My God, this was hard.

I think my journal documents this task better than anything, so I'll just transcribe it here. That plus the captions.

Begin 31/8/07
8:45
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Bag contains - GPS - sleep bag - food - toiletries - books - blanket - light - journal

I ran into a guy who had two dogs walking in the park. I'm no fan of dogs, so I stopped to let them pass. The funny thing was how condescending the guy was. (He must have thought I was homeless) He said, in a higher pitch, as though to a child "Don't worry, they're not gonna bite you!"

At Doorhenge now. It's actually quite scary. I have no idea what's going to happen.

1/9/07
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7:20
I woke up about 5 minutes ago. Sleep was restless, I woke up to every noise. The scariest one was a scream - I think it was a rabbit being caught. I felt more an more like a rabbit myself as the night wore on. I would jump at every little noise. Also, who know the park had this many mosquitoes?

8:50
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Sat around and finished "The Alchemist". It's rather relevant. After, I played my balalaika for a while. I'm starting to hear human voices. I never knew I had so much free time!

----- 11:30
On the way out from Doorhenge, I met Johnny & Natasha, the awesome couple that were camping in the park as well. Johnny gave great advice and informed me that the area around Doorhenge is totally safe, which was nice to know. I won't be nearly as worried now. He and Natasha might even come to the Urban Altar tomorrow.

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13:00
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Just got done playing music in the Haight. I didn't make any money :( Admittedly, sometimes I get self-conscious w/ my big backpack so I pull out my GPS as to show that I'm not actually a street kid.

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15:25
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I'm in the Mission. I finally found a restaurant w/ outside seating, and amazingly enough, no awning! I was blown away with how self-conscious I've become. I've taken this big bag all over the world without a care but I feel like a freak in my own city! I don't think people are acting differently. I bet they even think I'm a foreign backpacker, but I just can't shake the feeling.

2/8/07
11:30
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I decided to get up late today, as my knee & feet were killing me from yesterday's walking. I estimate my distance to be s'thing close to 13 miles. That w/ a ~25 lb. backpack meant a busted knee and an interesting collection of blisters.
I found out about the free concert in the park today while passing by yesterday, so I figure I'll make an appearance. I owe it to my father (he was there during the original Summer of Love).
Two people came by just a few minutes ago and gave me a couple of apples. Snow White considerations aside, I wonder what they thought I was doing, camped out in my sleeping bag at Doorhenge?

12:15
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While washing up, I encountered two SF0 players more or less randomly. Lenore & Nancy Drew were coming to check out Doorhenge and I met them at the spigot. Serendipitous!

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16:45
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I just came back from the "Summer of Love" 40th Anniversary Concert. It was amazing to see how the old hippies ended up. I wonder if they were this pushy while they were on acid?
Now, I'm waiting to find out what Le Poulet et Le Papier Bleu is.

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9:30 3/9/07
I've got less than 12 hours to go.
Meeting all of the SF0 players in the flesh was an enlightening experience for me. There were so many experiences I could describe as 'highlights' of the evening. Even the weird doofus who randomly showed up (not Sean, the other guy) was at least entertaining. Eating the Villain was cathartic. And delicious. And the Herø's repertoire of useless skills deserves a mention.
1. Chicken Impression
2. Making Circus Music via Beer Bottle
3. Broken Hindi (but less broken than mine)
Oh, and thanks for being a good sport, Lola. I hope you have a good life with the Vixen. (Oh, and I forgot, the Herø drinks out of a plastic urine sample cup. That deserves a mention.)

17:30
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I spent most of today wandering around the Richmond. The overcast weather just made everything seem like it's moving at two miles an hour. I've spent the last few hours lying near the Conservatory of Flowers, enjoying a windbreak and haunting saxophone music coming from the distance. As the sun goes down, I'll have to leave the park. My last hour and a half (or thereabouts) will be spent on the cold Sunset sidewalk.

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21:00
I've arrived. I'm home.