I guess I have an affinity for dead end streets. Back in the late eighties I lived on a small street that ran up a hill from Lake Merritt in Oakland CA.

I was in a three story apartment on the second floor, looking down on to the street, with my computer monitor in front of the window.

I think the house across the street belonged to the famous Hells Angels boss, Sonny Barger. The biker parties were epic, hundreds of bikes and colorful jackets.

I researched Sonny, who was based in Oakland, and discovered he might have been in prison around that time. So it may have been one of his high ranking chiefs, or him. I never got invited to a party, but they were fun neighbors.

I also had a major drug dealer living above me. Tall, well dressed black men in top coats were always coming and going on the steps in the hallway outside my door, carrying stylish bags.

The nearest bar was gay and the bartenders name was Suzy. He liked me, always hitting on me, and failing. But when money was tight, he would always run me a tab until I had some.

So that was one of my lives, in the years prior to moving to the Seattle area...

btw: Sonny Barger died on June 29th last year at the age of 83. He told fans to stand tall, stay loyal, remain free, and always value honor!

Now that I look at this picture, yea that was my neighbor, talked to him a few times.