Mission Mission

I’m not sure what it is exactly, but something about the holidays and the new year always makes me feel like an old dude.  Like, “Whoa, it’s 2011 already?  What happened to the last decade?”  Luckily, our pal Kris went treasure hunting in a dollar store and found a hat that will make anyone feel like the hippest old dude around.  In terms of all-time dollar store triumphs, it comes this close to beating last year’s amazing Black Santa blowout.

When he’s not spelunking for unbelievable dollar store discoveries, Kris also makes some pretty excellent late night Thai food at his restaurant, NIGHT + MARKET.  Check it out if you’re ever in LA!

[Photo via Facebook]

Previously:

New Graffiti Trend: Tagging Old Dudes

Old Dudes

Don’t worry dude!  No way am I going to mess with a guy wearing fingerless Misfits gloves in the morning.  That sure is a lot of presents though.  Can’t you spare just one?

Fine.  Whatever, Grinch.

What about the rest of you?  Do you still give give gifts to your peeps during the holidays?

It had been on suicide watch since around April, but now the Mission’s only supermarket (is Duc Loi a supermarket? That’s a whole other debate–not helped by an 8pm closing time) appears to be gone for good.  Sure, the prices were atrocious, and the selection wasn’t great, but it was open late (a great boon for folks who didn’t finish up their busy days until 10pm) and the staff was exceedingly friendly.  What will happen to that charming security guard?

Now we are left with the question of what to do with the massive industrial husk left over on South Van Ness.  Do we try to get Trader Joe’s to move in (they are having trouble securing that Market Street location).  Finally move forward with that Peace Park in the parking lot?

What do you think?

Previously:

Not a Very Happy Thanksgiving for DeLano’s Market Employees

Scenes from The Final Days of Delano’s

This certainly goes against the Zeitgeist. Instead of following the trend of a new pizza place opening every other month, Papa Potrero has closed its doors for good.

Surprising, sure, but at the same time I suppose that unlike this place, no one has ever been gunned down at Delfina.  But they sure came close!

While we here at MM may not have the most professional photography equipment in the blogoshpere, we nonetheless must be constantly prepared to take advantage of whatever visual gold this captivating neighborhood throws our way.  To that end, it helps to have instant access to whichever device we feel would most appropriately capture the moment.  At the same time, it’s not always prudent to carry around an obvious camera bag, not so much because of the possibility of theft (albeit still an issue) but more so to not be all, “Oh hey, camera guy over here, smile, no don’t stop what you’re doing, wait come back!”  Worse yet, you might be mistaken for . . . a tourist!

Enter the Snoop Camera Messenger Bag from Timbuk2, which the local Mission company was gracious enough to allow us to field test in our own unique way.  As you can see, this versatile bag offers near limitless customization options, with a padded liner featuring several modular compartments to fit all the different shapes and sizes of your lenses and similar gadgets (or RAZR camera phones).  It’s rather entertaining to play a tactile Tetris mini-game before heading out on your bike (don’t forget, it’s a messenger bag too) for an all-day photography exploration adventure.  Also, if you don’t want to worry about your gear and just need a bag for something, the whole liner is completely removable, transforming the Snoop into a sturdy, dependable transport companion.

If you’re the real deal, like the tens for instance (who might be needing a new name in a few weeks if he wants to stay current), this bag will definitely be able to handle all your stuff.  On the other end of the spectrum, it can also hold THE ENTIRE PHOTOGRAPHIC CAPABILITY OF MISSION MISSION, so we decided to take a brief excursion.  Of course, every adventure requires sustenance, and once again the Snoop did not disappoint:

Check that out!  The modular compartments also allow for optimal sandwich protection in addition to banana crushing and apple bruising prevention.  Truly a worthwhile and reliable necessity for the modern Mission photog (and it makes a great Christmas present too)!

The debate has been reopened.

[2D Biking Photo by Jessica via Facebook]

Previously:

The Purest Form of Cycling

No, This is the Purest Form of Cycling

The best part was when I commended him on his outfit and he responded with “Mario who?”  For a second I thought he was messing with me, but then his girlfriend was all, “No, seriously, the only video game he’s ever played is Pong.  He grew up in the 70s.”

Previously:

Super Mario Pizza

For now…

Next time they get the shai hulud.  In the meantime, it’s off to. . . GG Park?  The golf course?  Where in San Francisco would you need such a vehicle?

A steady, bellowing Gooooooooooooooooooooool emanated from within.

When a group of buddies blessed with only pedestrian athleticism decides to spend an afternoon playing basketball together, it’s really a prudent idea to bring along more than one ball.  You know, in case this sort of thing happens.  Thanks for nothing, Ernesto!

[Photo via Zarin]