the differences are subtle

I have spent most of my life in the Outer Richmond... it's almost always foggy and refreshingly peaceful. I had the fortune to live in a house that sat right on the 38 Geary bus line. The nearest park and Walgreens were less than five blocks away. Perhaps one of the best parts - and the selling point for the house -  is that we have a great view of the ocean from our living room. But the bad parts? Whenever there's a run or marathon - and the number of these events is growing - they always run by our house. Sometimes a new bus driver would veer the 38 a little closer to the curb and the house would tremble as the coach rolled by. And since cars are always speeding up the hill from Ocean Beach, crossing the street can be intimidating. I never thought much about it until one morning when I was crossing the street. The car was going uphill but was a block away and I was already halfway across the street. Turns out this old lady hit the brakes just in time... I never thought my visibility would be a problem seeing me; my wardrobe consists mostly of pieces that run the gamut from bright to dayglow. But I am much more careful now.

Most people wouldn't think much of the Richmond and the Sunset but I see them. I have been living in the Outer Sunset since last December and the differences are glaring for someone like me. It is very quiet here... I am only one block from several bus lines but I never hear the clogged beep of a bus rumbling down the street. The commute to work is consistently problematic... my fellow N metro and NX riders feel my pain. And though I am on 47th Avenue (out of the 48 avenues after Arguello,) I cannot see the ocean. The Sunset is a flat swathe of land between Twin Peaks and the Pacific. Since the Great Highway is a little raised, you cannot actually see the water or sand from street level when you are this close.

On the plus side of my adopted neighborhood, the Outer Sunset has more dogs, easier street parking (with the exception of that Bay to Breakers situation) and a friendlier community feel. Not saying that people in the Outer Richmond are mean, just that Mumsy's next-door neighbors all leave something to be desired. I think the most interaction I've ever had with a stranger in the Outer Richmond was just giving directions. Today in the Outer Sunset was the first ever Noriega Street Block Party!

finally, music you can hear a block away!

it's not official until there's a police barrier

and it's not fun unless there's a bouncy house!

this nameless band (did not catch the name, super sorry about that)
played great feel-good rock.

And a souvenir for myself... found a jewelry stand with some interesting pieces. Snagged these earrings at $5 a pair (it pays to wait until the eleventh hour to buy.)

L: yellow howlite spears.
R: agate and hematite drops

Besides the color, these howlite earrings struck a chord with me because I've never seen fittings like this. Look at that zig-zag!

So the question is whether or not the Noriega Merchants Association will bring the block party back next year...