Pondering...or texting...

Its hard to tell sometimes if a Stranger is deep in thought, or feverishly texting a buddy. Can you ever really get away from the world?

Dining in the park...

This young man is one of the wait staff at the de Young museum's delicious cafe. When it is sunny (like in this shot), then customers wander outdoors to eat alongside the sculpture garden.

Music in the park...

Here is another of our street musicians. This one was outside the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park.

Mirror mirror...

One of San Francisco's gems is the new de Young museum, with its twisting observation tower rising above the trees of Golden Gate Park. In the late afternoon, the sun lights up the scenery and the people to create some fun images.

A day in the sun...

Today, the air warmed up a bit and people came out for a peek. Thanks to the random musicians who fill San Francisco's parks with songs.

Weary travelers...

Even though air travel involves mostly sitting, it wears on the body and soul. Its easy to spot the weary Stranger who is lost in his thoughts.

Boarding...

Sometimes, Strangers wait patiently at the airport to board their flight. Although I don't like flying in small regional jets, one positive aspect is that you get to walk outside. It gives you a totally different view of the airport.

Selling it...

I really admire the spirit of this young model. I spotted her at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where her face lit up every time a camera was pointed in her direction. And let me tell you, there were quite a few folks lined up to photograph her next to the world's largest LCD TV-- 108 inches to be precise.

Zamboni

Wait a minute. That's not Snoopy on the Zamboni! And that's not even a real Zamboni, it's an Olympia brand. Although I think these days Zamboni has become a generic reference for any ice resurfacer.

No Break For Mom

I saw this woman when we were at the park this weekend. Everyone was at the park. Mid January and the temperature is in the low 70s. That's just crazy. Anyway, there was just so much going on with this woman. She was quite obviously pregnant and I assume sitting down so as not to exert herself too much. While she sat there she was carefully watching / supervising her husband and child as they played on the playground equipment. And then in addition to that, as if that wasn't enough, she was taking care of their dogs. Moms are some the hardest working people on the planet.

San Francisco beach day...

This is what a day at the beach looks like in San Francisco. The air has a chill, and the water is bitterly cold. Nevertheless, people are drawn out by the warm sunshine we've had this weekend.

Sari Lady

I thought this lady looked really nice in her sari.

More Shopping Carts

Sticking with the shopping cart theme, let me show some pictures from the honorary new member of our Stranger's crew, my son Quinn. On New Year's Eve we had to go to the grocery store, to say the place was packed would be an understatement. So while we were driving around looking for a place to park (which was more difficult than you might think), Quinn was in the back seat with my camera taking a ton of pictures. Since they fit the Stranger's theme pretty well of ordinary people doing everyday tasks, I thought why not share them. For only being five, I thought he did pretty good with the camera.

Shopping carts in the morning...

On my Monday morning drive through Bayshore yesterday, I got to witness the daily ritual when the shopping cart people converge on the scrap metal dealer. They come from everywhere with their carts filled with random scrap treasure.

New Years Day stranger...

I took spin this morning and spotted this man soaking up the sun...under a trio of large weiner dogs. I think he was working off a New Years hangover? Anyhow, Happy New Year to all the strangers.