Mission Mission

Cosmic Amanda, here.  First time poster, long time commenter. (insert rim shot)

I’ve been digging Mission Mission for a year or so now, despite having never lived or visited here. In fact, I hail from Haverhill, MA, a city with great potential but a bit of a self-esteem crisis. I recently started a blog about it, with the lofty dream helping people all over (and even in Haverhill itself) realize how cool we actually are.

So, what am I doing getting all up in your blog right now?

Sometimes it’s hard to see potential in something you’re immersed in. How can you know what you can do to make a difference without getting out there and exploring the possibilities? The Mission is one of the coolest neighborhoods around. And, since your neighborhood and mine share a lot of basic similarities,  it’s exactly what I’d love for my city to become. I’m here in town this week, stocking up on inspiration.

Encountering this street art was like looking into a plywood mirror and seeing my own soul reflected back

Here I am, shacked up in an apartment on 25th and Shotwell, stuffing my face with burritos and Mission Pie, photographing street art, and generally basking in the atmosphere of a neighborhood electric with creativity. Just like the lucky writers of this blog get to do all the time. So far some highlights have in included chatting with Toshio after his performance at Amnesia, walking home and finding a fresh stencil on the sidewalk, and sitting in the cool grass of Dolores Park.

I destroyed this burrito.

Some people think it’s kinda weird that I’d travel all the way across the country to experience first hand something I’ve only ever read about in some random dude’s blog. But, it’s already kinda weird that I’ve been experiencing all of this vicariously for so long, so why not go all in?

I think my friend Chris put it best when he asked “So, like, instead of sex tourism, are you doing blog tourism?”

Uh, yeah. Totally creepy to think of it that way, but I guess there’s something to it.

Anyway, I’ve been lingering in the background of a few posts this week. Now, I hope you’ll indulge me in a post or two here at Mission Mission. (And, if by chance you’re not quite feeling my flow, you can breathe easy knowing I’ll be on a plane and out of your hair in only a couple more days.)

So, hi there, Mission! Love what you’ve done with the place!

Happy Friday, readership of ours! Adopt a pet today or this weekend if you so desire!

Sugar — 2 year old female Chihuahua

This adorable little lady was brought in by her previous home because they were struggling with their own medical issues. Soon after arriving here, we discovered that Sugar has some allergies, which seemed to have caused some hair loss previously. Our veterinary team and her foster moms have been smothering her in extra TLC and she’s looking ship-shape with the attention and special diet.
Ms. Sugar is a gentle, sweet and a perfect companion. She’s enjoying daily romps on the beach with the other pups in her foster home, and snuggles nightly with the kitties. She’d love to settle into a home with daily walks, warm blankets to burrow under, and lots of love and affection.

Drulie — 1 year old male shorthair

Drulie is a big studly dude with a passion for affection and attention. He loves to be pet and sometimes drools when he’s excited by the love he’s getting…adorable, no? This beefy kitty would do best as an only cat – he’s not ready to share the love. If you’ve been searching for a companion to share your space, and hang out on those lazy summer days – this is your guy!

All pets adopted from SFSPCA have received a pre-adoption veterinary exam and behavior assessment, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery and a microchip.

Where: The San Francisco SPCA’s Maddie’s Adoption Center
Address: 250 Florida Street (at 16th – Street)
Hours: Open Tues – Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Contact: 415-522-3500, www.sfspca.org
Follow SFSPCA at facebook.com/sfspca and twitter.com/sfspca.

Hangin’ at the Cave around 10ish last night, we took notice of a very steady stream of people coming in just to use the turlet. One after the other. This guy was the sixth in about five minutes! And the counter staff doesn’t even bat an eye!

So, next time the line is too long at Mission Police Urination Station, head for Ali Baba’s.

For some reason, after the Hamburger Eyes opening last night I felt a powerful urge to go see Iron Man again.

So, how were these street arts applied? Must have been ship-in-a-bottle style! OR… somebody at SF Public Works went to ART SCHOOL!

Photo by rkallerud.

Cellphone photos on the wall at a proper art opening!? Head Hamburger Eye Ray Potes tells us this just might be the case. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Anyway, this show is sure to be dope either way. See you tonight!

Nice. The Tens captured some highlights from Mission fashion week.

Today is Bike to Work Day 2010, so naturally Segway Steve has to show up without a bicycle.  You’re going the wrong way, man!  I’m going to let the metaphor in this photo speak for itself:

Anyway, let’s see what kind of neat schwag came in the bag this year!  While I didn’t get a t-shirt this year (long story short:  riding my housemate’s ex-boyfriend’s fixie due to yesterday’s incident, and it was so hard to get my feet into the toe clips that once I finally did, no way was I taking them out again, forcing me to only grab a bag while rolling by the recharge station–BTW, nice pass volunteer!), this year’s bag seems jam packed with fun stuff.  So let’s see what we have here . . .

Nice bag logo!  The colors and cycle outlines are quite aesthetically pleasing.  Woah, and nice spot Meli!  Also, good choice with cool mint for the CLIF Bar flavor, guys.  Tube times, sticker–but wait!  What’s this?  A front bike light??!?!!??  AWESOME!!!  Thanks for making me legal, Bike to Work Day 2010!

Previously:

Segway Finally Joins the Market Street Bicycle Commute

Timbuk2 Bike To Work Day Event Tomorrow

Freshly Painted Green Bike Lanes on Market Apparently Not Quite Enough

Seriously, Shimano?

"Castle of Sin" 1978

Did you really think that role-playing / fantasy geeks actually give a shit about wizards and broadswords and stuff? The truth is, they are in it for the voluptuous fantasy babes. No one understood this better than legendary painter and apparent ass man Frank Frazetta, who passed away Monday.

In his honor, Mission Comics & Art is hosting a “Memorial Drink and Draw,” featuring live art, music, and models. I assume “models” means Vampirella-type female models, but it could very well mean paintable Warhammer 40000 pewter models. Attend at your own risk.

The event starts at 8pm tomorrow at 3520 20th St. More info at on their blog.

Seitan is back at Bender’s! Wednesday nights only!

Last night they had these tacos loaded with freshly grilled homemade seitan and other fixins. But that didn’t stop Bender’s regulars from agitating for the triumphant return of Buffalo Girls. Maybe next week.

Don’t forget your tots!