Spots Unknown

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-30

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James “Da Pimp” O’Keefe Coming to San Francisco?

James "Da Pimp" O'Keefe Coming to San Francisco?

Everyone knows White Pimp is the new Black, and it's ALL GOOD, y'all. Word up.

But seriously, this jive turkey is scheduled to speak at the Commonwealth Club and teach badass mofo media poseurs how to stick it to the man.

However. Since the brotha's out on bail and might be, shall we say, indisposed at the time of the talk, there might be someone else speaking that night.

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Downtown Guide Dog

Downtown Guide Dogs, San Francisco, photo from Flickr stream of bossco

I was walking along Mission Street in the Financial District to get coffee this morning and was struck by how efficiently a big lab was in guiding a blind person through a crowded, chaotic crosswalk. The pair navigated multiple near-collisions plus the curb at the end. It was impressive. More after the jump...

Parkour in the Park

Parkour in the Park, San Francisco

YouTube parkour practitioner, NoSolePK, runs, leaps and spins Hobbit-style through George Christopher Playground in Diamond Heights.

Also, SF Parkour seems to be training a scary army of monkey/human hybrids:

Keep in mind, videos like the ones above are carefully edited to look awesome. For a little balance, see this. (But be warned: it's rough viewing.)

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Bikes Ahead

City workers spray a bicycle-related glyph onto the street near Clay and Sansome. I'm not sure what exactly it's supposed to be saying. Anyone?

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We’re #1! – Nastiest Hotel in the World

Nastiest Hotel in the World is in San Francisco?

We finally made it to the top of one of those year-end lists, y'all!

It's Trip Advisor's 2010 Dirtiest Hotels list, and our very own Heritage Marina kicked serious ass to get to #1. (I know it's a U.S. list, but everyone knows we're the only country that counts, so by the transitive property of, like, math, I'm declaring it the #1 spot on the planet.)

Images of filth and glory after the jump...

A View of the Rain

A View of the Rain, San Francisco

North up Market Street from Fox Plaza.

(Thanks, Sandra!)

Is It BBQ Weather Yet?

Is It BBQ Weather Yet? San Francisco

Probably not. A man can dream, can't he?

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-23

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Joey’s

Ice Cream Espresso Sausage Wash & Dry, San Francisco

Nothing gives me a hankering for ice cream espresso sausage like doing the laundry!

(Submitted by S. Scott Ethersmith)

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Filthiest Spot in San Francisco?

So thinks the photographer, Troy Holden.

From the Flickr set:

After years of deterioration and absence of modern operational systems, the [Fleishacker] pool did not meet health and safety standards and closed in 1971. Consideration was given to refurbishing and reopening the historic landmark, but usage studies showed low interest, and the high annual operating costs could not be offset with the expected revenue. In 1999, the San Francisco Zoological Society was granted ownership of the pool house, and it is not known what might become of it. The swimming pool itself was filled with rocks and gravel, with the space now serving as a parking lot for the zoo.

Police Scanner: Car-to-Foot Chase

The TV show Cops is great and all, but there is a special excitement to hearing and imagining the action as it's communicated between officers and the dispatcher.

This chase, which happened yesterday, goes through the Upper Haight as the perp blows a tire, then proceeds on foot through Golden Gate Park, and is finally tackled and apprehended.

Free Ride!

From the Flickr stream of Jeremy Brooks

Wow, I guess this really happened. Gotta say, I've never seen this particular breed of Awesome in the 14 years I've lived here. (From the Flickr stream of Jeremy Brooks.)

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Crazy Surfing Footage From the Storm

Spot X in San Francisco, going off today. Watch for the backwash that totally swallows the surfer at the end.

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Flag Change at Alcatraz

A bit of a special moment on The Rock that I happened to see while on a tour with my visiting parents. I dig the precision and respect the officers give to the process.

(Be sure to lower your computer's volume because the wind really batters the microphone, especially in the beginning; the sound of the ratchet later is pretty cool, though.)

Name That Spot

Name That Spot, San Francisco

Make your guess in the comments.

UPDATE: And, BAM, commenter Lemon nailed it, the side of Alioto's, Folsom and 14th.

Ideal BART Passenger

Ideal BART Passenger

From a pure entertainment perspective, at least.

Alien Life: San Carlos Alley Sprites

San Carlos Alley Sprites

Captured here in high summer, the sprites of San Carlos alley begin to emerge in late spring, just off 19th Street. These photonic flowers only bloom in the afternoon when the sun reflects mysteriously off some top-floor windows.

So keep an eye out for these special visitors when winter ends.

Breaking: Noise at 16th & Mission!

Breaking: Noise at 16th & Mission

In other shocking news, Mark McGwire took steroids.

It is comforting to know SF's finest are keeping the streets safe for those just trying to catch a few Zs with the pigeons.

San Francisco Water is Attractive!

San Francisco Water is Attractive!

Sure, the winner of SFPUC's video water conservation contest is getting all the glory, but is that fair? I say, no! What of the other finalists? Video after the jump...