San Jose (Oct 2004)

In October of 2004 I dropped by San Jose for a week to let some friends know that they were still married.  I wouldn't think that's the kind of thing you would forget, but since I personally struck out in the marriage department I don't think I'll throw any stones. While I was there, I took some pictures...

For a country that is supposedly paranoid about its children, you see an awful lot of these signs. I was also surprised when several very reliable parents explained to me that the sign really was necessary.

I was going to write something snarky about holloween here, but on reflection the real reason for the picture is that Jake just looks too cool in his Batman outfit.

Cars for the discriminating consumer.

A saddle bar.  I had heard the phrase before, but I had no idea such a thing existed in a non-disney restaurant.

I just never see this sort of thing outside of the U.S.  There are no statues of Aphrodite, or winged cherubs, or even Samurai with lamps sticking out of their heads and wires hanging from embarassing places. When it comes to kitsch, I believe that America is a world leader.

It's a little known fact that the US Postal Service still offers carrier pigeon delivery.