Strange People

Part I

There are some strange people in the world. This afternoon I heard a car screeching its tires as it tried to turn into the very steep driveway across the street from our house. Then I heard a loud "thump" which sounded like it might have been that car hitting my car. I walked outside and looked at my car, and it was OK. I said to the driver as he stepped out of his car:

- "You made it!" I congratulated him.
- "I was hoping I wouldn't have to talk to you again," he said.
- "Have we met before??" I did not recognize him.
- "Yes but this is ridiculous ... " and he continued mumbling. I could not understand him, and he did not look at me and started to walk away.
- "Are you speaking to me?" I asked. He kept walking and did not reply. "Because I can not understand what you are saying."
- "That is because I was speaking English!" he sneered at me and continued walking up to my neighbor John's house.

Very strange.

Here is a snapshot of him, and below is his license plate. And I am going to ask our neighbor John about this guy next chance I get.



Part II - a couple hours later

As I studied these photos I took of Rude Guy, I was intrigued by his license plate, SSST 1. So I googled it. The second link that popped up was for Marin youth sports: Youth sports for the week ending June 18. Following it, I landed on a page of amateur swim team results. One of the teams had the initials SSST, and it was in the Marin Swim League. So googling that led me to MarinSweamLeague.org.. As I clicked down the list, I found the Swim Marin team, and there he was: coach Alon Golan.


And his bio and all his contact info sat there too!

Alon Golan, who resides part of the year in Montana and part in San Rafael, returns to Swimarin as Co-Head Coach. Alon grew up in San Rafael and has deep roots in Marin County. Alon has worked with swimmers for over 20 years, and previously coached with the Terra Linda Orcas for eight years. Alon is a graduate of Terra Linda High School and UC Irvine, and he has two young sons who can't wait to start training with the team!...

Alon's Contact Info: (c) 406.212.2268
alonoak@yahoo.com

I wonder how it is that someone who is easily identified by their public appearance could be so rude to a total stranger... Thoughts anyone?

Part III - August 4, 2007

Well, a week later our neighbor John came home from his vacation, and when he heard the story and read this blog and saw the photos, he said the most amazing thing to me: "I don't have the faintest clue who that guy is. It seems like I have seen him somewhere before, but I sure don't know him. I had a couple 12 year old girls coming by every day to feed Riley my dog and to water my weeds, but I don't know this guy."

"Was anything disturbed or missing in your home?" I asked.

"No, everything was fine," he said. "No big deal, I guess..."

I tell you, I would not be nearly that cool if I heard someone had been at my house while I was out of town, but no harm no foul, they say.

If anybody knows why this guy was here, I would be interested.

PS, I know that I or John could call or email Alon, but that would be too easy; where is the fun in that?

San Francisco From Twin Peaks — July 1, 2007

#1 Looking north to the top of Castro/Eureka Valley, and to the south side of Buena Vista Park.

#2 Looking northeast to City Hall and downtown.

#3 Looking east to Market Street.

#4 Looking south to the rooftops of Twin Peaks.

My Happy Place

I am never happier than when I am sitting on Christmas Tree Point near the top of Twin Peaks in San Francisco with the city laid out at my feet. I could gaze upon this place forever!