plus, that Clive Owen ain't too hard on the eyes

Children of Men | artyarts | opened in SF 12/25/06
So I didn't think I'd be posting first-run, studio movies on here - heck, they get enough advertising as it is. But I really really really want to see Children of Men, and you should too. I tried to ignore the reviews on it, since I hate having my opinions swayed before I even get in the theater, but I had to pay attention when my beloved slate.com called it the Movie of the Millenium (which they acknowledge as a cheap superlative - ha ha! the millennium's only 6 years old! - but expand on it by saying they suspect it will remain a top movie of the millennium for a while at least since it's actually about our millennium). One line struck me particularly in the review: "It takes place in a grimly familiar location: the hell we are currently making for ourselves." Up till now, we hadn't had quite enough distance from the last four years to really start making feature films about it; perhaps Children of Men is the door opening. I've been suspecting that our world is actually going to sht, so it's nice to know that some fairly smart, creative people agree with me. Though I need to watch it again to confirm this, I thought last year's Inside Man also had moments of post-2000 reality to it (some of the scenes on the streets were discomforting, and the subtle but omnipresent dealings with racial strife), though in the end it did turn out to be just a slick thriller. Clive Owen is the common factor between these two movies, and I hope his accent isn't as bad as it was in the latter film (so, I just figured out that Children takes place in London, so no American accent then, I guess). But I am totally excited to see Children of Men, nonetheless. Oh, you wanted to know something about the actual movie? 2027, no more humans being born, total chaos, chance for redemption. I'm teary-eyed already.

buy tickets at the world's most annoying ticket service, fandango, here

Because what i really need are more books

green apple bookstore warehouse sale | consumption central | opens 12/26/06
Ah, Christmas is over (well, okay 13 more minutes to go), and it seems that it's already time to start acquiring things again. but if those things are books, maybe it doesn't count right? you're *supposed* to spend money on life-enriching items... So anyway, if you are in agreement with this kind of backwards rationalizing, then you'll want to join me at the Green "best bookstore in the world" Apple Warehouse sale, which starts on December 26 and goes until the books are gone. and if you do go, don't worry, I won't tell.

more info | map me!

and the lord said, buy some crap.

Feria Urbana (Urban Fair) | consumption central | 12/14/06 - 12/17/06
had to create a new category for this activity! i'm a reluctant shopper, or a closeted shopper, perhaps. i don't like to talk about shopping or think about how often i do it. but once in awhile, buying crap is worth talking about. mightygoods.com is one site i'll pass along gladly; crafty fairs where crafty people get their work out in the world is another thing i'll happily pitch. this one takes place at the Canvas Gallery, my favorite place to have a glass of wine with a friend's mom, and now, my favorite place to examine other people's work and think about how i could make that (even though i rarely do). plus, christmas is coming, and there's no way i'm going to get the ninety-four knitting projects i have in the hopper in time for that holiday. so i guess i might have to actually buy things for people. dammit.
more information @ feriaurbanasf.com | map me! | muni me!

it's almost like *i'm* famous!

Tings Dey Happen | artyarts | 12/14/07 - 01/13/07
I remember reading this interview with someone annoying, like dave eggers or something, just as he was getting famous and he was like, yeah, these people have started coming up to me on the street and being like, "hey, dave, it's roy from tenth grade. remember how i gave you a piece of gum that one time? can i have $20?" well, i went to high school with dan hoyle, the writer and performer of Tings Dey Happen, (remember how i gave you that newsletter column that one time?) and so it's in my best interest that he get good and famous. so, people, go to his show! actually, he's kind of already getting famous without my help (dammit!), and i'm just jumping on the bandwagon, hoping to cash in on my $20. dan's a genius, or at least he was in tenth grade, or at least he was funny and insightful and generous, and i expect his show will be as well. of course, it's about nigerian oil politics, so it might also be really, really depressing. the show's at the marsh on valencia.

UPDATE: Been there, activitied that. It's freaking great, people. See it, love it, tell other people to see it.

more info @ themarsh.org | map me! | muni me!

microfinance works, people!

NamasteDirect Benefit | musica/politics | 12/01/06
Dolores Park Cafe, 501 Dolores at 18th

NamasteDirect, an awesome microfinance organization for women in marginalized communities in Latin America, is hosting a benefit concert this Friday, featuring Alexis Harte, The Pam and Jeri Show (of Blame Sally), Kitty Rose, and The Diamond Daggers. The show starts at 7 PM and the suggested donation is $10 or mas! There will also be a raffle and silent auction.
more information on NamasteDirect | map me!

leading the country is like riding a bike, right?

Moveon.org Mandate For Change House Party | politics | 12/05/06
So we (moveon.org) called for change, and the nation answered. Now we (Democrats, liberals and the like) need to figure out what the hell we're supposed to do with all this power (make power cupcakes? wallpaper our apartments in power?). Moveon is sponsoring house parties to encourage discussion on the subject, and since a little civic discourse never hurt anyone, check out a house party near you.
more info @ move.org