Holiday Nighthawks

i'm not sure what to say about holidays anymore....

Christmas Tree at the Pan handle GG park

they seem to be holidays

for the merchants...

the shops in the malls are 

set up to ensnare the

shoppers with signs

 advertising substantial

discounts as if they're

at all true for the consumer...

If one had memorized prices before

the holidays he wouldn't be

surprised that holiday prices

are jacked up by whatever discount

is being offered to compensate and

to retain the same levels of profit....

But nobody seems to pay attention 
to that stunt...

anyway, the Christmas spirit

is more alive among the younger

whose pristine optics 

of love, peace and 

prosperity are

genuine and clearer than

the older generation...

at least from what i've observed...

Delia...a Swiss tourist at my easel

As an artist I had to work

on a cityscape painting on Christmas eve

simply because it's paramount for me

to see first hand the scenery on

California St. in the Nob Hill area...

mainly that of the fog rolling in

and light rain pouring...

almost on the finishing stage...

I painted for 2 hours and 

soaked myself in the rain...

without getting sick after...

On Christmas day 

after church I ended up

in the Laurel heights area.

Laurel Heights Starbuck

Starbucks which was opened

till midnight...

Christmas eve customers

 I observed in the cafe

what Edward Hopper

Holiday Nighthawks...

had seen generations ago that inspired

him to paint the "Nighthawks"...

it's no longer a surprise to see

in people that sense of isolation

and loneliness hovering in their

holiday nighthawks

psyche despite the so-called

progress in an urban environ.

Grapevine on I-5 N

Couple of days later  i had to drive down to 

Southern Cal where I spent 4 days

and 3 nights and driving

Sunset in the Bakersfield area I-5N

500-some-miles 

back to Sf on New Year's eve...

that was truly exhausting...

Happy New Year to all!

jt