Mission Mission

The Lab, that place you never think about (oh yeah, that place!) on 16th and Capp, is hosting two awesome events this weekend:

First, Friday night!  Mi Ami party!  Dudes are putting out a new 12″.  The evening will also feature bearded boy wonder Tristes Tropiques.  Flyer below, but don’t stare too long; Magic Eye don’t work if you’re not relaxed.

Second, Saturday night!  A live Tetris Tournament!  They’re gonna project that shit on a wall and name a winner by the end of the night.  Music by Microfiche, White Cloud, and Middle D.

Below, a classic Tetris conundrum.  I leave it to you, reader, to solve.  See if you can figure out what to do with that next piece (hint: Zepler doubling isn’t the answer).

Okay, talk to you guys later!

Alexander sent us this image of a newly-buffed Clarion Alley a few days ago.  Reminds me of sunnier times, before the great blizzard hit San Francisco.  I miss my fingertips.

This shot taken by Photo-John in the Mission.  Would love to meet this automobile’s owner.

Has this existed for months?  I’ve never noticed.  Today was the first time I came across LEOS HOTDOGS, an enterprise of CESAR ASCARRUNZ’s, in front of 24th St. BART.  Brand new? Has anyone tried this shit?

This situation, plus the  incoming Rosamunde situation, means many tubes of meat in the Mission come 2k10.  Prepare yourselves for the thrill ride of your lives.

Ben sent us the above photo – a scene outside the Latino Culinary Academy on Florida/19th.  Four pairs of boots in all.  Three contracted black lung in the coal mines and died.

Ooh!  Pic from everyday photos:

500 Club claims it opens at 6 a.m., but it’s not true.  Don’t try.

This photo makes me feel like I’m in a community swimming pool at 8 a.m. Wow.  Well done.

I went to Doc’s Clock tonight and there was some serious B&T action going on.  What’s the story with that place?  I’ve always loved it, but tonight, it seemed as though everyone had on tank tops and jeans and no one was drinking.  Buzzkill.

On my way home from work today, I caught what is sure to be my last glimpse of a dying beast: the 26 Valencia.  It totally made that mraaawwwghhhh sound that dinosaurs make when you shoot ‘em as it lunged away from its stop.

Unlike KevMo, I’m a longtime Muni lover, Fast Pass collector, and old lady seat offerer, so am sad to see this piece of shit bus go.  I think it only proper I write up an homage of my own to add to Kevin’s post (I’m the nice one, he’s the mean one, haven’t you been paying attention?).

Riding the 26 always made me feel like I was taking public transit in Santa Barbara.  I saw it referred to as the “rich man’s 14″  somewhere online today, which I thought appropriate.  One time I was on the 26 and a Norwegian woman started telling me about how certain types of  hamburger meat paralyzes you for life and also that I have really good skin.  Yes, this bus is totally useless, but how awesome was it to conveniently bump into it and ride the 4 blocks down Valencia you were planning on walking?

RIP, 26 Valencia.  There will be tears in my beer and on my Fast Pass tonight.

I pass by this Virginia Slims ad in the window of Thanasi’s Market on 23rd/Valencia every day and smile to myself.  Finally, a cigarette for ME!  Gentlemen, you simply wouldn’t understand.

Anthropologists: what era is this ad from?  My guess is 1992.  No use replacing the ad with a new one, the ’90s are cool again.

ORFN!  From jerhodes:

21st and valencia ish. that old 'new college' building.

My friend Daniella loved ORFN more than anyone.  Then she moved to New York, and now all she gets is Dick Chicken:

Ugh.

Bummer.  Don’t move to New York, people, unless you want to see a CHICKEN with a DICK for a HEAD on all your trash receptacles.  Oh, and Dick Chicken’s slutty gf, Pussy Ham.  She’s a slab of HAM with a PUSSY.  Together, they make a really trashy reverse Chicken Cordon Bleu.

New York.  So gritty.

The Chronicle’s Michael Bauer posted an interesting idea this morning: that each neighborhood has a restaurant that captures its essence.  He encouraged readers to write in with suggestions… but prefaced that “if you live in the Mission, there are too many to list.”

Cop out!  Curious as to what you Missionites would pick.  I assume suggestions posted here will be less pretentious than any over at Between Meals, so by all means, comment.  And sure, KevMo, you can vote for Bender’s.

P.S.  La Rondalla photo by svanes.  Included because I love when you flap your gums about La Rondalla.