Whoa!
This is a weird day. It's Christmas yet its also Thursday --and tomorrow is Friday. So it's one of those calendar-friendly times where those in the media biz, (and presumably others in other biz's), are working. Lots of people, in fact, are working, not just the cops and fire fighters, doctors, nurses, etc.--there's a wide swath of people in almost all fields working on this Christmas 2014. Did I leave out the restaurant people? Balboa is open--the Tower Records of Restaurants --and the hotels of course are wide open.
Used to be the third-tier of media people were the only ones working Christmas but times have changed. I mentioned the Sanchez story because it sounded great--read the news, grab the overcoat and head to the Top of the Mark to converse French culture with some champagne and your future ex-wife. (Where's Herb Caen?!).
I'm back from Chinatown. Super busy. Too many people. Too much dim sum. Always the food that tastes and looks great until after the meal when a cold glass of ginger ale is on tap. Screw the movies. I'm ready for a brisk walk outdoor to gaze in the brilliant blue skies and piercing sun. Everyone and their uncle wants to see "The Interview", which I want no part of not because of the threats mind you, it's a crappy movie--I read the reviews--I think Sony hired the Korean dictator and all of this is a master PR stunt, (just kidding, but who knows?).
Thursday. Christmas. The streets are empty --I know, I know. Holiday. But I would bet many of you are chomping at the bits to get out and sip some suds. Instant LAW: At least one bar should be open in North Beach --just one. Call it the Herb Caen law. Darn, it's cold outside but it isn't raining and I'll take that and yes, I know we need the rain. The sky is blue and the heavens have taken a break, thank heaven. Now if we could just get a nice cold one at the Top of the Mark later.
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NOTE: You can now SUBSCRBE to 415 Media! For $5.99/ year --you'll get 415 Media in your e-mail box every morning and an exclusive extra dose of Bay Area Radio/TV --just click on the Pay Pal icon on the right of the blog and get your membership today--Help support independent media. All subscriptions are confidential as is the Pay Pal transaction. You also do not have to have a Pay Pal account to subscribe.
One of your best posts ever. Just sayin'
ReplyDeleteWith all the commotion "The Interview" has turned into more than a movie. It's a community event and people want to show up just to say they were there. A number of other people want to show up for a feeling of patriotism, a subtle yet public display of sticking up the middle finger to North Korea.
ReplyDeleteSaw "The Interview" today. Save your money Not good at all. Sony got robbed. Talk about heartburn and reflux disease . Honest.
ReplyDeleteOnly one thing worse ... the 3rd (and hopefully, last) episode of Karel's awful TV show. Talk about stinkin' up the joint. Horrifific.
Happy holidays.
A big reason so many places are open Christmas day throughout the Bay Area is that we have a large population of Asians, Indians and other non-Christians that have migrated to live here in recent years.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was badly reviewed and it sounds like it could be a real stinker, but most theaters were sold out throughout California.
ReplyDeleteThe Interview commotion is one of the cleverest PR stunts ever orchestrated. Particularly when they get the President to fall for it and participate. Hats off to Sony, especially if the movie's not that good.
ReplyDeleteLosers like rootvg is what I saw standing in line at the Elmwood theatre in Berkeley this afternoon waiting to see the interview. I'm with you Rich. The movie obviously sucks. Somewhere the producers of Ishtar wish they had somehow offended a tin-pot dictator to manufacture an audience for their flop. I pitty the fools who spend their money to watch this crap, especially those who are watching it as some sort of "free speech" statement.
ReplyDeleterootvg and his wife were up very early today cooking for a group of people and will never see The Interview because he and his wife think most current pop culture is unredeemable trash.
DeleteIf someone's going out of his way to show cards like that, I can only conclude that (1) my posts are having the impact I want for them (2) I'm right and (3) you have to be the world's worst poker player.
It's just as I said, almost chapter and verse.
"If someone's going out of his way to show cards like that, I can only conclude that (1) my posts are having the impact I want for them"
DeleteThis is one of the saddest things ever written.
What's even sadder is the person taking shots anonymously. I enjoy roots posts.
DeleteYeah, because rootvg is a real name... btw, I am not the anon that anon is talking about, just another anon.
DeleteLike Stan's posts, those of rootvg are easy to skip. They both add nothing to the discussions.
DeleteGoing for a brisk walk, quite the outdoorsman.
ReplyDeleteNice, Rich. Good column. But. Item, item, who's got an item? Does it matter? Will San Francisco need another Caen? Will Colma? Does the city that waits for The City That Waits To Die die? Get out there, Rich. Find your beat. Find the city. Tell us about the city.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I know you are referring to 415 media, it's worth noting that at small radio stations and weekly/biweekly and even smaller dailies, not to mention small radio stations before the implosion of radio ownership diversity, even the editors and news directors worked holidays, weekends, nights ~ without any overtime in all my years of doing it. There must have been some smaller publications/stations in 415 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, ginger ale is great for the tum, or ginger by itself, for all of you who are gearing up for New Year's and/or have stomach ailments (check with your doc before taking).
Hope you found your suds, Rich, and hope 2015 is good to you.
That is some good writing.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever considered writing for SF Gate or NYT?