Archive for May, 2012

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Adobe Books going out of business

May 30th, 2012

Adobe Books

16th Street’s Adobe Books, as you may recall, has been in trouble for some time. But now their rent has been raised, pounding the final nail in the coffin for this chill neighborhood bookshop.

Adobe Books has always been an unusually free, open and artistic-minded spot. Retirees and homeless people often hang out in the front seating area and shoot the shit. The back room often hosted art exhibitions, and one bookshelf featured a hidden compartment containing a secret diorama of the bookstore.

My favorite experience at Adobe: on asking if they sold calendars they told me: “We don’t believe in time.” Sadly, it looks like time believes in them. Stop by for a book or three before it’s too late.

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Here’s to a new beginning

May 30th, 2012

Here's to a new beginning

Sadly, the big tree at 16th and Dolores was chopped down recently, making the corner bright and sunny (queue vampire hiss sound effect.) But now the stump bears a message reminding us of the circle of life. Yes, one day the stump will rot, and eventually a new tree will grow. Or the stump will be removed by a tree service and Friends of the Urban Forest will be commissioned to plant a new tree. One of those.

Cheers, tree stump!

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Dan Savage replaced by fire hydrant

May 29th, 2012

Fist Your Friends

Who needs Dan Savage’s sex advice column when you have this fire hydrant? From the looks of things, so far the hydrant advice is not up to par. But it’s passable for a first attempt.

(Spotted at 15th and Dolores.)

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Harvey Milk stencil

May 25th, 2012

Harvey Milk stencil

A new stencil appeared around town lately depicting the late civil rights icon Harvey Milk. But would Milk have been okay with defacing public property with, well, his face? And would he be able to appreciate the irony of the color choice (white)?

I don’t know the answer to these questions. But perhaps John Avalos could bust out his
Ouija board and find out.

(Spotted on 17th and South Van Ness.)

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Never Forget Jesse Morris

May 18th, 2012

Never Forget Jesse Morris

Someone has taken to printing up stickers to commemorate Jesse Morris, the much beloved busker who was best known for his Johnny Cash covers.

While this may seem like an odd way to pay tribute to someone’s memory, Morris spent his time on street corners and Bart stations. It’s fitting, then, that these stickers are found on street corners and Bart stations.

But don’t worry, sticker artist — we have not forgotten.

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Food trucks officially jump the shark

May 17th, 2012

Burger King food truck

The Whole Foods food truck was embarrassing enough. But now that Burger King has entered the game, the game is officially over.

The items sold by Burger King do not qualify as “food” by any normal standard, and their attempt to disguise this fact by placing them inside of an imitation food truck seems eerily reminiscent of a cargo cult.

So next time you’re hungry, don’t check Twitter, don’t go to Off the Grid, and stay away from the sOmA sTR3@t f00D pArK. You’ll have to go to a restaurant instead — thanks to Burger King, food trucks are over and done.

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Belgian eatery enforces rules with stiletto skullcrusher

May 15th, 2012

No high heels

They say “rules are made to be broken,” but the truth is that rules are made to be ignored. If you don’t believe that, then I have a pop quiz about the iTunes terms you agreed to last month.

So when you have a rule that’s important, how do you get people to pay attention?

Frjtz, the Valencia St. Belgian-style eatery, has taken to invoking the infamous stiletto skullcrusher to draw your eyes to their no-heels-on-the-bed rule. Because what says “high heels” like a woman best known for smacking people in the head with them?

Or maybe it’s a thinly veiled threat — keep your heels off the bed or else.

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Muni wishes you a Happy Halloween

May 14th, 2012

Happy Halloween!

While an educated observer might note that Halloween was, like, six months ago or something, there hasn’t been a compelling reason to stop celebrating. Muni certainly hasn’t, as seen above.

In the immortal words of Ministry, “Everyday is Halloween.” So why not celebrate? Put on that costume and break out your flask, it’s time to Trick-or-Treat, Muni style.

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Pigeon undaunted by owl statue

May 11th, 2012

Pigeon undaunted by owl statue

Call me crazy, but I kinda like pigeons. They’re simple, awkward creatures that — despite the bad press they get — don’t really hurt anyone.

And yes, I’d probably feel differently if I owned a car.

While we may sit back and laugh at the apparent stupidity of the pigeons, sometimes I question whether we’re any less stupid. After all, our attempts to dissuade them with owl statues are never effective. If we’re so smart, shouldn’t we have learned this by now?

(Pigeon spotted at Capp and 16th.)

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Trapped in a Box ($50)

May 10th, 2012

Trapped in a box

Is it an art installation? A light switch box? Or perhaps it’s a satirical jab at Marcel Duchamp?

Regardless, that seems a bit pricey for a light switch. Particularly a used one.

Spotted at Pauline’s Pizza.

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