Interview: Harmon Leon
Ahhhh, those were the days. SFist was young, nobody read us, and we were landing killer interviews already. Now that we have so many awesome readers, we thought we'd take you on a trip down memory lane with a few of the best of interviews past. This little gem was originally posted 9/20/04 and easily qualifies as one of the most educational SFist posts ever. Enjoy!
As you know, SFist reads the weeklies so that you don't have too. While our love affair with Bay Area weeklies is long and sordid, we vividly recall the fateful summer day we were reading The Wave and stumbled across a bit by a local who had his girlfriend infiltrate the Raiderette try outs. Sheer genius, we thought. A mere two weeks later Harmon Leon presented another hilarious instance of infiltration when he described his efforts to be hired as a security guard in a piece titled the ?Insecurity Guard?.
Below we are proud to present an interview with one of the area's most infamous infiltrators. Harmon Leon has made it on to two of our love-to-hate shows, Blind Date and the Jamie Kennedy Experience. SFist was pleased to learn than in addition to going places and doing things that most of us only dream of, Mr. Leon is also a patriot, with a keen interest in our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Thus, this is one interview that is both educational and entertaining.
Name: Harmon Leon
Introduce yourself in one sentence: I am the author of The Harmon Chronicles (ECW Press) and also one of San Francisco's leading hobbyist in regard to Abraham Lincoln trivia.
Age and Occupation: Writer/Infiltrator. Did you know Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin, near what is now Hodgenville, Kentucky. His parents were Thomas (a carpenter by trade; a farmer out of necessity) and Nancy Hanks. Lincoln had one sister, Sarah, who was 2 years older and a brother who died in infancy?
Home Town: San Francisco where not many people know that Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, died of milk sickness.
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where
I live in the Mission much like Abraham Lincoln who left his family and arrived in New Salem. He was 22 years old. While in New Salem, he worked as a clerk in one store and became part owner of another store that eventually failed, was a postmaster, and also a surveyor.
What is your favorite character/prank etc. you've
done?: Trying to join all branches of the military, as did Abraham Lincoln when he enlisted in the local militia, the Thirty-First Regiment of Illinois, following the governor's call for troops at the breakout of the Blackhawk War. He served for 51 days but witnessed no action.
Favorite website: www.AbrahamLincoln.org
Favorite business: Starbucks (on Lincoln Avenue).
What I'm currently Reading: Abraham Lincoln's biography, "They Call Me Abe!"
Best Deal in San Francisco: - Lincoln purchased his first and only home from the Reverrend Charles Dresser for $1,500, $1,200 cash plus a lot valued at $300.
Favorite mode of transportation: My car ( a Lincoln)
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area: Lincoln Park (are they from SF?)
Favorite local hangout: Lincoln Avenue
SF has the BEST: , the best indeed!
You've never lived in SF until: you are within the city limits and your area code is 415!
Best solicitation from a pan handler: "I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."
You can tell someone is a local here IF: and only IF they buy all their T-shirts from Fisherman's Wharf.
SF would be soooo much better if only: everyone had jetpacks.
Best Burrito: Chevy's
Best Restaurant: TGI Fridays
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF: the Hulk
I want all the SFists out there to know: In 1860 Lincoln received the famous Grace Bedell letter. Grace was an 11-year old girl from Westfield, New York. After apparently taking Grace's advice, Abraham Lincoln became the first bearded President.
Tell us a San Francisco Story: The damage done by the great San Francisco earthquake of 1906, was not caused by the earthquake itself, but the fire that resulted afterwards. Over two-thirds of San Francisco was destroyed in the blaze.