Acceptance

Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy. -- Albert Einstein

Acceptance of a situation does not necessarily mean that we are released of responsibility for the situation, or its causes. Acceptance is merely the ability to see the situation or event for what it is, with eyes unclouded by fruitless thoughts.

Of course there is unfairness in the world; of course there is injustice and hate. The acceptance of these states as being real certainly does not relieve us of the responsibility of addressing these issues. And how we address these issues when they are in front of us is how we address our God.

Don Winslow's New Novel "Dawn Patrol"

Jason Kincade, an online Marketer for Random House, just contacted me and let me know that Don Winslow's new novel "Dawn Patrol" will be coming out in June, so that is exciting news. I expect I'll be doing quite a bit of marketing for Don over the next few months, getting the word out.


What many new authors don't know is that while a company like Random House might publish your novel, they expect you (the author) to do a good portion of the marketing for its successful sales. Not knowing much about marketing (and why should they?) and even knowing less about marketing on the Internet, many good novels fall through the cracks, and show little success, even though the potential readership is gasping for new tales.

As Don is a personal friend of mine I don't mind helping him out with this side of his business at all, and in fact, since I'm a fan of his work, I look forward to it (and the free copy I usually get :-)






If you aren't familiar with Don Winslow's work, search out Power of the Dog, The Winter of Frankie Machine (soon to be a movie with Robert De Niro), and Cool Breeze on the Underground (also with a motion picture in the works).

 

Eddie the Cat vs. Animal Control

Ok, this one is new. I knew that after I started pushing against the Sheriffs and the local homeless laws I was going to start getting more than the average amount of flack, but I didn't see this one coming at all.

First of all, the report to Animal Services was that I was "beating" Eddie. Yes, you read that right... I was out there at high noon beating on my Eddie cat. how silly is that?

Once the Animal Services was here on the scene and talking to me, they asked how long Eddie was on his tether? The answer to that is pretty much "all day and all night". Her response was to give me a Correction Notice which, she said, states that animals could only be on a tether for 3 hours per day.

Health and Safety Code 122335(b): No person shall tether, fasten, chain, tie, or restrain a dog, or cause a dog to be tethered, fastened, chained, tied, or restrained, to a dog house, tree, fence, or any other stationary object.

I'm sure you can see what I see here... the word "dog". Eddie is not a dog. I can prove it. You can go right out there and say "Here boy!" and he won't come. He also will not fetch or chase a ball, nor chase a car. He won't bark or attack any post man (as long as they don't try to pet him) and he will never eat at the tone of any bell, Pavlov be damned.

The Animal Services lady was very nice and as expected from people in such occupations, much more concerned about Eddie than she was about me, or my wants and desires. I have no complaints there. However, the law doesn't apply to cats in anyway. I called the number on the form to make sure.

I still am interested in how the this law would apply to Service Animals though. If Eddie was a dog... awk!... how would a person in my current position deal with this situation?

I agree wholeheartedly with the thought behind the law as well, which is one of the main reasons I was going out to the park bull-pen to work during the day. I could shut the bullpen door and let Eddie run around at will, chase his fur-mice and laser point, and generally be full-fledge cat for a few hours. But, as we know from my last post, I can't go to the public park and into the bull-pen because Eddie and I are homeless.

Busy Cool Day

So after my little "enlightenment" last week, where I suddenly realized that I was done with this journey and ready to get a place, and get back to serious work, two of my contract employers have contacted me and said they were willing to take me back on. How's that for timing? I have to suggest here, that if there isn't a God, then I'm just one lucky son of a bitch (and with my poker history, suggesting that I'm lucky is a bit insane).

I got the form filled out for the ACLU, and after going through some of the news articles on the local San Diego Chapter's website, I'm very optimistic about the effectiveness of them taking this on. There is one article in particular regarding day-workers in El Cajon, which would be simply fantastic if it went that well, and that simply, with my project to get rid of SMC 10.20.160. If they could get the code off the books or officially put into disuse with a letter, heck that would be ideal. With the 9th District Court Ruling, already upheld in several other cases, including San Diego, it seems to me that this could be very possible.

Eddie's paw doesn't have any infection, nor do I believe that he is going to need any further treatment, so I'm going to send off the Sheriff Complaint form today as well. I've also decided that is all I'm going to do with that particular episode. A basic complaint issued and recorded is enough. Eddie isn't permanently injured, and I don't need the hassle of a law suit, nor do I believe it would do any good. It is that last part which is most discouraging. If I believed that a law suit in that regard would wake up the consciousness of this deputy or others, then I would go through the motions, but I don't. Besides, I think I'm reaching my physical limit in keeping up with all the battles I've generated so far, adding another at this time is too much. I want to stay focused on the areas that are going to be of long term benefit to others as well as myself.

Ideally I would like 1) the ACLU to take on, and dispatch the Municipal Code, and 2) find a lawyer to take on the suit of discrimination. The ACLU isn't really up on lawsuits if they are not required, and I don't want to waste their resources, unless they show me that they really are the best resource for that part of this action as well. So having a lawyer who is more dedicated to that part seems like a better use of resources and time. I believe with these two actions, the City of Santee will change a great deal in how it interacts with the homeless. Perhaps for only a short time, but... I plan on living here for awhile.

Homeless have no rights in Santee Video

While I could embed this video here, it would be better to go to the Google site to watch it, because in the comments section I have posted time-line links which help go to particular areas of the video. It is best to go to the Google page and let the video load all the way through, and then use the links or watch as your interest allows. I say all this, because for a good portion of the video I'm sitting silent and alone.

Here is the link

The time-line notes I've made are :
0:00 Deputy arrives on scene I turn on digital cameras as normal for any interview with police or officials of any kind.
01:19 Deputy Begins Interview
01:40 States I am trespassing
01:50 States it is not a public park
02:10 state I'm stealing electricity
02:23 states this park is not for my use
02:30 states I have to leave or I will be arrested and my property will be "taken"
02:45 tells me to stand up and put my hands behind my back. I ask if I am under arrest but he refuses to answer this question before attempting to handcuff and search me.

03:43 After allowing him to handcuff me "for his protection" I take a seat... most of this between here and the next part is silence to questions. At 4:13 I tell him I don't like being harassed and assaulted.

04:35 Begins to search my property without permission, but switches to haphazard search when I call him on it. I'm still not under arrest.

He calls for backup and I stay silent most of the time. I don't really have anything to say.

07:45 other deputy arrives, you can hear her in the background.

08:44 other deputy comes into view, talks a bit, says I can't be here, and can't use the electricity.

22:34 refuses to call City of Santee Community Services to see if use of the electricity is available to the public. Also refuses to hear or see anything that might disagree with her.

23:25 Deputy states that I am now under arrest for trespassing in a public park. And that I will leave or be taken into custody.

24:10 I ask to make it clear that I have to leave the public park due to trespassing and that I'm going to be cited for trespassing.

25:19 I tell them that I have written and verbal permission from Community Services for use of the electricity.

30:45 Other deputy interviews, asserting that I am not working, that I "set up camp", ignoring anything I say otherwise, or the laptop or any other evidence.

31:55 Other deputy states I have to leave the park.

33:45 Citation is given for Illegal Lodging and Theft of Services rather than Trespassing.

35:25 I move cameras to the top of Eddie's cart in full view of both deputies.

36:37 I make sure that both deputies heard me say I had verbal and written permission for the use of the electricity in the park from City of Santee Community Services.

37:15 I make it clear that I checked with the "City of Santee Community Services"

38:27 I play them the recorded voice conversation withe City of Santee Community Services using my laptop.

39:57 Highlight comment that during the recorded conversation with Santee Community Services I made it clear that I was a Private Citizen and not asking as part of the Softball league, and both Deputies exhibit understanding of that part.

41:05 Deputy states that the recorded conversation is invalid because I am "a homeless person" and a "transient" when clearly the permission is stated as to "any one using the park", not me specifically.

41:15 Deputy states that in the city of Santee the homeless do not have the right to use public facilities.

Not sure if anything after this point has any relevance at all. it is just me getting my stuff together as quickly as I can and BS conversation with the deputies.

And here is the MP3 of the phone conversation I had with Santee Community Services.



Things to note in this conversation. I didn't say who I was, or what I was going to use the outlets for, except for "stuff". She didn't give guidelines, or say "I" specifically was allowed to use them on a particular day, but rather it was a general "you are welcome to use them".

The "Letterhead" I refer to is the email I got from Santee Community Services, from their office from their URL, which as far as the courts are concerned, is legal letter head communication.
though there are some things that need to be done to insure the authenticity of the emails (which is why I'm not posting it here until I get the ok from my lawyer).

This morning I saw one of the deputies from yesterday and he said that he called the City of Santee and they said I didn't have permission... which I thought was bazaar ... but after some thought I don't really care if he was lying or not. If he is lying, then the false arrest is still on him; if he isn't then the city is liable for discrimination, because I never asked for personal permission, I always asked if the service was available for use by park visitors in general, and was always given a "general use permission" reply from the office. So if they are now saying that everyone can use it "but me" or "except the homeless" then that is discrimination.

I'm not really interested in the electricity thing, except to get the citation dismissed. I'm concerned with the homeless law, and the homeless discrimination regarding use of public parks and areas.

Homeless Not allowed in Santee Public Park

It appears that the first ticket was not a fluke. According to the deputies on Jan 9th 9am and today (Feb 25, 11am), I am trespassing in the park because I am homeless. Also, according to the deputies, I am not allowed to use the facilities of the park, including the power (which the City of Santee Community services says is publicly available) because I am homeless.

I couldn't believe the deputy actually said that to me today while the cameras were on. But the status of homeless in Santee, from their perspective, is one of criminal and without even basic human rights.

Anyway, now that the deputies have confirmed this for me, my next step is to the ACLU. I'll be posting the digital video and MP3 Pod in a while (probably tomorrow) for your enlightenment, and I'll post what the ACLU tells me when I contact them in the morning.

The new Polite device

Eddie and I were at the park this morning. A man came up and decided that he didn't "like my kind" in the park, and told me to leave. I told him that Eddie just had surgery so I didn't want to jostle him around. The elevation to violent threats from the man was nearly instantaneous. While listening to him I took out my digital video camera and turned it on, telling the man while I was doing this, that I had 1.5 hours of time on the camera, and another camera in my bag to insure I got his "good side".

The elevation to polite and understanding conversation was nearly instantaneous.

The world of digital video is wonderful. It isn't like the film days, when the camera could be destroyed, and the film (evidence) with it; digital cameras use memory cards, which are very protected inside the hard body of the camera. Even if the camera is thrown into water, it is very likely the memory card will remain usable.

After Eddie was more alert and I gave him his medicine, we left the park.

At Starbucks I discovered the video clip of the cop throwing a man in a wheelchair to the ground, while other cops look on without comment. It appears the scene is taking place inside the police station, so the cop has to know that the video camera is there, and still he performs this assault.

so ... don't depend on a camera always having a "polite" effect on people. Some people are just violent no matter what is going on, or who is watching.

Eddie appears to be in normal-for-Eddie spirits. The first time I gave him his antibiotics he was ok with it, but the next time, he understood what was about to happen and he's fought me about it every time since. He can be rather indignant at times, and doesn't give a damn if I video tape his assault on my hand or not.

Rain, Sheriff Deputies and Cat Paws

We haven't been able to get to the Vet yet. We have an appointment for 8:00 am Friday morning. Eric is going to take Eddie and I over to his vet. Seems Eric's dog got himself into a bit of a tangle and injured himself quite badly. Animals will do that when they are trapped and panicked. But Eric says this Vet is a good one, so we are going there.

I don't know how the Sheriff's department here in Santee exists in the state it is in. When I started the process of putting in a complaint on the deputy who injured Eddie, it took from 3:54 pm until 8:16 pm for a Shift Sargent to finally call me for the complaint. The Sargent, when he finally did call, then told me that there was a form I had to fill out, and I could pick it up at the Sheriff's station.

WTF?

So, all that time, for ... nothing. I could have picked up the form seven hours ago.

Of course when I did go into the office the next morning (since they were closed by then), it took three people and an interview with yet another Sargent in order to get the form. I really wish I did the digital camera thing for that trip as well. Lately however, taking digital video of the Sheriff office incompetence is like shooting chickens in boxes.

Its not just me though, or because I'm a homeless guy with a cat, or because I'm complaining about one of their own. While I was in there I overheard several people coming in to check on things that were weeks, and in one case over a month over due. Information and reports that are going to cost serious problems for those depending on the Sheriff's Department to furnish the information, if they do not receive the reports in time to use them.

Granted, they could simply be swamped, but more and more I'm starting to believe that they simply do not have enough accountability (on many levels). There is no outside force which is monitoring the situations within the office, or the reports from the patrol officers and putting two-and-two together.

How do I request a copy of a San Diego Sheriff Crime, Arrest, or Accident Report?

If the report is less than one year old and generated at a Sheriff station or sub-station, please contact the station or sub-station to obtain a copy. If the case is older than one year, a Service Request Form must be submitted to the Records & Identification Division. You can do this by visiting our office during our regular business hours or by submitting the request by mail. A valid, government issued photo identification card (i.e., driver's license, passport, military ID) must be presented if request is submitted in person, or a copy of the ID must be enclosed if the request is submitted by mail. Please note that these reports are considered to be confidential and are generally releasable to "interested parties" (as defined by applicable State codes) only, or by subpoena. Additionally, fees when applicable must be paid before copies of reports are released. Our goal is to process all requests within 3 business days.

Like I was saying, like shooting chickens in a box. ... jeez.

Eddie gets Injured during Police Action!

Formal Complaint Description against Santee Sheriff Deputy Wilson

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

C.C. Erik Bauer Attorney at Law

Statement of Glenn Hefley:

At or about 3:00pm on February 12, 2008, deputies Wilson and Levowitch<sp?> arrived at the softball park on Cuyamaca Blvd, across the street from Food4Less. I had been there since close to 9:00am working on articles and answering emails. I have been doing this (going to the park and working in the morning until about 2:00pm) almost everyday since January when I returned to Santee from a trip.

My service animal, a cat named Eddie, was off his leash, and I had the gap in the dugout doorway blocked with my cot so he could not wander out. I was in the process of trying to locate his other collar (as the one he was wearing had broke), when the deputies arrived.

When the deputies made it known that they wanted to come in, I announced that I needed to put the leash on Eddie, showing both of them my empty hands, before proceeding to place the leash on Eddie's collar. I attempted to do this minor task as quickly as I could.

Deputy Wilson forced open the dugout door, breaking the single bungee cord I had holding the cot loosely to the chain-link. This action was violent and unexpected. No command or request was given to me to halt my actions prior to this assault on my personal property or violent entry which resulted in the cot hitting me from behind. I decided that if this assault was going to continue, as I have witnesses in the past from other deputies raiding local homeless camps, that I was going to at least attempt to get it on digital camera, as I have a great deal of digital and computer equipment in my inventory which sustains my living. So, after securing Eddie to his leash, I said, "I'm going to take pictures of this." very clearly, letting both Deputy Wilson, and Deputy Levowitch<sp?> (at that moment I ascertained that she was out of line-of-sight, unable to see me through Deputy Wilson's body), know my intention, and then I reached for my Samsung digital camera. Deputy Wilson, seeing what I was going for, ordered me to "Drop the camera!" grabbing my wrist and attempted to twist my arm. The attempt was unsuccessful but I dropped the camera as gently as I could anyway, since Deputy Wilson's focus of assault had shifted from my personal property to my person, and prepared to meet his next assault.

His actions put me in a life threatening position, placing me under physical and heightened mental stress. I was very aware that he was not listening, observing, or using any type of professional judgment in his actions. Thus any attempt to defend myself, my service animal, or my belongings could, and I believed would, result in an escalation of violence from the other deputy, or Wilson himself.

There was no reason for the assault on my personal belongings, or the assault on my person. By his verbal order, "Drop the camera!", he clearly understood my intention and the nature of the object. He knew that it was not a weapon, or anything that could be a physical threat to him, or the scene. His command of "Drop the camera!" clearly states that the only threat he was attempting to avoid was documentation of his unprofessional behavior.

Even after it was clear to both deputies and the other witness, that I was not a threat, that my being at the public park was within my rights, that I was clearly working, that I didn't have drugs, alcohol or anything other than a laptop, digital equipment, some clothing and a cat, that I had no warrants for my arrest, or any other evidence that would could be construed as threatening by a rational mind, Deputy Wilson continued to physically provoke and verbally antagonize me , threatening physical assault verbally and physically.

I don't know what the complaint was which brought the deputies out to the public park, but I do know that the worst of the scenarios were at best misdemeanors and non-violent ones at that. The deputies cited "lodging". Which as I understand the law 10.20.150 STCM, would at the very least require the park to be closed, since while the park was open I could have had a barbeque going and four ice chests with me (as I have witness at this park during games many times).

None of the scenarios even hints at the need to assault me or my belongings prior to even assessing the scene, which both deputies had ample visual and temporal opportunity to do. Nor do any of the possible "complaints" which brought them out to the park to interrogate me, warrant the continued threat of physical violence and antagonistic behavior I had to endure during the rest of the interrogation. No action performed by me prior to the first assault (trying to put a leash on a service animal) be considered "threatening" to the deputies or to the scene… i.e. I was clearly visible through the chain-link between me and them, with ample visual field to see exactly what I was doing with my hands, and that I wasn't reaching for a gun or trying to shove dope down the cat's throat.

After the deputies left I got Eddie and set to settle him down. At this time I noticed that he had ripped off one of his claws (forward left paw inside claw). Since this injury was fresh and not present before Deputy Wilson's violent entry and assault, Eddie injured himself attempting to flee from the violent actions in front of him. I will be taking him to the vet today and expect full reimbursement for this injury to my service animal promptly.

I hereby request immediate compensation for Eddie's vet visit and any follow up care required for his full recovery, and to file this complaint with the Santee Sheriff's department against Deputy Wilson for unprofessional and highly illegal interrogation tactics, assault, the injury to Eddie as a direct result of Deputy Wilson's actions, and the willful destruction of personal property.

I reserve the right to press criminal and/or civil charges at a later date against Deputy Wilson and/or the Santee Sheriff's Department after consulting with my attorney, Erik Bauer , who may be calling (or arranging other means) to assess the progress and actions taken by the Santee Sheriff's Department as a result of this complaint.

 

Glenn Hefley

ghefley@gmail.com

619.631.4421

www.glennhefley.com

Digital Image Library

Let's Cat Paw through this...

The first citation is for 10.20.150 STMC (Santee Municipal Code)...

10.20.150 Public parks and beaches.

A. No person shall camp, lodge, sleep or tarry overnight in any public park, public beach or any public street or highway; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit camping in public campgrounds under permit authorized by other provisions of law or ordinance.

1. First Offense. The first violation of this section by any person is punishable as a misdemeanor.

2. Second Offense. Any violation of this section by a person who has previously violated this section one time is punishable as a misdemeanor.

3. Third Offense. Any violation of this section by a person who has previously violated this section two or more times is punishable as a misdemeanor. (Ord. 462 § 6, 2007: prior code § 73.108)

Now, I'm not sleeping, not tarrying over night and not camping. Even if I am sleeping, the 9th Court of Appeals has ruled that such a law is unconstitutional.

It is 9AM and I'm working. So, this citation was not only meaningless prior to me finding out about the 9th court ruling, it is unconstitutional now (see previous post). So, why is this law being allowed to be enforced?

The second one, as I've already posted (498(b) PC Utillity Theft), became meaningless when I got the Park Commissioner's email saying the electricity at the parks were in fact available for public use. This of course suggests that they are "available for use" during park hours, but again, I'm there during park hours.

So it looks like, from this point, that my actions are even more legal than I thought they were before. So, I will continue to show up at the park and continue to use the available utilities which are there for my use.

I suppose that I should also begin to look for a lawyer who wants to work a law suit against the city of Santee for false arrest and illegal seizure of property. I really didn't want to go that far with it, but at this point, what I'm seeing here is a City which knows that what they are doing is unconstitutional and simply doesn't care.

comments are welcome as always and of course if you don't feel like writing, the phone is right up there at the top of the page.

Confused? You betcha!

Ok, so I'm doing a bit of research on this Illegal lodging thing and apparently the 9th Court of Appeals has clearly said that "the government can’t constitutionally cite someone from performing a biological function—sleeping—when there’s no place available for them to do so within the bounds of the law."

The Ruling and from the 9th court of Appeals can be downloaded here (PDF File)... so I have to ask myself now, WTF? Mate! Why do I even have this damn ticket? Why are these tickets being given out at all in Santee, a city which has no homeless shelter and is proud of that fact?

This ruling came down April 14, 2006! So again, WTF?

I was a little amused with the bicycle cop the other day, that I posted about, but now I'm very confused on this whole issue. If I can not be ticketed for "Sleeping on the public Sidewalk" then... why do they ask me "where did you sleep last night?" this is getting to be a bit weird.

Ever try to get your Arrest Report?

So, when I got that ticket back on the 9th of January, which really set the fire for my Walking With Eddie Cat project here, the officer took from me a tarp I had been using to wall off the entrance to the dug-outs. It was a tarp I found about four months prior, which simply walled off the door area from all the dogs that run around the park area off their leash, while I was working on that morning's article. It is/was/is a nice place to work in the morning, except the unleashed dogs trying to catch Eddie, and of course the Deputies showing up at 9AM to say it is illegal for me to exist in the Park.

The Deputy (regarding the tarp) actually came back, after the two other deputies left. She had stopped to talk with the maintenance men (who started this whole thing), and they told her that the tarp was theirs. So, she came back and said she was taking it, and giving it to them. She said this with her hand on her weapon, and who is going to argue about a tarp, when you are faced with a gun? So, I said, "Take it." With my hands raised. (no, I wasn't in jest).

The maintenance men were probably also responsible for telling the deputies that the use of the electricity was not allowed as well, when this is not true and I have letters on City of Santee Letter head to dismiss that charge from Deborah Daunis, Administrative Secretary City of Santee Community Services Department, which is the only source of information on the rules of public park usage. A Deputy should know that, so I don't feel sorry for her on that account.

Now, I already have documentation from the City of Santee about the power, and I have the documentation about the law "Illegal Lodging" which is a joke if you ask me. So both of these charges will be dropped without much effort on my part. What I have been curious about was the seizure of the tarp, and how that would be justified in a police report. So, I went to the Sheriff's department this morning and asked them for a copy of the incident.

Seems that it is not an infraction, it is an "Arrest" and therefore an "Arrest Report" which in order to get a copy of, cost $20.00. So, before I shelled out $20 for three pieces of paper, I asked if the report included the seizure of the tarp. The detective (name with-held because I don't really think he is "working the case", just a detective that was available), looked through the three page report and told me "no". He also says that they have a new documentation system, which could be why he didn't have that part. So I asked him to look into a full copy of the report and I would purchase it when it was complete.

Now, all of this didn't happen nicely. In fact it was amazingly difficult to get them to even offer the report to me. They tried to turn me away three times, before they were even going to talk with a detective. Also, they refused to offer me the photos that were taken using a digital Nikon camera at the scene. (See the video for those conversations).

What bugs me quite a bit is not only the stone-wall effort (which I don't believe most homeless people would get through, if they did happen to get to the Sheriff's Office lobby), but the huge fee for what should be freely available information for such infractions. They kept telling me that I had to have my "lawyer" get the reports for me, or that I had to go to the "court" to get them. Which makes no sense at all. And $20.00 is some serious cash for printing out .03 worth the ink and paper. So I'm going to look further into this area.

All that aside, my first curiosity is now something of a burr in my saddle. It seems that not only was my tarp seized, without real cause, but that basic procedure was not followed afterwards. I know that the maintenance men threw the tarp away as soon as the Deputy left the park, seeming to make a point of letting me see them do this as I was walking Eddie towards the park entrance.

Do I really care about the tarp? No. What I care about is that a Deputy on the word of a Maintenance Man, walked over and took something of mine (as far as I'm concerned ... by force, because I didn't have the option of declining the request) and then didn't even bother to report the fact that she did so. That, really, upsets me greatly. So I will be pursuing that aspect of this incident.

So far, I don't have any new incidents, and will probably be moving down into Old Town or perhaps Mira Mesa, and seeing what I run across there, since I'll be here in San Diego until after the middle of March.

Mast Park Feb 09 2008

Eddie doesn't wake up very well in the morning. This is his typical response to being asked to leave his sleeping bag anytime before noon.





We spent most of the day over at Mast Park, a rather nice place for a weekend visit. The library is right next to the main park area, which is convenient for WIFI Internet connection, and the facilities aren't bad. The people are nice too, which I was a bit surprised about.

Normally, you get into the nicer areas of a city like Santee and you run into a the cold hard nose of bigotry, especially for homeless folks. But I've acted extremely homeless several times over there, and never had a problem with the locals. The only real problem I've ever encountered was trying to get them to believe I really don't need a piece of pizza or a share of their picnic food. I suppose I could break bread with them, but today I was already full.

The city has really torn the place up though. On the map Mast park covers a lot more ground than the main park area would first convey. This back area use to be rather pleasant on the eyes, but they came in with bulldozers (it looks like) and tore out all the underbrush. While I understand the need for this, on many fronts (fire problems at the top of the list), it looks like hell right now. I suppose if they put in grass, and irrigation, it will look much better in a year or so.

Water levels in the San Diego river are certainly up. Apparently the needed quota of water has been filled by the winter and fall rains of last year, and the last few storms this year.



I'm not feeling well. My focus is way down and my drive is less than it has been for some time. I can't even concentrate long enough to finish a movie. That should change here in a day or so, as my cycle reasserts itself.

Saw two (what I think were) golden eagles today at the softball field. Their actions lead me to believe they are mates. I believe they were golden eagles rather than red-tailed hawks because of the Phoenix glow I saw the male explode into as they flew into the sunlight. It really was amazing, and if I wasn't born into the high-tech special effects era that I was, I would have truly believed I just saw one of those mythical birds.

It seems that I was doomed to failure today as well. It is now 1:00pm and though several Sheriff vehicles have passed by, and I could see the deputies inside these vehicles pointedly starring and marking my presence here at the fields, none of them came over to harass me. I know what you are thinking, … bummer, but let's not give up hope yet. I'm sure that given time they will break under the pressure of powers greater than themselves to return (said with tongue-in-cheek of course).

I don't have anything against the Santee deputies. Most of those that I have encountered are very polite and professional. There are two, which come to mind, who are rude and arrogant beyond belief, but two in a group of over … what? 30 … 40? is a very good average.

****
I had just given up and left the park when a deputy on a bicycle (yes, a bicycle), pulled me over to ask "where did you sleep last night?". Rather personal question... what does a gentalman do in a situation like that? I really wish I had my camera out… damn! That was his whole purpose in pulling me over and interrogating me for 20 minutes on my lifestyle, and running a warrant check.

Heavy sigh, massively depressed that I don't have footage to share with you on this.

Hasn't been much to say of late -- For the last week or so, we've been rolling out of bed at 10am, but we are back on a much earlier schedule again, getting up and on the road by 6:30 or so. This change in schedule is not due to desire, but to requirement. I'm attempting to set the same conditions in which I got my first Illegal lodging ticket, and acquire another.

This might seem like a rather odd way to spend the morning, and indeed it is, though it is not really doing anything new. I frequently go to the parks in the morning to begin my work day, rather than to Starbucks or something of that nature. Now I'm just doing it with other goals attached to the action.

To lure in my prey I'm not doing anything different than before either. I feel this is the best way (or at least the most honest way), of going about this particular task. I'm not out screaming at cars or doing anything to attract attention to myself. I'm just setting up my laptop, feeding Eddie, and setting to work, just like I did on Jan 09. So far however, I have received no attention at all. This of course is expected; my original reason for starting my writing day at this spot was due to the lack of distracted and attention ...

After our fruitless morning venture, I took Eddie by the PetSmart and let him look at the birds and fish. He enjoys this simple pleasure.