SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

What does fuel my imagination? -sandra mickanen, location scout

 my imagination keeps write on projecting itself on different buildings, different locations.  i experience no poverty of imagination! lack of funding has no effect.  lack of capital, lack of knowing the write people, lack of any architectural education...  none of it seems to matter.

even though, my track record currently remains at zero, when it comes to the projected image/idea into actual manifestation    -this does absolutely nothing to dampen.. 

and i still believe, the ideas for this, at that location, are still wonderful and valid.

couple examples and then current imagined projections:   its all in my blog archives somewhere:

 *  a mel's diner-ish place, where cars pull up around a given restaurant, and customers receive their orders from servers on skates..    -seen in american graffitti, and, something similar with sonic in hayward, california    -this type of experience needs to be available directly across from the alameda county fair grounds in pleasanton, california.  is it currently a seafood restaurant?  don't know.. haven't tracked.

*  kits, gifts & ideas, with the speciality ovens for shrinky dinks:  this needs to be across the street from the historic gas station on main street in downtown pleasanton.

*  there's more, but skipping now to:   serra center, milpitas, california.   -pause, to note, in northern california, in milpitas,  -excellent weather the majority of the year.

in fact,  -need to just repeat that fact:  there is such hostile weather in other places..   northern california offers both indoor and outdoor opportunities because the weather is beautiful,  -hospitable.  we should have more outdoor opportunities in general..

now,  -for serra center..   in just the 8 years i've lived here in san jose, very near the border of milpitas, i've watched this center slowly become abandoned..   look more and more neglected.

but it is like, 16 acres of the greatest opportunities!   and, it seems, what my imagination has done is this:  i've been accumulating a wish list..   and 16 acres allows this wish list to live together in one stunning area

-k-  to start,  look how starved people are for beautiful landscaping..   STARVED!  we've got buildings and parking lots; lots of buildings..  lots of parking lots

we need more beautiful landscaping!  -way more!

i am very inspired here by blackhawk plaza in danville  -waterfalls, gorgeous bridge, koi pond, sculptures, fountains..

so pretty!  draws its own crowd; and then surrounded by museum, restaurants, shopping of many kinds, spas.. etc.

so, serra center:  have to start with gorgeous landscaping.

then, let's add all the stores/businesses i've been writing about over many years..

a stationery store!   -let me add on here.  a stationery, book store!  where people are provided an opportunity, and more importantly a special space to  -read BOOKS;  and,  -to handwrite letters!   like, in my imagination, it is a fun, novel thing, that people visit specifically to say there were at...    and handwrote this letter..    and they can purchase stationery, pens, stamps, and mail their letter from this location also..   it would a special deal to receive a letter from...

   -this, by the way,  -way more fun than a 'historical' museum, which just shows what people used to do before computers, cell phones, texts, emails, etc.    -you experience it.  you sit down write there, write your letter/postcard..  send from..    /send a text w/picture of you dropping your letter in the [way cool looking/creative] mailbox..

BUT LET me make this very important point:  there are special spaces for people to bring their own book to read too..   bring their own supplies, and enjoy the space..

k, 

there is an area for bring your own picnics..   really attractive, diverse, picnic spaces.. 

-have to also have

* custom fortune cookie store!   -but, remember my caveat here:  we need people to design new fortune cookie machines which allow for one cookie to be made at a time..   people come to order custom, personalized fortune cookies..   /inspired here by my visit to the oakland fortune factory store

* we need a ricks picks store...   

* we need a pub, sports bar..    currently straw hat is there, i believe,  -keep, but remodel.. make it awesome!

* there is already a theater there..   -keep, remodel, make it awesome!

* there is already a stellar, award-winning photography studio there  /shesayswithasmile,    -keep, make it even more awesome

* there needs to be a store, where people can come to get anything personalized, customized..  

cricut professionals, who take and fulfill order same day; they make it write in front of you..

these are for individual, smaller orders..      large quantities taken care of elsewhere.

but, in fact,  it is the theme of the center itself..   -personalized..       from shrinky dinks, mag time frames, to fortune cookies, to t shirts, hats, apparel..   to letter writing...

the overall thing, no matter the business..   added personal touch..

there is already an 'event' center...   keep, make it more beautiful, add a rooftop experience..

there is more...   but, 

how is it?  how is it, that i can even 'see' these things in my imagination? and doesn't seem to matter whether it can really happen or not.   it is just a pleasure to entertain the ideas..

i mean, it is still true, that any and every time we are at beresford square for this or that..   "barones!"

it should absolutely go where there is currently a...  private school, i think it is; pre-school? it was formerly an orchard hardware?  in any case, 

i've already shared, but..   wow! to how we need places like barones..   safe, beautiful, excellent restaurant, outdoor patio, beautiful, live music, dancing,  a night club..   a safe place to let your hair down, cast your cares, mix, mingle, dance for a bit

i am enormously grateful this was available to my sister and i, to our friends, family in pleasanton.  and it is my understanding, 'music under the stars'  -thursday nights at barones,   -they no longer have it.

we were so blessed by it!   

****

but yes, when we drive by, serra center...   i ache a little..  this gorgeous location! in milpitas, northern california, -these acres,  -the way, store by store, businesses have closed and left..   the parking lot, and landscaping neglected..

in an area where the climate is so nice..  

all i can see is possibility, is 'the potential!'    -all i can see, is  blackhawk plaza like landscaping and remodeling, updated store fronts, people walking around, shopping, writing letters, reading books, picnicking.. 

the place people want to bring their families, friends when they come visit..    the place parents want to host their children's birthday parties..

the place people feel great about purchasing personalized gifts..    the delight experienced by the recipients of gifts from..

 -what will actually become of this 16 acres; i have no idea.

*****

and i wonder...     what does fuel my imagination? and keep it so verve-ful in the absence of manifestations?

****

selah! and amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:48 AM