In the Hood

In general, it's a good idea to avoid the Castro neighborhood the weekend of Halloween, especially if, like me, you don't particularly like the celebration. And yet, there I was, Saturday afternoon, stuck in the middle of it, trying to get to Walgreens to pick up some vicodin. Nothing less could have lured me down there or made the whole thing bearable afterwards.

Castro has a well known, well deserved reputation for Halloween street parties and people (also known as "losers") come from all over the Bay Area to imbibe, but without any clear idea about how to go about it. Scads of people shuffle along aimlessly up and down the sidewalks, all with the same vacant look of expectation that dogs waiting to be taken out for a walk wear. A few costumes, not many and none particularly good, even though it was only 4:00 in the afternoon and a day early to boot. I thought about explaining that Halloween wasn't until Sunday, but then I decided to mind my own business. For all I knew getting in there 24 hours ahead of time was their plan. Get a good spot, you know.

I thought it would be safe to go back today (another trip to Walgreens. Super Agent Fred will assure you we go there daily, just out of habit.) Completely wrong. More aimless crowds again in my way. I was vaguely aware of the World Series and that San Francisco was playing in it, but who would have dreamt gay bars would be awash in ersatz Giants fans? But then, as an authentic fag, I keep forgetting which ones are the 49ers and which ones are Giants. Even now, safe here in my own little home, I can hear hooting up and down our canyon celebrating San Francisco's win.

Just let me know when it's safe to go back to Walgreens.