Friday, June 01, 2007

Now I Have Truly Seen it All...

Herb Caen used to write “only in San Francisco” columns for the San Francisco Chronicle that captured the people, events, and general lunacy that makes this place so special. As a native San Franciscan, I've basically become immune to behaviors and lifestyle choices that most of America considers weird. That is until a few weeks ago when I participated in the 96th annual Bay to Breakers race.

The Bay to Breakers is the benchmark for San Francisco insanity. I’m almost embarrassed to admit this, but it was my first time participating even after being born and raised here. Now that the race has come and gone, I have no idea how I’ve missed out on this over the years. What a blast - a giant 100,000 person freak parade. A traveling half-naked, costume-garbed Mardi Gras, with some really fast Kenyans at the front of the pack.

Rather than writing about what I saw, I thought my pictures could tell a better story. Hopefully this will capture some of the fun and spirit that makes the Bay to Breakers so fabulous.

First off, here is my friend Shea and I early in the race. We had just been "beaded" by some naked guys who took our picture as if we were the freaks. As you can see, we have trained hard for this day and in order to keep our athletic prowess, have selected light beers to drink instead of more caloric options...

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Uh, yeah...for the record, that is NOT a snake.

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Getting cheeky at the Bay to Breakers:

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If I had to see this, so do you. Proving once again that the naked people are rarely the people who should actually be naked. Great ad for Starbucks as well...

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Me and Mr. Dick-in-a-Box. He had a cucumber inside the box as well...hilarious!

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The dreaded Hayes Street hill. Just a few people out participating that day...

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Elvis is alive and well at the Bay to Breakers!

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Can you spot Shea and I here?

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This seems like it might be a Cal/OSHA violation...

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Lookin' sharp!

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Only at the Bay to Breakers can a man in a rabbit suit and a woman in a mullet wig find true love...

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Lastly, a photo that truly captures the fun. A woman up and a man in a giant banana suit breaking it down for us above a sidewalk dance party. I can't wait for next year!

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