Mission Mission

Never noticed this sign in the abandoned gas station on 23rd/Valencia until today.  Is it new?

This morning, MM had the distinct pleasure of receiving a note from Oren Jacob, Pixar CTO and Executive Producer of a documentary called “Ready, Set, Bag!“  Oren was hoping to get the word out about Thursday night’s SF premiere of  “Ready, Set, Bag!” at the Roxie, and offered to hook our crappy blog up with an advanced viewing.   Mere hours later, a DVD screener was hand-delivered to my front door.

Hand-delivered!  Who am I, Gene Siskel (may he rest in peace!)?

I just finished watching the film and let me tell you, it is a DELIGHT.  “Ready, Set, Bag!” is a documentary that follows eight state grocery bagging champions from across the United States as they prepare to compete in the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger competition in Las Vegas.  Contestants are judged by speed, weight distribution, packing prowess, etc.

“It’s similar to the American Idol,” says Frank DiPasquale, SVP of the National Grocers Association, in the film.  “You just never know where the stars are.”

Now readers, I would be lying to you if I didn’t wipe the single tear running down my cheek and say that this is a film about America.  Not shitty America, where people are fat jerks,  but awesome America, where people are huge sweethearts who work at grocery stores to overcome shyness, or to pursue the American Dream, and happen to get really good at a thing.  And in case earnestness makes you nervous (it does me!), rest assured that “Ready, Set, Bag!” doesn’t condescend to our protagonists, but puts their sizeable talents and quirks on display.  Basically, a bunch of sweethearts got together to make a movie about a bunch of sweethearts.

OOPS! Accidentally turned this blog into my livejournal!

This movie melted my cold, dead heart.  Here are your details for Thursday night:

Ready, Set, Bag!
Roxie Theater
Thursday, November 19th
7:00 p.m.
Tickets available online

The screening will benefit the San Francisco Food Bank, Mechanics Banks will donate $1 for every ticket sold, and if you bring two or more items of non-perishable food to donate, you get $1 off your ticket and 50 cents off popcorn.  Director Q&A with the audience to follow, and don’t forgot dem Twitta @readysetbag.  Phewf!

SPOILER ALERT: My favorite bagger wins the competition!

In case you were wondering what was up with the corner of 21st and Folsom, Eater SF has the answer.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

L.A. foodist Matt Straus is slapping together a space called Heirloom, likely taking inspiration from his catering company.  Judging by the sample menus, looks like standard Californian fare (DON’T WORRY, THEY GOT FIG TARTLETS!).

A Los Angelan restauranteur in San Francisco, eh?  I think this is ripe time for another geographically-based food flamewar.  Take it away, commenters.

Photo and title by James.   We are what we eat, y’all!

I can’t stop looking at this image.  This, plus the negative NYT review of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Go Veg book (which changed Natalie Portman’s life, just like The Shins) I read mere minutes before receiving this photo has given me a lot to think about today.  I’d call it “food for thought,” but that’d be way too much of a mindfuck.

Steven Seagal: Both bro and Buddhist

Laurie forwards a note from the Director of the San Francisco Buddhist Center, in order to provide us with “another side of the story.”  Read on:

Dear friends of the San Francisco Buddhist Center,
The SFBC wants to let you know about a situation that will potentially have a big effect on our ability to practice at the Center in the future (and for residents, to live in the building.)

Some of you are familiar with cafe Medjool which is just behind the Center, on Mission street. A couple of years ago they opened an unpermited outdoor rooftop bar. The reason I know this is because of the nights I spent feeling like my apartment was vibrating with sound, even with both sound windows shut, a pillow over my head, ear plugs in my ears. The blasting music and shouting from the bar also disrupted meditation classes. Over a couple of years the city was inundated with complaints from the neighborhood so the rooftop bar was shut down (the rest of the business is still happening) so things have been quiet again for several months. There is a Board of Appeals hearing this Wednesday that will determine if they can open the bar again.

Medjool has launched a “Save Medjool” campaign, claiming that the city has gone mad trying to revoke their permit for the outdoor bar (they never had one) and that neighbors and the SFBC are “whiners” since Medjool paid for the sound windows in the building (also not true.) (And their noise is far beyond the level of sound windows anyway).

“Save Medjool” signs have been cropping up in the Mission, as if it’s some kind of ‘power to the people’ thing. My guess is that people who like the bar do not know what the real issues are, that is is illegal and a hazard to the neighbors and the Center which by law has precedence because it is a religious community established here for 10 years before Medjool came into the scene. But the Save Medjool Facebook page has almost 1700 members! The page invites people to the hearing, with Save Medjool buttons to wear, and offers free transportation! So I think the meeting may be packed out with Medjool supporters.

If you want to help try to “Save the SFBC meditation hall” (from seeming like it’s in the middle of a rave or raucous cocktail party), PLEASE COME TO THE APPEALS HEARING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 AT 5PM.
Wear an SFBC t-shirt (or if you don’t have one, something light blue? Or whatever!)
Location:
City Hall, Room 416, One Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Suvanna Cullen
Director, San Francisco Buddhist Center
suvanna@sfbuddhistcenter.org

Fair enough.  Don’t forget to attend if interested, it sounds like the Buddhists may be outnumbered by the Medjoolites and could likely use the manpower.

Should we get some “Team Bro” and “Team Buddha” t-shirts printed up?

Messy, messy.  That’s totally not how you vacuum a car.

On 15th between Mision and Julian.  Thanks to Public Frenemy for sending in.

Commenter Andy left us this tidbit over the weekend:

Saw a strange site heading down Guerrero today about 3pm…

A man was on a rampage down the street, knocking over some parked mopeds and throwing himself on the hoods of cars. Didnt appear to be homeless or crazy, but more in the throws of a serious LSD or other drug related craziness. Anyway, thought ya’ll might have your ear to the ground (or ye olde police scanner).

Crazy.  Did anyone else come across this nutter?

Scene at Paxton Gate, that amazing place next to 826 Valencia.  Please buy me Hamlet mouse.

From everyday photos.  Incredible.

Snapped this guy up on a telephone pole on 22nd/San Jose.

Maybe I’m being dense here, but I don’t get the metaphor. The joke definitely lies in the thumb head and the knightship, but I really can’t figure out how they’re related. Can anyone enlighten me? Please respond in iambic pentameter only.

I totally don’t get British humor. Oops, humour. If this is a Monty Python ref, I’m gonna be pissed.

Aw dang, target audience alert!  I’m exactly the kind of bitch who goes apeshit over this sort of thing:

The World’s Smallest Postal Service!  I  kid you not.  Found out about this one in a bourgie ladynewsletter I subscribe to.

Postmaster Lea Redmond sets up shop and turns customer letters into the smallest li’l thing you ever did see.  Take a look at this video of her in action.  This shit is so precious, I’ve got a case of the heart eyeballs.

World’s Smallest Postal Service will be at the Curiosity Shoppe on 19th/Valencia tomorrow, from 2-6 p.m.  Get over there and SWAK it up.  They’ve got a pretty hefty SF schedule, too, in case you miss it.