in search of Poc Chuc

Bill and I were wandering around Noe Valley yesterday, and decided to have some dinner at Mi Lindo Yucatan on 24th. One of our favorite go-to restaurants in the city, MLY specializes in Mayan food and has the most kick ass Poc Chuc ever. So. good.

As we walk up, we notice folks are having a garage sale on the sidewalk in front of the place. That's weird but whatever. And then we see this:

Sadness. So sad. We both made faces.

It's a sad moment, when your favorite store or restaurant -- or maybe not even a favorite, but one you took for granted -- closes. There is usually a wee sign, an apology, possibly a reference to another location... but more notable is the hit home moment that the economy fairly sucks and yes, it does affect people... including the nice owners of the closed business we stand in front of. Cup our hands to the sides of our eyes, press our faces to the window, and see that all that's left are a few strewn chairs among the bright wall tiles.

Oddly enough, the night before we attempted to go to Jade in Hayes Valley. Don't bother people. That place is boarded up as well, and the windows, whitewashed. Other fallen comrades? Most recently in my neighborhood, Black Oak Books (both in my hood and the Berkeley store.) and Cafe Gratitude (it WAS getting a bit pricey...).

Econoclipse. It keeps on creepin'.

Re-visiting-mining

A few posts back, I mentioned I went to a conference addressing how quarries and mine companies must restore the land after they have removed mineral. I came across this story in SF Gate this morning which is a perfect example of why this is so important. Extreme, but perfect: Superfund money to clean 'mouth of beast.'

Please draw your attention to the portion of the article where they mention how little help the current owner of the mine provides to clean-up efforts:

The elderly owner of the property, Ted Arman, who bought the 3,500-foot mountain from the last mining company for $100,000, has not been much help, proposing a resumption of mining in addition to construction of a 200-foot-tall marble statue of Jesus Christ.

oh good lord.

acid run-off from Iron Mountain Mine. Photo from Stockpix.com

Great but Terrible things...

and then there was this: The boy who made us wait forever!

Just turn around and go back inside.

Today is one of those days when you were in the shower, trying to decide what to wear, you think, Oh, I haven't worn that green belt in awhile, I should wear it, and then, Oh, I haven't worn those black pants with that square design on them in awhile either, and then, I should wear them together because that would be fun, and then, Oh, I should wear that brown shirt with it because it is cute and has puffy sleaves and then I have those fun flats to wear, Oh, look how last minute mellow fashionista I am.

And then you put it all on. And the belt doesn't want to stay in place because the pants have no loops and all facets (belt and pants) are slippery. And the tank you had on under said brown cute shirt looks too butch, so you opt for a more feminine one, but the bottom hem of it is a bit baggy. And you realize you need to make the 8 AM meeting at work, so you don't have time to blowdry your hair and you stick it back in a barrette. And, when putting on make-up, you are scouring the dregs of your blush with your blush brush (poor brush) and add that to your mental list of impending purchases. And you fly out the door with coffee and purse and presentation notes only to get halfway down the stairs and remember you left your phone charging on the piano.

By the time you get to work, the belt is tossed, abandoned in the backseat. You've scrounged out some renegade jewelry in your car to spice up your now blah outfit. Hair is in a pudgy ponytail. And it occurs to you that pants held together with safety pins (buttons long gone) should really be tossed out the window. But you have to wait until you get home to do that. Because then you would be pantless. And that would be awkward. Especially during Monday morning meeting.

Shoot myself in the foot...

Does anyone have an extra Here Here ticket for Saturday night? I will totally love you forever if you sell it to me.... Chances are, if you are reading this, I love you already, but there's nuthin' wrong with a wee bit more.

Me, at the prospect of missing the show......