dear macys: wow, you seriously ripped off this campaign that i designed for hiv prevention. down to the typeface, color palette and plus sign. way to profit from the disadvantages of a nonprofit who cannot afford to trademark a design, you losers!
dear starbucks: i may be the only one, but i appreciate that you printed your made-to-look-like-burlap bus shelter ads too big for the frame, so they wrinkle like fabric. it’s a nice touch.
dear jay mercado: i happened upon your exhibit of donut paintings today. thanks for the sweet treats and a moment spent with art that didn’t take itself too seriously. although i can tell you are serious about donuts.
dear cheese: i have given up on you, at least for a little while. as if they knew, these cows taunted me as they blissfully floated above an in-store display of aged gouda.
dear teddy kennedy: apparently the san francisco chronicle thinks more highly of a banana republic ad than your passing. i promise you will be missed in more meaningful ways than this.
dear film noir oatmeal: you were with me when i finally broke down and bought a photo effects app – you know, the kind of automated bells and whistles thing that graphic design professionals never would to admit to using. it’s pretty fun, but i think i prefer the “polaroid factor” of the unenhanced iphone snapshot – limiting myself to the unpredictability of a low quality, fixed lens phone camera.
dear san francisco: i guess i have been on a flower kick lately, but there are just so many of them spilling out of buildings all over the place.
dear people from afar: just in case you don’t believe me when i tell you the sidewalks in san francisco are infused with glitter.
dear scruffy little westie: i keep seeing you trotting around the neighborhood i work in. i love how your ears flop over at the very tips!
dear my friend scott: i love how you have an effigy of your pseudonym, lobster jesus, tacked to your apartment door. your neighbors must think you are effing crazy.
dear grace cathedral: you are famous for your bronze frieze front entryway– a replica of the gates of paradise– but i rather prefer the shire-like wooden doors around the back.
dear anthropologie: we need to talk – that is, what are you doing to me?! you know i have a somewhat destructive jacket addiction. you know i just bought a navy blue snap-up removable-hood hoodie two weeks ago. my coat closet is so overstuffed that the door doesn’t close, my checking account nearly empty and yet… how could i possibly not own this ever-so-versatile hooded, ruffle-collared sweater with an asymmetrical brass zipper, cable knit smocking and great big wooden button jacket?
dear cole hardware: i always admire your shop windows, but i love your latest display on polk street – inspired by masterpiece paintings. the creation of adam á la rubber gloves is my fave.
dear secret lives of seahorses: you made my walk through the subway station a rather enlightening experience. i had no idea seahorses were so charismatic.
dear flowers that look like tropical insects: i marvel at how you seem so exotic and yet just grow in random places all over the city, at all times of the year.
dear neighboring wine bar: i may have have resisted today, but i’ll definitely be tasting your friday wine and cupcake flight before i die.
dear wednesday concerts in the park: this is one of the best things about summer downtown – even if you have to work, you can hear some free live music and sprawl on the grass during your lunch hour.
dear sf traffic sign wording decision makers: i’m sure this was the result of a several years’ long process of writing-by-committee, but you make it sound like vehicles have a mind of their own, they are going to “run” away from the hills, cable cars and fog.
dear merry manicures: thanks for the orange nails! i felt like being a little bit outrageous.
dear alameda flea market: was i dreaming when i stumbled upon this jumble of vintage metal letters?
