The Crash

crash view from Jack

So today I got hit by a car in the morning on my way to get a chocolate croissant at Mission Beach Cafe.  I was waiting at the corner to cross, when I heard that eerily familiar sound of screeching car wheels skidding.  Just like in the movies, the pause between that and the impact to the other car, seemed like a long, drawn out moment; but then it hit and suddenly my legs were being pulled under a black bumper and my phone popped up in the air.  If you’ve seen Vincent Laforet’s 600fps Famous Footwear “Neighborhood” commercial, then you can imagine the speed at which I saw that front end while  I was realizing that I was getting run over by a car.

Then Maya’s Volvo stops… crashing into the electrical (phone?) pole at the corner and I fly forwards.  I actually sorta glide off the hood from the instant stop of the car, (but not of me) and land on my ass/back on the ground.  Slightly stunned, I somehow had caught my phone at the same time it hit the ground (not sure how) and it only suffered a slight chip.  My shoe, however was thrashed, and I wasn’t sure what the white part of me that was showing through was – I was pretty sure not bone though – sweet!

People seemed to appear out of a lot of places quite quickly, including one of those neighborhood folks you see walking down your street and recognize but don’t actually know.  Two folks from Box Dog Bikes came over and offered help and were super friendly.  Then I look back up at the sky and Maya shouts something like “OMG Gene, it’s you”  and I am thinking that it’s nice to see her. Continue reading The Crash

Sat Nov 27, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #49 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sat Nov 27, 2010 In-N-Out Burger #49 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Well, I’ve had cravings for In-n-Out lately – not sure if the rain is doing it or if the fact that my sports teams are kicking ass (War Damn Eagle!).  The Iron Bowl left me wrecked though, since Auburn was down 21-0 before we even had a single first down, I was a bit worried = drinking lots of beer.  Luckily I had a dream that Auburn went down 21-0 but won the game so I felt like it was destiny!  After all, the Giants gave us torture and pulled it out in the end, so I was feeling the same and stuck it out, and it was such an amazing game!

Anyhow, back to In-n-Out, I had originally planned to get it “genex style” but Zack was actually working the register today so I figured I’d get it “Zack style” instead, which his co-worker Jasmine Fe,  seemed to not have ever heard of.   The burger came, I devoured it and spent the rest of the afternoon furniture shopping throughout the city… Continue reading Sat Nov 27, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #49 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA
Ah, the Wharf – on a crisp, clear Sunday morning!

I arrived just after opening at 10:32am and somehow was already the seventh ticket.   I only saw one other couple seated but did see an empty trash tray too, so that’s at least two other tickets most likely.   Anyhow, I just knew that I needed some In-n-Out since my internal clock let me know that I was overdue.

It was an unusual trip, since there was no rental car, hangover, or other reason – it was just that In-n-Out Urge… I was thinking that I will probably get right about 50 burger excursions to In-n-Out in in 2010.  Maybe I’ll make a push to make it 52 for the evenness of it, but who knows.  I guess the good news is that I still love In-n-Out Burgers so that’s gotta say something good about them right?

We even suggested In-n-Out to some mentees who loved McDonald’s, suggesting that if they have to have fast food that In-n-Out is a good option.

Continue reading Sun Nov 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #48 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

World Series Champion San Francisco Giants!

I can hardly believe it.  My liver and pocketbook tell me it’s true (and my stinky ass Sanfranfuckingcisco shirt.   And the many Polaroids from the celebrations.  Yep, it’s somehow happened and we can forget about 2002.  Congrats team, you represented our city well and I am soooo psyched – Go GIANTS!!!

Here’s some images from the amazing run!
Polaroid Week celebrations - The San Francisco Giants win the world series
Reaction to Renteria’s 3-run blast

Polaroid Week celebrations - The San Francisco Giants win the world series
Bartender extraordinaire Jay at Thieves Tavern after the final out

Polaroid Week celebrations - The San Francisco Giants win the world series
Brian Wilson gets the final out getting Nelson Cruz to whiff and this is what erupted inside Thieves Tavern! Continue reading World Series Champion San Francisco Giants!

Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

So I had to shoot a wedding down in Monterey and missed the Giants game this night (which we lost) so I needed an In-n-Out fix to help with the sorrow.  This one was burned on the top of the bottom bun too much though so was a bit too crispy but it still was good.  I dunno if it was b/c it was sorta Halloween and everyone wasn’t as focused on the food prep, but luckily the ingredients are always so good that I was satiated nonetheless. Continue reading Sat Oct 30, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #47 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Fri Oct 22, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #46 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Fri Oct 22, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #46 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Perhaps the longest break this year between In-n-Out Burgers was well worth it.  I had to shoot at the Wharf and was slightly hung over so this one promised to be amazing!  Then today as I was listening to the Clark Howard Show, I hear that he’s a huge In-n-Out freak too.  Not sure if he knows about “genex style” or “Zack style” but hopefully he’ll try it and if he likes it try and popularize it.   For those who don’t know – genex style – is my personal favorite style which is just a Double Double, Animal Style, no pickles, but with raw onions (as well as grilled).  The Zack style just adds chilies to it.  So good!  Oh and of course Clark Howard mentions that Consumer Reports rated In-n-Out as the #1  burger chain. As Tim Lincecum would say, “F*ck yeah!”

Continue reading Fri Oct 22, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #46 – Double Double Zack style (correctly made) – San Francisco, CA

Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

As you can see from the photo, this one wasn’t made right with the pickles right sandwiched between the tomato and onions.  Oh well, I didn’t mind digging them out, although I was slightly rushed, but my hatred of eating and driving prevented me from doing so since I had just dropped off a model from a shoot out there in Vegas.  It was the Olympia Weekend, and I was out there to cover the show and photograph athletes.  Many bodybuilders love In-n-Out like me, but I ate this one solo since I really just needed a lil’ down time to chill (a rarity in Vegas, of course!).

Continue reading Sat Sep 25, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #45 – Double Double genex style (incorrectly made) – Las Vegas, NV

Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA

It seems like it’s been quite a while since my last In-n-Out excursion so of course the culprit was a rental car again, this time for a wedding shoot.  I debated getting it “Zack style” but instead went with my own “genex style” and was definitely satisfied and ready to shoot on a hot day.  I’ve started using Foodspotting a lot of late too so have documented my burgers moving forward there on my profile. Continue reading Sun Sep 19, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #44 – Double Double genex style (correctly made) – Millbrae, CA