Saturday, June 26, 2010
Yoga: standing warmup, beginner 1 practice. Breakfast at home: oatmeal with peaches in grape juice from a jar, organic cinnamon, organic nonfat milk. Errands: post office (to complain again about misdelivered mail and other problems), dry cleaner, groceries. Lunch: large mixed greens salad, lowfat blue cheese dressing. Dessert: milk chocolate pieces with fresh parsley and fresh peppermint. Nap. Muni to Castro for Pink Saturday. Stopped at the liquor store, picked up some watermelon schnapps. Pink house party hosted by Jeff N, Josh A, Chris N, Rob C. Learned how to make a creamsicle. Met Ennis (aka Dennis, aka Denny), Scott, Mike (Dave's brother), and many others. Walked around a bit in the Castro with a bunch of others I knew. We were standing a few yards northwest of the new planters at 17th and Market and I heard at least 5 quite loud pops in quick succession. At first I thought it was from fireworks but then I looked in the direction that everyone seemed to be looking—in the middle of the street between Pottery Barn and The Cafe—and there was an area quickly clearing of people. I saw a dark shape that looked like someone lying on the ground, and then I heard someone near me say it was gunshots. I checked the time on my iPhone: 11:30 PM. There was a bit of a panic from the crowd, and, grabbing the arm of someone in our party (I can't remember who now), I quickly moved a few yards further from the body on the ground, putting a planter and some fair equipment between me and the shooting site. I kept thinking I should take cover, but it wasn't clear that a threat remained, people were curious to see what happened, and some of our party didn't bother to move away, so I was trying to see where everyone we knew went, too. Police seemed to be at the site instantly. We were too far away for me to clearly see what was happening. I remember seeing only one person—really to me just a dark shape—lying on the ground. There were no more shots, and eventually we regrouped. Those who were nearby were clearly unnerved by the event and there was no longer much of a mood to have fun. However, further away from where the shooting took place, thousands of other people did not yet realize what had happened and were partying like nothing had happened, and this seemed wrong. Paramedics arrived within minutes, and I saw at least 2 more small groups of police rush in over the next 10 minutes. Part of our group had split off to get pizza, so some of us went to meet them at Marcello's, and I was hungry so I decided to get a slice. While buying, a woman dropped her slice of pepperoni pizza on my shirt and jacket and got grease and tomato sauce all over me while the crowd around us groaned along with me in dismay. She and her woman friend were both very apologetic. My jacket was brand new, too. A staffmember quickly handed me a large wad of paper towels, and I cleaned it up as best I could. Outside, after finishing my slice, I stayed around for a few minutes more, but no one seemed to be in a happy mood anymore, and the party appeared to be breaking up. There was no more music since shortly after the shots were fired. Took Muni home, which was, typically Muni, unbearably inefficient. It took 40 minutes to get from Castro Street Station to West Portal Station. I walked from West Portal Station to 14th and Taraval, then caught an L train from there to 26th. Late meal by myself at King of Thai Noodle on Taraval: pad thai with shrimp, ice water. Home. Did emergency laundry, which failed at removing the stains.