Mission Mission

[Chappelle on SF streets in 2007 pic by sam.soneja]

Dave Chappelle was here in the Bay Area last week. He did two nights at Yoshi’s in Oakland. Did anyone get to see him? My mom did, and she was there until about 4:30 in the morning. Here’s her report:

All night long with Dave Chappelle @ Yoshi’s in Oakland.

I’m a big fan of both stand up comedy and late night/after hours, when our defenses slip away and delirium seeps in. The rules change, and things take on different meanings. Beginning in the earliest hours of Tuesday morning, Dave Chappelle performed an all night, 4 1/2 hour set of stand up routine, improv (once asking the audience for movies that’ve touched us in some meaningful way. He had funny, irreverent jokes for every movie mentioned, ending with a soundtrack for Precious, as if it were sung by a Country artist), piano playing (a little Moonlight Sonata), and a profound look at a keenly intelligent man at work. I laughed until I cried a few times.

There were way too many not funny hecklers to contend with, and sometimes I thought he spent too much time responding to them and engaging with them.

He said his biggest regret was not selling out to Comedy Central, and also said he’s not comfortable with people who say they tell the truth all the time. Dave smoked about 500 cigarettes, drank 2 cups of coffee, didn’t have a sip of water, and talked all night long!

He also has some big guns from working out and says he’s on steroids.

Thanks Dave, that was a great time!

Barbara Graber.

Every Halloween, after the little ghouls and boys have gone to bed, strange people gather at local artist’s workshop The Secret Alley (where I am a co-founder) and record tales of other worlds. The latest episode has finally been unleashed, and it is quite a tale indeed. If you are a fan of Star Trek, you may enjoy watching this.

By the way, if you’re interested in being a part of the fun, The Secret Alley is looking to fill one of our offices with a local artist who wants to join in on the craziness and hard work that makes that place tick. Interested parties should send a statement of said interest to iwanttowork@thesecretalley.com.

Now hiring. If you think you have what it takes.

Recursive at Community Thrift.

At Thrift Town.

I finally found that holy grail present for the girl (or, more likely in this case, woman) who has everything! The one thing she doesn’t have is a set of nipple cozies! Because there is no reason for her to have this!

So, if you know this girl and need to get her the final thing in her set of everything, this vintage pair of Niftee Nipple Warmers can be found at Stuff (150 Valencia Street) and can be purchased for $20. I just know she will be so happy because now she will truly have every thing and that is her dream.

It’s been a month since Parks and Rec‘s Ron Swanson was found to be modeled after famed Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa.

Last night on my walk home from work I captured evidence in nearby Potrero of what I have long believed to be a tree containing the soul of sad Homer Simpson, from Television’s The Simpsons.

Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and put it all into perspective.