021409

                                                                                                       Berkeley, CA

Saturday February 14, 2009

     7:40am  I woke up and I had an alright morning at the squat at the First Congregational Church. Early in the morning the minister or the priest came out and yelled at everyone that we couldn't crash here anymore. That cops are going to be doing sweeps. Somebody asked him, "What would Jesus do?"

                   May Peace Prevail On Earth

     9:22am  I wandered over to Shattuck. I've got some mission-objectives today. I need to buy a pocket atlas. I need to buy a new CamelBak bladder and a new tape recorder because this one isn't going to last that much longer.

                   Great, Any Mountain, The Great Outdoor Store. Let's see if they have CamelBak bladders. They open at ten. I'm going to go to the Walgreen's and buy a pocket atlas.

     9:36am  I didn't tell you I went to breakfast this morning. Good 'ol Wingnut Breakfast at Trinity at 8am. Quarter Meal at 4pm.

                   Oh yeah, and they have a homeless shelter now for severe weather. They only take fifty people so I need to get in line early to get a ticket.

     9:50am  I was standing in front of Walgreen's and Linda just walked up to me and handed me a five dollar bill! Thank you, Linda. Everybody gets credit. Here, check out my website.

                   She was all scared. She ran away.

     10:08am  I sat in front of the Walgreen's across the street from that Any Mountain place. They're open now so I'm going to go see if they have my CamelBak bladder I need.

     10:40am  I walked down Shattuck to University and took a left. I am aiming for San Pablo. They tell me there's an REI place and an army surplus store on San Pablo. I was even told there was a tee shirt place there. I walked by Berkeley Screenprinting, but it was closed. Maybe that's where I'm going to get my shirts made. Just because it's called Berkeley Screenprinting. I can assume it's top-notch work. I want some quality shirts.
                     I asked the dude who works at the camera shop across the street if he knew where I could get some shirts made and he said he could make a tee shirt. But, his printer was broken. It would've been thirty bucks for one shirt, but he can't do it on a black shirt. I'm going to the screenprinting place when they open.

     11:55am  I just walked all the way to San Pablo. I'll take a picture.

     12:04pm  Nice, Berkeley Surplus.

     12:24pm  I took a smokebreak in front of the surplus store. They didn't have my CamelBak bladder. They told me my best bet was REI. Four blocks down, he said. I'm on a little adventure today to San Pablo. Never been here before.

     12:39pm  I just walked into the town of Albany.

     12:47pm  At long-last I have located the REI. This is my last chance. Hopefully they'll have my CamelBak bladder. I've been wanting one for a long time.

     1:35pm  I took a long smokebreak at the bus stop. I blew another five bucks on snacks. I totally spoiled myself. I got some Cheetos and a Starbucks iced coffee and a bear claw. Some guy told me there was a place by the Albany bowling alley where they make shirts. I've got a full stomach, so I'll walk the mile to the bowling alley. This is frustrating. I'm in Berkeley, damnit. I should be able to find a place to make a tee shirt easily.

     1:53pm  Fuck, they're closed until Monday. It says Saturday by appointment. Let's see if I can call them. 510-527-5533

     2:34pm  I sat down and took a smokebreak at San Pablo and University. I see a sign that says Psychic Fair. I'm going to follow the sign. 2210 Howard Way.

     3:11pm  I took a little smokebreak over by Grant. I'm looking for Howard Way. I haven't seen it yet. Nobody I ask recognizes the name. The Psychic Fair is going on tomorrow too, so I'm going to tell my story to some psychics.

                   Harold Way, not Howard Way.

     3:41pm  I talked to this pretty Asian police officer. She gave me directions and I am already on Harold Way. Let's see what this fair is about. It says free admission.

     4:50pm  Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. I went to that psychic fair. They're all trying to make money off reading and "healings." When I first went in there I told them I was just following the signs. First thing I did was unload my bags and expose my shirt and ask if I could tell my story. One guy offered me a hot chocolate, which he never brought me. These money-hungry psychics wouldn't listen to my story at all. I just gave them my website.

                   Dude I told my story to

     8:00pm  I just had an awesome presentation with Greg and his friend Howard. They just volunteered me some food at the end. Can I take your picture?

                   Old Dude

     9:08pm  I got tired and bored on Telegraph. I had a good presentation with these two dudes. They gave me some tofu afterwards. I only ate like half of it. Ted, the guy who showed me where to crash last night brought me over to this red church close to People's Park. I have already secured my camp. I made my bed right underneath the sign that says No Trespassing. There's another homebum crashed out somewhere else at this church.

Next day..