Bikes, books y typewriters.

The mind is a magical labyrinth with a few hidden layers and a myriad of corners which trigger one's memory.

I walked into a book store like a fish would go straight into a florescent bait. LP's and books are florescent to me. The Beatles, the Flying Burrito Brothers, the window at this shop has beautifully arranged and it rotates displays every few weeks, I'd estimate. Today, the last day in May, this window was freshly finished.

taken with mi mobile.

Due to my extreme curiosity, I've found out that the 33 ⅓ book series have accepted proposals for 2013/14 new releases.

33⅓ is a series of books written about music albums, featuring one author per album. Published by Bloomsbury Publishing, the series is edited by David Barker. The series title refers to the speed of an LP album. -wiki

They have also posted their complete list of series (from 2003 to May 2012) on their blog: A complete list

Once I walked inside the bookstore, two books I have read placed next to each other said hello to me. Patti Smith's Just Kids + Keith Richard's Life. The latter being the thickest hard cover book I can remember reading in the last few years. That old pirate has plenty to say and share. Both good reads, will make you listen a little closer to some of their early works and I found them both somewhat parallel, I recommend them.

I found these images awhile ago wanted to share them for quite some time now. This is the right time and right post for them.
I'm not sure nor do I care if they've made the internet rounds previously.
All these findings and thoughts often come together like poetry, the gap we don't mind gets closer between New York and London along with the sound of some heavy riffs in the background.
Here are Smith +Richards on their bikes:


Patti +her bicycle. Meatpacking District, New York, NY. 1999. Credit: Steven Sebring via flickr



The tricycle shot is included in his book. Both Keith Richards photos found via Google.

I don't particularly find the bookstore's clerks friendly, but that is not a problem. Moving on.
Speaking of its displays, earlier in April they had my favorite window display arrangement (so far).
It was pleasant to walk past it whenever I found myself in transfer mode between the buses 1California +the 22 Fillmore, which is also at the intersection of this bookstore, next to a coffee shop – how convenient!

cherry red everest. taken with Hisptamatic - April 11, 2012

The coffee shop adjacent to it is Peet's. Also, yesterday while I was on the sidewalk waiting to cross the street, I heard this man say "I'm waiting for you here outside the Starbucks, the brown one" and I thought that was particularly cute. Not because of who is who in the big corporate coffee business and their proximity with their beginnings blah blah blah. But because the man was well into his late 80's, had a smartphone with him, spotless worn shoes, a dandy hat and he was able to express quite clearly where he was without being specific. That was perhaps the way he describes this particular spot to his partner, his kids. Who knows.

Back to the typewriter +old charming men, if you have bought a poster from me, you may have seen a note or your address written on my typewriter included with your purchase.

I'm only the 2nd owner of a beautiful Royal Quiet typewriter that I believe is from the early 60's, possibly the 50's, which was handed over to me by a very special Italian man who is no longer with us. He was into his mid 90's and was one of the first business men to settle in Cow Hollow (we are talking about almost 70 years ago) and got his start as a baker in North Beach. Awhile back in 2008 he asked me if I knew any shop that would repair the typewriter's ink reel. At the time I was working in Berkeley so I said sure, there are a couple of places I could think of, and the machina was once again running like new. He still sent letters to his relatives in Italy.

There is a strong link of love and gratitude and I consider Rico family. Every time I visited him, he always offered me coffee and a tiny glass of Campari. Warm the belly, and warm the soul.
He always smiled and asked about my job and family. And if I was still riding that bici (in Italian the sound is bee-chee). He was an amazing baker, and I feel very special to have received several years his infamous cookie baggies with Italian cookie treats during the Holiday season, with my name on it.

Rico +son. San Francisco circa late 60's

It is also the right time for me to express and share with you this special bond. I miss hearing his loud classic music on the flat upstairs on the weekends.

I use the typewriter almost everyday since Rico's passing last year and before returning to blogging (which I had considered done with) I wrote many letters and notes, many of them sent, many of them not – to slowly begin to think and give my mind a small break and a somewhat creative therapy outside the web. He passed a few days after my brother did. 2011 was monster. A monumental beast.

The typewriter continues to be a pivoting tool for me to communicate and send letters via snail mail. I feel tremendously special to be able to continue this tradition and pounding on it constantly and that his machine has not been abandoned with no one using it. I think Rico would be pretty happy to know that, he wanted absolutely nothing to go to waste and he was an inspiration for me to learn about his work ethic and background as an immigrant hard worker. Anything is possible if you work hard at it, and be good at math.




the royal deluxe

By walking past the bookstore yesterday with coffee in hand, it triggered multiple layers of thoughts, feelings and words, songs and an aftertaste of Jack Daniel's roughness mixed with the multiplicity of Campari – as I type these lines to share with you.

The universe talks to us, it is easy to be too busy and miss its quiet whispers.
xxo♥meligrosa