The street where I live is usually a quiet place.  Outside, you'll find people jogging, riding bikes, or walking their dogs.  On the 4th of July, however, everything changes.  This year marked the 6th annual Laidley St. parade!  

It is not a "city" parade... this is a true, "small town" parade.  It began with a marching brass band, then the neighbors with the vintage Mercedes convertible, followed by the neighbors who own a SF tour company (with all the safari animals in the back!) ... it went on to even include a horseless carriage!  After the vehicle contingents, the "real" parade stars started down the street:  kids and adults on bicycles and skateboards, marching carrying flags... walking pets.... and being cheered on by the spectators on the side of the street.

At the end of the parade route (also known as the end of the street; only 2 blocks or so!) there was an old firetruck that could be explored, and a baking contest being judged.  We also witnessed the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence from a balcony.  Here's part of that reading:

Down with the King!  Then, we moved on to the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by an opera singing neighbor.  The crowd joins in:

Have I mentioned I love my street?!  The event goes on for a while and also includes BBQ and fixings.  It's a neighborhood fun day and I look forward to being part of it again next year.

It was during the celebrating that I decided to try to get my second 100 Strangers photo.  I looked around at all the people and, while I did see one person I wanted to photograph, I also saw this sweet, sweet dog!  (The rules say nothing about the 100 strangers being all people!)

This is Colbert (left).  He actually lives just a few blocks away from me on the same street with his buddy and family.  They were both very sweet and fluffy (and HOT!)  and I am sure they wanted to just go home and drink water and cool off.  Lucky for them "home" wasn't far away.  

I chatted with their owner (I think she said her name was Emma; I was so intent on remembering the dog's name I didn't write hers down!) and explained the project.  In the frenzy of the event I also forgot the other dogs name, and didn't even ask the breed!  My guess would be Samoyed.  Thoughts?

Photographing a dog in a busy place like the street party after a parade is difficult.  Emma said "you need to be quick if you want to get a good photo" - and she was right.  I lamented that I didn't have my "real" camera, and that I knew I would want to take photos for the project.  Maybe after taking 2 photos for this project with my phone I'll give in and start using a "real" camera.  Turns out, though... phone cameras are pretty darn good!

We said goodbye to the dogs and the friends at the festival and headed to a friend's house for some more food and friendship.  After that, it was home for me and some relaxing and knitting time.  

Once the sun went down, of course, it was time for the real show.  What's the 4th of July without fireworks?  Here's a video showing the view from my house with a glimpse of some of the the pyrotechnics.  Being up high overlooking San Francisco makes for an interesting view.  We get to see all the shows from all the different neighborhoods.  It was super neat to watch live... and like they say, nothing is better than "being there".

There's not much I can say on the knitting front.  I'm working on a few proposals that are on their way out the door... one design is in testing and should be released in a few weeks... some other designs are within inches of being published and announced (as soon as I get the word I'll talk with you about those.)  I'm working on a shop update... and that's about it.   I think it's so much more interesting when I can share images...

Have an amazing weekend!

I've been thinking about this project for more than a year.  The collection will be housed HERE.  Eventually, as time and courage allows, I will be able to look back on this project and see the faces of 100 strangers.  My intention, of course, is to practice using my "real" camera, but as I prepared to head out for the parade, I knew I would be spending the entire day out among the crowd and didn't want to worry about carrying it.

I ended up armed with my iPhone and just enough courage to start the project with this first picture.  After being a bit afraid to approach her, I finally just went up, got permission, and took this photo:

And with this photo, the project is started.

Jackie is part of a samba dance troupe that was near my contingent at the San Francisco Pride parade.  Along with her troupe members, they DANCED the entire parade route.

I love her makeup, the fiery colors of her plumes, and that little nose ring.  Her makeup is put on for show... for a parade!

Thank you, Jackie, my first stranger model, for allowing me to photograph you for the project!