Thank you, pioneers

I was going to post more pictures from my San Francisco trip back in November, but I somehow never got around to it.

But right now, I feel inspired. Today, between going to my taiko class, almost being done reading Stubborn Twig, and conversing at length about being a Japanese-American, I thought of these photos I took in San Francisco…

In Golden Gate Park, just outside of the Japanese Tea Garden, was this:

It’d be a huge understatement to say that life was tough for these pioneering immigrants. Thank you, thank you, and thank you for “leading the way.”

San Francisco Trip, Part I – Elections Madness

I just got back from a 4-day trip visiting a friend in San Francisco. Lots happened in those 4 days, but as it’s Election Day as I’m writing this, I’ll start with an Elections-theme.

Prop 8 is huge in California. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit I’d somehow completely missed it living up in Oregon, but apparently it’s been in the national spotlight. In case you’ve been living in the same cave I’ve been in, Prop 8 seeks to change the California Constitution to ban gay marriage.

As you might imagine, being in San Francisco days before the Elections was…interesting. There were anti-Prop 8 people on every corner holding signs and giving out stickers and buttons — even in driving rain.

And as it happened, I was in The Castro on Halloween night. Unfortunately, most of my pictures didn’t come out well because the flash on my camera doesn’t work, but this one came out decently due to the good lighting:

The friend I was visiting? Walking around sporting an Obama button and a “No on Prop 8″ button:

What the hell happened to this guy who voted for Bush in 2004 and used to casually drop homophobic comments?

It’s never too late to turn to the light side!

(…and I mean that all as a compliment, John. Thanks for letting me stay at your place!)