390. What a weird day.

What a weird day! This morning on my walk I noticed that the other walkers and joggers were different, not as relaxed. At first I blamed the weather. It's been foggy (or over-cast?) for the past couple of days. However, the normally calm homeless people were are acting very different, more affected than usual.

Today was the first day in three months I avoided close proximity to anybody on my walk. The first person was the normally friendly homeless man who rests at a bus stop on Grand Ave. He had an awful scowl on his face, not that I blame him, and his posture was not the same relaxed one of which I've been accustomed. I still smiled as I passed, but didn't make eye contact lest he'd want to unload his concerns on me.

A much-prettier-than-an-Oakland bus stop in Carmel.

The second person I avoided was a man with a large branch that would make an excellent walking stick. I had my earphones in, and I wasn't interested in what he was preaching. He pointed and flailed the stick at passing cars and approaching people. Maybe he was casting spells? I don't know, but I crossed the street and crossed back again. I didn't want to risk being turned into a monkey.

The next person was at least proactive in his health. He took up the whole path to conduct his stretches. He wasn't angry or aggressive, but I took to the higher lake path as I got near. Why take chances?

A couple sleeps under the side sheltered entrance of the Dept. of Recreation Building that backs up to the lake. It's busy there on weekends. Crew teams seem to meet and disembark from here. I only note the couple's presence when they pack up for the day. Typically they keep to themselves. But this morning, the wife screamed profanities at her husband as he fiddled with his belt. I didn't entertain my sick curiosity; I adverted my eyes and kept walking.

One of the 4 fountains in the lake on a sunny day.

Depending on how I'm feeling (sleepy, snappy, happy, hungry, sexy, etc.), my walk generally takes anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour. The weirdfest run-ins didn't damper my mood or walk. However, I was nonetheless concerned about these people. I wondered what it was about today that affected my homeless neighbors.

My first theory was that maybe they get their meds on the 15th from a local community health care facility. Maybe last month the facility short-changed them to save a few bucks. Homeless programs are often first on the fiscal cutting block.

As I made my way around the lake, the answer became more obvious, thanks in part to a song I was listening to. Can you guess what the song was?

We'll take a short break to give you a few seconds to think.

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We're back!

The song is one even my snooty music friend would approve: Blondie's The Tide is High. Blondie was right. The tide was high. Lake Merritt is actually a large tidal lagoon. The lake was high today. Tides, as we all know, are affected by the moon. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, last night was a full moon night.

I'm going to jot down the dates listed on Old Farmer's website. I think I'll forgo the walk and drive two blocks to my neighborhood café instead. Heck, I'll even put the top down. Moonrays do wonder for the complexion.