Monica and I tried to head over to Max’s Opera Cafe tonight for a late dessert. Very irritatingly, it was closed for renovations (admittedly needed, but not when I wanted a goddamn chocolate covered macaroon the size of my head.)

On the way back we cruised past the capitol building which was lit bright red from head to toe. As we drove slowly past, it became obvious that it was a marketing beejer for Virgin America: All the light poles around the building were adorned with red banners trumpeting “San Francisco Welcomes Virgin America” in white text.

The debut is rolling out with the stylish marketing that accompanies Virgin products from cola to cell phones to music stores. Print and Internet ads tout on-board bells and whistles from leather seats and “mood lighting” to power and USB connections for each passenger. The company convinced the city of San Francisco to floodlight City Hall and other landmarks with Virgin’s trademark red this week. (Read More)

Sigh.