Mayor Gavin Newsom’s second weekly YouTube update on Saturday –his latest attempt to communicate with the public without having to bother with the media – is a breathless recitation of recent events. 

Specifically, eight topics in 12 minutes and 58 seconds: starting with The City budget, whipping through the agreement to purchase Treasure Island from the Navy, then moving through the Jobs Now program, a city-sponsored payday lending program, a new eco-improvement funding mechanism, efforts to reduce pension costs, a swine flu vaccination clinic on Dec. 22 and finally upcoming Sunday Streets events.  All done while sitting behind a desk. 

Not thrilling news, unless you’re the mayor, apparently, who said to viewers, “I think they’re exciting, that just shows how exciting it is being mayor.”