The Lull Continues

The City is still on holiday.

Driving the 20 miles north to Golden Gate Park last Saturday was surprisingly easy, despite the late afternoon’s fierce rainstorm. I had my choice of several metered spaces at the normally crowded intersection of Irving and 23rd. There was no waiting at the stores and hairdressers. Only four of the twenty tables in our favorite restaurant were occupied, so the youngster and I lingered over a newspaper; he grabs the sports and I take the other sections. The youngster has acquired an interest in football and has logged many hours on the Madden videogame.

With both football teams long out of contention for the playoffs, the Bay Area has assumed its normal attitude of indifference to professional sports. The San Jose Sharks last year were a step away from the Stanley Cup, but the hockey season has been cancelled, and the basketball Warriors are going nowhere. There was a brief revival of interest last week when the 49ers fired their coach and general manager, but there is nothing in the owner’s background to indicate that he has the personal character or skills to rejuvenate a football—or any other--organization.

I recounted how the 49ers and Raiders used to be in the playoffs every year. Yes, my child, just a decade ago it was a disappointing season when the 49ers didn’t win the Super Bowl. It was disappointing when the 49ers made it to the Conference championship but lost to Dallas, and fans didn’t accept the excuse that the Cowboys were loaded with future Hall-of-Famers. It was disappointing when the 49ers didn’t score on every drive. Now, few can bear watching them, not only due to the team’s abysmal performance but also from the pain of contrasting the present with the memory of glories past. We didn’t appreciate what we had, we lost it, and we may never get it back.

Speaking of past glories, congratulations to my brother, who turns 50 today. You’ve made your family proud, and, unlike the 49ers, your best years may just be ahead.


The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink has been carted off. The square is empty, and the fountain is turned off. One hopes that this is just a lull and that the pervasive ennui will be dispelled.