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Feeling Oakey

Oakland meanderings

By Carl Fisher

February 1^st, 2016

ON THE FACE OF IT

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and I’m certainly past due. Maybe i’ve had the winter blues. All this rain is hard to cope with. I had gotten used to all the parched earth. And the days are shorter. Or maybe I’ve just been lazy. That’s more likely. But now, I’m back. Not with a vengeance exactly, but it’s at least something that should satisfy my most ardent subscribers.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

From looking at most of my Oakland photos you’d think Oakland was a pretty run down place. While there are definitely areas that are well past their prime, there is a suggestion that they are just on the cusp of gentrification. For some this is a good thing. For others, there is something valuable being lost. I just think that it’s exciting times and you can’t halt change. Hopefully there will still be a place in these neighborhoods for those who are less fortunate, who continue to be squeezed out, forced to dwell at the margins of society. Okay. Enough preaching for one post, although it is Sunday, so I can be at least partially forgiven for such an indulgence.

There are many areas of Oakland that are great to hang out in and where you can generally have a really good time. While I do like to spend time in these areas, it can be a little too glossy and I feel the need to seek out something more authentic (a word that is being a bit overused, but I’m allowed ;-) The attraction of the less travelled parts of town is the possibility of finding hidden gems and gritty eye candy, as you will see from the snaps that follow.

Fenced in

When is a fence not just a fence? When it’s a canvas of course.

Transcendent

Random sightings during my walk along Mandela Parkway.

Movin on up

I’m not sure what the triple lenses is all about. Perhaps something to do with the mind’s eye? Or maybe it was a three for the price of two deal. Doesn’t hurt to have a spare.