Secondly, you attract what you put out—so if Oakland is a crap place to you it is becasue you are more than likely a crap person. I have lived all over the US and in Eurpoe for over 10 years, and I still chose to came and make the Bay Area (Oakland specifically my home)…I have been here many years now and my expereiences have been among the most interesting, unique and wonderful in my life.

Cool if you choose to believe whatever about Oakland—to each his own—but I discover new things everyday (such as the largest number of artists per capita next to New York is right here baby!!!) But of course really getting out there and discovering all the great things sitting right at your feet is probably not on your radar when you are more into being negative.

Besides that, I doubt very seriously any of you have really had frequent encounters with gangs or crack houses other than what you’ve heard on tv. Oakland, like many other cities (except for Portland, SF and Seattle), has a large number of minorities. If you are white, it seems like you expect everything to be pristine and that divesity is achieved if there is one or two other minorities at your favorite bar or something. Yes, Portland is wonderful becasue it is mostly white and safe and has all the hyper pristine, pseudo-cool stuff many of us whites flock to (and yes, even some minorities). If that is your thing–more power to you. I am not that fearful or naieve or ignorant.

Oakland is not the place where everything is just handed to you, but there is a hell of a lot here if you are truely open to it—and the majority of it has nothing to do with the negatives the media constantly dishes out. I bet if they were as vigilant a bout the poistives John R ould have a different outlook….maybe, I don’t know. All I do know is that I have had friends and relatives visit me here for a few days up to months—whether there were from another country or another part of the states–they come back everytime and want to do and see more. Luckily, I’m not close-minded so I have lots I can show them and do with them—lots I want to share with them.

Oh and by the way–if Oakland was such a “crap” place, why are so many SF business people and restauranteuers opening up businesses here—obviously they see a lot of potential to make money—-and it isn’t with a crackhouse.

Sure we could go back and forth about why Oakland is or isn’t–but like I said, it is what you make it and it has been a great place for me. Btw—I do have kids and I couldn’t imagine raising them anyplace else…remember Columbine was not in an urban area and the kids in the burbs get their crack in the burbs from other white kids. Crystal Meth is killing kids in the burbs and rural areas—no gated, pristine community can shelter you from things like that.

I hella love Oakland!

Set your beagle dogs to kill!

The “redux” in my blog title refers to an incident less than a month ago where we had someone attempt to break into our home while we were at work.

Two break-ins in less than a month piss me off, royally.

I’m lucky to be living in an Oakland neighborhood that is active, friendly, and communal. We all watchout for each other, and we have keys to each other’s homes. There are some communities where no one knows their neighbors, much less likes them.

Ok, so we’re on the border with Piedmont (aka Baja Piedmont), but its still Oakland. I’ve had more problems with my car being broken into in San Francisco than here. But like any city, it depends on neighborhoods. I’m actually much happier here in Oakland (now 8 years) than all the time I spent in Berkeley.