Mission Mission

First day of the year is always tough.

A fortnight ago, we were delighted by the sudden appearance of miseltoe all over the mission. This week Christmas trees are taking it to the streets. But unfortunately, this is not as fun. You can’t really make out with a stranger under one without getting covered in pine needles. They just sorta get in your way while you’re walking.

Most trees just crash out on the sidewalk like some marina transplant that had a few too many drinks before being kicked out of Kilowatt for grabbing girls. (Hey side story: I actually spent the day in the Marina yesterday and found it to be quite lovely. Great food, beautiful scenery, and Bro-douchery was minimal at best. I did hear a group of dudes refer to a really cute dog as a “panty-dropper” which sorta broke my heart a little. On the other hand, I heard some other guy on the bus use the term “warm up” for what I call “pre-party” and I’ve been using it ever since. Anyway, on to the tree):

Or some folks just let that tree crawl away itself. Look out! Conifer crossing! (Valencia & 15th)

Hey, even dead trees need some of that good ‘ol H20. Check out this guy in a stylish plastic winter coat straddling a fire hydrant. Tampering with city property just for another sip? Tsk!

This tree always had bigger dreams. Traffic safety dreams. Some might call it a hero. (22nd and Bartlett)

But I think the most creative tree disposal comes to us courtesy of 1337 h4x0r and all around swell guy Mr. Eric Sir. This tree is the perfect muni stop companion. No idle chit-chat, no seat hogging, just a pine-fresh scent while you wait.

Unfortunately, it also seems to be a piss magnet. What is it about human nature that makes it so appealing to piss next to plants?

See you next year, trees.

Sure it’s photoshopped, but it’s still great.

(Source of this is unknown)

Some guy I’ve never heard of reported this morning on three (3) robberies in our fine neighborhood last night. Two involved guns, the third ended with the victim being cut with a razor.

So, I wanted to say, for you potential robbers, consider picking up a new leaf and turning it over.

For you potential victims (anyone stepping outside of your home tonight) please keep alert. If you’re leaving Kevin’s house with just $250 of booze in your belly, consider taking a buddy with you.

Mission Local‘s own Armand Emamdjomeh joins the ranks of Julie Michelle’s official San Francisco residents, as the newest subject of I Live Here SF. Read about his journey and check out Julie’s great pictures featuring Armand and the sexy Mission District back alleys.

Speaking of Julie, you should also check out her efforts to gather diapers in support of HAMO (Help A Mother Out), explained here, on her blog.

Who should be the next I Live Here SF subject? I vote for Johnny0.

Many things will end today. Many things will begin tomorrow, blah blah blah.

Anyway, today is the final day for the now famous Mission District photographer Dustin Diaz’s Project 365. Since the very beginning of 2009 he’s been taking at least one picture a day and posting them to his website. Along the way he’s become the Mashable Flickr Photographer of the year, and inspired thousands of kids to run outside at night and take pictures of out of focus lights. You can call it bokeh.

Here’s a self portrait of Mr. Diaz from day 100. He’s expected to post the final shot sometime before midnight tonight.

I would be missing the big picture here if I didn’t also include the “strobist info” that follows many of his shots, detailing his process.

I shoot the Mission at night all the time, but my stuff is nothing like his, so it’s nice to see him be willing and even excited to demystify the process for us.

Check his Flickr photostream for the final shot of the year.

How many late-’00s Mission District memes can you fit into one subject line?  Apparently not all of them:

Q:  What makes your ‘Taco Truck’ so different?

A:  First, we don’t even sell tacos, second we don’t just sell food but we are a community hub for health conscious people and are educating youth on organic gardening. (link)

I wonder what the ’10s will bring for Mission ‘food culture’?  Hopefully a little less pretentiousness.  SFoodie, food journalism’s equivalent to Fox News, continues to refer to the “alt food“ trend as a “movement” and “revolution.”  Kind of a shame; I used to really enjoy eating from the generally delicious food carts, but now I have such a hard time looking past the fact that I’m walking right into a narcissistic Twitter circle jerk every time I stroll down Linda St.  Henry Ford invented the automobile.  When are you guys going to figure out that you just toss salad?

(YouTube)  Thanks Amanda!

Deeply Superficial People says they went out craftbombing the other weekend.  I never even knew such a thing existed.  So cutting edge.

(link + more pics)

Sounds like my mother moved to Cali.