Mission Mission

We just got an interesting comment on a years-old post about the Academy of Art. It is poorly written and full of slander and bile, but it is kind of a fun read. Here’s some of it:

The people that attend usually have their noses shoved so far up their professors asses that they pluck them out they can still smell the shit and believe it to be them. Alas.. they are not the shit. The fashion bitches are legitimate hos. Even though the bitches wont admit it you can often see them working the streets at Sutter corners.

Read the rest.

Photo of Academy of Art students by moses supposes.

Here’s a bean and cheese burrito I had at Senor Taco in Okinawa last month. It was no M.B., obviously, but it was better than nothing when I found myself in the mood.

Previously:

Taco Arigato, Mr. Roboto

Japanese Pizza Rules!

If you’re like me, you didn’t know St. Patrick’s Day was this week until you heard folks bitching about the parade downtown this past Saturday.

Well, now that you’re all caught up, get into the spirit by checking out this cool show at Amnesia tonight. Live drankin’ songs and sea shanties by the Barbary Ghosts, a duo featuring Sean (the owner of Amnesia) and 2009 Accordion Babes Calendar pin-up Joan.

Starts at 10pm and costs 5 bucks. And as always from 8-10pm there’s Gaucho Gypsy Jazz doin’ what they do.

I thought a good old-fashioned sidewalk sale was happening this morning on Valencia, but Kevin here informed me that he is in fact moving out.  I wanted to ask where he was moving to in order to help spread the word, but instead we had the following exchange:

Me:  “Heya!”

Kevin:  “Why are you taking pictures?”

Me:  “I just wanted to ask what was going on here.”

Kevin:  “I’m moving.  You can’t take pictures!  Only assholes take pictures of random people.  You’re just a BIIIIIG ASSHOLE”

Me:  “You are probably right about that.  Later!”

So now I’m not even sure if that was Kevin (fairly certain though–I have heard the word ”diva” used to describe him several times), or if Vertical Clearance is moving on to the big salon in the sky or just to Lower Haight/Hayes Valley.  I will have to check out the aftermath on the way back home.

This is probably a tender, vulnerable moment for him, hence his dislike of being photographed (and I concedingly didn’t use any with his face visible).  But really, am I a big asshole?

Last Friday night a group of Bay Area photographers and Flickr contacts met together, many meeting in person for the first time, to storm through the neighborhood taking way too many pictures, ducking the drizzle and stopping for drinks along the way.

The group included Mission Mission regulars Potential Past, and KayVee.INC as well as some other great shooters. I was also lucky enough to tag along.

Above by Justin Beck.

Check out the full set here on Flickr.

It’s Texas, so shorts seem like a good idea, but it was chilly out this afternoon, so everyone had to huddle around the heater. Breakfast tacos are just as good as everyone says.

Behold! A taco truck on the streets of Japan.

(Via LA Taco, via streetfoodSF.)

Mexican food in Japan can be a surreal and bizarre experience. This will be either totally awesome or incredibly awkward. Either way I want to eat there badly.

Further googling in-depth research yields us a Japanese foodie web site called ｢Food Event Hunt｣ (translated page here) that covered the ｢フィエスタ メヒカーナ｣, aka  ｢Fiesta Mexican｣ where our new favorite taco truck made an appearance.

Best line: このブリー ト、かなりボリュームありました。 (“This burrito had considerable volume.”).

And through some judicious internet translating and stalking, we have discovered the home base of our now world-famous Aguacate Taco Truck. On your next visit to Tokyo, approach slowly and make no sudden movements.

Found this stuffed between the bars of my front gate.  A sort of coming of age for the folks at TCB Courier.  While hardly as distressing as the ubiquitous Pizza Love flyers that blanket front doors throughout the Mission, these brochures represent a worrisome change of tactics from our favorite gourmet bicycle couriers.  I guess online advertising can only reach a certain demographic, and nothing can really adequately replace the soothing feeling of glossy paper in your hands as you ponder whether it will be a currywurst or katsu pork sando this time.

Nonetheless, it is mildly ironic that even green and local businesses powered by bicycle have to engage the paper-industrial complex in order to survive (imminently bankrupt USPS standard mail rant coming soon!).  Maybe they need to start delivering Ike’s?

However, before you get too indignant, check out the 20 page booklet delivered to everyone (by mail) advertising the San Francisco “Green” Festival:

"GREEN" SF

So save the faux-outrage for those capitalist Saigon Sandwich ladies and their 25-cent price hike!

Previously:

The Mission Finally Has Late-Night Bike Delivery: TCB Courier Service

TCB Courier Unveils Service Area Map and Pricing

TCB: The Motion Picture

TCB Courier Delivers Rhea’s Deli For Free, Gives You Fewer Reasons To Leave Home

TCB: “Jay’s Cheesesteaks? Yes, bro!”

Imagine an elevated train down 17th, and another down the center of Capp Street with half a block on either side torn down to make way for a six lane boulevard. This is what your great-grandparents were considering in 1930.

More details on 80 year old Mission retro-future rapid transit options over at Burrito Justice.

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of checking out Mark Growden in an intimate house-concert setting at the Porto Franco Art Parlor. He opened up with with this haunting improvisation on the bicycle handlebars.

It sounds like the type of music that would be playing in the background while an elderly Asian man explains the spiritual journey I’m about to take, shortly before being attacked by bandits from a neighboring village.

Mark’s new album, St. Judas is great and it was recorded completely live, after he and the band took a week-long retreat in the woods rehearsing and speaking to wild coyotes.

Previously:

• Mark Growden @ The Porto Franco Art House This Friday