Karl the Fog, San Francisco's much-loved/much-reviled fog, has made quite the name for itself on social media the last five years. We caught up with Karl to ask him about his name, his relationship to the sun, horror flick The Fog, and more.
1. How did you come up with the name Karl?
My parents were looking for a name that exhibited confidence and kindness, with a hint of Marxism.
2. Do you hate the sun? If so, why?
I actually love the sun. It's what gives me that glowing complexion. Unfortunately, that means I end up blocking it from you. Sorry about summer.
3. What do you think of movies like The Fog that give your kind a bad rap?
I love a good farce. It's cute to see which clouds play me in those movies (but they're all too young and skinny; no real fog looks like that). I was glad I could play myself in Planet of the Apes and Godzilla. I hope I get nominated for those roles. It's the first step toward my EGOT.
4. Besides A Foggy Day, what are some other weather-related songs you relate to?
I'm fond of Sweater Weather because it's a mix between a biopic and a power anthem.
5. What neighborhood do you currently call home? Would you ever move or are you happy in your hood?
I grew up in Point Reyes but always found myself sneaking away to San Francisco, even as a little fog. I like all the neighborhoods (even just-barely-out-of-my-reach Potrero Hill), but I'm especially fond of Cole Valley and any neighborhood that begins with "Outer."
6. What's your hands-down, absolute favorite thing to do in SF?
Float over Twin Peaks and pretend I'm Sutro Tower's skirt. I'm like "I can see up your skirt" and Sutro is like "that joke got old decades ago" and we're both like "we really need to stop saying 'like' so much."
7. What's your perfect night on the town?
Every time I'm on the town... that's a perfect night.
8. When you need a low-key afternoon, where do you go for down time?
I hang out with the bison in Golden Gate Park. They're great listeners. They never bring the conversation back to themselves (can't say that about other friends). They just focus on how I can be the best “me" possible.
9. What's your favorite place to go on a day trip from the city?
I do laps around Mt. Tam. It's great exercise for my butt (yes, I have a butt, and yes, it looks fabulous).
10. Quick-fire round
Burrito or Burger: Burrrrrrito (Get it? it's funny because I'm cold.)
Presidio or Golden Gate Park: Golden Gate Park
BiRite or Mitchell's: BiRite
Bike or Muni: Float (it's faster)
Fort Mason or Dolores Park: Sweeping over Dolores Park at 3pm on a Saturday is the highlight of my week
The Independent or the Fillmore: The Independent
Baker Beach or Ocean Beach: Love hovering nude over Baker Beach, I'm fluffy and I love every cubic mile I've got.
Three words that describe your life in SF? Fog so hard.