Good Morning Mission: Chick Chack, Maple Syrup

It is 9:40 a.m. but these photos were taken earlier this morning. It is now 49˚ and expected to rise to 68˚. Details for the next ten days here.

Today’s Block: it wasn’t a block, I took a long stroll along the southern border, between Valencia and the “Pillars of the Mission.”

I’ll start by explaining the headline: last night—the reasons are under investigation—someone covered hallways and stairs of my building with Maple syrup [*]. It made our shoes sticky, and good smelling. So, this morning, walking at dawn in the solitude of Cesar Chavez Street, I was in a sort of smelly bubble, with my shoes making “chick chack” [**].

I have to say, my fascination for borders has been a little frustrated today, I spotted no smuggling activities between the Mission and Bernal Height. So, I went for other stuff. Full disclosure: some of the pictures are taken from outside the Mission pointing towards the Mission, and some from inside the Mission, but looking outwards. I had to say that or else I’d feel guilty. (Am I over thinking this?)

[*] True story, this not a narrative device. If I ever write a novel about my building, it’ll talk mostly about bleach, but that’s a story for another morning.

[**] I looked up for the onomatopoeic sounds of sticky shoes in English, but I came up with nothing. Anyway, in Italian they do “chick chack”.

Blue Pinwheel - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Blue Pinwheel. Photo by Cristiano Valli.

Camouflage - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Camouflage. Photo by Cristiano Valli.

In lines - Photo by Cristiano Valli — In lines. Photo by Cristiano Valli.

I saw Halloween decorations, Christmas decorations, Storm of the Decade decorations [it dates December, the 14th]. C'mon, Homer! - Photo by Cristiano Valli — I saw Halloween decorations, Christmas decorations, Storm of the Decade decorations [it dates December, the 14th]. C’mon, Homer! Photo by Cristiano Valli.

I liked rusted before it was cool , and they named it "patina" - Photo by Cristiano Valli — I liked rusted before it was cool, and they named it “patina.” Photo by Cristiano Valli

Ring a bell? - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Ring a bell? Photo by Cristiano Valli

Peeking at the Mission from the portholes - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Peeking at the Mission from the portholes . Photo by Cristiano Valli

On spot - Photo by Cristiano Valli — On spot. Photo by Cristiano Valli

Commuting - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Commuting. Photo by Cristiano Valli

I always wonder if old billboards are just forgotten, or a sort of a reminder. Photo by Cristiano Valli

So cartoonish - Photo by Cristiano Valli — So cartoonish. Photo by Cristiano Valli

"Hey, little girl, your brother hid your dollhouse!" - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Someone’s brother hid the dollhouse of someone’s sister [I know, possibly there are other options. But I like this one]. Photo by Cristiano Valli

To an European, nothing screams America more than the back of a billboard on a roof. We don't have such things [and even when we have it, the back is different] - Photo by Cristiano Valli — To an European, nothing screams America more than the back of a billboard on a roof. We don’t have such things [and even when we have it, the back is different]. Photo by Cristiano Valli.

Backyard, exposed! - Photo by Cristiano Valli — Backyard, exposed! Photo by Cristiano Valli.

With the light good early on, so much the better to sign on to document your block. Don’t wait! Let us know what day and block you would like at info@missionlocal.com.

You can see a map of all of the blocks here. The blocks in grey are being saved for others who have signed up. Let us save a block for you as well.