New T.V. Show: Homeless in the O.C.

"So where are you going to stay?" inquired Vinny, a friend from ISU that moved to San Clemente, CA.
"Huh?" I was confused because he, his roommate and I all went out for food and it was late now. Time to crash. "I thought I was staying here."
"You never told me that."
"What did you think I was going to do?" There was a long awkward pause. "So can I stay here?"
"Not really. My roommie wouldn't like that and its hard enough to get along with her."
"So are there any good parks around?"
Vinny tried repeatedly to give me money for a hotel room. I had money already, I just didn't want to stay in a hotel room. So I ditched my bags in a garage that was left open in his building, bundled up for the night and set out across the street where there was a large park that stretched over to the beach.

The first spot I found was behind some landscaped bushes. It was relatively flat, dry and protected from anybody seeing me. I was just hoping that I wouldn't have a run in with the local wildlife, such as bugs, chipmunks and the rumored snake. It was uncomfortable but I eventually lulled myself to sleep by watching the stars above me and listening to the waves crash on the nearby beach. I tried to ignore the late night runners that went past my head and the feeling of loneliness.

HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I didn't budge. My eyes flew open despite my deep sleep but I didn't budge. I just waited for whatever out there to calm down and slither away. What a terrible way to go out, killed by a poisonous snake when sleeping in the bushes of a park. My college education obviously preceded me. The hiss was coming from right next to my head and wasn't stopping. Then I noticed it had a soft underlying rhythm to it. It wasn't a snake, it was the park sprinklers watering the nearby grass. I eventually got up to walk off the terror feeling and maybe find a fresh pair of underwear.

3 a.m. and I was standing on a moonlight beach coming to only sad realizations. I have hit a new low. Not only was I sleeping on the ground and freezing, I was on the west coast and running out of friends to stay with. I still hadn't found a ship and I was getting a little queezy from just listening to the waves for so long. Most of all, I was alone. Cold, tired, sore from sleeping on the ground and lonely, all I wanted was to be home. Stupid sprinklers... I almost peed my pants.

I found an empty storage area in the garage that was left open and crawled in. The ground was concrete now but it was much warmer. I slept off the late night depression and woke up tired and sore, yet still cheery and recharged by the sight of the sun. The second I got on the road I was happy again. I took the Pacific Coastal Highway all the way to my next destination. Glee was I. Amazing how diverse my moods are on when traveling like this. I think it is because of the diverse situations. Damn sprinklers.