Last night, I walked downstairs for a cigarette.  Thinking that the Boardwalk would be a nice place to do so, I walked the ten necessary steps to Ocean Front Walk.  A police car was parked in the middle...friend of mine leaving for the night.  He shouted a "Goodnight" to me, and I responded with "Pleasant dreams". I then waved at two bewildered-looking police officers, and ran upstairs to get some sleep

Basic repeat of the last entry, at least the first part.  Wake up, coffee, relax, go to Drunk Pagoda and DEAR JESUS MY STUFF IS MISSING AGAIN! It seems that Mike the Crip, after several months of almost... update Al on what's going on, and finally go upstairs to collapse.  Al comes by after a while to cook dinner for me. Not the low of getting the car taken, but not my best day here by a long shot.

As stated in a previous entry, I pay the Pagoda Drunks (specifically a trustworthy one named Bill) to watch my cart for me at night, since I have no desire to lug a Ryder wagon up a couple of flights of...to violate his parole (meaning that I don't have to worry about his starting anything that could get him arrested), easy to get along with, and sleeps in a place that the cops don't know about. Oy.

About a week or so ago, Jason from this entry  came back into town.  Every time I passed by his stand, he'd open his mouth as if to say hello, seem to remember that we weren't speaking to each other... it's almost always easy to get along with people.  It takes an effort to really piss folks off.  Jason made that effort better than anyone I know, and he seems to be getting his payback for it.  

It was January.  I'd somehow managed to scrape up a few dollars here and there, saving them against the hope that Chana and I would find shelter before things got bad.  Too late.  Things were already pretty...to be in the way of the people who were saving her life. A walk back to the room, ignoring the staring neighbors.  A cigarette. Total collapse, giving way to uncontrollable shudders. More later.

At the stand yesterday. Technically at work, but really kicking back in the shade of my umbrella, smoking cigarettes, drinking iced coffee, and occasionally gossiping with friends who dropped by.  Also...left, one of the spangers got up from the bench, chased after it, and pointed threateningly through the back window at Sonny.  I asked if he'd laid eyes on him. "Oh," he responded.  "He knew"

Friday:  After constant pressure from his friends (including me) and having overcome several false starts, flaked rides, and bureaucratic hurdles, my obviously ill host took the wise step of checking himself...that I won't bore you with, I finally managed to get my hands on the precious keys I'd left upstairs a couple of days ago. And now?  Nothing awaits me but a warm bed and the promise of tomorrow.

David from this entry   (sorry, it's flocked) came back to the beach a couple of weeks ago.  He stated that he still had the dark crystal, and was wondering what to do with it.  I went through the typical...indication. Finally, the suspicion was right:  Mike from yesterday's entry did not get bail.  Also, he supposedly has a restraining order on him that does not allow him anywhere near the Boardwalk.

How was the Labor Day weekend, you ask?  Well, let me tell you: I didn't remember that the holiday was coming up until last Wednesday.  Immediate reaction:  Oh, shit.  Spaces are given out on weekends...gold, the summer season offically ended. Casualities:  Bear and Leprechaun of the Pagoda Drunks, both run in on warrants.  Leprechaun's out.  Bear's either still in, or he's taking a break for a while

Upon losing her car, Chana neared emotional collapse.  Her bipolar tendencies were already an issue, and my decision to concentrate on day-to-day survival for the two of us meant that I may not have been...with a start. "Happy New Year," I said, and kissed her.  "I promise it'll be better from now on" I popped open the cheap champagne I'd bought earlier, and pondered how to best keep that promise.