Quirks

[mrdreamjeans]

It's the morning after the first night at the Golden Gate.... it's the second time in two cities (it happened in LA right after we arrived there too) that the City has chosen to test the fire alarm system at 9am on our second day. I bet our crew, most of whom have had 4 hours of sleep in the past 24, are really happy about this:) The alarms went off right on time and are continuing to shriek as I type.

After I checked into my room on Monday, I got on the elevator and smiling up at me were two tiny elderly women... identical twins... silver poofy, helmet hair with tiny cowboy hats perched on top of their hairdo's ...long false eyelashes and heavy make-up... wearing matching black and red cowgirl outfits... coquettish, smiling at me and speaking to me like we were old friends...ferociously batting those lashes. I've seen them before, but can't place where, how or why I seem to know them.

As I walked to the theater last night about 5:30pm, I reached the more questionable area of the Tenderloin near the Golden Gate. I expected the panhandling and crazies, but I didn't expect the golf ball that came bouncing at my head. I really love visiting this city:)

One last thought... I am really going to be spending a lot of time here in San Francisco explaining to my fellow cast members and crew exactly what a "bear" is.... now, if I can just decide on a definition. LOL!

Comments

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

The Brown twins? A famous part of the local landscape. See http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/postcards/browntwins.jpg, and http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/sf/neighborhoods/nobhill.shtml.

Some parts of the neighborhood [Nob Hill] feel frozen in time. The hill is dotted with vintage barber shops, old corner coffee shops and cocktail lounges from bygone decades. Nob Hill has also been home to some iconic San Francisco characters. Legendary columnist Herb Caen lived in the Brocklebank building, across from the Fairmont Hotel, and the neighborhood is currently home to Marian and Vivian Brown, the famous "San Francisco twins," known for their signature identical outfits.

[abearius.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Them!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. If I run into the twins again, I'm going to get my picture taken with them:)

[abearius.livejournal.com]

THose two ladies are a San Francisco feature. They've been walking around in matching outfits since I first moved here.

I'll see ya on stage tonight!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was great seeing you tonight and I hope you enjoyed the show! I felt bad as I didn't realize that you weren't coming backstage and so missed out on the opportunity to say good night. I had arranged the back stage tour and I knew the time was limited. I apologize for not being able to spend more time visiting. Hugs!

[backawayslowly.livejournal.com]

dhbearguy and I will be in the center of the right section (stage left), front row, tonight. Looking forward to it.

[enhydrasf.livejournal.com]

Ed and I are 9th row Orchestra seats 107and 108! I can't believe those seats!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was good meeting you and riding the trolley. If I can, I'll try to come see your group while I'm here!

[daltxfurry.livejournal.com]

The Brown twins? They are one of the "tourist" features of San Francisco. Sweet as pie and nice as can be......they are featured in photos of the city and ads all the time.

I wish I was back there with you...I miss My City!

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

"explaining to my fellow cast members and crew exactly what a "bear" is...."

Heh. Good luck with that one... we bears can't even decide on a definition other than "I know one when I see one!" ;)

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

Don't get people started on the "what is a bear" thing. You know what happens... :)

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

*shudder* Yep. I know what happens.... *wandering off to stand in the Naughty Bear corner to await absolution* ;)

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

What is a bear? "A hairy slutty gay man".... *giggle*

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

Or maybe that's just me. *evil grin*

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Why sir, is that YOU described on every bar backroom wall?

[cowboygreg.livejournal.com]

Mmmm... could be. Does it describe my [remainder of text redacted on advice of legal counsel]? ;)

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Yes, and [snip] too!

[enhydrasf.livejournal.com]

Neil: ...and this here is Josh. Josh is an "otter".

Cast memebers: Do you have any other animal friends we should be aware of, Neil?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! :)

damn...

[howbearca.livejournal.com]

i am jealous that I can't go to the show on Bear Night!!

I have my OWN rehearsal that I can't possibly get out of.

GRRRRRRRRR.

Re: damn...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

We're here for a month. You'll have plenty of opportunities to take in the show. Hope you had a good rehearsal!

Re: damn...

[howbearca.livejournal.com]

i am going to round up some South Bay theater friends and try to come see the show...I will let you know so maybe I can get a backstage tour too.

[double-ohsteven.livejournal.com]

Gary and I will be in the Mezzanine, C row. Break a leg!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was great seeing you! I didn't see this comment until after I saw you:) I left for the theater at noon today and didn't get back to the apartment until 11:15pm. Hugs to Gary and you!

Marion and Vivian, the Brown twins

[teddybtoronto.livejournal.com]

Ahhh, you met the Brown Twins!

As some of the others have noted, they are indeed San Francisco legends. What a cool way to be welcomed to the City!

I lived in San Francisco for 5 years, just before I moved to Toronto. One of the things I loved most about San Francisco is the love for its many eccentrics, such as Marion and Vivian Brown.

One of my favourite video clips is a short interview done with the Brown twins by some Apple software developers. The twins were totally clueless about the technical aspects discussed during the interview, but were absolutely charming nonetheless. The surreal quality of the interview makes the clip a classic.

In the five years I lived there, not a single day went by that there wasn't something that made me stop and laugh out loud.

I'm glad it is proving to be much the same for you.

And I'm glad that golfball didn't do any damage! *grin*

By the way, if you get a chance, have breakfast someday while you are in town in the Garden Court at the Sheraton Palace Hotel on Market at New Montgomery Street. The glass-domed room is amazing, the breakfast buffet is usually very good, and the hotel (and especially that room) is a reminder of what San Francisco was like in the Gold Rush days. In the same hotel is the Emperor Norton bar, filled with photos and memorabilia of Joshua Norton, one of San Francisco's most legendary eccentrics.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Reading of your encounters in SF this morning made me chuckle.

As for a definition of bears, just leave it as mostly furry and/or big guys who also happen to be gay and call it good. :-P

I think that is a general enough definition, don't you?

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Aim your friends to http://www.bearwithme.us and REALLY confuse them.

"Most of the time, they look like bears, but then they...change."

Suitntieman's definition is probably the best general definiton you can go with, unless you decide on, "Real men masquerading as real men."

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Some people change into bears, but only I change into a kow.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

kow = the new bear?

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Never... its too unique to be cliched!

bears

[sfbear.livejournal.com]

You did a good job saying what a bear was last night. :)

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

Just four things:

1. You are extraordinarily handsome, I mean this sincerely, not in a disparaging way.
2. You have similar facial features and look quite a bit like the brother of one of your San Francisco cohorts.
3. I would define a bear as: a friendly, focused, relatively self-confident, masculine (often hirsute) gay man who does not need to resort to conformity for the sake of mass popularity.
4. When will your group be touring Tucson, Az; I would love a chance to see your highly-lauded performance in person?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks:)

1. I appreciate any compliment and believe you are sincere (it's to my benefit:)
2. Jim (sflonestar) and I have been told several times by my fellow cast members as well as others that we could be brothers, but then again, Tim (gotmoof) and I have been told the same thing:)
3. I really like your definition of "bear". It is very close to my own.
4. We won't be playing Tucson on this tour (I did in 1994), but we will be playing a week at the Gammage in Tempe in late November or December close to the end of the tour.

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Actually we've been asked if you're my father. *cackles*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

... and I've been asked if my Dad is my brother... yada yada yada... I fail to see the humor in your reminder, Son:) Ha!

[gotmoof.livejournal.com]

Hey Grandpop!

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the information regarding your touring company; I should make it a point to attend that performance in Tempe. You are most certainly welcome for the compliment regarding your physical attractiveness; you really are one very extraordinary looking man. With reference to my definiton of "bear," thank you, I had to think about that particular one for a while. Laastly, I would like to add you to my LJ friends list, with your permission, of course.hugs

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Please do. I've seen your comments in several of my friends' journals. It almost feels like you're already on the list:)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

They live in the building in which I'm staying. If I see them again, I'm going to tell them I heard they were famous and that I want a picture with them. I promise, I will:)!