Sequel to Previous Posting (see below)

At about 12:30am, the same officer parked his vehicle and began striding down the sidewalk. This was one block over from the location previously reported about. It's typical for people to drift back into an area within days after folks have been chased out. After all, there still aren't any other places to go and there's the nightly need to be... somewhere.

This particular location is a sidewalk along one end of a block and, presumably, is one of the few places that people are ever allowed because it's in front of a large church property and, on the other side of the street, is a row of apartments mostly occupied by college kids (which have their own... uh, "disorderly" and dubious scenes) so perhaps it's felt that this is a lower impact situation than, say, where homeowners and families reside.

I'd only just arrived and so paused when I spotted the officer arriving, wondering if this meant a repeat experience pending -- possibly another routine roust. As he walked by me, heading down the lineup of sleeping persons toward a more active and boisterous group toward the far end, he seemed to recognize me and greeting me with: "Hello, sir." Unusually respectful.

I watched as he encountered others down the way, flashing his light onto the property and scanning for the more hidden ones. [It's "trespassing" to be ON that property]

After a short while, he walked back down my way and so I asked him outright if he was going to be making us go, again. He hesitated a moment and then responded: "Not right now." This kind of noncommital, opaque statement is common from the police. One must often try to 'read between the lines'.

But he then went on to strike up a conversation with me. He began by expressing his "frustration" about being missioned to go out on his beat and "chase" people around, fully aware that there are no other real alternatives or options that are any more 'legal' and nothing being provided by the Powers That Be, either. And that folks will only come back -- CAN only come back, being merely shuffled (harassed) back and forth among very limited options.

We briefly reviewed my own status, predicament and outlook. He seemed a bit intrigued about me and found me sober, sane and reasonably articulate and knowledgable. He wanted to know if I, personally, might have any ideas about any potential solutions or degree of relief for this paradoxical, impractical game board we're all on.

I admitted that I did have some opinions and maybe even pragmatic ideas, and that I also shared some of the very real concerns that housed residents and law enforcement obviously do, too. He then told me about his superior officer who is the person within the police department and is in charge of these campaigns, issuing orders for him and other officers to go out and handle these things as they are. And he gave me a business card for the guy, pointing out that his email address was on there -- encouraging me to contact him and attempt to strike up some kind of dialoque.

He then shook my hand and thanked me for the discussion, before heading off on his duties. He let us all remain, after having directed some to quiet down. I noticed that he did not ticket the few sleeping persons that were 'trespassing' on the property.

He told me that he'd just counted 40 people out there.

I 'overslept' about 15 minutes this morn. The tacit departure time from there is 7am. I was awakened by that same officer, walking down the sidewalk again, saying "Wake up! This is your Wakeup Call!" to everyone.

Berkeley Continues to Outlaw Homelessness

Pictured above: Police cruiser pulled up to curb at about 12:30am to awaken people and send them all away.


The officer was unusually polite, even respectful and (all the more unusual) expressed compassion -- while still having to do his job. Last night, that job included waking everyone up that he found sleeping on sidewalks or any other public places and sending them on their way to.... well, nowhere else to do any sleeping. As he explained, the city is "cracking down" on people sleeping... ANYwhere, that isn't rented or owned by those sleeping there.


He also reminded folks that former locations, like a number of local churches, that have historically looked the other way and allowed people sleeping-refuge, no longer were available. The city requires property owners to file a form with city hall, if they EVER want police enforcements for "trespassing" violations on their property, which also grants the city discretionary powers for such enforcements, too. Once filed, this means that then the police are empowered to come look for people on properties and cite or arrest them for trespassing, whether or not the rightful property owners have asked for that, complained or not.


Sleeping is NOT illegal in Berkeley. Nor is there any specific code outlawing sleeping in public places. However, all parks and other city locations are "closed" to ANY public use during night hours. And city code DOES include restrictions against such things as "obstructing the sidewalk" which can then be applied to someone sleeping at a curbside, even though NOT really obstructing the majority of pedestrian area of the sidewalk. Theoretically, someone might pull up to the curb at unlikely locations and park and a passenger may wish to exit the vehicle right there where someone is sleeping. So simply being there is what's illegal, if for more than an hour at a time.

The officer asked people for their names and dates of birth, so that if any were found sleeping somewhere else later, they could then be cited for a knowing infraction after having been duly advised. However, ID's weren't checked, and disclosing identity like that isn't legally required, so folks were being asked to provide the possibly incriminating info on an "honor system".


While I'd just been drifting off to sleep myself, the fact is I hadn't been there quite a full hour yet, so I'd not yet broken any laws. But I gathered my belongings up and headed out, of course.

A short while later, I arrived at one of the very few all-night corner markets and that same officer was there in the pårking lot, sitting in his car. To his credit, he approached me when he saw me and again apologized, expressing his regret and personal discomfort that while the Powers That Be would mission him with such a callous duty it wasn't also complemented with any offering of any reasonable alternatives or appropriate resources for people's basic human needs. He also offered to buy me a cup of coffee, which I graciously declined as I wasn't in that kind of need. Besides, a coffee at that hour would... well, keep me up. ;-)

I happened to know of a spot nearby, on private property but with some permission by the owners for such stays, that I've rarely used but had to on this occasion.

There were a lot of people out in the area I'd first retired and I can only wonder where everyone else may have gone. Or where we all will tonight.

Howdy, Neighbor!

This is a picture of one of my "neighbors," G.D. He stands a solid 6'1" at 240lbs or so. And G.D. can be excitable.

The other night, he and I were toe-to-toe and eye-to-eye out on the street outside a cafe'. He'd just almost got into a fight with the night manager there and now was up in my face, with a fierce, crazed menacing look and growling threats between his clenched teeth. He really, really wanted me to give him a cigarette!

He and I have previously had things worked out in more... well, neighborly fashion... which I reminded him and invoked. And it worked. This time.

The next morning, on my way to coffee, I ran across G.D. handcuffed and being strapped to a gurney. Between wild snarlings at his Helpers, he shot me a defiant smile for a second. But he makes this trip about one a week or so. And is usually back on the streets in a couple of days.

The raw reality is that G.D. is just one among quite a few others, each with their own... shall we say, quirks? Some are truly among the most dangerous of persons. Others delightfully harmless. And everything inbetween.

Welcome to your new neighborhood! And your new social life, as you will be spending a lot of time around and among these. And must needs get along and fit in, somehow. Once they recognize and know you're among them, many then figure they have a LOT more free access to you. And too many know where you... live. And some know where you sleep.

-----

Breaking news:

I just learned that there was a stabbing this morn, out on the street. Just down the way from where I "live".

Goin' to the Dogs

Many homeless folks have dogs. Advantages can be:

• Protection - especially the many pitbull types.
• Companionship - Hey, it gets lonesome out here!

One friend recently was given a puppy. He's a very good, caring person and was concerned that it hadn't had it's shots yet. A real downside of having a pet 'out here' is that homeless people often must spend time in some of the... well, less hygienic... places. And worms and other pests can be a real problem for critters.

So he set out to seek some help with that. Guess what? Shots and other pet essentials ARE available by some outfits. That is, IF you have an address.

Once again....

Berkeley - #10 Meanest City to Homeless

In the photo above, taken about 7:30am the morning of August 18, 2009, we see a 72 year old man that's been awakened by a Berkeley Police officer and has been sitting in his sleeping bag for a good half hour or so while the officer uses a device to measure the area occupied and actually awaited arrival of a "Crime Scene Unit" so that another officer could bring their digital camera and take pictures.

THEN the first officer gives him a citation ticket for being there. These tickets can mean a fine of over $200, which is more than for entire vehicle parking infractions or even some traffic violations, including those that might pose even dangerous safety risks. Huh?

Does this seem out of scale, at all? Overkill? A good, appropriate or cost-effective use of city budget, police, civic resources?

HOW might this "solve the problem"... and just what IS "the problem"? Did ANYone actually complain about this old guy sleeping there, or is this yet another in a program of basic harassing actions by the cops and the city, on their own initiative?

I mean, really. It's an old man. A homeless old man. One that was sleeping and obviously has tidily arranged his meagre collection of belongings, which have only been temporarily located at that spot and which he'd move once he awoke and got going.

This police action followed a growing number of similar ones in recent times, where homeless folks were disturbed and either made to leave and/or cited. Tellingly, the police deliberately do so either late at night or early in the morning, apparently purposely awakening people and harassing them at the most inconvenient and difficult times. And then only made to go... where else?

Worse, last week like many times before, homeless people not only get chased away and/or cited, but their minimal possessions are taken. Just thrown away. This has included their bedding, clothing, etc. leaving them all the more destitute and trapped on the streets empty handed... where they continue to be at risk for just more of this same callous, heartless harassment... to WHAT possible good end?

Late one night not long before this photo was taken, several cops and cruisers had arrived at a location where a number of people had been sleeping to drive everyone away and I had approached two officers on foot that were walking about waking people up to chase them away. I asked them directly and outright where people COULD go and be peaceably, instead. All they could and did tell me was that it was not there. Nor the next block, nor the next.

One officer said: "If you tuck yourself away somewhere else and there's no noise or problem, then I probably will have no reason to bother with you." Somewhere... else. "Tucked away". Probably.

Berkeley applies for, and receives, millions of dollars in various federal/state/etc. funding "to help the homeless". Here's how considerable city funds are actually being spent, for example.

MidSummer's Nightmares

I slept out under a full moon last night. A very bright "star" appearing near it in the sky was, reportedlly, Jupiter. The sky was clear, the night relatively mild (although temps have been a lot cooler than norm) and things were fairly peaceful and quiet. Some sirens in the distance. Even more distantly echoed blaring of trains. And, faintly, some fog horns from the bay beyond.

It had been another long day, and I was both fatigued and still ill. Yet, I had trouble getting to sleep. I was just awake enough that my mind betrayed me and began to run both past troubles and anticipations of possible hardships ahead. Even... winter.

I've been trying to get some medical attention lately. Even went to the County social services offices. They did send me to a doctor this past week, too. But just for a "physical exam" to see if I "qualify".... the doctor assured me I would receive no actual treatment for anything during that visit. Heck, I didn't even get the "physical exam" I'd expected, for that matter. He just asked a series of questions and made some notes. Didn't even take my temperature nor blood pressure or anything "physical".

I'd returned to where I'd been formerly "curb camping" along a residential street -- out in front of a church property complex and across the street from mostly apartment buildings. Some of the youthful residents were coming and going; some walking right by me - I could've reached out and touched them; same with some parking cars on the other side of me. One sat and idled the engine for quite awhile - right there - before shutting down and going inside.

We'd all been rousted a couple of nights before - sent away by cops. "We" were quite a lot of people by then. More and more folks had been showing up nightly, until about a good 600 feet of fairly densely fitting lodgers had been regularly showing along two blocks there. Last night, there were only three of us on that block, and a few more on the next.

The calm was rattled by someone yelling "Free pizza! Free pizza! Come 'n get it!" on the next block. I got up and did. The "gutter punk" kids and others similarly bedraggled were clustered over there and had a big heap of donated old pizza. So I had a slice, taking it with me back to my "spot". And, once finished, tried again to drift off to sleep.

It wasn't too long before the quiet was shattered again by shrieks from the couple "camped" maybe 30' feet down the way from me. A rat had stepped on them, startling them. I'd had the same thing happen to me about a month or so ago, down the block a ways.

Checking my watch, I found it was already past 2am. And morning comes all too early. As I finally was drifting off, some hooligan kids came boisterously down the sidewalk, goofing and... one pretended to be loudly wretching and vomiting, leaning over each person trying to sleep, as they passed.

Sweet dreams....

SlumberJack

Last night, the cops were doing a sweep and crackdown on the usual curbcamp areas. This is a regular, routine practice from time to time. When "too many" people have to sleep in the ONLY areas that are usually allowed for that, and then some of the worst drunks/addicts/mentally ill join in and make messes and noise and problems... then it's time to roust EVERYone.

So the cops come and make everyone "move on". Where? If you ask them directly, and you're not drunk or stoned or nuts and they take you for reasonably okay, they'll kind of coyly let you know that as long as you go most anywhere else and "tuck yourself in somewhere without making any noise or trouble" they'll probably leave you be.

So you trundle... somewhere else... and get set up maybe not too late after midnight. And, as usual, be sure to get up and get going by, maybe, 6am or so. That can make for some short nights, especially if all that activity and strangeness of area doesn't allow you to fall asleep right away. Maybe 5 hours or less, often.

So the next morning, after getting to an amenable cafe and putting something in the belly and going inside where it's dry and warm... there's a slump that happens mid-morn. A virtually overwhelming fatigue and nigh irresistable nap urge.

But it's now full daytime. And even FEWER places to sleep.

Repeat.

What Ails Ya'

I've been suffering a "cold" - or something - for going on two weeks now. But it's getting worse. Feels a lot more flu-like.

Last fall I'd gotten seriously sick... for two months! I think it was some kind of "sinus infection" that had taken on top of a cold. I hadn't realized then that I still had medical insurance coverage, and so didn't see a doctor.

A friend had sent me a CARE package, including a full course of antibiotics, which seemed to do the trick. I'm thinking, by now, that I'll need something like that again. But this time I should be able to go to a doc to get it.

Yesterday I was so out of it and feeling so lousy that I had to just lay around in a park, sometimes almost delirious. On a gorgeous, hot summer day. I also had to miss almost all of the Street Festival going on nearby, too. Drat!

Imagine feeling that rotten... and then having to camp out curbside on a sidewalk with cold, dank night air all night long. Makes for a pretty funky morn rising.

Judge Not, Lest Ye...

A couple of days ago, I had to go over to the next city to make a court appearance for the "Obstructing Sidewalk" ticket I'd gotten awhile back. It's quite a ways from my usual stomping grounds, and so was a logistical burden. Especially since you have to be at the courthouse at 7am or so, since such a long line queues up to get searched, go in to stand in another long line that snakes and doublebacks on itself waiting for shots at the clerks' windows, etc.

I managed to night over in the area and got to the courthouse a bit on the late side. So I had to come back for the court session starting at 2pm, instead of the morning one. This meant I'd not only miss the usual breakfast local to me, but also lunch.

In addition to this ticket, there turned out to... well, "another matter" on their computer. Seems that several years ago, when I got my first and only traffic moving violation (passed some cars by riding my motorcycle on the shoulder of the hiway), I'd been dealing with a lot of change and a move and had forgotten the whole thing. So I'd also gotten a Failure To Appear charge against me and, apparently, never got the mails about all this. So that had eventually become a bench warrant for arrest. And a suspension of driver's license. Yuk.

I was among the last to be called to appear before the judge. I was ready to plea "not guilty" to the sidewalk obstructing thing, because according to what the civic code actually says, I think it's clear I shouldn't have been cited. So when I voiced my plea to the judge, he advised me that the court clerk would schedule another date for a trial on that.

Then he said: "And there's another matter." Gulp. After having sat in his court and watched how he meted out his justice to quite a few others, as well as having read the single-sheet instructions that had been passed out to us, I realized a couple of things about that "other matter" and what I was probably facing: possibly being jailed or having to at least post a bail (which I didn't have) and/or pay fines up to maybe about $800 - $1,000 or so. Plus, until I managed to somehow clear all that up, I'd still have stuff on my driving record and still would have to get another driver license.

But then he went on to tell me that the actual files for these matters had somehow... been destroyed. So it was ALL simply "dismissed"! Wow. All gone. No problem.

Sometimes things work out better than we'd even dare imagine.

Cannibals!!!

They're known as Creepers. Or Midnight Creepers. Or Tweakers.

Typically, these are drug addicts - meth (speed) or crack (cocaine) or whatever. They often stay up all night. And run or bicycle around a lot. These outings include forays along their routes checking on trashcans and dumpsters, to salvage what may be found. But also to check for chances for thefts.

Unfortunately, some of the easiest targets are -- homeless folks. Especially in the urban areas where people are sleeping outdoors. After all, here a person is wrapping up in a sleeping bag, usually with their head covered too against the cold, damp night air. And unconscious. All their belongings are right there, even bundled up in packs and such.

Despicably, often these Creepers are among homeless persons, too. Cannibalizing their own. The lowest of the low. Vermin!

They even go to quite some lengths to "case" someone, by watching them over time - noting details about if and when they're alone, what they own and carry around, where and when they sleep, etc.

Just so, last week my backpack was stolen while I slept. And, inside it, was my computer, my digital camera, my ID, my glasses, and other important or essential documents, legal materials, cash on hand. etc. The computer alone contained a LOT of unique info and a year's worth of work... journaling this entire experience, logging of key events/details, a great deal of collected information and resources, research, etc. for several important - even crucial - projects I've worked hard on. I even lost a small ivory carving I've had with me since boyhood, a last remaining memento.

I'd been using the backpack as my "pillow" while I slept, along with a stuffsack for my sleeping bag, which I'd stuff my coat and whatnot in too, since it's softer. Then I'd clip the pack to the stuffsack, as well, since the two items may separate a bit through the night.

I'm not really such a sound sleeper that I'll sleep through just anything. But, at the same time, sleeping outdoors and on streets or sidewalks one must accustom to sleeping through a lot more noise and sounds than in probably most other situations.

I'd just felt (apparently, mistakenly) sure that I'd taken reasonable measures to secure my valuables like that, assuming I'd be awakened "if" anyone tried to take it. In hindsight, all I can figure is that they must've moved very, very slowly and quietly. Once they felt the tether, they must've just as slowly and carefully followed it to the clip and gingerly unfastened it. And once they'd managed to patiently and quietly ease it away from my head, then they took off with the goods. I just can't imagine any other way.

Also in hindsight, I may actually be lucky that I didn't awaken, as there are no shortage of stories of people that have gotten bootkicked in the face and/or clubbed over the head with a length of plumbing pipe, too. So I may be "lucky" that they "only" got so much from me, without my being seriously physically harmed as well.

This loss is a most grave matter. I've now lost my main source of income -- as I'd been selling items by taking digital pics and posting on the internet for sale, using a lot of email for arrangements, etc. And my legal work... my ONLY shot at both getting some justice for what's been done to me resulting in my being here like this at all, as well as possibly recovering at least some of all the earnings and losses I've been cheated out of... is now almost all gone. Or would have to mostly be done all over again. Somehow.

What's more, my remaining possessions are almost all in the storage unit I've managed to keep until now, paying rent for that while forgoing so much else, but has been largely reliant upon using that gear and method to do so. Now ALL I have is at serious, imminent risk too.

And a number of friends and acquaintances who have had less than I, and so have been similarly benefiting or reliant upon the use of my equipment and my skills with it, are now similarly deprived.

I don't know what to do. Or if there's really anything that I can do.

[This Blog Entry is being done on a borrowed computer. This very Blog may not be able to be continued as I'd planned, either.]

"Spanger" Etiquette?

The street term for "spare changing" (aka panhandling) is "spanging" (pronounced spayn•jeen). Yesterday, a group of homeless kids were doing so while sitting together on a sidewalk in the biz district. A couple of cleancut people, maybe college-aged, showed up nearby, clutching notebooks/literature for "Environment America" -- a nonprofit purposed with environmental issues.

It's common to see college-kids on the streets pitching various organizations, often getting paid to do so, as they sell memberships and/or just collect donations. This is a form of paid spanging, really -- if organizational instead of just private and personal. But they get their $ out of approaching strangers and asking for money, so what's really so different to that extent?

These two were doing so in close proximity to the street kids also doing their version. The street kids asked the two if they could go down the block a ways, since it's something of a tacit custom for spangers to not position too closely... as it competes too much for each individual going by. As the kids explained it, too, once a person says "no" then that's still in their mind and is their mode if someone else immediately appeals to them again.

Of course all this was likely pretty alien to the two well-meaning two soliciters, and they seemed taken aback by the kids' contact and request. But they also resisted cooperating at all. So the kids were becoming a bit frustrated and annoyed, although far from anything too overbearing. But they persisted in trying to persuade the two, since this was a location outside a popular cafe and a fairly promising spanging spot.

One of the two "canvassers" took out their cell phone and punched three numbers, and holding it their ear. Everyone noticing assumed they'd called "911" -- the police. At that, the kids got more visibly miffed, expressing their resentment, and departed down the block rather than have further confrontation or trouble. Yet, another person, a bit older, encountered them getting the story of what had just happened, and then approached the two contenders himself. He very reasonably tried to explain the situation and dynamics to the two, although they were still being uptight. He persisted, appealing to them as just persons and advocating cooperation, allowance toward the kids and their plight, etc. and disapproving of calls to police or any perceived need to.

The one with the phone had apparently cancelled the call when the kids took off, but then said that he'd been calling his supervisor, not the police. And he relaxed his stance somewhat. His companion then quietly, briefly discussed the matter with him and they both moved to the other side of the street, in front of a bookstore.

This was an interesting intersection of factors and dynamics.

Those Pesky Noisy Neighbors

We all probably have had them. But, when homeless, there are some unique aspects to the annoyance.

Lately, I'm "curb camping". See the Blog Entry below for a brief description. This isn't in a "skid row" type area, but a residential street with apartment buildings, university student housing, etc.

But at night, and late into the night, there's a LOT of "partying" going on. And inebriation. And both on the street and indoors.

There's been a growing number of homeless "curb campers" too. Last night, folks were bedded out head-to-head, head-to-foot and foot-to-foot from the corner where the street "T's" into the cross street to about 300 feet down the block. I took the "last" position away from the intersection.

I don't generally even "turn in" until midnite or later, in part due to the amount of activity and noise going on. But even then, there's often a considerable amount of people out, about, and in and ... noisy. Often real noisy.

Being "out there" the other, typical loud parties and boisterous small groups coming and going means that some number of these are also passing right by... within a foot or two of where I'm trying to sleep. Or pulling up in cars, right next to me. The experience is really difficult to properly convey, without actually being there.

And, yes, there are others "out there" that are wildly inebriated, or just psychotically ranting, raving and sometimes fighting or some other, unknown clattering, banging and whatnot.

I typically am running with an accumulating sleep deprivation, which sooner or later simply forces some daytime napping - wasting yet more precious potentially productive time, if not just the fatigue hampering everything. That is, IF I can find anywhere I'm both allowed to do rest or sleep... and that isn't too noisy.

Be Careful Out There

Those of us that prefer to be "on the streets" rather than in the "shelters" tend to strike alliances, for mutual benefit. Just so, last night, three of us "curb camped" in a frequent spot. There's a number of people doing so, along a stretch of street that's residential on the other side and we're all outside a large church property, but only allowed right along the curbside of the wide sidewalk.

So two of us, or three like last night, will set up head-to-head or toe-to-toe to provide some kind of "support". Even so, this morning it was discovered that one of us had had the seat to their bicycle stolen and their rear wheel's quick release and spindle taken. We'd just discussed this the other day, when I'd given him a replacement seat for his old worn out one, and I'd explained why I don't even use those quick-release mechanisms for my bicycle seat anymore. Our other companion does have a quick-release seat post, but actually removes the seat and post and tucks it down in the foot of his sleeping bag.

These vermin that prey upon and steal from folks that are "out here" and have so little are among the lowest of the low. What's worse is that there's a good chance that we "know" who did it... if not personally, we've probably seen them around. Because anyone in that area most likely isn't some random newcomer that both just happened by in the middle of the night and would have the moxy to risk that theft.

This illustrates one of the more basic dynamics of the predicament being homeless and outdoors: there are those that will help and ally with you to important mutual benefits and advantages; and there are those that will do you seriously wrong. Of course, this is true in most all strata in this life. But the precariousness of a destitution on the streets really forces the issues. A bike without a seat and rear wheel spindle can't be ridden.

And it's his second day working at a new job. So he has to get to work another way, meaning leaving his bike behind, either to be watched by others (that may not be able to take it with them or stick around) and that he can't get to a bike shop to buy used replacement components because he'll be working. And that's if he even happens to have enough cash in his pocket for just such an otherwise modest expense.

Even some of the smallest of matters become truly major matters when in this circumstance.

Bus-ted

My friend "Typhoon" had been living in his bus for a couple of years now. It's one of those smaller ones, just larger than a typical "van". It finally got towed a few days ago, because he'd fallen behind on registration fees. This is a major disaster for many that are living in their vehicles.

He also had a temporary guest staying with him, who arrived there while the towing was underway. She's got a terminal illness and they wouldn't even allow her entry to retrieve her medications -- because she isn't the owner. So they took the vehicle and everything in it.

Often, or usually, this means that the owner is going to just lose their vehicle/home, since the fees and fines for the towing and the additional daily ransom charges are more than a person can muster right away. If they'd had the cash, they could've paid the registration and avoided the seizure in the first place. So the vehicle is heading for the auction and the tow lot will get the proceeds, paying themselves for having gone and gotten it.

Meanwhile, the clock's also ticking on how long is allowed for a person to go retrieve whatever belongings were inside. That is, whatever might be left, since theft is common. Who has a documented inventory of everything to prove what was there? And, of course, there's a fee and a cumbersome process to get an official access permit. Each time.

I've managed to keep a commercial storage unit for some of my own belongings, in all this time. Often, just barely, which is a precarious monthly challenge of raising enough funds to meet that rent to keep virtually all I own from getting seized and sold off there. So I pay a couple of hundred monthly so that my stuff is safely indoors, even with heat/air conditioning, while I sleep outdoors.

I juggled things and made some space and Typhoon borrowed a pickup truck, did the drill and brought some of his things over there, where we've stashed it all, for now. My storage rent day is directly ahead and I've managed to rustle it up, once more, which will leave me with precious few dollars in the pocket.

Just days before Typhoon's bus got taken, he'd been notified that he has been successfully qualified and will be receiving monthly benefit payments, which are to commence in about two weeks. He'll be able to get another vehicle so just has to "rough it" until then.

I don't receive any such benefits or payments.

Oakland, itself, on brink of bankruptcy?

In my former property manager role, I was brought into especial proximity with various aspects of political, economic and sociocommunity issues and dynamics of the city. Considerations that impacted the property and our tenants/neighborhood, as well as my own eventual hardships resulting, had a great deal to do with some of the finances moving through city hall and/or private sectors.

Shortly after my own demise there, a number of city officials came to be investigated by Federal authorities, and some probes and other actions against improprieties have continued in Oakland since. It's long been a troubled city and certainly remains one. More of these examinations are likely deserved and warranted.

Now the latest twist - one that sadly probably doesn't surprise many anymore - is that the city itself may be inexorably facing bankruptcy.

I hope to examine how my own recent involvements there hooked in to some of the associated dynamics.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12554613

I am resuming/continuing this blog

After creating this blog, I then let it sit idle for the better part of a year now. There were a couple of main reasons for this:

1. The daily malaise of being homeless (especially when new to it and fresh into the predicament) becomes so overwhelming and strongly tends to dominate and consume one's time, attention, efforts and resources... leaving precious little to other ventures that don't directly and immediately produce manifest benefits.

2. After doing some online checking and finding any number of other such blogs and online personal expositions, I lost heart and became disappointed, thinking that perhaps no one is really interested in reading such things, after all.

3. Due to some of the particulars of my circumstances, and some legal/other matters associated, there were some reservations about what could - or should - be included and covered in such a venue.

I want to thank Shannon at Change.org for both her public acknowledgment and personal encouragement for my similar contributions to her own blog:

http://homelessness.change.org/

In response, I intend to continue to contribute to the fine ongoing work at that site, but feel that some other, further detail kinds of material would both be better located on my personal blog as well as being able to more fully treat an extent of the particular material than would probably be fitting there -- for those interested in pursuing things in that way.

So, thanks again Shannon! And all the rest of you that have let me know that I've not "invested" precious time/effort in such writings in vain. Please do feel free to check THIS site and blog, as I WILL be developing it more.