Crack lesson

This man has aged considerably since I first photographed him in 2004 (above). Sorry for the blurriness.

I've seen him many times while living here, and recall a situation many years ago when I was near the corner of Eddy and Leavenworth. He was hanging out with a bunch of people and asked me for money, adding "it's REALLY important!" Of course, yes, really important.

This morning he was back in Ada Alley, and delivered a primer on five of the many stages of crack consumption and style.

First, you select the crack you'd like to smoke.

Next, examine your selection with care.

Once satisfied, you may smoke your crack.

 

A moment of reflection can add to your satisfaction.

 

Afterwards, feel free to stagger around looking for crack remnants others my have left behind.

White children

In addition to the legions of hipster kids (I think of them as children) now happily skateboarding, bicycling and posturing throughout the Tenderloin, I've twice seen young hipsterish white couples strolling their babies on lower Polk and Hyde Street. Thursday-Sunday in the neighborhood is now much like the East Village in 1995, and the Mission in 2000.

However, the crack whores, pimps, druggies and stankies still dominate, but it's clear the upper Tenderloin is becoming worthy of Sunset magazine.

Most upset to Happy

I've seen this woman many times, and she is one of three or four crazy redheads that live/work/occupy my neighborhood. She and her friend were in front of my building as I was walking home, and she was shoeless, upset and doing this jerky "dance" as he tried to console her. I was struck by how clean-cut her friend looked. They had reached the back alley when I entered my apartment, and while I couldn't understand what they were saying, she was a mess, dancing and crying, and he was trying to console her. I snapped a lot of photos, but this series shows her red, crying face, then look of elation crack is proffered.

not trash but treasured

A repeated flash of light outside my window piqued my curiosity, to which I saw a rooftop photo shoot with model type. How fortunate. Must be a good view, facing south.

Laws against Booty

Sorry, no photo, but walking back from yoga early this afternoon I heard more than the usual carrying-on from the male locals at the every-popular intersection of Eddy and Leavenworth.

"God-damnnnnn! There ought be a law against the booty you got!"

Everyone seemed to be in agreement as I finally spotted her, wearing very tight jeans and a most pronounced booty, about the size of two volleyballs. Indeed impressive.

Morning Glory

First noticed this couple around 10:30 this AM. They couldn't seem to decide where they wanted to be, and I couldn't hear them talking. She seemed nice because she wiped him with tissues from her purse off between activities -- very maternal.

Gold Shoes & Porn

I heard my evil neighbor threaten to call the police on this lady, as she explained that she was just "organizing her stuff" and "taking prescription antibiotics". It was kind of cool how she was tucked in underneath the tree, and I'm most pleasd with my new camera's zoom abilities.


While she's doing this a younger fellow lay passed out in the driveway, with his porn magazine left in full display. It was actually quite tranquil, with the birds chirping happily in the background.