Happy New Year 2014 (New Years Eve)

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Happy New Years! Reflecting back on 2013, it's been a year of change, love, hope, and dreams. I'm wishing you all a healthy and fulfilling 2014.

Hard habit to break

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In this area I prefer to keep my phone out of sight, but capturing reflections is a hard habit to break. And oh, what a scene pours out of these cartons!

Wood grain

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The SF bay area grows like a tree, constantly adding layers onto its core, and also branching ever outwards. Some have firm roots in this soil, and others are pausing here to enjoy the shade.

Pair of tables

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I enjoy being outside! Thanks to all our restaurants and cafes that offer outdoor seating, what a treat on a nice day.

Christmas tree pearls

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This tree is dressed up for the season, with a beautiful pearl necklace.

Merry Christmas

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Merry Christmas and happy holidays, from the streets of SF!

White reindeer

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Reindeer with your hair so white, join us in the bay tonight!

SF stocking

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And reflections of stockings were captured with care, in hopes that you'll see what it's like to be there : )

Free

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Nothing in life is for free! But perhaps in the reflection?

Corks

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Do you enjoy wine? If you're in the city, consider a trip up to wine country. Limited on time? No problem, just schedule a half-day wine tour. It's a great way to meet people, enjoy some wine tasting, and you won't have to find a designated driver!

This is the tour I enjoyed. I felt it was fun, I learned a lot about winemaking, met great company, and it was a great value.

Palm angst

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Whoa, this "palm tree" just needs to let it all out! Maybe it couldn't get the jar open?

I wonder… if a reflection shouts in SF and there's nobody there to hear it, does it really make a sound?

Birthday toys

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Today is my birthday, and I'm playing with my new toy! I've been experimenting with a 30 day trial of Photoshop Elements, and I like the results. So my birthday gift is… I'll treat myself to the full version. I'll still be posting captures from the city streets, but now with enhanced color for some extra pop.

Surprise!

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Ah! This sticker was as surprised to see me, as I was to see it! I was also surprised to find this nice reflection on a transparent Chinatown barber pole.

Pink waves

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There is a certain energy in San Francisco. A collective spirit that curves gracefully through the city streets.

Area rug

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This rug covers a lot of area! I love the way the pattern seems to extend from the bright building front. A huge building decoration? A pedestrian walkway over the street?

Van monster

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Wow, this is a scary minivan monster. Be careful while you're loading the groceries!

MacBeth

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"And nothing is but what is not" - William Shakespeare, MacBeth

I bet Shakespeare was a big fan of reflections too!

"Look here upon this picture and on this..." - Shakespeare, Hamlet

Instagram favorite! @giftpuppy Week 4

This was the most popular photo from my fourth week on instagram. A colorful reflection from Market Street. Here's the full image!

I've been enjoying sharing photo's on instagram. It's given me another platform to showcase city reflections, and explore new ways to be creative with the iPhone. Every week I'll publish my highest rated photo, as "liked" by my instagram family : ) Thanks! You can follow me @giftpuppy

Lolita

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I was on the bus when this pink beauty caught my eye on a bus stop shelter. I could not just pass her by, so I hopped out for the capture and waited for the next bus. Anything for a beautiful lolita!

Dual citizen

This flag and the magical reflection are in Japantown. American and Japanese culture reflect upon one another in this small neighborhood. Perfect for the plastic wrap effect : )

Kahn Doh

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Hi, my name is Kahn Doh, and I live in the Marina. I mostly sit in this reflection and watch people shop, eat and enjoy the nice weather. Please be careful not to bump my teeth, I only have two left!

Blueberries

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Always take a moment to enjoy the sweet things in life. Like blueberries and comfortable weather!

Blue face

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Why so blue? Don't worry, parking can be difficult to find, but it's a little easier out here in the west part of the city.

Instagram favorite! @giftpuppy week 3

Here's the most liked photo from week 3 : ) Once again, full pic here without the IG filters and crop

Instagram has given me another platform to showcase city reflections, and explore new ways to be creative with the iPhone. Every week I'll publish my highest rated photo, as "liked" by my instagram family : ) Thanks! You can follow me @giftpuppy

Bullet train

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Here is your typical SF Muni metro light rail train. Cruising above ground on the west part of the city, it will dip underground in the eastern downtown and whip along below busy Market St. This one has a futuristic reflection style however, new bullet muni trains?

Our palace!

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Our beautiful palace of fine arts : ) Nice reflection off this bus!

Pace of development

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I love how this reflects on the pace of development in the Mission Bay. Various stages of construction lay a mural across the background.

Out for a walk

Today's reflection is a music video for you! I call the song "Out for a walk"

Hope you enjoy! To see more reflections, check out my Instagram gallery - @giftpuppy

Colorful butterflies

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Hope this shot will add color to your day!  : )

Store hours

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Happy black friday everyone! Check the store hours, go forth, and find those holiday values. : ) Nice reflection in the Marina

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Thanksgiving cheers from SF! What are you thankful for?

Instagram favorite! @giftpuppy Week 2

Here you go, my most liked photo from week 2 on Instagram. Here's the full pic, without the square IG crop.

I love visiting the sea lions, but on this day a reflection right across from them caught my attention

Instagram has given me another platform to showcase city reflections, and explore new ways to be creative with the iPhone. Every week I'll publish my highest rated photo, as "liked" by my instagram family : ) Thanks! You can follow me @giftpuppy

String instruments

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String instruments accent this West Portal capture. If SF were a string instrument, then Market St would be the string bed. All the bus cables to strum and underground subway tunnels to amplify the sound. We would be on the fretboard here in the west half of the city.

Concerned lion

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I often see faces in the reflections ; ) Anybody else see a face in the textured blue brick? I see a lion, looking down on the street with an expression of surprise and concern.

New species

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What is this strange new species? It appears to be some kind of plantimal. Is that an arm dangling over the SUV? a tail? a root?

I've heard that locals will train them to move cars out of parking spots. Look, its about to drag that thing away!

Noooo!

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Noooo! I hear Mexican Coke is switching to high fructose corn syrup? No more cane sugar? Say it isn't so :'''(

The manufacturer states that this is not true. : )

Our beautiful gate

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I thought this was such a nice reflection featuring our beautiful gate : )

Pink ovals

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This part of Golden Gate park is home to an outdoor music concourse, and features a number of popular attractions such as the De Young museum, the Japanese tea garden, and the California Acadamy of Sciences.

Phantom car

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A peaceful evening in the Mission Bay neighborhood. A phantom car glides along over the muni train tracks.

Bear-a-thon

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These bears are serious about their fitness! Who will win this bear-a-thon? If I ever encounter an angry bear, I hope I can outrun it!

Instagram favorite! @giftpuppy Week 1

These two tied for my most liked pics, my first week on instagram! Bonus, you get to check them out without the square instagram crop : )

Instagram has given me another platform to showcase city reflections, and explore new ways to be creative with the iPhone. Every week I'll publish my highest rated photo, as "liked" by my instagram family : ) Thanks! You can follow me @giftpuppy

Skeleton band

Where I eat in San Francisco - Pancho's Salsa Bar & Grill

     Pancho's is a beautifully decorated taqueria on Polk street. Tasty food, and I like their options. Along with the usuals, they feature grilled veggies, grilled fish, and a steak and shrimp combination.

     My favorite dish? I like the grilled mahi-mahi burrito. Yummy!

     And they have this helpful street sign : ) The decorations are colorful and fun!

Visiting the gate

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Under the bridge… is where you'll find Fort Point. Interesting displays throughout these corridors, and a beautiful view from the roof!

Tack board

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Attention public! Use a thumb-tack board like this one, and you'll surely get your point across.

Devil Lizard

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I'm happy to say that this lizard doesn't live in San Francisco. Only in this Castro reflection, lurking behind homes.

Blue stripes

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I love the color blue, sometimes I wish I could just wrap the city with it!

Ornamental dish

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I just love it when beauty and utility come together! How about this for a gorgeous ornamental satellite dish?

Watch

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Spending a day in San Francisco, time seems to fly right by. In this reflection, however, time seems to stand still.