Choose Your Husband Wisely

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Posted In , , , , Edit This 8 Comments »
MM scrunched up the $1 note and carefully threw it out the car window to the homeless man and woman standing on the side of the road. The guy yelled, "Thank you!" in our direction as we drove past.

The sign they were holding said:

"MY WIFE AND I ARE STRANDED AND HUNGRY, PLEASE HELP."

I have no problem sharing with those in need, (but for the grace of God, there go I) but I am a bit confused. I am assuming these people had nowhere to stay and no money. But they had money to purchase the cardboard and the thick black sharpie with which to make their sign.

Or, did they anticipate that they would become poor so planned ahead to bring cardboard and a sharpie?

Or, is there a Hobo Fairy that 'poofs' into existence the moment you become destitute, who solemnly hands you cardboard and a sharpie?

These and many other useless and time wasting questions were going through my head as we drove past this poor sad husband and his poor sad wife.

But, the most compelling question comes from A: "Why did she marry that homeless guy in the first place?"




No Suicides Please

Monday, November 24, 2008 Posted In , , , , , , , , , , , , Edit This 3 Comments »
We drove into the city late at night. Have you ever been to Turk Street? No? Don't put it on your itinerary when you visit San Francisco. We parked and walked to W's hotel being careful to step around the homeless people and the streams of pee. The hotel itself was a very nice one but the police sirens going off at ten minute intervals may make sleep quite impossible. Earplugs optional; waterproof boots recommended.


You can't visit San Francisco and not go on a cable car. $35 for the seven of us to ride for ten minutes? Yup... highway robbery. San Francisco is one big money vacuum. Expect to pay vast amounts for parking and food. We ate at Fisherman’s Wharf. (What’s with the 3.5% health tax tagged onto the food bill? “Here’s your food and thanks for paying for my flu shot.” ?? )



We walked across the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s not so much golden as… red. M had a little tantrum about not wanting to carry his jacket and was sent into time out. He slumped onto the deck right under the "Don't-Commit-Suicide-Please Emergency Phone". He was not amused when I yelled, "DON’T JUMP!"




I'm glad we took plenty of pictures before the city installs a new steel 'suicide net' to catch would-be jumpers next year. I wonder how they are going to keep the thrill seekers from throwing themselves into the net? Will they post a sign saying, "If You Jump Off Here Because You Want A Cheap Thrill And Not Because You Really, Really Want To Die, You Will Be In Big Trouble Buster!" ?

Actually, that could be quite fun to do. (Note to self: Go back to SF and jump off Golden Gate Bridge ...wheeeeee!)


The fog rolled in and obscured half of the bridge. It seemed like it jutted out into nowhere.  See how it hangs in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't? (My whole life I've wanted to use the previous sentence. For all my Douglas Adams fans. And that would be - just me.)



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