OK I'm officially dumb for reading about Santarchy for several years and never thinking it was quite cool enough to participate in.  This year I just planned on checking the scene quick-like on a bike ride, but got fully sucked in for the entire day.  It's obvious that watching hundreds of drunken Santas walking around town is a good time, but what you might not know is that it doesn't get old, even after eight hours. That's because they're always doing stuff like playing kickball, having a tug of war in the middle of Grant Street, rocking out with "Ho Downs" on the sidewalk, climbing stuff, unicycling, vomiting and getting in fist fights.  The real Santa should behave more like that.  Maybe he does.

You can be certain that I'll be attending next year's event in full Santa attire.  Until then, here are the pictures.

I don't usually get too worked up about movies, but last night I saw Milk at the Castro Theatre and I've gotta say that it was an unforgettable experience.  What a way to cap off an amazing month!  It was the sum of many factors that made the night:

• the flick is regarded as awesome by the critics
• there's the parallels of California's recent Prop 8 to the fight against Prop 6 in the movie
• the vibe of seeing the film not only in the same neighborhood where much of the movie was filmed, but in the theater that figured prominently in many scenes
• being surrounded by many people who were deeply and personally affected by the story (there was probably a higher percentage of men crying during the sad parts than in any other theater!)
• and of course, the Castro is by far the best movie theater I've ever been in

So if you're within commuting distance to SF it's definitely worth the trip to see Milk at the Castro.  When I walked out of the theater it was a bit startling to find myself right there on the movie's real-life set, as if it never ended.  And that makes me want to do what I can to help the oppressed in their fight for equality until the story really is over.