Only in OB

I promise I won't blog about OB (West) every day. Really, I do. But I realized after posting my Settling in post last week, that I had forgotten to include the very image that spurred the post.

That is not to say that llama rides at the farmer's market on Wednesdays, and nightly ocean sunsets, and festive holiday night parades are not worth writing about, because they are.

But OB is a place like no other, love it or hate it, and it prides itself on its uniqueness. And the images in today's post better capture this. OB is not for everyone. Let's be clear. It's a bit grimy with lots of homeless folks and its fair share of shady characters. I know more than a few moms who prefer not to take their children to the beaches of OB. But it's also full of shiny, happy people -- as the song goes-- and has a spirit of freedom and individualism. Street musicians and acro-yoginis and screaming kids and post-smoking youth all mix it up right next to this holiday tree.

Which is huge and twisted and very OB

People don't tend to judge in OB. It's the very embodiment of my man Ben's lyrics:

My choice is what I choose to do
And if I'm causing no harm
It shouldn't bother you
Your choice is who you choose to be
And if your causin' no harm
Then you're alright with me

So, when my kids discovered the joy that Jacquie's kids discovered on their way to OB East, well, I didn't see any raised eyebrows...

And the little note below there....well, I can't say this happens everyday, but it is not completely surprising, because, well, because it's OB.

This was passed to my by a young woman and her friend while I was walking down Newport Ave with the two smokers pictured above mid-day last Wednesday. She just reached in her little bag and handed me this folded paper, wordlessly.

Does this girl know me or what???

Only in OB.