On the way to work I saw a man whose only apparent possessions were in a large white garbage next to him. He was ragged, bearded, and bore a cardboard sign that bore the name "Reno". I cursed the fact that I was late, I wanted to tell him that he gave me hope. Perhaps it's odd, but I'm always inspired by the fact that no matter what there is always someplace else to go on to.

I told a man going through my line that his obvious optimism made me feel more optimistic. He said thank you, and that he had been trying, that many times that day he had started to go to dark places and he had told himself not to. I said that we all go to those places sometimes and wished him a good day.

On my way through Golden Gate Park I noticed a gathering of folks beneath the statue of William McKinley. I was impressed and made happy by the fact that they had a carpet. As I got closer I noticed they had a couch too, a table, chairs, a nice little dining room. They were allowing another biker that had approached 3 questions which they squandered on Simpsons Trivia. I told them that I was really just there because their carpet made me happy. Not very profound, but it'll have to do. They tricked me out of my first question, my second and third were stupid jokes. My questions exhausted I bicycled away.

I have lately gained the a strange suspicion that everything is related to SF0, and it struck me that they were making a place that was uncomfortable to sit comfortable. I turned around and said:
"I've got it, Upholstering the something chair right?"
James, the first person I would meet beneath that statue said he didn't know what I was talking about but invited me up for some grapes. We discussed drunkenness, Laffy Taffy, LARP, tents, and weird looks. I got figs, crackers, and carrots. I talked to a few others, Kevin who finished the whole wheat pasta with a cheese knife, and a fellow whose name I missed who taught me that micturate is a synonym for urinate, as he learned from the Big Lebowski. I just use 404 as in "If you don't let me 404 I'll 4540 you." (If anyone gets that joke I WILL find a way to give them a bonus point.) I also met Tedd who introduced himself with something like "My name is Duderonemy Touchecat the Second but you can call me Tedd." He then asked if I wanted to decanter in the spirit of the occasion. When I looked confused he filled his own mouth with the mysterious alcoholic mixture in his hand until it overflowed with foam. I agreed, it took him three tries and a comment about my extensive dental work to make me flow over. It burned and a tear came to my eye. I watched just before I left as a woman who had wondered up asked "What does it mean if he writes his number on my arm really big?" as Tedd scrawled on her arm. "That he means it." Someone responded. They added that he "Is the type of guy who is what you need for absolutely everything in life" and talked of how long they had known him.

So I hung around with a group of complete strangers in a park for an hour, got a new role model, and as I left had truffles, chips, and Mike and Ike's thrust upon me.

I think I might tell every stranger how they've made me feel at first sight from now on.