Hi! Welcome to Oakland (or I'm going nuts)

[Stuffy]

I had no idea what a popular destination Oakland is. But I now know for a fact that a plane lands there every seven minutes. I know because I'm working under the flight path. I can wave at the pilot and passengers as they approach the airport. At 600 ft. Yep roughly two football fields they fly, over my head, every seven minutes. Hey there goes Southwest now.

They're repaving the main runway at Oakland, so there using a temporary runway for arrivals. Did I mention, I'm under the flight path. 600 ft under it. I guess it could be worse, mainly it's 737s flying over my head, at 600ft, every seven minutes. It could be 747s flying over my head, at 600ft, every seven minutes. Here comes Alaska, or maybe it's United. Six minutes ago I'm sure it was Southwest, flying over my head, at 600ft.

Please enjoy your stay in Oakland, or wherever your final destination may be. Is that a plane I hear?

[woodstockbirdybird]

Be sure and visit our fabulous crack-infested ghettos while you're here.

[oldscratch]

and don't forget the crack hos. Oakland is known worldwide for the high quality of it's crack hos

[Stuffy]

Crack, I hadn't thought of that, thanks guys. Wait maybe I'll get paranoid the planes will fall out of the sky. Does noise bother crack hos?

[woodstockbirdybird]

Originally posted by stuffinb
Does noise bother crack hos?
Only sirens.

[Amazing Magic-Gro Monster]

You guys are focusing only on the negative aspects of Oakland. What you fail to mention is that the city also boasts the highest quality open-air markets in the world -- usually in the form of some weird guy with a blanket spread out on the sidewalk.

Seriously, where else today can you find vintage Bread, Poco or Steve Miller Band albums on 8-Track (the way they were intended to be heard)? Or perhaps a third-hand toaster oven? Maybe your looking for a single open-toe sandal (most places will force you to buy the pair even if you only want one). Stuck for a classy wedding gift? Have you considered a vintage Holiday Inn ashtray or a plaster statue of Queen Nefertiti?

Yes, only Oakland can fulfill all your open-air street shopping needs!

[Stuffy]

You got a point there Amazing. Our street vendors do have integrity. Just the other day my bud was buying a fake rolex (or maybe it was Cartier) and he asks the guy "is this real?" "No" he says, but it's well made.

I swear I didn't make that up.

[obfusciatrist]

Hey, personally I love Oakland. As long as I live in the Bay Area, my preference is going to be to stay in Oakland.

[oldscratch]

I've always enjoyed Oakland too, crack dealers keep away the tourists. They're like OFF for annoying germans with socks pulled up way too high

[Guinastasia]

OH, Oakland CALIFORNIA! I'm thinking Oakland, one of the Pittsburgh little sub towns.

[oldscratch]

Yeah. Oakland CA, it's right next to Pittsburg. dumbass


;)

[slackergirl]

I've always liked Oakland. Especially Chinatown. Some of the one way streets are 5 lanes wide, with the outside two dedicated for parking, and you still can't get anywhere because of the boneheads double and triple parking.

stuffinb, I can assure you that you'll stop noticing the planes after a few days. Of course you'll also stop noticing most things you expected to be able to hear as well, but these are the sacrifices that must be made.

I worked in a business park in Alameda at the end of the Oakland Airport main runway for about a year. The only time it was cool was when the Blue Angels were here, and we could see the planes up close on the runway from our parking lot. Other than that, we pretty much stopped noticing the windows rattling every 7 minutes after a month or two.

[SFCanadian]

Hey, leave Oakland alone! :)

Almost never have to go to SF, since Oakland has everything - good restaurants, cool areas, (up until recently) a good airport, and some really cool people...

And I must be going to the wrong areas, cuz I haven't run into a crack ho yet...

SFCanadian

[arachnidlove]

ahh..Oakland. I was there for 10 minutes last weekend to catch BART up to SF. And during those 10 minutes I was picked up by a homeless drunken man and and laughed at by two females for my outfit. (I was wearing tie dyed pants, a pantera shirt, and a trench coat) I have never really liked Oakland the few times I've been there. Guess the few times I haven't had good experiences so I guess that says it all. In San Francisco a drunken man came up to me too. Greatest pickup line ever used. "You want to give me your p*ssy?" I happily agreed by saying "F*ck off"

:D

[magdalene]

I'm just posting to laugh at arachnidlove's outfit. Next time instead of the trench coat just wrap a bead curtain around you!

:)

[ninja_rydr]

Be sure to check out the Laney Flea Market, probably the saddest "Flea Market" in Ca. if not the US

[Stuffy]

ninja_rydr You should try the ones at Rockridge or maybe the Coliseum.

[obfusciatrist]

I haven't been to the Laney Flea Market but I have to agree that it would be difficult to find one sadder Rockridge.

[Stuffy]

You don't have to go to the Laney Flea market, merely drive by Laney college on 880 (near Oak) any saturday or sunday. Even from there it's pretty pathetic.

[The Bad Astronomer]

The Oakland airport is rarely delayed by fog, while SFO almost always is. For me (living 100 km north of SF) OAK is a quicker and more reliable hub.

[obfusciatrist]

Yes, I've driven past it many times. But at least they sometimes have amusement rides (not that I would ever get on one). Or, rather, I've assumed those rides are associated with the market.

[ninja_rydr]

Rockridge, Laney, Coliseum are all good examples. If I ever have the urge to go to a Flea Market I'll go to San Jose.