San Francisco Metblogs » sf_brian

Swordplay

sf_brian — Fri, 21 Jan 2005 15:39:47 +0000

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.

NYE not in SF

sf_brian — Sun, 02 Jan 2005 15:59:25 +0000

I spent my holiday in Hong Kong. NYE celebrations took place in HK’s SOHO district in a small party with my brother Jonathan, cousin Alexandra, and my friend Annie (first picture). The next morning, wearing the same clothes per tradition, I went to my uncle mong’s house overlooking repulse bay for some sake, chu-toru, and delicious cream puffs. The second picture is the Lam family with grandpa in front, and me right behind him. For the record, I did not escape bad weather — it was the coldest NYE in 43 years at 4 degrees celcius. (whatever that is, it was cold for me)
I flew in this morning, and am glad to be back in california, rain or shine.

xmas party raider

sf_brian — Sat, 11 Dec 2004 14:04:08 +0000

I really like the holidays. And there’s no better embodiment of the holiday spirit than holiday parties. I like dressing up and looking good; seeing everyone else dress up, too. I like the drink and food — all for $free-ninety-nine. I like watching coworkers get inappropriate with each other. Sometimes, I even like the music. So, when I hear of other company parties, I can’t help but crash.

The Future Network Magazine Xmas party was last night, at the W downtown. I got my start writing there there as an intern at a great computer magazine years ago. It’s felt great to show up, say hello, and take off.

So if you hear of a party, don’t be afraid to crash it. Dress right. Show up late. And remember to say hello to a few people to blend in. Keep your head up high as you stride towards the open bar. Meet some new friends, and if anyone asks you what department you’re in, just tell them you’re there to have a good time. Cheers!

The Best art is Sexy Art

sf_brian — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 21:18:55 +0000

Sorry for the extra-lazy post. But sex sells itself, right?

Tonight, my friend Sita is showing some art at the opening of Slit,
“an art event examining Asian exotification”

Her work, in her own words:
Sunset: an installation involving copious amounts of pantyhose
Buff, C-41, Tan, Toasted Almond: a series of silkscreen portraits
and Skin Deep: a series of experimental photography

Could be a good place to pick up a china doll girlfriend. (OMG, KIDDING!)

Slit, Dec 2-5th @ Center for Sex and Culture
398 11th St. San Francisco
opening 7pm Dec 2nd

Who is Neck Face?

sf_brian — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 15:48:00 +0000

Neck Face. His graf style is no-style. You’ve seen his scrawlings on the old broken Shell gas station garage at 20th and Valencia. On the side of a tall building visable from 9th and mission. On a utility box near the 4th street bus stop at mission. And countless other places in SF.
But this past week, wandering through Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, I almost dropped dead when I saw the neck face tags all over a foot bridge. Look!

I have a friend who says she knows a friend who knows neck face.
Neck Face is Ugly! Neck Face is Global. But who is Neck Face?
UPDATE: Check it out, Neck Face made talk of the town in the New Yorker earlier this year.

Suede: Don’t go here unless you are a D*ck

sf_brian — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 15:15:17 +0000

Twice in the past month, I’ve had the displeasure of being dragged here. The nightclub’s line is headed by a bouncer in a cheap black suit, doing what douchbag bouncers do: judge your jacket, the coif of your hair, the perkiness of your boobs, your skirt, your shirt, your designer threads, your foot wear, if your ass is taut enough to pick a dollar up off the floor with. Your status elite measured against the house code of dress. And he lets you in if he feels like you’ve got the right stuff.

He sent some Desi’s ahead of me packing, ignoring pleas that the foot wear in question were not really sneakers, but ken coles. Then he turned to me, checked me out my best Justin Timberlake outfit head to toe, before tilting my ID in the light. Without looking me in the eye once, he opened the velvet rope, and I was in, another unit of cattle rounded up. I crossed the thresh hold, glancing a spotlight. That

Secret Playground: Corona Park

sf_brian — Mon, 08 Nov 2004 04:47:34 +0000

The Chron’s got an article about the Hills of SF.

Most noteworthy to you, dear metblog reader, is the mention of Corona Heights.

This secret sanctuary, little nook of urban relief, sits at the end of 15th street, a short walk only a few blocks away from the busy Castro/Market St intersection. There’s a playground, some tennis courts, a good portion of flat ground suitable for a bacci tournament and maybe a sun drenched picnic if you prefer. And if you want a real view, the short hike up to the peak of Corona Heights 510 foot summit allows for one second to only the Twin Peaks themselves.

Try and make it on a nice sunny day (as long as we have a few left.) Take a date — who doesn’t like to find out about secret parks they’ve never heard of before? And because Corona Park nearly begs to be forgotten when you’re not there enjoying it, I’ll repost when its spring.

Corona Park and Heights — walk 3 blocks or so up 15th St., from Market, away from the Castro.

Weird places…Miyako Hotel in J-Town

sf_brian — Sun, 07 Nov 2004 05:42:17 +0000

Have you ever been inside the bar at the Miyako Radisson in J-town? I went there to have drinks with some editors before a screening of The Incredibles.

Its so weird. The bar — which should be the most tokyoesque in all the city — has freakin budweiser banners, and cheesy neon signage in the windows. I did like the scrolling pickup lines going across the bar’s LED display.

When one drink turned into 4, the most lush coworkers and I missed the screening. And the more I had, the more I could not ignore the unguarded “do not enter” sign at the foot of a dark spiral staircase. I took a final swig of gin, and jumped the velvet rope with an equally mischievous friend. Upstairs, I found plush carpet, statues of poodles, zebra skin chairs, and familiar paintings tweaked to give all its subjects big, honkin, testicles. Yes, I said balls.

The House of Balls, owned by Joe Boxer, is a trip! It was closed off when I went, and the bar was locked when we tried to fix ourselves a free drink (drat), but I imagine the comfortable room is a nice place to have a cocktail when its open.

Miyako Hotel/Dot Lounge/House of Balls

Freaking weird, but I think I’d go there before or after a movie/meal in j-town.

Happiest Hour: Bacar on Fridays

sf_brian — Mon, 01 Nov 2004 17:15:30 +0000

Ah Monday. To get me through the week, I’m already dreaming of Bacar’s Friday-only happy hour. The wine bar, a few doors down from South Park, is typically too rich for my budget. But every Friday, its 50% off of cocktails and beer, with dollar oysters. That works out to two Saphire and Tonics, plus 3 Hog Island oysters for 10 bucks (plus tips.) The catch is that happy hour runs from 2:30 to 5:30. Catch the tail end like I do, or take a late lunch. Its quickly becoming my traditional place to kick off the weekend.

Bacar’s Citysearch entry

If you swing by, and you see a Chinese man drinking Gin, say hello.

Fallout SF: Bestest Party in the Whole Wide World

sf_brian — Thu, 28 Oct 2004 17:46:24 +0000

I like fun. I am an expert in fun. I’ve practically got a PHD in Fun-ology. And SF? Its not always as fun as NYC or HK, or other places I’ve had the chance to get stupid in. I don’t konw why that is. Maybe more people have their politically correct hats on, or their poopy-whiny pants on. (thats the technical term)

But if you really like to have fun — I mean REAAAAALY like to dance and drink, and be merry, and meet other nice, fun people — you have GOT to come to my friend Greg’s monthly party, Fallout.

The music is great — a mix of 17 gazillion genres, some unknowns, some classics, but all of it is wayyy-offf-theeee-charts danceable. But the best part is this: Everyone in Greg’s circle of friends is really hot, really friendly, single, brilliant, and really awesome! Ok, not everyone is single, but that doesn’t matter — I love these people!

Come, please, but bring a costume. This halloween, Fallout’s going with a haunted prom theme.
Fallout
Halloween Costume Party
Saturday Oct 30th
The Rickshaw Stop
155 Fell St. (at Van Ness)