If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to wield japanese steel — and I’m not talking about a honda — I know a place. I’ve taken two classes on how to use the katana, and always feel invigorated, calm, and collected afterwards. This isn’t about chopping things up – its about perfecting the movements. It’s about efficiency, and economy of movement, and having the right mindset. Every Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30, and on sundays around noon, at San Francisco Aikikai – 1625 Bush St. #4 (at Franklin). More info here First class free, beginners are more than welcome to learn from the kind Sensei, but email to let someone know you’re coming. And tell them Brian sent ya.

I was coming out of my hair salon late yesterday evening, and was surprised to see a crowd of thousands walking along Market Street. I didn’t realize the significance of the Not My President protests at first, then I realized “Oh yeah, the inauguration was today.” I happened to have my camera, so I took the above two shots. Protests like these are not alien to the City, and certainly not to me — I covered a couple while I was a student reporter at SF State. The protest was loud, raucous, but most definitely orderly and under-control. There were also a couple of silent pro-Bush protesters on the side, defiantly holding up their hand-made signs. I found it surprising that they didn’t get heckled more — I guess everyone else was too busy marching onward. That said, I only hung around for a few minutes and decided to head on home, so I may have missed any further ruckus.

For the Chron’s coverage of the protest, click here.

This is going out on a limb – and risking a nice little flame war – but let’s see what happens.

I read the following graf in an SF Chron article on this weekend’s anti-abortion march right here in San Francisco:

“We couldn’t believe that they had the nerve to come to San Francisco,” said Dian Harrison, president of the Golden Gate chapter of Planned Parenthood. “They’ve been so emboldened that they believe that their message would be tolerated here. Sure, they can come here, but San Francisco will be ready to show them that they don’t believe in their message.”[emphasis added]

It caught my eye because of a recent discussion on this site about the relative tolerance or intolerance of what many would say is America’s most tolerant city.

It’s true that some things shouldn’t be tolerated – murder, child abuse, ugg boots – but for these kinds of political debates, when is intolerance okay? Disagreement rocks – I’m all for dissent, of course – so the call to demonstrate a disbelief in a message is fine. But the word “tolerated” practically lept from the page.

I’d hope that in thinking about this, you separate the underlying questions about abortion with the rhetorical, city identity questions that I’m really after. It’s doubtful we’ll come to a final conclusion about those – but I really don’t think we’ll solve the abortion debate – so why get bogged down here? That said – it’s your metblog – so say what you will. I’ll tolerate it.

The LPSF noticed that Supervisor Chris Daly want to donate $1M from the public coffers to tsunami victims. The entry links to a very compelling story of Davy Crockett. It is well worth a read.

It never ceases to amaze me, that people who would never consider coming to my house and taking money out of my wallet at gunpoint to provide for some cause, have no qualms at all about having government officials do it on their behalf. Although, in this case it is being done by bureaucrats, not voters. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

Sometimes I feel like I’m a shill for the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau since I’ve gotten a lot of blog-mileage out of their “Only In San Francisco” campaign (or “Not In LA” campaign depending on what catches your eye). Haven’t seen any fabulous comped hotel rooms or meals out of it, though . . . (Guess I need to use a darker marker on my “will blog for food” sign).

Anyway – here’s another fun offering that, after investigation, is linked to the ubiquitous “hey ain’t our hometown fantastic” promotional efforts.

From now until January 31st, the Dine About Town deal is back (okay, yeah, I must’ve missed when it was here before because I didn’t know it was “back”). It’s a Visa ad as well as a opportunity to eat dinner or lunch at some of the cities fab estabs (some fab-er than others) – for splendid fixed price rates. Just only with you Visa. Natch.

Even before I moved to San Francisco, I noticed that this city is, among other things, the Capital of Things Left on the Street for Anyone to Take.

Generally, the offerings are overwhelmingly of the microwave variety, but I’ve seen everything from a hedge clipper to a large steel desk (which I briefly paused to consider somehow dragging two blocks back to my apartment) abandoned on the streets of San Francisco accompanied by friendly notes written by their former owners.

Now, technically, the Christmas tree I saw this evening on Church probably isn’t up for grabs, but the vacuum cleaner looks like it is. Plus, it made a nice tableau.

I wonder if this forlorn appliance’s final task was sweeping up needles fallen from its new companion in homelessness. Oh, the awful irony.

Today I racked up over 300 miles on my taxi. Sometimes after such a day I like to find a place where I can get out of traffic and relax.

This afternoon I stopped at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and walked the grounds with my camera.

On Saturdays and Sundays there are lessons in reading Hieroglyphs thru 1/30.

I started today off with a visit to the city’s only donut shop, Bob’s Donuts on Polk. The cinnamon and crumb cake are fluffy and fresh, although I do prefer the outer edge to be a bit crisper. OK, there are other donut shops, but this is the only one that actually gives a hoot about quality. The others all use the same Wesco brand mix. Bleh.

In other news, from the Only-in-SF-dept., the Noe Valley Voice pays homage [scroll to "Goodbye Big Fellow"] to a recently departed beggar. Apparently the guy was commuting from Oakland!

With the MacWorld conference coming to its conclusion you might be looking for something a little different.

On Saturday the International Rubik’s Cube Tournament will be held at the Exploratorium.

Did you know that at least one in every five people in the world has tried to solve the puzzle of the cube?

The Tournament will be Saturday 1/15 10am to 5pm 3601 Lyon st. San Francisco.(415) 561-0360

. . . . and my trench coat.

Noir City 2005

Starting on Friday, January 14, the Balboa Theater is proud to host NOIR CITY: Darkness Coast to Coast. Anita Monga and Eddie Muller, the programmers of this very popular festival for the past two years at the Castro, are bringing their show to the Balboa for two weeks of rare movies, many unavailable on video. This is the only place in the world you can see this incredible selection of movies.

Grab your Bogey or Bacall and check it out.