Photo Medley

This medley of photos comes from a recent outing to the Musee Mechanique museum in the Fisherman’s Wharf, which is home to one of the world’s largest privately owned collections of mechanically operated musical instruments and antique arcade machines.  I was never much of a video game person growing up -- the only game system I’ve ever owned is the original Nintendo NES, but I can spend hours wondering aimlessly through this arcade, dropping Quarters one after the other.  It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon, although on this particular visit it was around 65º and sunny.  

The remaining photos are random strays that were taken around the same time as the Musee Mechanique visit.  I didn’t know what else to do with the shots, so I figured I’d toss ‘em in here, thus the “Photo Medley” title.

As my regular readers will attest, I’ve been on a major photo rampage the last couple of months.  My obsessive-compulsive behavior is currently in overdrive.  I’m sitting on approximately 1,200 unprocessed photos at the moment, which I will be posting over the next couple of weeks.

I also recently purchased a vintage Canon AE-1P film camera (circa 1981) off eBay.  It arrived yesterday.  I’ve already started tinkering with it - pushing buttons, twisting knobs.  Does anyone out there have any film recommendations?  I’m looking to get that super saturated mid-1980s look in the photos.  

In other news, today marks 35 weeks of pregnancy. We’re really in the homestretch now.  Life has been kind of a whirlwind for me as of late.  I have so much going on that I find myself forgetting little things here and there, which is really out of character for me.  But I’m doing my best to stay afloat and keep all bases covered.

Special thanks to DLXSF, Slap Magazine and Fecal Face for the recent linkage.

Be easy…

~~~

Often referred to incorrectly as “Laughing Sal” this Sal was from The Fun House at ‘Playland At The Beach’ in San Francisco. Her bright red hair, huge towering moving figure and loud boisterous laugh are etched in the mind of every child who saw her as a child. Most were terrified of her – and many still remember that fear when they see her some 30, 40 or 50 years later. She was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company of Germantown, PA in the early 1930’s out of paper mache, springs, gears and cams. Laffing Sal and her partner Laffing Sam were a part of almost every funhouse across the United States built in the 1930’s and 40’s -- Musee Mechanique Dot Org

I think this lady might creep me out more than Laughing Sal

The game attendant wears roller-skates

My soon-to-be brother in-law Jay playing “The New Addams Family Electric Shock” game.  As you can see, this thing is no joke.  The bars vibrate rapidly.  The digital display flashes some wattage, and there’s all sorts of noise -- so much noise that the game always attracts passerby.  Every five to ten seconds, the vibrations suddenly increase in frequency, and more lights light up - getting closer to Uncle Fester's mouth.  Jay managed to hang onto the end, which, according to the machine, is the equivalent to 300 watts.  His hands weren’t charred, but he did say they tingled for quite a while afterwards.  I opted not to try it myself as a crowd of 25+ people had gathered while Jay was on it.

I looked over and saw this.  I like the composition.

This guy happened to look over at me right when I pressed the shutter button.  As you can see, he was not particularly stoked on me taking his picture.  In fact, he got up and left. 

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Getting artsy fartsy with the BBQ

Josh was so close to the flames here that if he had any facial hair it definitely would have gotten singed.