Such politesse


I was struck with how polite everyone was to each other last night in New Hampshire--Everyone pleasing and thank you-ing each other, congratulating the winner (with some sort of nice recognition or anecdote), I thought I was losing it. What with the Brute in Chief, Rummy and all the rest of the monkeys (including Duke Blackheart) all flicking the bird at each other and the general populace, it was refreshing to see some practiced kindness and manners that elevated the playing field from the mire we have been existing in for the last eight years. It was impressive to see many of the candidates presenting themselves with intelligence, manners projecting an image of dignity. I am hopeful for many of the candidates--They seem to project a presidential air far more than anything we have seen in recent past. I don't love anyone (yet) but I am optimistic that change will be good. It seems someone is trying to listen to the heartbeat of our nation and perhaps rally us be stretching to be better versus ashamed of who we are. I am tired of Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and the OC Housewives being the stretch for all of us versus educated and capable people who aspire to excellence versus the land of bling and sex.

I did a little tour of the newly revamped University of Hartford ISDP websiteand reviewed the portfolios of the 2008 and 2009 classes. My goodness, there are a wide range of really talented people in the program! Its a bit paralyzing. I am getting very, very nervous. And the alumni (also now on the site as well)--with what looks like representative images from their thesis work. I did say I was getting wired with this...so I got on my surfboard and wildly was searching more I could see from the program. Jim O'Brien has two blogs--one on Hartford with pages on their trip to Pasadena, Summer 2007 (with shots of the field trips, teachers, students and facilities) which is great as it fleshes out the imagination. Jim is very astute--and seeing the program through his eyes doesn't make it any less scary--but makes it very real. It looks very nice and very much like a program (not the class of 4 from Syracuse). So, it will be great to be in a bigger group of people with a wide range of skills and talents unlike the close in group of the past two years. So, yes--I am nervous...but at least I have a good idea of what I am getting into...unlike the SU experience.

Did I tell you I am was invited to join the group (HAS ISDP) in Texas as we will not do it during my stay at SU? Ticket is bought. Room reserved. I am excited to see the Texas illustrators, to see Murray at the Rodeo, and to meet with my future classmates and get some idea of what to expect for July. It was very kind of the Ts to include me.

Trying to get some work done and out today. Erich's computer got a new Motherboard from the Applecare guy that came to the headquarters. So, maybe we can get back to normal tomorrow...and get the scanner to be operational. I have a dozen sketches I need to stuff into my computer to finalize the Memento Mori book. Number two book is almost ready to go to press (LULU)--With plans for the next one being January 1, 2008- March 31, 2008-- I will have some scrap to start the thesis with. I was thinking I should really try to pencil in what I want to do for a thesis--with maybe a little statement (always good to do--lesson from August- October 2007--write a statement and you have something more than a random group of pictures--the writing makes it sensible and tangible to other people). Plus, with some writing at the same time as the creation of the body of work, it may drive more/different learning through the push pull that both activities provide.

Exciting to have the second book almost done. Not much writing or excerpts from my blab here. That was determined in October. However, the response is that people like reading it. Book Three will include writing --and continue where Book One left off. It will be interesting to see where the work goes in the next quarter. I do not feel like this is in any way exhausted...and with the reading of the last quarter, I feel ready to do a little personal riffing--and see where freeform imagining can take me. I may be looking at a font (derived from the gravestones) and /or some color palettes to take it a little bit further. I think I am still sticking with black and white. We'll see what happens.

I have been trying to work with the projector--and am inspired by what I can do with it...but it isn't something one should use all the time. Again, new tool I need to figure out.

More later>>

Pashas on flying fish





I apologize for being a bit off my game and not giving you an entry yesterday. I am in a funky state of progress and yet, no progress--work moving but not ahead, dinner cooked--but not "on". I feel a bit like the rubber ball that is thrown, hits a wall and rebounds to the left and right until returns to the thrower. Scrambled might be the word. Confused?

However, I was reading the holiday Elle Decor magazine and fell in love with this work. The images above are done by Alexander Gorlizki, an English artist, and Riyaz Uddin, a master Miniature painter in Jaipur, Rajasthan. They collaborate on images that take the miniature painting to entirely different and wonderful place. You can see their work (paintings, portraits, packaging and products at their website>> There are flying elephants and pashas riding fish. Funny sunfaces, exotica like high heels and flamingos mixed in with traditional figures and calligraphy. Of course, they had magnificent indian palettes and patterns--but some of these images also are rendered on a stark white field. A little breath of fresh air--and a little inspiration about cross fertilization amongst cultures and skills. Gets me going.

It is hot around here for winter. 40˚ going to maybe 60˚ with all of our snow melted and mud mucky. The gang is full bore on the carriage house push back. Mandy is here painting. Dare Daniels is done. And Jamie, electrician extrodinaire is finalizing the electrical piece. New garage doors (fakes for wooden ones that work from Genson in Skaneatalas ). So, by spring, the "door yard" of the house will look a little more polished and a lot less Appalachian, and may function a whole lot better--opening up the possibility of the kitchen and back of the house project that dovetails with it. As R proclaims, it really brings us much more "pride of place". Slow but sure though.

CA and Print entries need to happen. The SILA and SOI work needs to get out in the next week. New work with new clients need to get ramped up. Need to finalize things with the glass company...business stuff that is. Have already started looking for summer programs for K and A. Found an interesting week of training for Cross Country for A...and something else. Do they have a history of film making for eighth graders? (NOT). This truly is a labyrinth that wouldnt be so simple if it weren't for the good old internet.

Work awaits.

ponderous drivel


A friend of mine has a family member who is slowly dying of cancer and it makes me think a little about the process this stoic group is going through and ideas that have been spinning around in my head that I just want to get out.

As you know, I have been reading, looking and sketching about death and what it means--particularly with a focus on the Puritan view of death. It has been an engaging process to gather and store the symbols and traditions that have existed and evolved as a way for people to be helped to comprehend death without explaining why. I was struck by the Puritan view of death being a portal, a door into another place and not the end of life but a transition that we only understand until the person passes through into that unknown space, time, zone.

I have also been intrigued by the concept of the bodily remains, and the spirit (also called the "departed"). As our brain, the chemistry and memories are part of the remains--does this mean the spirit is "unintelligent"? Or is there an aspect of the brain, the energy, the memories, the personal essence that goes beyond the physical and is fused with the spirit?

We are by nature, delicate creatures. I am always startled by people dying due to an accident or a sudden shock to their system. This immediate action causes death, separating the body from the spirit and soul--quickly, shocking. A heart attack or immediate physical breakdown does the same. A physical jolt to crack the connection of the body and spirit. However, when someone is suffering, sick and slowly breaking down, the body is pulling away allowing the spirit space to depart. The person participates in the break down of the body, the shift of chemistry, the dessication of the physical to give the spirit the power to separate. There is tremendous power of life entering this world we know it and we have participated in the energy or power of the spirit departing to another life we cannot define and are questing to better understand.

Newsy Bits: Wegmans to Stop Selling Cigarettes

From the Gannett News Service:

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products beginning Feb. 10, spokeswoman Jo Natale said this morning.

Until that date, only remaining inventory will be available for sale and no new product will be ordered, she said.

In a letter to employees dated Jan. 7, Wegmans Chief Executive Officer Danny Wegman and his daughter, President Colleen Wegman, said the company decided to stop selling tobacco products mainly because Wegmans cares about its employees.

A smoking cessation program will be offered to employees this year, according to the letter.

“For those of you who smoke, we know it is very difficult to stop,” the letter says.


In a news release issued this morning, Danny Wegman said the company respects a person’s right to smoke.

“But we also understand the destructive role smoking plays in health,” he said.

Tobacco is a very profitable category for Wegmans, Natale said, but did not provide specific numbers.


We commend our own Wegmans for pursuing what is right versus what is profitable. It is the right thing to do.

The Buffalo News has a more fleshed out article>>

Music Notation Resource

I was working on a project (a freebie) for the Trumansburg Music Boosters. The Boosters are a group of parents who help the music program financially and physically (feeding and preparing lunch for 1500 students for events etc)--and in return, they help fund music related expenses and programs. I figured versus me serving piles of sandwiches, my time would be better spent doing what I do--graphic design and illustration. Thus, teeshirts and logotypes. To get to my point, I was needing musical notation and many of the free sites (Dafont for example) did not have anything that really worked. I did discover that Mtthew Hindson, a composer working in Australia did..and HOW. So, if you need this sort of thing, I highly recommend this resource>>

new word

New word. Loved it so much, I wanted to give to you too.

arcanum \ar-KAY-nuhm\, noun;
plural arcana \-nuh\:
1. A secret; a mystery.
2. Specialized or mysterious knowledge, language, or information that is not accessible to the average person (generally used in the plural).

Arcanum is from the Latin, from arcanus "closed, secret," from arca, "chest, box," from arcere, "to shut in."

example:
Here we must enter briefly into the technical arcana of employment law.
-- Paul F. Campos, JurismaniaThe Madness of American Law

In the Spirit of Iowa

Just a quick fyi:

Did you know that the New Yorker and Steve Brodner are doing some original work having to do with the election and the candidates? Brodner, author of Freedom Friesand tremendous political illustrator with The New Yorker, is in several short films on various political candidates with Brodner working on a white board and eraser peppering his illustration with political patter and his views. It is very light and clever--and highlights Steve Brodner's intelligence and historical knowledge of the insane political world. I respect Steve's annual blog entrys on Drawger as he manages to be pointed and yet not shrill or sharp. He is dead on.

Steve Brodner's Naked Campaign>>

Take a look.

Chicken or Egg?



After the recent blitz at all the surf and skate stores, mexican markets, japanese art shows and street art, the question poses itself: "where does all this skull and death imagery stem from? what drives it? where is the imagery from?". I originally thought that the inspiration was from the Day of the Dead imagery but the more exposure I got to this style, the more I came to understand that this imagery came from tattoos. Tattoos have spun these images and these images have taken the tattoos beyond the skin. Tattoo artists have been inspired by the images requested by their clients and the communities they come from--spanish, mexican, kar kulture, bikers, christian hard core, military. Originally people who got tattoos were either military or hard core (in the case of the general populace). Native cultures have great tattoos--but our American imagery comes from a very low brow, personal expression of community. Then when you think of the daily aesthetic that surround southern Californians, all sorts of exotica from the mix of cultures and influences which is alien to anyone other than S. Californians. And stir in a strong dose of all the military bases with people who have travelled all around the world and have commemorated events and people in their lives through marking their bodies permanently.

Tattoos drive the teeshirts where one can wear a tattoo on your clothes on top of the tattoos one has on one's body. Tattoos somehow make more sense in Southern California where it never gets too cold to surf, to skate or to wear sleeves--and the permanent tattoos somehow seem the most integrated with style, lifestyle and the focus on being outside, on the beach, on the street,in the sunlight. Tattoos are a form of clothing for some--a way of either expressing themselves and as a way of being distinct even in the surf. Tattoo artists are often lead the transition beyond the skin. 


Ed Hardy (Don Ed Hardy) has partnered with a french entrepeneur, Christian Audiger (who it turns out was the driving force behind the Von Dutch line of clothes, hat etc). This Audiger has created the standard--tees, caps and now cosmetics, an energy drink and custom motorcycles and choppers. From hearing about the creation of the Aqua VI line, much of the imagery is inspired by tattoos--with the line being created for post surfing and skating--essentially, what does one wear to the taco stand? on a date? It all seems to make sense--so in the world of the chicken and the egg, the tattoo came first. Then the gear, then the tees, and it keeps going. End of the chain is the nutty china (seen above), or rhinestone shoe ornament on a pretty dumb shoe. Now that there is tattoo decorated china--where does it go?

I was intrigued that Murakami began bringing skulls into his work with the happy flower image dropped into it's eyes. It seemed out of context with the rest of his work. The other skulls etc. except those in the mexican markets do not point to a statement about mortality or ancestor or any of the heavy mojo I am trying to bring to my stuff. Maybe I can give myself a little space to lighten up a bit. Maybe?

Read more about Ed Hardy, his team of artists and his studio, Tattoo City>>

Need to dive deep into this. This has tooth albeit it is really not my world. Great resource and inspiration.

Clifton Carter

The Tburg of the Strand



A called it. The Tburg of our trip. Hermosa Beach. Everything within walking distance. Cool people. Cool stuff to do. Fabulous ocean and surfing. A place to settle in. We decided to spend our last two nights at the aforementioned Beach House. Well worth it. We are all scratching our heads about the crummy rating it has online. First off...It is fabulous. Why? 1. Its on the strand. 2.Rooms are great with a king sized bed, a queen fold away sofa, a for real fireplace, a mini kitchen, a bathroom with a jacuzzi and the works (including Aveda stuff), a balcony, a beautiful continental breakfast with fresh oranges and the best coffee yet with a view of the ocean and the passigiata, and a block from Hermosa Beach proper. It was great...worth the bit extra (they even had hot cider and cookies in the lobby all day!), near a rental place for umbrellas, surfboards, bikes, skateboards and lessons for all the above. R and A spent time at the Pier Surf Shop mixing it up with a very knowledgeable guy --self proclaimed surfer who explained the various long boards, skateboards, hamboards etc. complete with a very unselfconscious sales technique showing the foot over foot approach to how to deal with the boards and make them work for you. A. was all ears. R. was humorized. There was a huge stage etc. set up for New Years eve which promised to be amazing. We throughly enjoyed our stay oogling all the interesting people eating breakfast with us from Australians to Californians --older and younger. How did they find out about this oasis?

The Beach House, Hermosa Beach>>

Candy Treats from Olvera St.






No end of treats from the Mexican yum yum tree. There were quite a few booths selling sleeves of nuts, little wrapped hard candies in a variety of formats and then the lovelies we could not identify. And these, we share with you.

Olvera Street






Olvera Street is a Mexican Street. I thought it would be absolutely the most touristi of tourist places. However, it was really for the Mexican and Mexican American Communities. I went there in search of color and skulls. I found them (and will do a sep. entry on them)--but, we had a great time looking at all the top line stuff for the quick shopper--like luchado masks, colorful mini guitars and accordians, fabric/embroidered stuff, and sweets. Day of the Dead stuff, skulls and the fabulous Virgin stuff was way back in the shops--forcing me to spend time to unearth them and the wonderful cut paper banners and paper decorations that we just dont have "back east". The other treasures were the decorated playing cards and lotterio sets. I know if I had done this with my friend Tina, we would have found the best...but hey. Research is research. We had great tacos and taquitos at a stand that were sublime.

©Murakami at the Geffen at MOCA





©Murakama
October 29,2007- February 11.2008
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA

Takashi Murakami's show at MOCA is more than a show. It's a candy colored trip into the changing mind of a manga/anime inspired artist who is evolving his brand and art from a sexual anime form to that to me, that is more interesting--a fusion of pop art, the branding culture, eastern philosophy and imagery with that of japanese cuteness and palette. Sometimes its over the top cute, sometimes its headspinning "out there" which the context of the entire body of work grounds and to some degree begins to explain and provide the sources for the changes in the art. I mean, there are these painting that look like sticks of gum with random eyeballs and teeth that are arranged very much in the austere and precise world of Josef Muller Brockman, the swiss poster designer and proponent of the Swiss graphic design education of the seventies and eighties. Brockman would be on a rotisserie over this stuff.

Murakami created the DOB character to express himself and act as a personal brand. DOB was his first image and brand--a brand that is used exclusively, and manipulated by size color and placement. DOB was best expressed in Murakama's blow up (huge) DOB heads and these almost Mickey Mouse type paintings that had a roughness-- a painted tie dyed quality that took it off his normal "Superflat" painting technique that defies the hand and could be screen printed or even better, cut vinyl. DOB evolved to Kaikai + Kiki (adorable little Mutt and Jeff characters who are rendered either front on or just their heads--in shades of hot pink and white). I first saw Kaikai and Kiki at Art Basel Miami at a Gallery--they were full sized fiberglass, painted figures--that were striking and funny. However, it was not knowing the context of the pieces that just made them a cute oddity like the trike D'zine did. They are, however, part of a much bigger idea. DOB was best expressed in Murakama's blow up (huge) DOB heads and these almost Mickey Mouse type paintings that had a roughness-- a painted tie dyed quality that took it off his normal "Superflat" painting technique that defies the hand and could be screen printed or even better, cut vinyl. His evolution to room sized, enormous, complex forms expressing both the anime, lessons from DOB and a new component, eastern religion and religious iconography. His Oval Buddha, 2007 has a duality of personality of his main character sitting atop a turtle complete with lotus details and leaves as part of the design. There are tiny figures plunging into and out of the head with a janus like quality--one face at rest, the other with it's mouth wide open with thousands of big conical teeth, layer upon layer of them much like a shark. As I toured around this figure (well over 5 meters tall according to Murakami in his Moca video)--more and more of the detail sunk in...This is an object and yes, an entire show well worth seeing for the first time to just settle into the aesthetic. Beyond that, I would visit at least two more times just to dig into the detail. If I were a starting artist, this show would change my palette and perspective on my art. It is noteworthy.

Beyond that, Murakami is also clever. His work is sold through his own venue--books, teeshirts, buttons, and plastic characters. Inexpensive stuff he marks up to the max. His work originally sold a trinkets sold with gum. Clever man--learning the non magic of how that happens. Beyond that, he has taken it way beyond the world of Kid Robot and into the collections of sincere art collectors. He took the Louis Vuitton pattern and monkeyed with the color and started tweaking it with his eye shapes, with happy cherries and a variety of his little visual icons. Marc Jacobs saw the work and now Louis Vuilton and Murakami are collaborating on some very expensive but very cute (say Asian cute!) bags and accessories. My favorite is a steamer trunk built with shelves and on those shelves are dozens of the same bag with the accent color changing...so essentially , it is a different (but the same) bag for every day of the month. Can you say KaChing?

I am inspired by this man, his work and will be curious to see how it evolves in the next decade as the money has been made, there are new works in film (the KaiKai + Kiki was at MOCA along with the new video done with Kayne West) and his visuals are expanding to take it to a more cerebral while pop inspired place.

Take a look at Murakami's films on the MOCA site to better understand the work and artist>>

Before I forget, pencil it in!

Print Regional 2008
entries due: March 3,2008
online registration>>

Here are the pros: 1. Illustration category, 2.Max fee...meaning enter as much as you want or even do some cross entries for the jumbo price of $225.:

Please note the entry-fee cap of $225. Submit as many as you like (single entries, campaigns or series, or a combination of the two) but don't send more than $225. Any packaging entry, whether a single package or a family of packages, will be considered a single entry (fee $35). Any letterhead entry that consists of stationery, envelope, and business card will be considered a single entry (fee $35).

Its a good show and the publication is always interesting and more diverse than others. I am always thrilled to get something in...and they have an affinity for illustration to begin with. So get ready to go nuts!
____
Communication Arts
Illustration Annual
Deadline: March 8, 2008
more detail>>

Their FAQ is very informative and fleshes out who what where and when of the show. This is the grand daddy of the Design shows. Hardest (to my thinking) to get in. Who knows, cute sells.. maybe the Cornell Xmas card? The Chokers Poster? We will see? They might like a burka lady? Or the first Memento Mori book.

Work to do.
__

New Year, New Opportunities and much more fun

We travelled yesterday--so no blog entry as we got into our snuggly beds around 3 a.m. leaving LA at 12:30 on a non-eventful, television filled ride to arrive with the time change in NYC around 8:30 pm. The time change and tail winds were all in our favor so arriving in Syracuse (with R monitoring the weather hourly)--to dry roads, no snow showers (as projected) and no one on the road was delightful.

What a nice trip!

What a nice eight days away--with such a variety of experiences and thought janglers complete with family and good low brow everything (especially the fish tacos!). We are all appropriately inspired with K and A sporting new surf fashion (unlike anything anyone else has here), A has the longboard and the grown ups have new ideas in formation. It has been a great last year with the illustration work coming on, the kids moving on with growing up and changing into the interesting people they are and will be, and projects for R. evolving and coming to fruition. There have been some travel (outside of the educational travel) that has opened up my mind to new ideas, new approaches, new artists and new ways of looking at things. There has been new friends and clients to challenge what I do and how I do it...and also who can use the new illustration dimension to better speak to their customers and friends. There are new sports and projects for the kids, and old projects changing and evolving for R. The neighbors, my inlaws, are stable and living independent lives in relative health and significant happiness. So, all in all, 2007 has been a boon to all of us. We hope it continues in 2008 with positive change that moves us all further in our quest to live interesting, productive and engaged lives.

May it be so with you too.

I am off to buy pounds of lunch meat for the tribe. After that, I have at least 3 maybe four entries for you-- Olvera Street, Murakami, Hermosa Beach, and my scatterbrained hypothesis on california surf graphics and illustration and why it has to come from California.

So, more drivel today from yours truly.

More later>>

They were ice skating on the beach!






They were ice skating on the beach at the Coronado today...! It seems its an annual tradition--but a bit mind blowing none the less. The Coronado, in general is a bit mind blowing as well--in the Southern California tradition of doing things dramatically, big and bold. The Hotel Del Coronado is in the same spirit as the Greenbriar and other big eastern resort hotels (the Otesaga in Cooperstown, the Mohunk Mountain House in New Paltz, The Fountainbleu and the Biltmore in Miami or even the Eden Roc). The thing the Hotel Del Coronado has over all these other places is that it is smack on breathtaking beach with all sorts of things that blend the hotel with the beach from it's own strand with bikes, a big pool with striped canvas cabanas (a la the Biltmore)) a gigantic hot tub bigger than most pools, with little restaurants and bars with signature cherry red roofs tumbling out from the various activity places. Even the outdoor restaurants had places for blazing fires for chilly al fresco dining. The main lobby had the same terrific shock as the Biltmore when one came in from the brilliant Southern California sun to deep dark wood paneled, multi storied spaces with victorian turnings and panelling. It was dark and cool, a gracious cool hand to a hot brow which even on a winter day was welcome. I loved the marine tree they had in one of the coffee shops that opened out onto the beach. There are ideas in this marine tree that may evolve into something for Steuben. There are ideas here...and people totally love seashells, seahorses, coral, nautiliuses all year long--why not at Christmas. Somehow seems more appropriate than Santie Claus or Saint Frosty.

The area around the Coronado was very Miami like--in the massing of the neighborhoods, the types of stores and shopping and the way the water and the land seem to wrap one into the other.

Lunch at a surfer type place--the combo sandwich/liquor store concept. We amused ourselves with looking at the Mexican sodas and beers and all the crazy tequila labels and graphics as our sandwiches were made. Totally humorous.

Then, back in the car and back to Hermosa Beach where we will be staying 2 nights at the Beaches hotel (glam) --right on the strand with hot cider in the lobby and fireplaces in the rooms. A is working with his new longboard, R. is discovering and the girls are internetting...and drinking tea. It's nice to have a break from vacation!

More later>>

Joes on the Nose


Joes on the Nose
Organic Coffee• Roll Up Service
David Wasserman
858.373.8001
www.joesonthenose.com
We saw this wonderful truck and chatted it up a bit with David Wasserman, entrepeneur and self proclaimed foody. He has this great truck (orange) with great tiki type lettering and the wildest drinks (organic and fair trade coffee, and still looking for the good pure tea) along with eco friendly coffee and foam (biodegradable sleeves (Eco from Canada). He is full of beans and energy being at this business for about five months and seems to have the tiger by the tail.

He says on his website:

I am an orange truck. i am an orange ice cream truck. i am an orange ice cream truck bringing coffee, tea, drinks, zinka and more daily to the beaches and other swell spots of San Diego.

i am now open for business and for general rocking out. keep an eye out for my beautiful orangeosity cruising around. going to be the best orange coffee truck ever. and i'm orange.

Joes on the Nose has organic coffee, good tunes, and will appear when you need me the most.

L'Orange wants to spread Aloha and good times whenever and wherever it rolls. remember, we're here for you. and you. and you, too. even you, though that's questionable. keep on smiling, surfing, sipping, and being the best person you can be. everyone around will notice and i'll like you even more.

you can now get your own personal orange ice cream coffee truck to roll down to your special events, get togethers, weddings, bar mitzvahs, open houses and more. call the Orange line to discuss your ideas, dates, and rates. and please send over suggestions and invites for sd happenings. it would be appreciated. in the most orange of ways.

get out of the water, warm up or cool off with a fresh hot or cold drink, grab something to eat, get some surf wax and sunscreen. roll up service, a la orange.

Who I'd like to meet:
um, you. if you have exact change i'd like to meet you even more.

and he is spreading Aloha whereever he goes.

One night at the Hilton Gaslamp


We decided to try to get another night at the Solamar and rolled the four star dice at Hotwire and ended up in the Gaslamp Hilton about two blocks from the Solamar. The Hilton is really nice--very new and woody. It is within eyeshot of the beautiful convention center--right by the railroad tracks (and the cute trolley system too) so it can be a tad noisy if that sort of thing bothers you. For the magnificent Hotwire price, we all had snuggy beds and a nice time. Plus, we got to try out two hotels in San Diego!