What the heck?
For the first time I can remember, I gave cash to one of Eugene's transients. I went to the grocery store to pick up some mushrooms and spices and was pleased to spend only a buck fifty... I'm leaving and there's this guy out front with a sign that says something like "Looking for an act of kindness and hope" or equally sentimental drivel. So of course he makes eye contact and trails me talking about how he spent the last night in the rain... Usually I'd tell him that I'm only carrying debit but I found myself thinking sympathetically. Not that he's homeless, even potentially, since I tend to think that's a big joke... but that he might even need cash to booze himself up or some other less pleasant thing. I guess I've been feeling that getting trashed is an alternative to the crap happening in my life, so I gave the poor guy a few bucks so he can at least try to zone out for a few hours. What a wonderful world.