Proud City

This past weekend in San Francisco, we celebrated Pride. And as you can imagine, this city goes ALL OUT. One of the main reasons I love it here is because Pride is an outright expression of the city's high standards in regards to acceptance, openness and individuality. Be whoever you want to be, is the message I take away from Pride. This message works for me because it doesn't simply apply to orientation. It carries over to anyone in need of strength during times of soul searching or personal awakening. Many movements have begun in the Bay Area and I can't help but believe it's because of the incredible thinkers, poets, artists, naturalists and activists who flock to its open arms and are embraced within its gorgeous landscape.



Pride offers many festivities, parades, marches etc. but this year I was looking forward to attending one film in particular at the Frameline 34 film festival. On Pink Saturday I popped into the Victoria Theater to watch The Chorus, a documentary directed by Thierry Vivier. The film centers around the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, and is in dialogue with a documentary made 18 years ago about the group. The stories of the men, though often hard to watch in their raw emotions, are both moving and inspirational. The film is a reminder of human resilience, as well as a person's ability to endure hardship through positive energy. The spirit evoked is through love and friendship, but also through song. Many of the songs from the film stayed in my head for the rest of the day, and even echo at this moment. ("Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables is one of the songs sung beautifully by the singers). Watching this film reminded me of how fulfilled I am by this fine town. Lately I've spent a lot of time enjoying SF on foot. Here are some photographs I've taken along the way:







Above we have, the Mission Dolores on a bright blue day, Twin Peaks fighting the fog and performers doing their annual dancin' in the street on Pride. They are not to be missed. And just outside the city, along Highway 1...



A magical beach called Devil's Slide. I love the city, but sometimes you have to get away to appreciate it even more. Within, among, around.

p.s. Did we just have an earthquake?
p.p.s. Yes we did! Gotta love SF...