WHAT DOES ALFRED HITCHCOCK HAVE TO DO WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT IN BERKELEY?

BIRDS

At a client’s request I was visiting a property, and as I walked down the driveway, a bunch of Ravens circled me, squawking and screaming.  These critters have invaded our neighborhoods over the years, probably due to what appears to be an abundance of half-filled French Fry containers that litter the streets.

I have seen this mob behavior before, it seems to have been because one of their own is threatened, sometimes by a Squirrel or other neighbor. These guys were pretty aggressive with me, and getting louder, so since I couldn’t see a lockbox, I retreated.

As soon as I turned around, one of these hoodlums flew down and rammed into my head!

 

 

*

It was quite a blow, kind of like getting hit by a pillow in a pillow fight.

I retreated to the front porch to catch my breath, and had to think twice about going back out to find the Realtor lockbox. Two or three of them stood around laughing at me while the rest of the gang hung back over the driveway protecting whatever it was they were protecting.

They didn’t seem to mind me going to the lockbox, and by the time I performed my 30 minute due diligence, they were gone.

 

 

*This is my photograph, but it is not my image. It is a terrific shot done by a fellow BCC student named Norm.

 

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Signs

I photograph a lot of signs.

Even within the context of this dinky blog, there are a number of posts that feature images of signs, (Body Parts, Don’t Eat Plants, etc.), but there are quite a few more sign images in my collection.

Because I also look at graffiti and bumper stickers, I suspect that part of the attraction stems from my love of reading.

When I was a kid, every day I would come home from school and read the St. Louis Post Dispatch, our afternoon paper, (from the inside out, starting with the comics, excluding the Sports Section).  Page three had the local news, and often there was a simple photograph- children making snow angels or some type of visual pun, juxtaposition. They often worked like this

All Photos Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

or

Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

 

Many of the signs I photograph are “Jack of All Trades” type signs, and many of those are food establishments that seem to offer something for everyone-as Jed said to Jethro, “That’s a good idea son, it’s not a good idea to not put all your eggs in one basket”.

Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

This guy probably sees a bit of crazy stuff during his workday

Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

 

Then there is a Jack of all Trades, who is a Jack of All Trades

Copyright 2016  Jimmy Reina

As I recall, the sign on the back of the van said “Fart Smeller”. Unfortunately, it was obscured by the bicycle, and I have to say, with a sign like that, I didn’t want to get too close.

 

I love this address sign; it is a piece of folk art

 

Graphic signs are their own version of folk art-they are both informative and symbolic, and no reading is required

No wonder orthodontia is so expensive, it is labor intensive.

 

Although a bit more upscale, this jeweler gives the same message.

This guy sells tools

 

and this guy sharpens them

 

Make no mistake about Kasper-he’s selling hot dogs

I never thought I would see this in Berkeley.

 

Some signs make you wonder what is going on, but may be you don’t really want to know

 

I didn’t take this photograph, it was in Newsweek Magazine after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. But I saved it not only because it is a great sign, but also because of the way the message is conveyed.

A hand-painted sign outside a New Orleans business warns away looters in the wake of Hurricane Katrina (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

A bit of graffiti

 

I was in San Francisco for a photo seminar and took this picture during a walk through North Beach. During the seminar, the speaker was showing some photos that he took during his visit- including the same sign! I’m not surprised it’s popular since it spells out two basic human needs (peace and love) plus beer and pizza-two of the four basic food groups.

Also in San Francisco, a living T shirt billboard

 

I don’t know how to classify this one- is it a custom car or one big bumper sticker?

Since those photos were taken, I have seen this vehicle around town, only now there is a splash of color-I guess the owner wanted to draw more attention to it

I know it’s a lousy photograph, but I was in a moving car at the time (not driving)

 

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT 2016   JIMMY REINA

Four Palm Trees

 

Four Palm Trees. Copyright 2014 Jimmy Reina

 

Like I said, I have a thing for Palm Trees.

These buildings are part of the University of California at Berkeley, and these Palm Trees caught my eye every time I drove past them. I love the organic shapes of them against those griddy, rectangles.

By the way, the green griddy patterned building has since been refaced to reflect the bland style of its surroundings.