Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Slumlord or Landlord? Chapter 2 & Winners of What Makes You Smile?

Have you heard about the magical sidewalks of San Francisco? I only know that they exist from my own experience. After I had first moved into my apartment with Sarah, I needed to get rid of some of the excess things that I had accumulated from my move from Los Angeles. Sarah told me to put my computer keyboard and lampshade on the street. 

"Put them on the street in front of our apartment. Isn't that littering?" I asked.

"No it's not littering in San Francisco, but we all like to look at it like donating to the streets." I was very confused. So in Los Angeles and Toronto I would be littering, but in San Francisco it's an unspoken and accepted rule. 

I felt very skeptical and a little guilty when I placed my computer keyboard and lampshade on the tree in front of our apartment. By morning my things were gone. I have always believed in the saying 'that one man's trash is another man's treasure', but this was taking it to the extreme. I felt like I was playing a game with the magical street.

I have to tell you that this was only the beginning. Over my years in San Francisco, I have seen perfectly working T.V.'s (with it's remote tapped to the top of it) on the street, mattresses (too many to count) with signs that say 'almost new' and 'have some bugs' and perfectly working office chairs. Sarah found an amazing desk on the street and brought it back to the apartment like it was a lost puppy.

I thought to myself 'Between selling things on craigslist and putting things on the street, I will never have to use the garbage bins again!' 

I really put my 'magical' theory to the test when I finally moved out of my old apartment and left a mattress and entertainment center on the street. I returned the next day to find both the mattress and entertainment center gone. These were not small items and they had both *poof* disappeared. 'Darn,' I thought 'I forgot to a leave a note.'Well maybe I'll remember the next time I move. 
~
My Note
Dear magical streets of San Francisco,
Please take good care of the below items. I have taken great care of them, but are no longer in need of them due to _______. I  know that you will find a better home for them and rather quickly. If you need me you know where to find me.
Thank you so much,
L
~
The Winners of the What Makes You Smile? Giveaway contest are....drum roll please...


Please ladies email me (shhh.under.the.sheets@gmail.com.) your address and your lovely prize of Crest Whitestips will come in the mail. Congrats to you all!

22 comments:

Bon Don said...

You're so cute! I love that they are called "Magical Streets!"

Laura said...

Bon Don: Thank you and so are you. I giggled as I wrote this post.

Valerie Rojas Braverman said...

laura i'm honored! i can't wait to get them in the mail...who doesn't love a good set of crest white strips :)

Unknown said...

that's kind of awesome! If you leave things here, they just get peed on by dogs ...especially if you put a sign on them that says FREE.

Laura said...

valerie: congrats and they are on the way. Happy white teeth day.

Maegan: I know. You have to try it. It's amazing :)

So@24 said...

Ugh! I thought I was a shoe in for those bad boys!

Elizabeth Marie said...

Reason #456774 why I should move to SF!

I would have loved to enter your contest, but I haven't been online! So cute though!!! xoxo

Laura said...

So@24: Next time I promise :)

Elizabeth Marie: Welcome, welcome. I luv that you love this city. Love your blog.

pj said...

I think I need to get involved in the street thing. I can't even get the trash men I pay to pick stuff up. I need to put a fridge on craigs list, yet out in the street seems easier.

Laura said...

pj: Good luck with a fridge. That is a huge item to 'vanish'. I think craigslist might work better. Good luck and let me know how it goes ;)

Mrs Anne said...

yay! this made my day!!!

i love craigslist!

Laura said...

Miss Anne: So glad I could make your day. I'll try and make your day again soon.

G. B. Miller said...

Had that happen when I moved back to my mother's house. I put some chairs and a old love sofa out on the curb, along with a sign saying "free" and within the hour, they were all gone.

Anonymous said...

I wish the streets of my town had useful things to collect. Here if you leave it out, it stays out. Then I feel guilty! Keep using the streets!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Dang! I missed out on the Crest White Strips. I was really feeling good about this contest too.

The streets of San Francisco are indeed magical. Are they as magical as the streets of Oakland, though? I guess the more apprpriate question is, are you ready to find out?

-Francesca

Laura said...

Georgie B: I am so glad to hear that I am not alone :)

Just Playing Pretend: Isn't t crazy how things change from one city to the next? Look at how different the 'streets' were from Southern California to Northern California.

3 Bay B Chicks: Oh I so hear a 'street' off. Let's put something out at the same time and see which goes the fastest. One, two, three.....:)

MS said...

So interesting. I have never heard about that before. Yeah in LA it would be littering. In OC you would probably get arrested. Hahaha.

Medicated and Motivated said...

The last time I moved I got rid of so much stuff, and many items were very big items. I did the same thing...put it out on the street. Most everything would be gone about 30 minutes after I put it out, but not one thing made it overnight.

Laura said...

Underfunded Heiress: I had never heard about it either, but I guess it wouldn't be advertised. Come to San Francisco to see Pier 39, the Golden Gate Bridge and leave your mattress on the street overnight :)

Medicated and Motivated: I am so glad to hear that Georgia has magical streets as well. So exciting and thank you for commenting.

Mike K said...

yes they were very big and heavy furniture surprised that someone took it so quickly..

Laura said...

Mike K: I was SO lucky to have friends help me. Did you take them? :)

Mike K said...

yes i stole it along with a built in kitchen shelf system!