Two convertible lowriders cruised down Powell Street, blasting different songs with heart palpitating beats. The drivers, obviously friends, were calloused to the onslaught of naysaying. Instead they soaked up the fear oozing from the tourists who were stopped agape. Am I going to be mugged like all my friends said I would? This really is the land of fruits and nuts!

All the while, an old Japanese man plays a stringed instrument a couple feet away. Salvation army bells ring in the distance. Up the street, a non-painted guy stands in oridinary poses on a crate holding a cup he vigorously shakes as people walk by. Next to him is a singing, tap dancing penguin with a Santa hat. And manning the street corners are nicely dressed men who shoot out church tracts at a machine gun pace.

It is in this blur of massive twinkle lights and locust-like swarms of people on sidewalks that I think, man I love Christmas in San Francisco!