So Much Happening in San Jose, I Can't Keep Up!

Last weekend I blogged about the opening of Safeway and the re-opening of Carnegie Library but there were at least two other special events I attended that I just can't ignore here.  For a period of nine days, San Jose State University played host to a series of free open-air concerts by Symphony Silicon Valley.  I really dropped the ball on this one because I didn't get to one until the last day but it was a delight!  The theme was Brass Band and Ice Cream Social with Tony Clements conducting.  There was free ice cream (from Treat) and free bottled water and a very laid-back atmosphere.  Nobody telling you "Don't sit there, don't do that, you can't ride your bike here."  None of that.  Just relaxing fun.

And then there was the Bicycle Express 25th anniversary celebration and bar-b-que.  They really went all out with free food and drinks, a live band and a raffle with fabulous prizes (I was one of the winners!) Congratulations and thank you Bicycle Express for serving the bicycling community for 25 years.

How Sweet the Sound

I woke up this morning with an intense craving for a good old fashioned breakfast pastry,  you know, like a bear claw.  So I headed downtown to see if I could scare one up.  After navigating my way through the temporary metal fences set up for the Tapestry and Talent Festival, I ended up at Bijan where I had a flakey, tender raspberry swirl pastry drizzled with icing and a shot of espresso (it never ceases to amaze me how much pleasure can be purchased for under five dollars).  But that is not where I was going with this post.  On my way back from the bakery I passed a gentleman out in front of St. Joseph's Cathedral who was playing the hymn "Amazing Grace" on his flute as people were filing into the church. I sat on the steps and listened for awhile.  Now anyone who has heard me sing or hum or do anything that requires carrying a tune knows that I am not a great judge of music but to me this man's rendition of "Amazing Grace" was beautiful.  Since I am pressed for time this morning as I'm getting ready for a little dinner party, I'm going to call this moving experience "church" for today. 

Last of the First Friday Posts

There was a very high-spirited feel to the First Friday Art Walk, partly because it coincided with the Jazz Festival. But the intricate Mola face painting (at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles) also brought out that happy, festive feel. For me the best part of the evening was the live opera by five members of the San Jose Opera at Caffe Trieste. I expected to enjoy it but I wasn't expecting the jaw-dropping, great performances that I got to hear. Without breaks, one opera singer after another went up to the microphone and treated the cafe customers and the everyone walking by on the sidewalk, to truly magnificent solo performances with a piano accompaniment. Add a cup of coffee and a piece of tiramisu and it just doesn't get any better.

Fanime!

With the Fanime convention in town, I need someone to give me a crash course in Anime - soon.  I have only the vaguest notion of what Anime is but I do know that San Jose convention goers are rarely this playful and colorful.  And let's face it, with their hats with ears and their pink hair, their fur, feathers, and wings, pleated skirts and whimsical knee socks and purses, they are flat out cute (I hope that is the look they were striving for).  Everyone I approached was more than willing to have their picture taken and tell me a little about the character they were portraying. Within seconds I was lost. For me, this is the great generational divide, along with lightning fast text-messaging and social networking.  Anyway, it was lots of fun and I was sorry to see the Fanime folks packing up and leaving town.