Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Milk in Castro

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 28, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

My evening was spent down in The Castro, where they were hosting the premiere of Gus Van Sant's new film Milk over at the Castro Theatre. The film is a bio-pic featuring Sean Penn (and James Franco) about gay-rights icon Harvey Milk.

Since I was unable to get a ticket to the showing, I hung around on the block for awhile to people watch. I eventually stationed myself across the street from the theater, alongside the crowd of supporters of "No on 8", where we chanted against the ridiculous proposition. We even got thumbs up from the arriving cast, which of course set everyone off into loud cheers. While I'm sure some in attendance were there more for the gawking of the celebrities who walked the carpet, it also felt that a majority were present to honor Harvey's memory, as well. There were even points that I felt overwhelmed with joy as I observed the interactions of the people; strangers befriending other strangers, friend gatherings on rooftops, and couples (of all preferences) holding one another while shouting in sync...it was wonderful.

And my two cents for the night: NEXT WEEK - PLEASE VOTE NO ON 8!

Things In Between

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 25, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 2 Comments

So, besides hunting like crazy for a place to live and for someone to hire me, I've also had some time this week to do things that I enjoy. It's the small things that keep me satisfied, sometimes. Heh.

Here's a top-5 run down:

1. Make Salsa Not War: Those of you that know me, know I'm a salsa
fiend. But, for someone who loves salsa so much, surprisingly I don't
make it much. But I got inspired the other night (since it seems like most local salsas here are weak - no offense SF). This batch came out
pretty good and was pretty flavorful for what I had on hand. I think the next round will have to have something special...I just need to figure out what that is.

To be continued...

2. Da Mystery of Chessboxin': My friend Justin is a Chess instructor at a
couple schools in the city, so we've been playing a little when we have
down time. I hadn't played in a long time, but Justin's upgrading my skill, teaching me all the moves! I'm also considering creating an account over on WuChess - anyone want to start a Clan? Wait, scratch that idea, shit costs $48!?! C.R.E.A.M. indeed!

3. Mission Burrito Hunt: Not only am I a salsa fiend, but I'm also a
burrito connoisseur. I'm still on the hunt for my favorite Nor Cal
burrito spot, and so far this adventure has been great - very exciting! So much variety! So many flavors!
This beauty comes from Taqueria el Buen Sabor over on 18th and Valencia
in the Mission. Everyone I've talked to keeps saying The Mission is the spot for legit burritos, but really, I feel like The Mission is the only place you can find burritos. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough.

And don't be fooled, while this photo gives the
impression of that puppy being small, it certainly had some girth! And
it was filled with the goods: Black beans, guac, salsa fresca of some
sort (the hot, not the mild), cheese, and rice. I'll give it a 8 out of
10. Maybe a 7, actually - the rice did give taste hints of Rice-a-Roni at times (but that might of been because it sat for a moment, during the trip back to Twin Peaks by foot/bus, which might of caused the flavors to seep into the rice).

I like to consider this type of thing research for Burrito Mikeo.

4. Supportin' the People: We thought there was a "No
on Prop 8" rally this morning, so Justin and I headed to the Castro around 10 AM to
go be active with our people. But, turns out, it wasn't a rally, but more of a party at The
Lookout or something. Damn. (Justin and I are still uncertain about what his poster is supposed to mean)

Well, whatever, we moved onto number 5...

5. Hangin' Tough in Dolores Park: This has definitely become one of my
favorite things to do since I've been up here, and I was just thinking
about it earlier, about how much I really enjoy the fact that SF people
use their parks. It seemed like back in So Cal no one ever wanted to
hang out in the park and just "chill". Here, everyone does it - and
they do it all day! So, after our plans to rally didn't happen, we did
the next best thing and bought a six pack of Heinekens and sat on the
grass and just...well, hung out. Sweeeeeet.

Oh, and some other great things I've recently come across:

  1. Saw two guys fist fighting the other night while walking to the Castro MUNI station headed for the Nosaj Thing show.
  2. Last night, while walking through the neighborhood heard some "man-moans" from a dark driveway corner, and of course I figured "oh shit, I'm about to walk up on some dudes going at it", and to my surprise when I walked by it turned out to be two heavyset men eating brownies. L0lz.
  3. And last but not least, a shout out to the black tranny dancing on the corner with her walkmen, in the middle of the day, in the Tenderloin. Work it, girl!

'Tis all for now. See ya!

Who Do They Think They’re Fooling?

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 16, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Whenever people want to talk Punk Rock, I always want to talk about Crass, and their related projects with Crass Records and Dial House. A lot of the time, I get a lot of disagreeing, but it doesn't mean much to me because I still feel Crass was the best. And one of the most important. But don't get me wrong, I'm not disregarding anything that other bands did. I realize there were a lot of other great groups out there who stirred up some shit. Who put punk on the map. Who made a huge difference. But nothing as note-worthy in my book, that's for sure. Crass just has this spark to it, and once you understand it - you understand it. I feel that for a band that did so much, Crass is also a group that has been overlooked incredibly by many.

Well anyway...last night, I joined my friend Bryan in Oakland for a screening of the documentary Crass: There Is No Authority But Yourself, a film about them, over at an Anarchist infoshop, The Long Haul, in Berkeley. After the film, I left feeling more excited about a band I've been following since I was in the 7th grade. It feels like the older I get, the more I am able to really appreciate what they had created. The film - ruled. It was filled with great rare pieces of live footage, old photos, and interviews with Gee Vaucher, Steve Ignorant, and Penny Rimbaud. It even gave a tour of the Dial House! So sweeeeet.

If you're familiar with Crass, watch it. If you're not, watch it. I think what they were doing thirty-plus years ago has definitely impacted a lot of us, many without even realizing it. I still hold this band as one of the best, and most important groups of all time (in addition to being one of the greatest things I've ever come across - their influence is priceless), and definitely one of the most important things to happen to Punk Rock, let alone Rock n' Roll.

The Google video above is the same one they screened at The Long Haul.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Word.

Oh, and today is my one week anniversary of being a San Francisco resident. Holla! I mean, hella!

Bueno in the Bay

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 12, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

San Fran-fucking-cisco. I'm yours! Though I've only been here for three days, I feel so at home. Well, as at home as I can feel without my own place. I'm currently staying with my friend Justin, right in the hills above The Castro. The couch I'm on is near a window with an amazing view of the city. Earlier, I even watched a firework show explode out of downtown...all from the living room. I've also been taking care of business, and yesterday started hunting for work - that landed me two meetings for next week. Score.

Tonight, my adventure of the evening was down on Larkin St., at the White Walls Gallery, where I checked out the opening reception for Mike Giant's new show. I have been a long time fan of his work, but had never seen any of it in person, so I was really excited. (I even planned my move around this time SO I could make the opening, hehe.) Shit ruled! I was also surprised that on most of the pieces there were penciled in notes around the darker markered lines...pretty neat to see bits of his thoughts. I want to check it out again before the show closes on the 1st of November, so if anyone is up here and interested, lets go!

Outside of White Walls:

This is the first thing that I saw as I walked in. Huge!

A shot from around the corner...people started piling in soon after.

Skull detail - all black and white marker drawings. Sweet.

Pencil notes...shit, ain't that the truth!

More bikeage. Holla.

There was a note on this one that said something like "would make a great chest piece". He's right. And that'd be some good collar bone text!

More photos can be found on my Flickr. Woop.

I like to keep things flowin’…

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 3, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

And by that I mean, with a big party - there has to be a pre-party! Yaaaah, house party style tomorrow night! You're invited!

I hope to see you there!

Yo, I’m Out!

Published
by
Mike O.
on October 1, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

That's right! I'm San Francisco-bound next week!

But before I go, you know I want to party. My friend Shalyce at Club Bang! was so kind to throw me a special going away shindig, THIS SATURDAY, before I depart. Check it out:

...and I was thinking about it today - having a party at Bang! is so appropriate. Did you know Bang! was the first club I'd ever attended, back in 2002, during high school? It's also the place where 3.5 years ago I met my ex-boss (he's now moved onto a different venue) and landed the internship that got my foot in the door here at the Glass House (Alisha and Jenna - you guys were there!). I've gotten into a scuffle or two there; laughed with people I love; cried like the drunk fat chick who got the boot; fell down the stairs in front; and even danced alone, blacked out, at closing (with the house lights up) to "Creep" on stage, while my friends had to convince security to let me just finish the song. Hah! I've also seen some crazy, crazy shit go down too and in the Knitting Factory parking lot (i.e. birthday 2007, wtf?! watching goofy ass scenesters rumble against parking security...and I mean rumble like people getting thrown over hoods of cars!). Hell, I've even lost a new Blackberry there while in a haze!

Aww...so many great memories. Lets close it out with a good one! I'll probably be sobbing sometime during the night...oh wait, that was last time!

I hope to see ya there, friends.