Walgreens, Your Hypocritical Drugstore

A few weeks ago the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of tobacco in drug stores within city limits. It was a common-sense move: you don't go to a drugstore to buy something that harms your health and the health of others around you. So why is Walgreens suing the city to prevent the ordinance from being enforced?

From Walgreens' own site:

Blow the Whistle on Asthma
More than 25 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease. Every year, close to 361,000 (or one in seven) Americans die of lung disease, making it the nation's number three killer. Walgreens proudly supports the American Lung Association in its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health through research, advocacy and education. In the fall of 2003, Walgreens Health Initiatives sponsored several ALA Blow the Whistle on Asthma walks in Illinois to help raise funds for important asthma research and programs. Consumers with questions about lung health can call the ALA's free hotline at 1-800-548-8252. The lines are supported by registered nurses and respiratory therapists.

The page goes on to list its philanthropic efforts, including the American Cancer Association. So who's going to blow the whistle on Walgreens?

That Uppity Westmoreland...

Stephen Colbert absolutely rips Rep. Lynn Westmoreland a new arsehole. This is the idiot fundamentalist "Christian™" from Georgia who called Barack Obama "uppity."

The Best Pull I've Ever Had

I picked up some Stumptown Hairbender espresso beans from 4 Barrel to try out in my machine today. I've had inconsistent results from other beans in my Rancilio Silvia machine and Acaso Innova grinder. Trieste beans have been the most consistent, but they're somewhat bitter. At least I can get crema out of them most every pull. Blue Bottle is OK, but I find that I have to constantly adjust the grind...and they too turn out bitter. Ritual beans haven't given me any luck.

The minute I pulled my first shots of the Hairbender today I knew I had something special. Without adjusting the grind at all, I had a very long pull of crema...from start until finish. It never even started blonding, even after 17 seconds or so. The first taste wasn't bitter at all, so I decided to make a cappucino. For the first time, I didn't even have to add sweetener to drink one of my own caps. Incredible :)

Next up: I've ordered a bottomless portafilter for my Silvia. I saw them in use at 4 Barrel, and have been wanting to try one. Can't wait for the UPS guy to show up...

Eating My Way Through San Francisco, Part Deux

More days, more great eats. Big & Rachel treated us to Millenium on Friday night, their way of thanking us for loaning them my truck to go to Burning Man. We had the fixed price sampler with wine pairings, and it was nothing short of amazing. Several courses, inclusing dessert, paired with whites & reds of various types. Their faux Wellington was incredible, as was the chai masala tapioca. Interestingly, they produce their own sparkling water, which is a great idea. It's a hefty price tag for a meal, but the food was incredible.

Small Town Values...

Thanks to Matt T for pointing this one out. The Daily Show was in rare form last night:


I especially enjoyed laughing the obviously closeted self-hating fat guy in the cowboy hat. Wouldn't want to run into him in an airport bathroom stall.

In other news, here's what George W. Bush thinks of the US flag:

Finally, I've been tuning out from the radio all weekend. NPR seems to be running several hagiographic pieces on John McCain and Sara Palin. The corporate media is bad enough: do we really need the last bastion of journalism in the US to be running the party line?

Eating My Way Through San Francisco

Joe P and Traci spent the weekend visiting our humble City by the Bay, and we managed to eat at some phenomenal places. As do many tourists, we basically ate our way around, interspersing visits to local eateries with trips to interesting destinations. It made me appreciate the culinary excellence we have hear that much more. Joe and Traci's company was very much appreciated, and we spent a lot of time laughing about the somewhat sad state of our nation.

Among the eateries, there were some great highlights:

Ti Couz Creperie
French-style crepes and other dishes in The Mission. We're a bit spoiled here, with this place and Frjtz less than a block from each other. But I'm starting to prefer the smaller portions and more intense flavors available at Ti Couz. I had the Totale (mushrooms, cheese, tomatoes) with a basil pesto sauce...excellent, as usual. And the desert crepes were phenomenal. Add in a good wine list and excellent apertifs (I opted for the Armagnac) and you have the whole package.

Los Rosales
One of my favorites. This small, family-run Mexican place has great breakfasts: nopales, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles...you can't go wrong. And they recently built a juice bar, so it's perfect for a lazy Sunday morning brunch. Plus it's a hundred feet from my front door.

It's Tops
This late-night staple is also very good for breakfast, with 50's diner staples and a few surprises. It's not just for post-binge Zeitgeist trips anymore!

Firenze by Night
I've been here twice, and have been impressed each time. The sund-dried tomato penne was surprisingly good, and spicy. Joe P was happy with the wine selection, and the peach sorbet dessert, served in a hollowed-out frozen peach, was astoundingly good.

Sometimes you have to wonder how people who live hear avoid going broke when there are so many great restaurants to try.

You Just Can't Make This Shit Up

Joe P and Traci have been visiting for a few days, and we've had time to digest and discuss the news that Bristol Palin, Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter, is 5 months pregnant...as in, pregnant out of wedlock. And for the curious, she's having the child and getting married. You know...she had to.

One consistent observation this weekend is that life is far more hillarious than fiction. We get an inexperienced, political lightweight, fundamentalist scandal-ridden MILF nominated for VP by a man who's a heartbeat away from dying. A consistent proponent of abstinence-only "education" whose teenage daughter is pregnant. I can't wait to hear Jon Stewart's take on this...

UPDATE: 2 Sep 2008
Palin was apparently also a member of the Alaskan Independence Party for two years before joining the Repugnicans. That means she was a secessionist. Absolutely amazing...