Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Reprise

Since I last wrote, the economy has tanked and the world as we know it has changed. Many empty storefronts, many foreclosed homes. I have been out of work for five months now, and I'm running out of resources fast. I have applied for countless positions with nary an acknowledgment. Millions of people are out of work, and the competition for jobs is insurmountable, or so it would seem. In this situation, it's hard to think about anything else, like the war in Afghanistan or the status of "Don't ask, don't tell" here at home. I hope, though, that Obama succeeds in changing the health care system.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Riverbank Update

Last week was surreal. Some people turned up with trashcans and dismantled the makeshift dwelling of the homeless people on the riverbank. At the same time, a canvas teepee appeared in the neighboring vacant lot. By the end of the afternoon the people had removed everything but the nailed down tarp and carpeting on the pilings; these are all that remain of the shack.

The next afternoon, I finally got around to looking out on the watery landscape (it was a rainy day), and I saw that the teepee had also disappeared and the lot had been entirely cleaned up. I don't know where the dwellers went. I'm told someone in a suit turned up and persuaded them to go. Hard times, these. Hard weather too, even here in Northern California. It's started to rain again finally and it's cold. I can't help wondering where the homeless people are sleeping these days.

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Truth About Hibernation

People have the notion that bears sleep all winter when they hibernate. This is a myth. The truth is, bears lie around in their caves, snacking on treats, reading trashy novels, and doing crossword puzzles. They also take lots of naps, which is probably how the sleeping myth got started.