I

Did you ever have one of those days where you’re just fussy? Nothing’s wrong, exactly, just a bad mood, kinda grumpy, squished in the MUNI, running 3 minutes late all day, don’t wanna go to class, won’t have time to make it to the gym, icky kinda day?

Then did you ever see something that made you stop, cock your head to one side, and think – you know what, today’s not so bad after all? I did:

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

The sign, partially obscured by my bad camera work, asks “W_at’s _issing in San Francisco.” The answer? Euro wunderstore H&M. Sigh. This fall, at the corner of Powell and O’Farrell, San Franciscans, nay, all West Coasters, can partake of the same ultra-trendy, uber perishable clothing store those Easterners have been enjoying for too long while taunting our H&Mlessness.

For those of you unfamiliar, think Forever 21 but more like Forever 18-34. The clothes are so now they’ll be over yesterday, yet, for the cost, you won’t be able to stay away. They last about 4 or 5 washings, too, so it’s best you don’t get too attached anyway. Oh, I kid. Seriously, not everything is meant to fall apart – I have several coats and blazers acquired from my east coast swing that still got flair.

Sniff, sniff – look at that photo again. It’s just so beautiful . . . .

Doesn’t it seem as though everything is going up? As Christiana pointed out, on a previous post, it will cost more to park in San Francisco.

Now the folks that run “eBay Stores” are being asked to pay higher monthly fees, and give up more on commission fees.

Some of these shop owners are stay at home moms, or other people that need to work from home. Any decrease in their income could be the last straw…

From today’s Chron:

The Board of Education is expected to approve the school district’s calendar for the 2005-06 academic year tonight — but not before a spirited debate among parents over when classes should begin.

There have long been arguments among parents over whether school should start before or after Labor Day, with the former winning out the past several years.

This year, however, brings a new wrinkle — the 20th anniversary of the Burning Man art festival in the wastelands of Nevada is scheduled for Aug. 29- Sept. 5. In an only-in-San Francisco argument, several parents are demanding that school start Sept. 6 so their children can attend the event.

Unfortunately for the Burning Man contingent, the board is expected to set Aug. 29 as the first day of school.

Parking rates are going up again in San Francisco.

The city is reportedly looking for a “balanced way” to share the burdensome and ever-growing MUNI debt. Sharing those costs with drivers, of course, has to be part of the solution because you couldn’t really raise MUNI rates enough to cover costs without pricing out the people who need it most.

There isn’t really a good solution for the problem – equity between drivers and MUNI riders is probably impossible. I have both a MUNI pass and a car (on a street not protected by a residential permit, but surrounded by J parking streets – ah there’s the rub), so I guess I’ll be paying more anyway you look at it.

Among other proposals – increased gas taxes, which may make more sense for SF’s ever-present enviro undertones (more sense than the shopping bag fees, anyway). But if you raise the cost of driving the car, you shouldn’t really raise the cost of not driving the car.

But the buses have to run – what can you do?

Yesterday, after I dropped off a fare at the San Jose International Airport, I visited the new channel 11 studios to see how the tryouts for ‘The Apprentice’ was doing. There were several hundred people in line.

Most of the men and women were in their best business clothing, perfect hair with nervous, but perfect smiles. There was an occasional quirky and overly flamboyant person. Like the lady in the too tight purple outfit with the obligatory feather boa.

Somehow a fellow who was wearing unusual attire, red and blue plaid pants, white shirt, blue blazer and a bow tie caught my eye. I thought he looked like a friendly, approachable man. So, I decided to speak with him.

I asked his name and how he was doing standing in line. His name, Ryan Sawchuk. He said, ” Having a blast hanging out with 500 apprentice hopefuls trying to bring a bit of flare to the dull business suit crowd.” I also asked if he had a job. Yes, he works for eBay!

I let him know where to find my story on Metroblogging San Francisco, and thanked him.

I adore Reverie Cafe in Cole Valley to begin with (though I am now tormented with the knowledge that they offer a hotspot now – alas – another study zone bites the dust . . . can’t . . . . resist . . . wifi. Must . . . check… email!) – but yesterday, an added treat: a new exhibit of local photographers Heather Powazek Champ and Derek Powazek.

The works jump off the wall with color and each captures a bit of the average city, but always in a fresh way.

Derek Powazek displays a series of dogs – images at home in Cole Valley. I thought this one was especially joyful:

Heather Powazek Champ’s photographs highlight the familiar from different perspectives – the ordinary as art less ordinary – or, in this case, the already extraordinary reduced to one basic lovely element:

Both artists’ work is worth visiting in person – don’t you need to go get a cup of coffee? And a print?

The big boys of tennis are coming to the HP PAVILION February 7-13 for the SAP OPEN. The worlds top players are vying for the prestigious title.

34 year old Andre Agassi will be there, even though he is ranked 10th, and has suffered injuries. Agassi has won 59 titles, and he is not ready to give up the game just yet.

It will be interesting to see where in the ranks he will finish this year. If he doesn’t move up I don’t think he will stay in the game.

Apparently, too gay. First off: there

Yesterday I lapsed into SoCal dialect by calling good ol’ Junipero Serra “the 280″ and was reprimanded for my use of the indefinite article “the.”

Surely this is not a “Frisco”-level faux pas on my part? I dutifully refer to San Francisco as “The City” even though I know Oakland and San Jose are not merely a collection of tall buildings.

Is there anything else I should know about? Any other terminology that might cause what seems to me to be frighteningly easy internal bruising?

Sorry, but I’m a little grouchy, having traversed [the] highly trafficked 280 an hour and a half earlier than usual to attend an 8:30 meeting.