Uncanny Valley

I love garlic. I could have it in almost anything. Except for peanut butter cups, those are some of the most horrendous things…

Anyways, if you’re like me, a garlic-lover, then this place is for you. Everything on the menu is made with the bulb, and usually an abundance thereof. There are one or two things on the menu that are lacking garlic, and are appropriately marked with a little vampire symbol. But seriously, why are you here if you’re a vampire? That’s like a vegan going to a steakhouse (macaroni and cheese is not a vegetable, people!).

Personally, I think they could have kicked it up a notch, but then again I have a high threshold. The vegan selections are a little limited, but seeing how the green garlic spread they put on the table for the rolls is vegan and simply divine. I think every time I have like two jars of that and then barely have room for the primavera. Unfortunately they don’t sell that in the gift shop, but you can get a recipe.

Oh yea, there is a gift shop. Small, but a good place to go for that cook or garlic-lover in your life. Other than that, the decor is retro and eclectic and fun. Each room is slightly different. Some of the tables are small, and the place is right on the main drag, so reservations are recommended. It can also get a bit noisy, so if that’s an issue,try to get a booth, as many have high walls that muffle the sound.

If you’ve read my previous posts on labyrinths you will know I only grudgingly accept the modern terminology. A labyrinth differs from a maze because the former has only one path, and the latter forks. Well this labyrinth has a branch, as seen in my photo above. Sure, it’s only a dead-end path that goes for about 25 cm. Though the nice people at the church have described it as a “rest stop.”

I had been getting a little tired of the same old circle-shaped labyrinths, so I was happy that this one was in a half-oval shape. The church is very pretty as well, without being ornate (it is Protestant, after all). Overall, a very nice place.

The labyrinth is on the second floor, and is open as long as there isn’t any other event going on there.

I had only vague information on this place, but when I walked up to it I thought: “Good, it’s here.” However, it isn’t. There still is a tattoo studio here, but no more museum. So a tourist attraction this is not. Even the website is only a “virtual museum”as far as the subject line goes.

I was pretty sure this one would be a bust before I even started. But again, I feel the need to dispel rumours as well as spread knowledge.

Years ago, there was a factory tour or museum at 250 Valencia Street in San Francisco. Levi’s has since moved their headquarters uptown between the Embarcadero and Telegraph Hill. The old building still says “Levi Strauss &Co.” on it, but has a large green fence around it. The only information posted are signs stating no trespassing.

The new complex is now called Levi’s Plaza, strangely enough. The picture above is the inside of the foyer of the Levi’s building. There are a number of vivid displays, but the information is mostly ads. There is a brief history of the company on one kiosk though. The highlight of the area is the nice fountain in the plaza, with nice stepping-stone paths over the water.

So unless you are stalking Levi’s, I suggest you skip this place. Even the welcome sign in the lobby says to go to the flagship store in Union Square. Maybe if you go to Indonesia or wherever you can get a tour.

The largest outdoor Monopoly board. You can rent hats with the pieces on them along with dice and cards a play a big game. I suppose you could bring your own small version of everything if you wanted to do it on the cheap.

Around the board are many ‘Knowtations‘ urging one to call 1-877-254-2586 and enter a code (like 138 for the luxury tax space). I thought this would be purely ad blurbs about the sponsors, as each space is “brought to you by” someone. But you get a piece of trivia and only a small ad blurb. And you can listen to other Monopoly trivia as well. So don’t be afraid to call the number when you’re there, it’s actually kinda neat.

The state of New Mexico if overrun with quirky collections of Americana. Some people are constantly amazed by these collections, but there are so many of them that it’s easy to get a seen-one-seen-em-all attitude. My parents, who are locals, assure me that this place is something of an institution, above and beyond the standard level of Albu-quirky.

I have no idea if this is the oldest of the best or what, but it all started when a resident of the motel started decorating, and the other guests got upset that their rooms weren’t decorated, and pretty soon there you go. Things I remember are bottle bouquets in tires, but I did only a quick look from outside. Also of note is the large neon sign which is a bit of historic route 66. Actually, the whole place is national Hostoric Place #93001217.

This labyrinth (i.e. one path, no forking) is at the main entrance of the California Pacific Medical Center, above the loading dock. A plaque says it is in the Robert E. Burns Memorial Court (in recognition of his inspirational leadership, April 2, a973). Despite being called a garden, there are only a few rosemary plants here. Even though the labyrinth is outdoors, it is at a hospital, so no smoking.

This is a labyrinth on a raised concrete platform, with the design made of pebbles cemented on top. Many of the pebbles are rubbing off from the traffic. This is one of those labyrinths without any choices in the path. It is on the University of San Francisco campus in Harney Plaza between Harney Science Center and the University Center. USF is a Catholic school, so this was intended to have a meditative and spiritual purpose, like many other labyrinths.

Yes, the picture was actually taken at night. I crack myself up sometimes.

Behind Tillie’s Diner, behind an unimpressive door in the back of a parking lot, is this collection of vintage pinball machines for you to play. There are two rooms, holding a total of about a score of machines. One room was apparently a VIP room but I couldn’t tell which. The machines ranged from totally analog ones to those with old-style digital readouts. I was a little confused about pricing, but I think it’s run on donations. You don’t have to put any coins in the machines to play.

The pinball machines are the beginning of a project of reincarnating a dead waterfront amusement park. I suppose it eventually will be like Playland not-at-the-Beach or the Musée Mécanique. So far though, I think the three attractions will be different enough. Plus, you can never have too many fun places to go to.

These are the offices of the Slave Labor comic book publishers. They specialise in the indy-type of stuff. Not many capes and cowls. The offices are kinda like any other offices anywhere else. Like the site says, the people here are nice and all, and don’t expect Jhonen Vasquez to drop by. The main draw here is that they sell all the comics and toys here that your snooty comic book store may not have. So basically this is just like a comic book store, but the staff is friendly nd if they’re not too busy they’ll answer all your comics questions without being super-geeky.

After rereading this, it seems kind of sparse. I don’t know what else to say though. I am a comic book nerd, and I don’t want to sound like a big nerd, but this was one of the first places I wanted to visit when I moved out here. I don’t think this place is intimidating for people who don’t read comics though. It’s more like a normal bookstore, kinda.

Your map program may freak out with this address. The car repair shop next door says it is 599 first street.