current address; if not up to date bring a utility bill with a current address. ) to the interview.if not up to date bring a utility bill with a current address. 
• Each appointment lasts approximately 10 mins.
• 
  

Oversized book display

Want to display the Phaidon book "The Art Museum", at 420 x 320 mm (16 1/2 x 12 5/8 in) and ~8kg/18lbs, on a coffee table.

I bought a $40 Taschen acrylic book stand but it broke under the weight.

SEARCH TERMS

book cradle extra large
book mount
book display stand
folio large book stand
dictionary stand
book blanket (blankies)
acrylic book cradle

More:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/205762


RESULTS

So far, lots of expensive options.

I like the idea of Mindell Dubansky's book blankie:

Acrylic costs much less, but I'd prefer wood/metal.

Laughing at Google returning "Cradle of Filth", in search results.

Update: We went with a rolled up bath towel. Works great.

Newman's Own Cat Food - Liver

https://www.amazon.com/Newmans-Own-Organics-Organic-Grain-Free/dp/B001PMC3O8

Build Your Dream House for a Song

http://www.buildyourdreamhouse.com/index.htm

Saw David Cook's class at Cabrillo College, this fall, about how to build a home yourself.