Mission Mission

We’re always happy to report something positive at the Blue Macaw, that oft-embattled new venue at the old 12 Galaxies place, so I’m sure you can imagine me sitting here pooping more rainbows than SF’s schizophrenic “now it’s raining/now it’s not” weather has over the last few days.  Couple that with a benefit for our favorite under-siege radio station (RIP Energy 92.3–although MOVEiN 99.7 has picked up the slack quite diligently) and you’ve got something to do on a Wednesday night!

This one should be rather fun, too, since it’s a 50′s and 60′s OLDIES and SOUL NIGHT DANCE PARTY hosted by Pirate Cat DJs PsychoKat, Voodoo Idol, and Starbuck!  And don’t worry if you suck at dancing, because Brian Gardner of the Mission’s own Swing Goth will be on the scene with his innovative fun not frustration teaching technique.

The fun starts at 7pm tonight, with dance lessons starting at 7:30 at the Blue Macaw on Mission and 21st.  Admission will be on a $5-20 sliding scale, depending on your generosity.  Keeping in proper sock-hop theme, alcoholic Root Beer Floats will be served as well!  Nobody tell the chaperons!!!

Previously:

Pirate Cat Radio fined $10k and Ceases FM Broadcast

Bourdain Bonanza

Heavy Police Activity at Blue Macaw

What’s Up With the New 12 Galaxies?

This one is easy.  Instead of wasting time with salty peanuts and stale pretzels, why not take a page from the book at Tropico’s, a classy Tijuana joint?  Here we have caliente peanuts, wafers smothered in Valentina hot sauce, and Japanese peanuts.  Bartender professionals, we can make this happen, right?

[Photo courtesy of Phil Strnad]

Dear El Farolito, Cancun, El Metate, Pancho Villa, et al (except for you Cu Co’s–we’re still cool):

We’ve been through a lot together and I definitely still love you, but I think we need to have a little talk.  You see, I strayed a bit too far this past weekend, and now I’m not sure I can ever go back.  Hey, please don’t cry.  Let me explain.

Waking up to Tijuana sunshine the morning after playing a show with a bunch of Mexican hardcore kids, there was nothing I wanted more than a taco.  And wow, just like Bo knows baseball, Tijuana knows tacos.

Now that’s a taco.  Basically a metric shit ton of marinated shrimp sizzled in spices and served with a dixie cup of tortilla soup broth, a pile of just-fried tortillas (see what they did there?), a monstrous bag of still-hot tortilla chips, ridiculously fresh Pico de Gallo, and the best green avocado salsa that I’ve ever had.  Commenting on the price might seem insensitive given the harsh economic realities of our trade policies, but rest assured the whole thing was cheap as hell.

Even the corner taco stands had the right idea.  You walk up, sit down, and order a few.  The taco chef (love that phrase) slices a few pieces of pastor from his shawarma skewer and tosses it onto the grill.  A minute later he throws it on a tortilla already deftly dipped in the grease catcher and serves it with plentiful portions of guacamole and grilled onions.  You pile on some salsa as you sit on a stool at the stand and satiate the stretch receptors in your belly.

If that doesn’t quite do the trick, simply ask the gentlemen for a few more and he’ll go through the process again.  Once you’ve had enough, tell him how many you’ve had, pay your tab*, dismount your stool, and confidently walk away, leaving fellow patrons muttering in disbelief over the amount of habanero salsa that damn gringo was able to stomach.

*Tijuana taquerias and carts all seem to operate on the honor system.  Even places that have counters and seating.  Go ask  the dude for two tacos and he’ll just give them to you.  Finish them and ask for two more.  Keep doing it.  Once you’re stuffed, saunter over to the counter (not always close in proximity to the taco guys and always staffed by different people) and tell them how many you’ve had.  They multiply that by a dollar (or 12 pesos, the going rate for tacos these days), you pay, and everyone is happy.  I’m not saying this would work in the Mission (it wouldn’t), but it was still neat.

quite the tasting plate!

Once again, the creme of the San Francisco foodie fanatic crop showed up in droves this past Sunday for the latest SF Food Wars event, this time with chocolate cookies on their minds.  200 tickets had sold out in just about 3 minutes, and I was determined to see just what all the fuss was about.  Hosted this time at Mighty in the burgeoning  SOMISSPO  neighborhood (where SOMA, Mission, and Potrero meet–take that NOPA!), the event drew the City’s most creative cookie chefs (yeah, I just did that). 

Chocolate espresso shortbread? Yes please.

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You’re doing just fine.

A mockingbird just moved into the tree across the street.  It looks like he came from a rough neighborhood though, because the only song he seems to know is that car alarm loop ubiquitous to areas with high incidence of grand theft auto (vice city).  I recorded a few minutes of his performance at 4am on friday night/saturday morning so you can hear him go through the cycle a few times.

Let’s hope he meets an automotive-minded female mockingbird soon, because it’s going to be tough to find another housemate on craigslist if I have to keep explaining why my neighbors are wearing ear plugs to bed.  Between this and the fact that just to the left of that tree is the spot where Omer ends up (and spends hours yelling incoherently) when he gets too drunk to continue his regular Valencia serenade, it’s going to be tough!

I always thought that they had to take off those crazy outfits to go to the bathroom (and that porta-potties were for mere mortals).  Looks like he got stuck!

Photo from SXSW courtesy of Trevor, before he was devoured (below).

this won't end well

Great to see the little guy has finally gotten the tiny (and ridiculously cute) casts off of his hind legs!  Quite a contraption there, too!  Ladies, I can’t think of a more desirable potential Mission mate than someone who can combine DIY technical acumen with an obvious love for animals.  Swoon!

I think they are doing it wrong.  Reader Brian H. explains:

There are some “vocal” folks living just off of the corner of 21st & Bryant.  They post signs about how their landlords are “harassing them” and are “professional evictors” and the like – all by way of signs in their windows and door.

Spotted at 21st and Bryant.

Sure, it’s a little late, but it’s the thought that counts.  Besides, look at that adorable couple down there who just left the building!  I wonder what they are saying to each other . . .

Kink.com Mad Libs!!!

“My favorite part was when ___1___ put you in that ___2___ and started to ___3___ you.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think ___4___ would be able to fit ___5___ in my ___6___, but you gotta admit, they are professionals over here.”

“I just wish they didn’t rub ___7___ all over my face.  I felt that was unnecessary.”

“I know, and all we got were these matching hoodies.”

If you want, number your responses in the comments.  Entries will be judged based on ___8___, and the winner will receive ___9___.  I am totally convinced that this is not a bad idea.