Garage Sales

Speaking of public forums as we were, this is an amazing resource. Seriously. It never would have occurred to me, but I brought along a friend to the Haight this time (bad for reporting some think, but considering the amount of social phobia I have when it comes to talking to people - and being around them in general - I figured this was probably a very good idea).

Anyway, this friend thought that it would be an excellent idea to talk to the locals. I agree, sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, I didn't actually feel inclined to speak to them as much as I knew that I just really, really needed to hear what they had to say on such a sunny Saturday afternoon.

So we turn down our first block and, lo and behold, there's a garage sale. Sensical, but considering I'd never seen one outside of my little hometown of Salida, I was a little surprised that it was just chillin' in the Haight. Of course my friend fast-tracks it over there while I continue to freak out the whole time under my breath about how I really don't want to have to talk to people about *whatever*. What am I going to say? Am I going to be all awkward? Are they even going to talk to me? What the hell am I supposed to do if they do start talking to me? When am I supposed to pull out my notebook? What if they think I'm being a creeper? What if they think it's a come-on? What if they start coming on to me?

I forgot many of my fears, but I'm sure that if you'd put me back out on the streets, they'll come flying right back. I still haven't gotten over it. Apparently I'm not as creepy or weird as I thought they would think, but rather an easy person to talk to, I guess.

These two middle-aged women were running the garage sale and started telling me all these stories about the homeless people in the neighborhood and how things had gone since Sit/Lie passed. Dude. I thought I was going to die. They were incredible stories, and they told all these things to me! Unprovoked and completely not creeped out, PLUS they knew I was writing for SF State.

I know, I'm psyched for me, too. It's about time I figured it out.

Well, let me be honest: I didn't really figure it all out yet. I'm just significantly less scared than I was last time I was there. It's just so much less intimidating with another person..... Really. That's really what I need more than anything else is less intimidation.

Yes, I'm intimidated. I'd be willing to shout it from the rooftops as a bold declaration if I wasn't so damn terrified.