Getting over ANOTHER bout of "flu"...

All The News That's Fit To.... ?

When I think I think of "Blogs" I think of the original term: "weblogs". Logs, as in a personal logging of one's own experience. Anymore, this has come to mean just short postings, often topical and with a sprinkling or slant of "comentary". And less and less "personal" in a bona fide experiential way, but more a contrived "style" of writing.

Just so, I found Change.org to be far more of a commercialized blog "venture" than anything else. And now, more so. The "editorial mission" is to position online as the website that devotes its "blogs" to linked "actions" only (automated petitions, email campaigns, etc.). But what with professionalized writers groomed for this purpose, it continues to lose "voice" as a real blog, in terms of being a venue of relevent, ongoing personal experience, in my opinion.

This is why those of us yet willing to do so must find ways to keep chronicling the realities. I see some of the more successful at garnering online and other attentions tending to "professionalize" their status in various ways, to their own personal benefit if not anyone else's (although some vehemently argue that it's ALL to do "other" good, really). I don't know, but think it merits some real examination.

Maybe it's time to get this blog going better, and with wider exposure, too?

Down Again, but Hopefully Not Out

Well, it finally happened -- my computer died. This one is a somewhat beatup MacBookPro I managed to acquire after my previous one was stolen inside my pack that was taken from me while sleeping on the street. And so the replacement has failed, leaving me both computerless and with valuable data and resources trapped in that digital void.

My good camera, a nice Panasonic Lumix, was also stolen recently. Must be the fifth or so digital camera I've lost during this saga. But, this time, I already had a backup on hand. And just last night acquired a battery charger for it, for $2.

MacBookPro's are relatively expensive computers. But that's what I have all the software for that I've relied upon, so it's my challenge (repeated now) to have to find a way to get yet another. Fortunately, I did do a backup of the hard-drive not too long ago. I could also probably remove the hard-drive from the dead laptop and find a way to extract what lesser amount of newer, unbackedup data that's on there.

It's already been a coupla' weeks now, mostly offline. I'm using a friend's laptop right now. And it changes the shape of my days/eves and time spent to not have the resource. It also seriously delays some important projects.

If you're reading this and have any way to help me in this venture, I'd sure appreciate it. You could send email and it will arrive at my phone. Thanks.

slumjack@gmail.com

FALLing Back In

Again, I return to blogging after quite a spell lapsed.

During the hiatus, much has happened, of course. And I've put a lot of thought into the writing and publishing I'd been doing -- some of the basic issues of purpose and affiliations and results, along with a number of attendant considerations and factors.

I just noticed this morning that I've been "demoted" on the Change.org website, from a pictured "featured writer" down to the "other writer" button category. I've not contributed there since last July or so, despite their enquiry/encouragement since.

Circumstances have continued to crowd my writing, but my own concerns about just what I'm writing, where and within which context, has affected my participations with both this blog and others.

I may be sharing some examination of this ahead. Here.

Meanwhile, local action has been heating up and that deserves more attentions here, too. Soon. I hope.

What's A Guy Like Me Doing Homeless?

I got asked this today. Again. I run across some version of that question, from time to time. Or a similar statement: "You don't look/seem homeless."

I originally began this blog with some intention of playing out the SlumJack Saga more completely -- including just what happened to result in this Tale in the first place. I've shot past that part, so far.

There is a website somewhere still in the works, meant to do that justice, along with some other features better suited to that form than a blog. It just hasn't yet been the highest priority.

Meanwhile, here's a very short form I posted way back when . . .

Getting In & Out of Dodge

I'd been parked in a preferred spot -- one that's unmetered and not subject to the two-hour limit, except for immediate residents that have stickers allowing them full, ongoing access. The default limit for others is 72 hours, which sometimes gets exceeded since who's keeping track that closely?

Well, someone might. A neighbor that would like to use the spot, instead, for instance. Or the local "parking patrol" folks wanting to make a quota. Or even the local cops that figure someone might be illegally living there. Especially when the Powers That Be in town are in one of their Sweep 'Em Out campaigns. And, lately, it could seem that this has been the case.

I got the word last night, from an acquaintance that keeps very late/early hours, that he'd seen a patrol cop at the rig, shining his flashlight in and knocking on it. At around 5am.

Earlier in the eve before, I was thinking about what it's like to turn in to try to go to sleep. In that hood, there's commonly drunken students out and about, even pretty late. And so there were. A gang of young bucks hooting and hollering in inebriated hooligan mode.

One has to somehow tune that out -- even though they're... right there. Right out there. And one ear needs to stay tuned to certain kinds of sounds. Anything telltale, like messing with the bike or rig. Same thing with sensing kinetic activity. But ya' can't stay too alert, since that foils sleep.

Just so, anyone else that might come by and "intrude."

Discovering that our diligent officers are keenly tending to "protect and serve" the public in the wee hours (and they so typically pick some of the worst) like that, I was glad to get an invite to go visit with a very good friend that asked me over. And several towns away.

Time for another break. On several scores. So I'm outa' Dodge, for the time being.

They're Rollin' on the Mobile Now, too!

Last night, some friends I hadn't seen in a few months showed up in my usual area. One has a van now, and all three were sleeping in there last night. They were parked two slots down from where I'd parked to overnight.

This morning, they told me that in the middle of the night, a police cruiser had pulled up and apparently ran all of our license plates, one by one. I'd heard tell the other day that someone had been talking to one of the "meter maids" who told them that, indeed, there was a plan to "enforce" against those of us living/sleeping in our vehicles.

This is against the law. Illegal. ESPECIALLY if you have a vehicle that's actually made for (i.e. good for) doing just that. Or if you've "modified" your vehicle in any way that can be deemed that (e.g. adding a "bed", having typical "living supplies" in apparent view, etc.). Of course, if cited, one can always go to all the time and trouble, and expense, to go to court to fight that.

Another couple that recently got themselves into a small RV truck and then, most recently, just barely managed to get some sorely needed repairs to keep it running and safe from seizure, awoke this morning to two citations on their windshield, about two blocks away from where I was. And the police had actually removed their license plates from the vehicle. Seems there was a problem with the annual registration stickers on 'em. They also have a coupla' unpaid parking tickets.

That's similar to how it often goes -- you get ticketed for minor parking infractions. These cost almost $50 each. At first. If not paid "on time" they begin to ratchet up, pretty quickly hitting $100 apiece or more. Unfortunately, we rarely have "extra" funds around to so suddenly pay down these kinds of things, either. They know that, too.

So all-too-quickly a person can find they've been hit with hundreds of dollars in fines. And then their vehicle gets towed, which adds a coupla' few hundred more to the bill. In effect, they've stolen your vehicle/home . . . and have seized everything you own in it, other than what you're happening to be carrying with you when they grabbed it all.

Typically all that stuff is quickly gone through and anything of real value stolen -- somehow. After all, who has any kind of reliable, current "inventory" documented/recorded officially enough to account for things? What's left can be retrieved, probably some distance away, but can mean actually scheduling an appointment to do so. If you have any means to get there and transport much out.

Then there's a daily "storage charge" for holding your rig hostage, on top of everything else. Naturally, most folks can't possibly pay all that, so the thing is sold off by The Powers That Be to pay themselves. Doesn't the public feel much safer and pleased to have city coffers boosted by these kinds of deals?

Voila! You're back on the streets, with next to nothing. Again. Which is increasingly illegal, in effect, too. Can't have any scofflaws, outlaws and criminals around here! OR folks just trying to get off the sidewalks and piece something back together again, step by painful step, as might be at all realistically and viably possible.

Easter Report

Not much to report, actually. It was another cold, rainy day -- dank in that way things get after a couple of these in a row.

Most of the street folks kept taking refuge under the usual biz awnings or in cafe's off and on.

A couple of "fair booth" structures were erected on an outdoor basketball court. I heard that a turkey meal was served out there at some point, but with next to nowhere to eat outa' the elements.

Some colored eggs from "the wingnut" breakfast were circulating around, or left on top of newspaper boxes and trashcans in soggy plastic shopping bags.

Toward the end of the night, a young couple were huddled together in the doorway of a corner shop. As I walked by to a nearby store, she boldly asked if they could sleep on my floor, as it was really wet out. Even "the homeless" don't always recognize who "the homeless" actually are.

That Slippery Slope

I bumped into a friend this morning and we talked for a spell. It's been awhile. Seems he's been going through some pretty rough times. Bad enough, that his whole scene has become a bit precarious. Wife left, business has been seriously down, taxes/debts have mounted, and his own state of being got strained, rattled and a lot less functional. That puts all that's left at real risk.

I watched another friend go through this about a year ago. Lost his job. His marriage broke up, with unfortunate effects. Lost his home. Lost a lot of belongings. Etc. As it became more obvious to me that he was heading toward that same kind of circumstantial precipice that I'd gone over the year before, I began to try to help him face things. To act. To prepare. To take fuller advantage of remaining time, resources and options, both to stave off and minimize the losses and damaging effects and to avail all he still did have to work with to maximize his options and best interests.

It didn't work too well. He dove into "denial", delay and kind of froze like the proverbial deer in the headlights. He just wouldn't take, or even allow, the proffered - and then urged - help. So he took a pretty steep and disorienting tumble, when he did reach that inescapable point when it all collapses.

Tbis morning's friend has recently been jolting out of that same kind of fraying demise, instead trying to  deal with and manage the jangling sense of alarm and confusing, anxious wheel spinning that's a fairly common kind of reaction. I got a booby prize of credit to help "inspire" him, as he credits me with an example of "strength" as he's seen me endure and grapple with a much worse version than he's yet had to.

Well, okay. A silk purse effect out of my sow's ear of hardship? Fine enough.

Such stumbles and fumbles have really been going around these past couple of years. I see others in various stages and phases. And do what I can -- from here. It isn't near what I used to be able to. But it's a hard-won stance and "example." One that can really drive some points home.

Last year, I'd asked this friend if I might arrange with him to perhaps take a shower now and then. He marginally agreed but made some excuses at the time, and we both sidestepped discomforts by not bringing it up again. Instead, we swapped some other small practical favors from time to time. Now he needs some of my help. And he's a LOT more amenable to my needs.

Such is the nature of "shared" misfortunates. Hard won lessons, all  around.

Do Not Pass Go - Do Not Collect $

Been trying to collect some pay owed me for work done. It's not a lot, but people often don't realize just how sorely needed every little bit is in this predicament -- even folks that can be rather close to the issue often just don't "get it."

Even relatively "trivial" amounts of cash, or other resources, can make all the difference. For example, I'm still paying over $200 month for storage of my remaining possessions. If I'm late getting that paid, there's a $40+ late fee too. So ANY amount short of that on time, then costs me another $40 immediately.

Yet, they're a coupla' months behind in paying me now, as it is.

So I spent more hours on end having to hang out at a cafe Fri. nite and Saturday, attempting to arrange things via email, too. Why they wouldn't just call me, even after I reminded of my cell number and asking them to, is beyond me. So I had to just sit around indoors during the good weather and had to keep buying the coffee that's the "rent" to be there, too.

And it appears that I wasn't able to actually get paid yet. In fact, I couldn't get them to clarify with me all the necessary details for that, either. I've not before imposed these kinds of situational, personal factors in our interactions, but they've been dropping the ball so much for so long now, that they've burdened me with real additional problems as a result.

So I thought it was time and fair for them to both know the effects and make good with me, finally.

Not yet. My passage into Spring....

The Vermin Strike Again!

Last spring, my entire daypack was stolen while I was sleeping. I lost  my MacBook Pro laptop, my Nikon digital camera, important legal papers, some cash, and a lot of other vitals. Really wiped me out. Worse, those are important tools for me to use to just Get By, too.

I was able to piece things back together since then, though, despite some other thefts and adverse events.

Well, last night, the thieves managed to get BOTH of my digital cameras and my iPod. I usually NEVER have the both of them at the same place at the same time, as I figured one could be a "backup" if something were to happen to the other. Except this time, when I was doing a special session at a wifi cafe' for a project. And went to the bathroom... tucking them into a white plastic bag clipped to something, under the table...

Day after day, night after night, always having to trundle anything and everything you use, need or happen to have with you all the time -- it gets real old and tedious. Even gather everything up to take into the bathroom each time? Or else.

I just got the storage rent paid. Now to work on ANOTHER digital camera.

Harsh Realities & Ugly Truths

Today, Change.org published one of my blog entries that takes a look at one of the more unfortunate dimensions of "homelessness" -- being one of the truly "main" ways to get out of the jam... if surprising to many that have never been exposed or aware of this.

Even THIS blog isn't able to really "show and tell" a number of other such realities properly. So I've begun to put together a website that I hope to be able to present a variety of materials that can. If you're reading here, check back for the URL address of the site.

Or let me hear from you! And I'll be happy to send you a line and link. '-)

slumjack@gmail.com

Posturing on the Streets

I just had a blog entry posted on Change.org about the SF "Sit/Lie Ordinance" action. Ironically, a number of the SF proponents try to point to Berkeley as an example. Yet, things aren't really that simple, or clear, in Berkeley.

In fact, in recent weeks, I've met with an officer of the Berkeley police command and a city councilman to discuss this issue. I've heard from several sources that there's a similar, or worse, initiative in the works and tried to confirm if this is so. After these personal, one-on-one meetings... it remains unclear.

I've before looked up the actual codes, as I've recounted in previous blog posts here, but have only found that such specific "postural" ordinances are specified during specific hours in one defined area known as "the box" -- an area adjacent to the UC campus, roughly between Shattuck and Telegraph/People's Park areas. The Prime Business Rectangle. Well, okay.

That may be some kind of precedent, but SF's ordinance rallyers appear to be overstating their case and clamoring for a quite more restrictive, even citywide version. That's something else, in practical effect. That's creating law to control people's posture in public places. Ludicrous.

It's starkly a decoy type law, specifically meant to give the police total discretionary enforcement powers, simply to "roust" people if they can't easily nail 'em for what they're actually doing wrong. Apparently, bugged citizens just aren't complaining enough. The cops need such a complaint to act, if they haven't personally witnessed an infraction. Do I sound like I'm detailing what the real "problems" are here? Of course I am.

While this issue's been mounting, and getting increased play in a number of venues and various press, we're also seeing the typical fusing of the matter with "the homeless" targeted and presumed, in particular. THIS is what I must oppose. It's even significantly wrong.

For instance, a recent Chron article had Mayor Newsom crediting the city with suprising success in the "help the homeless" campaigns and programs... announcing how many are no longer on the streets and with no especial reason to expect that those remaining outdoors are the culprits on Haight Street misbehaving. Even some articles have explained that some of these, indeed, are NOT homeless but just "hanging out" there which has long been a Haight phenomena.

Unfortunately, since late last summer and through the Fall, Berkeley cops began to roust people and tell them explicitly that sleeping on sidewalks/parking strips ANYwhere in the city was "no longer going to be allowed at all". Huh? When and how did that happen?

So far, no one can tell me. But I've heard that there may be some effort in the works to not only officially make that be the case, but possibly even worse  yet -- there are those that want to outright outlaw people homeless in Berkeley, except for those that became homeless while living in Berkeley. Now how might someone prove that?

Two Edged Swords Cutting Thru Curse/Blessings

I live in Two Worlds. At least two, really. And I'm "world weary" enough in just one!

I've been "out here" for about 20 months now. Initially, I really thought it might "only" be a couple of months at most, if near that long. In fact, I made concerted efforts to avoid becoming homeless at all, in advance, when I saw that I was situationally barreling toward that precipice. At first, I naively figured that I had a good, viable chance of arranging something else, even in terms of minimal, yet serviceably functional, lodging for an interim.

By now, there's no particular end in sight. And it's been such a struggle to have just made it this long. Meanwhile, so much that I've relied upon to do so has been strained, diminished, depleted or is simply changed and over and done with.

One of the worst ironies, and troubling dilemmas, is that I've found that some "options" that can ease the stresses and add some admittedly small or humble "comforts" to one's days/nights in the jam, come at a real risk of actually perpetuating it all the more. Yet, the "prices" of doing otherwise, to keep more concertedly attempting to more substantially improve or get out of the predicament, can be such serious gambles and incur even further hardships too.

It becomes so wearing, tiring, dispiriting and discouraging. And one is surrounded by others grappling similarly. Yet, right amongst countless others doing quite nicely, thank you. And the context of then "keeping up appearances" so as to "fit in". Somewhat. Somehow. Sometimes. Some ways.

The contrasts become so stark and steep! At one moment, I'll be retrieving a surplus military poncho for lame, filthy old man that sleeps down the block in a doorway to help him stay dry-er on a dank, cold, rainy day... and then have a breezy chat with an acquaintance about the thousands of dollars he's getting from a lawsuit won against his longtime landlord, and his upcoming plans for some new camera equipment.

I'll have lunch in a park, among the most ragtag mix including the most destitute, and later a "friend" generously serves a simple homecooked dinner to a handful of other of his "friends"... served from the trunk of his car, doled out of tinfoil containers onto paper plates on a busy street corner sidewalk. Delicious, too! But like feeding dogs. And as though it's "normal" somehow.

Most people stop inviting you to visit at their home. Ever. You've joined the "underclass" even among people that call you "friend". Even those that turn to you for favors, including borrowing your cash! I recall how weird it was for me to have people that wanted to "visit" with me a lot at cafe's,  wanting my attentions and company, but at closing time  departed wishing me a "good night"... both of us knowing I had to trudge a mere bicycle and loaded trailer ... somewhere ... to sleep on concrete sidewalks, sometimes in freezing cold and/or wet. "See ya' tomorrow!"

Such are the collisions of context in an area very used to both having numerous homeless people around and with ongoing "mixing" with others. Even usual "socializing". But a somewhat bizarre "class system" has evolved. Even a rather unfortunate version.

Once it becomes known that you've changed "class" and have descended to "the streets", you're seen and treated very differently. Same person, but dramatically changed status. And so revised dynamics.

The Sleepless Nightmare

I've referred to this entire experience as: A Surreal Nightmare. And it can and has been, in many ways, at many times.

One very basic aspect is actual sleep, though. Or, more specifically, a lack of sleep -- sleep deprivation, which can become chronic, with accumulating effects.

When on the streets, many folks "turn in" pretty early . . . once it gets dark and they can get away with retiring to their various "spots" undetected (or at least relatively undisturbed). Besides, what else is there to do all evening long -- especially when it's cold, or also wet?

And, either way, one usually has to get up and going very early in the morn, so logging enough sleep before then is vital, since the following long day must be tackled and possibly including a tedious series of necessary routines . . . lugging stuff around, more walking than most people do, trundling aroudn town and among meals or other necessary resources, etc.

It all  can be a grueling, exhausting grind. Enough so, that at the end of the day, there's enough raw exhaustion to grant the sorely needed and prized . . . simple sleep. I found that, when "out there" literally on the streets, with random people passing by (sometimes even actually stepping right over one) and all the other action and hubbub, the ONLY reason I could be in such circumstances and even go to or stay asleep at all was due to that deep fatigue.

My own routine wasn't to retire early. Instead, I'd spend evenings usually in wifi cafe's, to take advantage of prime time to try to make more happen, sell stuff online, probe for opportunities/resources, stay in touch with some, try to get something worthwhile done or just take shots at whatever. Plus, wanting/needing a range and variety of "social" or "community" contacts and interaction with a variety of other kinds of people. So I'd be "out" until midnight or so. THEN do the laborious trailered bicycle commute to . . . wherever I was "staying" at the time, to do the drill of unpacking the necessary things, securing everything else as well as could be, possibly waterproofing, etc. Only to reverse all this right away, first thing in the early morn. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Etc.

These days, I've been enjoying the incredible boon of being among the "vehicled", if still "homeless".  I''m still keeping pretty much the same evening/night hours "out" though, despite having this precious place to go most any time I'd like -- a private, secured place available for me to hole up in, even with relative "luxuries" -- light. heat, space (however modest), and more books and other items than could previously be carried/kept on hand. Even foods, drinks and treats. Heck, I can even watch movies on my laptop or iPod (as long as the batteries hold out).

AND I can also "sleep in" too, not absolutely having to get up and going right away very early to avoid expensive citations, or harassing rousts, or just because of a day's beginning hustle and bustle surrounding.

Depending upon where one is parked, certain external factors do apply. In timed zones, often beginning at 8am - 9am a two hour limit begins, requiring that the vehicle be moved. This parking leap-frogging can continue to go on all day, too, if staying in these areas, forcing the day into two-hour segments between these relocations to further parking  spots hopping from block to block.

But now with this relative comfort, the lack of the same extreme hardship has been having another, unexpected effect too -- insomnia. I've been having trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. I've apparently become accustomed to relying upon a real exhausted fatigue as a sedative. Now, unless I'm pretty severely spent, I'm having trouble staving away all the stress, worries, concerns, and other thoughts and feelings that I'd so long had to only just keep at bay as I concentrated on only immediate survival and the ongoing perpetual NOW of just the very next things . . . all else aside.

My own mind tortures me. A couple of years' backlog of unresolved and mounting issues invades and clamors for my attention, in that humble womb of quiet, safe solitude. And it all plagues me while preventing sleep, even when pretty tired and craving my usual somatic sanctuary. I'm also a bit claustrophobic, and the upper cab-over bunk is a pretty tight fit which makes little difference when snoozing, but can close in and confine when awake. Although the rest of the space is a relative private, exclusive manor compared to being outdoors with only the "privacy" of a bivvy bag pulled over one's head, on any other standard it's fairly cramped too, and can rouse "cabin fever" in me.

So I've been having more trouble with all this in recent times than I'd realized I was in for. And then, once finally tuckered out enough to quell all the fitful, distracted latening nights and I finally do fall out, I'm either awakening too early when roused by nature's calls or ending up sleeping too late into morns. Or mid-days, if and when I haven't been able to sleep until, say, 4am - 6am or so.

This is now a new problem to try to handle. Among all the others. And so many as-yet largely unsolved problems. Which is part of what keeps me up so much. And so it all goes . . .

Rainy Daze

I've not yet repaired the windshield wipers, so during recent rainstorms, I'm forced to park somewhere... sometimes days at a time. This is a problem in more ways than one. But a major factor is more and more areas are imposing 2 hour parking limits, if one is not a resident of that area with the appropriate sticker on the vehicle identifying as such. Obviously, metered parking is out of the question too.

I've got my bike mounted on the back of the van, but riding much in pouring rain isn't the best solution. So I prefer to "dock" nearby where I usually go and need to be. Fortunately, there are still a couple of parking spots both unmetered and not subject to the 2 hour limit. But these are naturally coveted and it's competitive to get one. I've been pretty lucky at that, so far.

The rains just returned after a couple of days' break. A much needed break, as heavy condensation inside or an actual leak at the cabover window (not found  yet) had been getting conditions fairly dank and damp within. In fact a corner of my "bunk" was wet. So I was able to remove everything, dry it all out, clean and abate mold/mildow blooms, etc. And then put it all back in dry and fresh and tidy.

The result is that now, during our renewed storms it's much more pleasant in there. I enjoyed some snacks and a movie last night. Beautiful surprise sunny blue morn today, but before I unleash any Spring Fever, more storms are forecast over the next couple of days.

Update: Meeting with the Police

A LOT has happened since the previous post, two down. But, this morning, I met with the "new" Area Coordinator/Commander for the police department, at a local cafe, where we talked for a bit over an hour.

As I recounted below, a beat officer had encouraged me to contact his superior within the dept. toward initiating a discussion of "the homeless" and the police enforcing of the various laws against us, as well as possibly toward identifying some better ways to go. So I'd acted on his suggestion and sent an email. That was months and months ago. No one had even responded to that email.

A couple of months went by and, one day, I was cleaning up my email and ran across the sent item. At that moment it just peeved me that I hadn't even been responded with so much as make-nice, boilerplate acknowledgment of simply having received my email. So I checked the local city/police website and found an email address for a Community Affairs officer and forwarded the original email to that address with a short note explaining that I'd been ignored and asking who might be an appropriate contact.

I then received a fairly prompt response, finally acknowledging me and telling me that there had been some departmental reorganization and that they were also forwarding my email to another person. Shortly, I then received a cordial email from the new Area Coordinator/Commander inviting to meet with me. We exchanged a couple more to establish a context (she wanted to know if I represented any group(s) beyond just myself) and some topic, then scheduled a time/place - a local cafe'.

She arrived a bit late this morn, while I'd gotten there early and had grabbed a table. I was outside looking around when I spotted her driving up in an unmarked police car, looking a bit grim, really. But I greeted her, and she joined me at the table within, but declined to grab a coffeee, so we sat down and I got right to the point.

I was pleased to find her attentive, interested and responsive. I explained my own position, my priority concerns and hopes. She did pose some of the more difficult, frank questions as well, about the issues raised, but made a point of expressing her own "compassionate" nature and seeking what preferred options may be considered and/or available.

Our main items of concern:

• As it is now, local codes mostly criminalize simply being homeless, when it comes to unavoidable pragmatics, such as where one can be or, more so, just sleep. My own take is that the city needs to designate specific places where this is legally allowed, in some form. Both those "camping" and those fortunate enough to have vehicles.

• "The homeless" is too broad, and too unfortunately stigmatizing of a term. There is more variety of types of people unfortunately in that status and plight. I urged her and her officers to realize this, and that the awareness might influence their conduct and treatment towards individuals. I explained to her what a personal offense it can be, even practically, to be "enforced" against and disrespected, in reality. Not to mention burdened with "fines" and all the more problems to have to overcome to get out of the jam.

• I was surprised to find that she seemed incompletely informed about actual local code applica\ble, such as that specifying the "obstructing sidewalk" citations, which I was subjected to once. She showed me a reference card she carries which reads as though code prohibits sitting/lieing on sidewalks more generally than I've found the full, actual code to do. Similarly, we discussed the irony of code disallowing habitation in vehicles, including those only temporarily or provisionally adapted to that use.

The obvious solution is to designate some areas allowing for both the  "camping" and habitable vehicle overnight parking. Just where this might be done is somewhat unclear, although some options came to mind. But her own take on this was that it's mainly a matter of "cost" to do so. And some anticipation of problem people.

But I maintained that no matter what does or doesn't take place, these problems exist anyway... but without such option for the more reasonable, responsible people to be okay and, at best, progress. She got the point.

Twenty Ten!

I let this blog lapse again -- for months! And so much has happened.

A biggest change is that I'm now in an "RV van", which is about the largest a van can be, before becoming a more full-fledge "RV" and about the smallest an RV can be, before just being a van.

The move from being "out there" on the streets, to being in a vehicle like this is major. It may be as, or more, significant a difference as it would be to go from here to "indoors" in a residence, really. To have one's own private space, out of the weather and elements and vulnerabilities, is so important. And to be able to carry and keep so many more belongings and provisions is a major improvement. And that's not to mention the increased mobility.

Of course, I still have my bicycle which is now mounted on a rack on the back, but the trailer has been collapsed and placed in my storage unit. And I'm still using some backpacks to organize some things even within the van, although it's got built-in cabinetry and storage facilities.

Another precious boon is that ability to use HEAT, especially this time of year! The van has onboard propane systems, including a heater. I'd been using that heater with the last of the propane in the onboard tank, until it ran out. Just recently I discovered that the tank needs some servicing which I'm unable to get done right now. So I'm using a two-burner, portable propane "camp stove" to heat, which does a pretty close job. AND affords the opportunity to do some modest cooking outside the vehicle, which has its use and charms.