Mission Mission

I stumbled onto this slumbering beast parked on Valencia at the corner of Cesar Chavez.  It was one of those hybrid electric models but was completely shut down and dark, and almost looked to be abandoned.  I shivered as I realized that this used to be the old route of the now defunct, highly controversial Valencia 26 Muni line.  Oh shit, this must be a ghost!

I examined the silent hull more closely and noticed that at the very back of the dark bus sat a motionless ghost conductor, staring into space, at which point I got the heebie-jeebies and high-tailed out of there.  Maybe I would have investigated further had I not recently re-watched Event Horizon. Back in the safety of my room, a little research seems to indicate that this may just be an off-duty 12 or 27 (does anyone use those lines?), but I still consider myself lucky to have escaped alive.

Previously:

26 Valencia Dead

26 Valencia: An Homage

26 Valencia Lives Forever

Sitting Room Only

Settling in at the restroom at Osha Thai I noticed that there were still two open seats. I guess you could invite the people standing outside the door to relax and wait inside? There’s no stall or anything, so it kind of seemed like anyone sitting there would just be judging my performance.

I know that sometimes restaurants just stash their extra chairs in the bathroom, but the way these two were placed really made me feel like they thought I needed some company. I know I’m overthinking it, but something about public bathrooms makes me turn into Woody Allen.

A rainy day message from Lost Weekend Video:

Well the rain has arrived. It’s the perfect time to come down to Lost Weekend and catch up on some of the Oscar movies that have come out already. These Best Picture nominees are already here: ‘Inception’, ‘The Kids Are Alright’, ‘The Social Network’, ‘Toy Story 3′ & ‘Winter’s Bone’. Movies nominated in other categories that we’ve got are: ‘The Town’, ‘Animal Kingdom’, ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘I Am Love’, ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’, ‘Restrepo’, and ‘Dogtooth’. Good stuff.

Good stuff indeed. If you haven’t seen Toy Story 3, you are missing out! And the Banksy movie is a hoot too! Read on for a complete list of new releases. [Screenshot courtesy of Disney/Pixar]

Previously:

Let’s Not Lose Lost Weekend Video

The Death of Video Stores in the Mission

Neutral Unpretentious Places (Like Lost Weekend)

I’m not sure how new this is, but the Pauline’s website has at least somewhat recently begun listing their nightly specials. Which means you can conveniently find out what trippy items they’ve got cookin’ each day (such as the delightful chestnut pizza pictured above), and then call in an order.

Just be sure you have a way of getting your two extra-large pies and beet salad home safe — and dry — during a torrential downpour:

Previously:

Tasteful Tag in the Bathroom at Pauline’s

All of Them Witches explains why this’ll be a great show:

you have nothing to do on wednesday
you like The Knockout
you dig these bands, because they rock
you probably live in the mission anyway

I’m not sure if all of these are true for all of us, but I know we all need a break from Whiskey Wednesday once in a while, and I know Bare Wires are pretty good, and I know we all love the Knockout.

Previously:

KUSF Says Treatment ‘Unfair’

Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio [KUSF]?

Excellent!

I love your “as” btw.

[Photo by The Minutes]

Not that I didn’t appreciate the stuff he did here. But this billboard liberation is just utterly joyous.

On the other hand, though it wasn’t a Banksy, we did have a joyous billboard liberation of our own recently. So we’re not sweating it either.

[via Wooster Collective]

Previously:

Billboard Liberation Front Not Into Smoking

Carlos Mencia Will Give You Leprosy

Graffiti Vs. Billboards

What a find!

(What a disaster! Good thing two decades later they’re partway done with a solution.)

[Photo by Pick The Cats Eyes Out] [via Summer Is Rad]

Even though it’s only been around for about a year, from the looks of things, this laundromat bench has been through hell and back.  You might remember it from way back when we discussed the best laundromats in the Mission, but by looking back in time it’s quite apparent that the bench has seen better days.

Nonetheless, its owners refuse to let it die.  Whereas others might view the continual breakage as a lack of structural integrity and trash this one for another candidate from Community Thrift, this laundromat has stuck by its classy patio bench and infused its frame will all manner of quick-fix bench hacks to extend its life.  Cleverly or not, the repair attempts have left this seat looking rather rad:

Form meets function.  Grand.

Hoff Street.