So if you've never Googled yourself (why is everyone snickering?) this post isn't for you. Google added a new 'historical view' feature to it's street view last year, and it came in very handy to document changes in the restoration before I came to own the house, after, and after work was done.
Real Estate Agent's Photo September 2009
Before we start, I must explain a few things. I have lived in Ocean Beach, pretty much on and off since mid 2002. I drove by the house I now own and live in, and I did so with some regularity. I never... NEVER noted this house. When I was taken to view it, I was shocked, address was very close to familiar locations, and I had no idea of what it was. This photograph from Google Streets of 2007 explains why:
June 2007:
Turns out the previous owner and his brother both cherished
privacy from the street, and planted these huge Bougainvillea bushes. Upside: they don’t need water, and bloom with
nice violate flowers. Down side: huge
thorns. I mean crucifixion sized ones. Go right through cheap gloves, and scrape your arms and legs as you walk by. They had been trimmed short by
the estate agent when being shown so as to not betray the nightmare these were
to maintain when selling the house to would be buyers. Not a problem for the previous owner.
June 2008
Notes: turns out my neighbors (when I moved in, not the later ones) must have bought the home next to ours at this time, and there is no double fence between the properties. I tried to see if I could see the large tool shelter on the east side of the home that the previous owner built, but the plants block the view.
Now here is December 2008
Another shot
Notes on this photo, the Power poll in the front yard was removed that year by the city of Dan Diego "Undergrounding Utilities Program", or "A Clear View of San Diego". Good tax dollars at work.
You can also note a problem that exists, and still remains in Ocean Beach: Campers. The Beach is nice, everyone wants to visit, but can't afford a hotel room. So, they park and sleep on our street. "So what?" you think? Well after you have multiple instances of alcohol induced screaming matches and threats of 'I'll shoot you in the head!' plus the rampant distribution of methamphetamine, the campers get a "No Vacancy" vote from this guy.
Last note: there is a Christmas tree pole on the center of the house mounted. I found a plug under the center triangle that had been installed, and a mystery switch inside the controlled it. I guess this is why the plug was installed outside: Christmas lights!
2009
Dear GOD that boat. The Homeowner of our house had passed away at this point, and the house unoccupied for a year. The signal to everyone in the area was "FREE PARKING". This boat was parked on the street for years. Three car accidents later, it finally was demolished and the owner collected insurance on it. This boat was so hated in our neighborhood because it occupied multiple parking spaces in an area with limited parking, it was unkempt, AND it just KEPT CREAPING AROUND. You'd wake up and POW! Parked in front of your house. Much like a regifted White Elephant, this eye sore would make it's rounds until a drunk driver tried to use it as an off ramp one Saturday Night. Good riddance.
See? Power poll is finally gone from street, only Palms stand on the Boulevard.
Note old crappy metal gate spray-painted white on gate. It was broken, couldn't lock, the post mountes on the brick had pulled out, and it was dangerous to anyone trying to enter or leave the property.
2012
Note: Death to Bougainvillea ! Be gone you daemon plant!
Notes: FINALLY you can see the front of the house from the street. The dirt is unkempt, and the old irrigation system is an eye sore, the Bougainvillea stumps are visible and threat to recolonize, but it is progress, right?
2010
Notes: WHOA! We have a gate? Yes, there is a gate, the 2 x 6's and heavy wood leters with white paint are gone. The Front door was replaced with a craftsman style with glass windows Trim is still a mix of Red (Burgundy) and Flat Blue internal.
Note: the "1916" Historical plaque I installed on the front of the house per the Mills Act signed 2000.
Notes: Post Bougainvillea Genocide. Killed the stupid bushes in front. Now you can see the house. Painted the trim blue at this time in an attempt to 'brighten up the house' Didn't work. White remains dingy due to black soot from car exhaust on West Point Loma Boulevard.
Street views from an Angle
There was also soundproofing needed to drown out the traffic noise. Besides the "Point Loma Pause" caused by departing air traffic, normal car traffic on West Point Loma is loud. Add to that blasting music, Harley-Davidson engines at 5 A.M. on Sunday morning, and noisy renting neighbors blasting music all night, a solution was needed. So I searched around for a "Noise Barrier", and behold! Acoustiblok! 
Now we can open the house windows and talk to each other without raising our voices. A technological miracle. It isn't foolproof, but it is a hell of a lot better than before.
Full "Dress House" for 4th of July 2013
