9:25 p.m.

Monday, Apr. 17, 2006

Oh, where the peanut butter shall go

I have really stopped paying attention to things going on in the city, that is, this city in which I live. I guess unless you know me personally and are also from Sactoe, you don't consider S.F. "the city." My friend from Illinois told me he thought it was funny that people refer to S.F. as "the city" because it's pretty small and residing some hours outside of Chicago he didn't know anyone who'd say "I'm going to the city" to say they're going to Chicago. Does this "the city" phenomenon of speech happen elsewhere?

So, as I was originally intentioned to speak of, there was an event that I hadn't heard of, but was nonetheless un-surprised about: BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel). The concept is quite simple. Get a big wheel and race down Lombard Street. Lombard Street, to summarize for those unfamiliar and unwilling to click the link I lazily provided, is the windy-est (of many switchbacks) street in the U.S. apparently. The wikipedia article (see link) mentions another street in the city that disputes this claim, but Lombard is famous. However, I don't think I've ever been to it or I do not remember having seen the street. I'm pretty sure most of the other tourist stuff in the city I've seen, having been a tourist many years before a liver. Pier 39- many times. Both baseball stadiums- you bet. Cable cars- uh huh. Golden Gate Bridge- walked across, and then back, and now the bridge I take to go home (no toll) and a bit more pleasant drive than the bay bridge which I only use to get back into the city ($3 toll in rather than $6 toll for Golden Gate). China town- took some walking around, but I eventually ran into it. There's probably other tourist stuff I forgot, but, the point is, I don't think I've been to Lombard Street.

Anyway, this past weekend was the apparent host of an event where big wheels were raced down the windy street. Awesome. There are pictures: observer un and observer deux. Looked like a fun event. Especially in the rain. Has me remembering my days on a big wheel at grandma and grandpa's house. They had at least two matching big wheels, red frame with yellow handles and seats. Black wheels. Yeah, they were hot stuff. I could peel out the front wheel on one of them bad boys before setting off to the other side of the back yard. Sometimes out onto the front driveway as part of a backyard to frontyard race with cousins. Big wheels are big fun.

Finally, speaking of Lombard St., I am reminded of what could have been a comical event from this past summer. While my researcher lived with me, she had up nearly all of her magnets on the refridgerator and one of them was of Lombard Street. Looking at the magnet I thought, 'oh, I haven't been there, I wonder where it is located.' So, looking over to my friend I asked, "Hey, you've got a Lombard Street magnet, where's Lombard Street?" With a knowing look she answered, "Lombard Street." Thinking she misunderstood my question I repeated, "Yeah, where is it?" "Lombard street," she replied again. "Ummm," I thought aloud, perplexed. "It's on Lombard street," she said for a third time, confused with my own confusion and a little annoyed. "Okay, okay," I began to say with a gentle grasp on the situation , helping me restate my question, "where in the city is it located." Almost flustered she again said, "Lombard street." "No, like, the area. Which region, part...like this is Sunset, north is Richmond...Lombard is like around downtown?" I attempted, hoping to make my question less 'duh' worthy. "I don't know," she gave up, "Lombard street is Lombard street. That's where it is."

Fin.

And to think, I've had finer moments.

Also, I've been putting up more photos on my flickr.

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