Posts Tagged San Francisco
GDC+SXSW
Games Developer Conference used to be a conference for developers only. I remember back, maybe ten years ago. I was attending my first conference in San Jose and the language was definitely alien. It’s not that I was completely out of the loop. I’ve spent the past twenty years involved in the gaming industry. The last few years however, after the demise of E3 in Los Angeles, the show has become a very significant one even for Business Developers like myself. Maybe the most important conference of the year even after E3 got back on it’ knees.
So there I was, back in San Francisco where the show moved a couple of years ago. 40+ meetings penciled in over as many days with networking at nights to boot. It was a crazy busy, mad, interesting and very good week – but no time for photography.
After such a tiring week it was quite depressing to sit at the airport, watching my friends and colleagues preparing for their long flights home. My trip had just started. I was headed to Austin and SXSW.
I probably would not have traveled to Austin and South by Southwest had I not been invited to speak at a panel with some great peers in the industry. Once I got there though I’m glad I went. I’ve been to Austin many times before. I’ve written about this oasis surrounded by Texas and how I like the place. Something was different this time though. It was a different energy in town. It was buzzing with creativity. It was truly a great experience. Quite unique and I hope you have the chance to partake, have you not done so already.
I didn’t bring my camera to the streets at night. In a way I wish I had – to share the energy and life around the hundreds of concerts, film previews or interactive events – but I’m also glad I didn’t – so that I could enjoy the liveliness without shutter speed and aperture distractions.
Ping-pong
It’s been two months since my last post – two very hectic months. Now, on what feels like the longest flight ever, I do have plenty of time. So what has the past months been like?
NYC
In the end of September we traveled over the pond with tickets to Springsteen and E-Street band’s final concerts at Giant Stadium. That my birthday fell in the same week didn’t hurt either… :)
I love New York. Every time I visit I wish I could stay longer. Had a great birthday dinner in Brooklyn with friends, strolled the streets of Manhattan and smiled at the sun up on High Line Park. Enjoyed Central Park as ever, and a rainy day at the Met. Ate very well and a few tall drinks. Had the usual stop, well two, at B&H, but managed to stay away from the big purchases. That said, all in all, we did our best to help the US economy with a healthy shopping spree. It was so great to take full week off in the autumn. Not done that since the late eighties. Scary.
The two concerts were great. Amazing atmosphere. It was nice to experience Bruce in his backyard before the old stadium was torn down. I wouldn’t call myself a hardcore fan, liked his music before the shows, but now I catch myself humming his songs more often than not. Curious that.
Seoul
Arrived home from NYC on a Monday evening, had a quick meeting at the office on Tuesday morning before heading back to the airport and the flight to Seoul with my boss. Three continents in two days, not advisable, not surprisingly it turned into a jet lag rollercoaster. Had a great time though. Met with our Korean partners for a few days. Very busy schedule. Didn’t even find the time to take a single picture before we continued on to Beijing.
Beijing
It had been almost six months since I’d visited our team in Beijing. It was great to be back and to spend some time with them. It was the first time in the office not being directly in charge. A bit weird, but I still think of the studio as one of my babies.
It still amazes me how fast the city develops. Even when I visited more frequently I saw changes. With a half-year break it was just amazing. The area around our studio is completely transformed. Only three years ago I drove over an empty, bumpy field (the taxi made a wrong turn and decided to take a short cut over the grass – which turned out to be more rocks and potholes than anything). Now, at least ten skyscrapers were in construction on the same lot. Luckily, the little green oasis we have around our studios is still there, just surrounded by concrete.
The only bummer with this visit was that I didn’t find the time to visit 798. It was my boss’ first visit to the Far East, so we opted for the usual suspects instead. Unfortunately, we arrived at the Forbidden City ten minutes too late. It closed earlier due to the 60-year celebration. Tiananmen Square was packed with, I would guess, at least 200.000 people. Its on days like that you get an idea of the share number of the Chinese. We did get to see the “Egg”, the music hall, which was a first for me as well and I was very happy that we managed to stop by my favorite café in Houhai for a Tsing Tao. The planned trip to the Great Wall went down the drain too, but we did visit the “bird’s nest” and “water cube” at night.
San Francisco
I spent ten days at home, before flying out again. This time I traveled to the West Coast and San Francisco, another favorite city. The weather was perfect, warm, and sunny. Waking up to a cup of tea at Samovar in Yerba Buena Gardens, having a great Sunday brunch at Mama’s and strolling along the Embarcadero was a great way to start ten busy days. I did of course burn my nose…
Los Angeles
After a few days in the Bay Area we turned south to Los Angeles, to more meetings, dinners and more fun. Good drinks and company at Philippe and Roger Room. Gazing out over the Pacific in spare moments in Santa Monica. A pre-Halloween bash at the Hollywood cemetery was OK, didn’t bring any costumes on our trip which made us stand out quite a bit. So when we the following day were invited to Heidi and Seal’s Halloween party at Voyeur, we had to find something good. I ended up as an undead renaissance something…
Seattle and London
The day after we continued up to Seattle. Stayed at the 1000. Brilliant hotel, you should try next time you visit. I’ll book it again for sure. It was a quick stop in the Pacific Northwest before we headed back east the following day, across the Atlantic to London. I must like cities, because this is another favorite.
Home
Coming back to Oslo was nice, even though November is the saddest month of the year. A joyous time of cold, dark, and wet, occasionally white, quickly turning into wet, cold sleet. After two weeks without much sunlight I found myself back on an airplane, and my first visit to Busan in Korea.
Busan
Speaking at ICON/G-Star, meetings, dinners and walking the show floor. A five-day visit. I managed to squeeze in a free day, on Saturday, taking a taxi to unknown destinations. I like it that way. Stepping out of a cab, not knowing what I’ll see or experience. My trusted friend, Nikon and I on yet another adventure.
I found myself in what I believe is a national coastal park area. All signs are in Korean only and all around me were locals. I saw a group of people walking over to a booth buying tickets. I followed their example, and before I knew it I’m on the kiddy-train. Driving 5km/h along the footpath… It was fun for 300 meters, where I jumped off and walked down to a pebble beach. And to my surprise I see someone I’d wanted to meet since I read an article in National Geographic Magazine years ago; the pearl diving grandmothers. Amazing women.
Stumbling along on the large pebbles I was almost blinded by the brilliant, incredible flat, white sunlight. Enjoying the gentle sound of waves until it was suddenly drowned by the weirdest, kitschy, Korean electro pop music I ever heard. As a perfect score in a Wes Anderson flick it blasted out from a tourist boat on the other side of the beach. What happened next is hard to describe. Standing there listening to that music, shielding my eyes I saw silhouettes of a crowd of old, small, Korean seniors rushing – on slow motion – down a hill to catch the boat. Such a surreal experience, and I loved it.
The walk around the peninsula was quite pleasant. After three hours I continued my journey into the unknown city. Stopped at different markets before heading back to the hotel to pack my bags, and an early night sleep before the long flight home the morning after. Or so I thought. Damn you, jet lag. In bed, wide-awake I counted down the hours till I had to get up. At 5:00 I finally submerged into dreamless sleep, giving me a full hour…
In transit
I’m arriving in Frankfurt in a few hours, just one more flight left before I’m home. The journey will take me 23 hours door to door. Knowing that I don’t sleep on airplanes I figured that by the time I’m diving into bed I will have slept only one out of past 47 hours. I’m so looking forward to get to my bed.
Fourth
It was about time. After more than a few dozen stays in Santa Monica I finally managed to break loose and book a room in another part of the City of Angeles. With Sunset, Viper Room and Whisky-A-Go-Go in my back I found myself looking over West Hollywood. Not the same as The Pacific, but it would do for the few days I’d spend in Los Angeles.
Strolling down Robertson in the afternoon, I walked into a little piece of Norway. “Moods of Norway”. I’m not the type who desperately seeks any sign of the motherland when traveling, rather the opposite, but I was looking for a shirt and they do have nice, fresh and very colorful designs. Met the founders inside the store, chatted for lesser part of an hour. Two very nice guys, who’re spending the summer in California to oversee the opening of their new flagship store. Too bad I couldn’t stay for the weekend and their cross-country race in the back alley with Champagne and Tractor print waffles.
In the evening I found myself walking along the stars of Hollywood. Not to stargaze, but to find a place for a drink and later a meal. By Mann’s Chinese Theater a not too large group had gathered around a fairly dirty and trampled display next to Michael Jackson’s star. I had seen it on telly the day before. In real, it just looked small and sad. I hope the memorial to come with will be in greater, should I say, respect to one of the greatest entertainers of our time.
Being the sport nut I am I was relived to find the Wimbledon matches in HD starting at 6am on ESPN2 – a great way to wake up. That said they only aired a few select games, so I had to rely on the wonders of the Internet.
My new Kindle waited for me when I arrived in San Francisco a few days later. I must admit I was a bit skeptical, but once I held in my hands, whispering books over the net and read a few chapters I was sold. It’s the best gadget this year by far, and a mentally healthy one too.
Visited the de Young in Golden Gate Park, a museum I’m bound to revisit time and time again, and continued a very good meal a Moroccan restaurant in Haight. It was a good evening. Two days later I filled my cultural quota for the week at SFMOMA with a great Georgia O’Keeffe & Ansel Adams exhibit. Inspirational.
The fourth visit to California this year, and coincidently over the Fourth of July weekend. Nice and sunny. Established once and for all that red is the new tan… Didn’t see much of the celebratory fireworks, but the combined July 4th / Birthday party was fun.
California
Posted by NN in Photography, Travels, Work on 090329
I’ve always liked California. Flying in, stepping out of the terminal with a feeling of anticipation of what the visit will bring never fails. And most of the time the warmer air does the trick too. This time however I stepped out of LAX and froze. It was much colder than in Beijing. Almost 10 degrees (Celsius) difference – and I, how was looking forward to warmer weather.
Spent a few relaxing days in Santa Monica. Enjoyed myself under the grey skies and cold wind. Visited Samy’s of course and walked out with a new beauty, used it well after. New for me this time was visiting Palos Verdes. On the south side of Los Angeles, this beautiful peninsula was well worth the drive down. I also stocked up at Whole Foods Market. I wish we had that store back home.
The following week I spent in San Francisco – a very hectic week. Flew in for the annual GDC (Game Developers Conference). In preparation of this week I suffered a case of extreme meeting booking syndrome and during my days in the City I paid for it. Over 40 meetings in four days, phew… It went well, but I slept eleven hours straight after the last day.
I did get some time to enjoy life outside the conference scene as well. Had a marvelous meal at Beretta (23rd/Valencia) in the Mission. The worlds best Tuna Melt, and great tour of Pacific Heights and Marina and some time under a warm sun. Great weather the whole week – the way it should be.
CES in Vegas
The first business trip of the year was for the CES in Las Vegas. I’m not a huge fan of Vegas, to say the least, but this time was better than before. The show itself was so so – you could really feel the effects of the global economic crisis we’re in- but I had some very good meetings so the trip was worthwhile.
There is something to be said about Celsius in the twenties in mid-January. For a northern soul as I the warmth of the sun give a much needed energy boost. Don’t get me wrong. I love Norway, but I believe I was made for warmer climates. And ending this trip in San Francisco where the mercury has crawled up to 26C made that even clearer. Oh, and yes. I know, it’s usually not this warm in San Francisco in winter, but that does not make like the city any less. It’s still firmly in my top three – where Vegas will never be, but it’s growing on me. Next time I’ll explore more.
Here, there, everywhere
Sitting in a cab, knowing the driver is taking the extra long route is immensely frustrating when you don’t speak the language and the little time you have is running fast. I did make it to Pudong airport, caught my flight out of Shanghai in time and the last leg of my third trip around the world. Phileas Fogg, eat your heart out.
I started this trip almost three weeks ago traveling via Stockholm to Moscow. After a few very busy days in Russia I dropped by Copenhagen, met one of my oldest friends, ate a spicy pizza and sampled the local brew for dinner. Hotel Guldsmeden still has the best breakfast, which I enjoyed before flying over to New York.
Over one year since my last visit to the big apple. I missed it so. It felt great to be back. Walking the streets, enjoying great food, the obligatory visit to B&H and stroll through Central Park. Birthday party in Brooklyn was fun and we had great work sessions. Hurricane Ike hit Texas shores as I prepared for my flight to Austin, via Virginia.
The flight was silky smooth, apart from my bags getting lost. It was good being back in Austin, the city surrounded by Texas. The city’s annual game development conference is one of my favorites of the year. It’s fairly laidback, informative and all the people you want to meet is there. I spent four days in Texas before I continued to a extended layover in San Francisco, via Denver.
I have difficulties deciding if like SF or NYC the most, or Paris for that matter. I’ve been very fortunate visiting San Francisco five times this year. I’ve always enjoyed my visits and this time was no exception. Enjoyed Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisine and got some time to walk around with my camera. It was nice to have a day off from work, well half day, before to mentally preparing for the 14-hour flight over the Pacific to China.
Shanghai was draped in smog like I’ve only experienced in Beijing before. I had almost forgotten about the humidity in this city. The new skyscraper hovering over Jin Mao is quite impressive in its bottle opener shape. I’m glad we visited Face for a good Indian meal and I bought yet another sweater from Shanghai Tang – I just can’t help myself, I really like them.
It’s been an eventful trip where time has both flown and stopped during my jetlagged stupor, but it’s going to be very nice to get back home. I’m writing this somewhere over the Ural Mountains. A few more hours and I’ll touch ground in Frankfurt and only one more flight to complete the circle – around the world.
In the 3rd degree
Three cities, E3 and D3,
It’s that time of the year again, well that time of year the past two years to be exact. E3 the former behemoth of the computer gaming / entertainment industry was held in a deflated convention center in downtown LA. It’s really sad, it really is. E3 used to be the show where our industry pulled out all the stops and just flaunted its crazy being. That was until last year, when it was decided to scale down, become professional and boring and just fail… Last year’s show was not good, this year was supposed to be the show where the organizers would get it back on its feet. I don’t know what happened on the way between the two shows but what it ended up being was, oh-my-God so bad, bad, bad! Let’s not spend more time on the misery.
On the good side I was back in LA. First time this year. In fact almost ten months since my last visit. It was good to be back. Found a few new places to eat, most of them good. Had a very nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Silver Lake which I’m certain is more than a little bit crazy after hours. Amazing it’s taken me this long to get to Silver Lake as well. I like it. I will return.
And, I got my hands on my new dear D3. What a camera. Wow, really WOW!!! Can’t wait to share the photos in the time to come.
After almost a week in LA, which despite the poor show turned out the be a good visit with great meetings I flew up to probably the best place on the West Coast, San Francisco. A weekend with grey, cold weather, but I had a good time. And then, after a few days, it was time to travel up north to Seattle.
I don’t know what it is. It’s almost always very nice weather when I visit the Pacific Northwest. I’ve been told over and over that it rains more often than not, but I’ve yet to experience it, and I’ve been up there quite a few times.
Had a few good meetings, met some new people and crossed off the last lines on the shopping list I started on down in LA. Taking advantage of the weak dollar the list is fairly long in preparations for the upcoming vacation. And what a vacation it’s going to be. I now have the appropriate attire, stocked up on high percentage DEET and SPF in the upper segment. The newly acquired D3 with applicable lenses and gigs upon gigs in memory will get a good run for its money. And back home I’ve already stacked up on Malaria tablets. Care to guess where I’m going? Soon you’ll know.
=D
Backlog part 2
Posted by NN in Photography on 080422
Slowly, ever so slowly I move through the digital photo archives. Today I bring you a selection of my pictures from San Francisco and Beijing, October 2007.
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Plowing through the backlog
Posted by NN in Info, Personal, Photography on 080407
I don’t know how many times I’ve talked about the huge backlog of photos I have on my computer. Little over 12K was the last count, and that’s only the digital ones. Don’t get me started on all the film negatives I have to scan…
Anyways, I’ve started the humongous task, and yes it will take time, but I like it. So, for the next couple of months, god knows maybe years, I’ll upload selected photos as I go back in time through my archives.
Here goes, I give you San Francisco, December 2007.
Atrocious one-armed bandits
I just have to get it off my chest – I really, really, really don’t like Vegas. At least not The Strip and the never-ending pling plong from the slot machines. It’s drives me crazy. After five days of penny-pinching plastic affliction – I’m out. Stuck in transit, but at least out. – Now, that felt good.
