 |
 |
| 'Happy Traveler'? |
Initially, I didn't really see the point of obtaining a passport card, but one has the option--at no additional charge--of receiving both the card and the passport book for a flat renewal fee of around a hundred bucks.
Another reason to get the passport card is that come October 2020, Californians will need to have what's called a 'Real ID' in order to fly domestically. My current CA ID is valid until 2024, so I can switch over to the new ID then. But for now, I'm able to travel on the passport card, so that's good.
***
For the past few months, I've taken numerous photos of homeless encampments around town and other related scenes, but have mostly refrained from sharing them. In the neighborhood where I tutor, there are small homeless 'clusters' forced to shift blocks every so often when police sweep the area telling these folk to 'move along'. I don't know how effective such a plan is as it doesn't fix the problem, but rather just shoves it down the road.
The photo below, rather tame compared to some of the others I've shot, shows a woman & her partner gathering their sprawling belongings together while the cops (opened car door on the left of the pavement) look on. On my way past the camp and cop car, I clocked a used syringe on the pavement before walking right over it. I thought about picking it up in order to dispose of it, but where would I? There are needle drops in various places around town, but I don't know where they are, off-hand. I stopped at the open cop car door in order to ask about the needle on the ground. What I wanted to know was: Are cops responsible for removal of items like syringes? The cop, a bit testy, no pun intended, barked at me that the syringe was likely 'hers' and that the city 'gives needles out for free!' He then said that he wouldn't touch a needle and that DPW would be responsible for such clean up.
After talking to the cop, I went and bought a coffee. On my second pass by the scene, I noticed that the syringe I had walked over earlier was gone. I guess someone had picked it up?
***
I have graduated to wearing glasses full-time. I've only been wearing my new specs for about a week and it does take a little getting used to. I find I am still VERY aware of the frames. When I catch myself in the mirror I think that I look like someone who raided the prop department at a local drama school. My glasses feel fake. I guess these feelings will dissipate with time, right?
 |
| They look better on the pillow. |
I am still sometimes shocked when I catch sight of my glass wearing self. It somehow doesn't fit with my (deluded) inner vision of my self.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the police man insisted that the homeless woman picked up the syringe (whether it was her or not).
Proving your identity gets exponentially harder for the disenfranchised in the community. I wonder how the couple you photographed would cope - and how long it will be before they need it to access the most basic of services.
You know, you're probably right. That cop must have told her to pick the needle up.
DeleteI hear that many shelters in town have long waits for a bed. In addition, it's been said that many are also unsafe.
I neglected to mention this in the post because it's very dismaying, but I inadvertently drove over their excrement when parking my car. I wound up going to the car wash after my tutoring shift. We have very few public toilets in town especially where these two were camped. The most basic of services, in this case, are nearly nil.
I wouldn't touch a used needle either. Moving homeless people on is not the answer to the issue is it.
ReplyDeleteI only wear reading glasses at the moment, the issue I have with my eye cannot be improved with or without glasses. The only good thing about wearing glasses all the time in the future is they'll cover up the bags under my eyes. Sigh.
I know someone who did hold a needle in a way that he thought safe in order to bring it to a train conductor's attention (as it was left on a seat) and the conductor was able to have someone who could dispose of the syringe meet the train at the next station.
DeleteShades are to eye 'bags' what bangs are to brow furrows. :D
Odd that passport cards come with a warning not to bend, perforate or expose to extreme temperatures, but presumably not glasses. I can only conclude that spectacle wearers have more common sense than passport card holders.
ReplyDeleteHaha. The cards contain 'sensitive materials' on them that, I guess, could be easily damaged. I think I'll ditch the sleeve and just use a wallet.
DeleteI put on my first pair of glasses in fifth grade. I remember walking down the street with 20/20 vision, holding my mother's arm so I didn't fall off the curb. Now I put them on when I get up.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish I knew the solution to housing. Actually, knew the way to make a lot of people realize there is a use for their money that also will improve their lives.
That's a sweet memory of you walking down the street with your mother.
DeleteThe housing crisis is not going away anytime soon, unfortunately. Benioff, SF native and billionaire, recently threw 10 mill. to 'study' the issue of homelessness. Better idea: implement what's been proven effective elsewhere. We could drown in the amount of studies that have already been conducted.
I've been wearing glasses since my mid-20s and have always been drawn to a rather Bold design. Now in my 50s, there are days when I wake up looking like rubbish and they can be a fantastic mask to hide behind! I note that Mr Happy Traveller was born in 1981; somehow I'm not believing it ... Re. the syringe in the street, you don't need reminding to stay away from them. Big-time Germs! Council cleaners here have special devices with which to pick them up and then put in a sealed container. We live in a rather colourful part of the city and used to see syringes (and some live action occasionally) until an experimental Medical Injecting Centre was opened nearby. It caused a nationwide sensation and the community was polarised over the idea that users could be supervised while taking their illicit drugs, but overnight the public drug use vanished and it's more than a decade since I've seen a syringe in the street. There may be a War on Drugs but a bit of pragmatism can be applied to drug use in the meanwhile and everyone benefits.
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco has bandied about the idea of safe injection sites, from what I recall, but there is too much opposition to the idea.
DeleteIn Berkeley, just over the bay, an entirely volunteer-based org. has been running a needle exchange program for the past thirty years. Additionally, they provide users limited medical testing and info. on how to not to overdose. I used to live in Berk. down the street from a spot where the needle exchange van would park and hand out their wares. I thought it a valuable service.
Maybe I'll swap my specs for shaded specs, so that I may more easily hide!
I just got (as in *today*) readers. I've worn contacts for years for distance, but my new prescription (gotten yesterday) made close vision blurry. Deep sigh.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I pass a homeless person, I check to see if it's my SIL's brother. They've tried to get him help numerous times...
When my license came up for renewal two years ago now, I got all the info about doing the Real ID. I did it at that time. (Be aware, if your name is different from the name on your birth certificate, you'll also need your marriage license. Apparently that info isn't on the paperwork for the Real ID.)
Oh, man. Enjoy the readers! ;)
DeleteSo many of us have someone living on the streets. My cousin has been homeless in a city called Walnut Creek for decades. He doesn't want more than money for drink and smokes.
Good to know re: birth cert. & the Read ID. Glad I can put that stuff off for a while longer.
We have to update our IDs here soon or we will not be able to fly as well. Ours are called Star cards or something patriotic like that. The glasses do take some time. Hope you end up enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteAh, bummer. I guess all the states are going this route, eh?
DeleteYes, I just need appropriate time to adjust to my new set of 'eyes'.
Soon you won’t know you’re wearing glasses. Unless, of course, your vision gets blurry when you don’t wear them and you wonder why. I’ve worn glasses for nearly all of my life.
ReplyDeleteThis homeless dilemma is everywhere. I wish there were provisions for people on the street, but that is now, and will remain, just wishful thinking. I’d suggest you don’t touch needles. You might infect yourself touching them without gloves.
You're right, Friko. Touching a needle without proper precautions is not a good idea. It feels somehow irresponsible to just walk over one and do nothing, you know?
DeleteI'm so sad to hear about the homeless being forced to move about constantly because of the cops. What good does that do? Just builds a wall of mistrust between the homeless and cops. To me, that's a form of bullying. Homelessness is a huge problem nationally. I'm visiting you from my personal blog Sandy's Space, but I have a blog dedicated to helping homeless in my area, Bridge and Beyond. So many people are affected, children included. Vets who've severed this country and their not properly taken care of. I just recently renewed my passport, but thought there was an extra charge to get the card so didn't. Plus, I already have my real ID drivers license. The date to have one in my state is fast approaching.....even if your current license is not yet in need of renewal you're needing to get it or you can't board a plane unless you carry your passport and who wants to do that when traveling here in the states. The more you carry it, the bigger chance of something happening to it.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Glad you are all set with the real driving ID license.
DeleteI believe that the passport card may be used for domestic travel, so I should be OK when flying within the US.
Fantastic that you are engaged with helping the homeless population in your area. I will check out the blog dedicated to such pursuits presently!
Am seeing no homeless here now. Not sure if they’ve simply been moved, or if some provisions have been made for them elsewhere as our city has been trying to address.
ReplyDeleteI, too, got the new I.D. when my driving license came up for renewal. News reports say DMV expects last minute rush as deadline approaches.
I use half glasses so they’re on/off as the situation warrants. Fortunately with eyes the same I can buy cheapies so have multiple pairs everywhere. I like that they can give me an intimidating look if I leave them on as I peer out over the top — handy at times.
No homeless in your neck of the woods, eh? One wonders where they have gone off too.
DeleteGlad you already have your Real Id sorted. As you wrote, there should be a scrum around the deadline period. I'd not like to get caught up in all that activity.
Went to the library the other day. Homeless guy asleep on an outdoor bench at the back entrance under a sign that said "No Loitering". Guess the homeless are still here, just in different places than where I previously saw them.
DeleteIt is so sad about the homeless. We have homeless here although I don't see them. About a year ago a Day centre opened with showers, cooking facilities, washing machines etc. I doubt if we have the same quantities here.
ReplyDeleteDay Centres are vital. I volunteered in one in SE London that sounds much like your local one. Being able to both wash one's self and one's clothing is pretty essential.
Delete