Another Rat Ride, which I will post to the new bike page when the pics come in. Waiting for us in the alleys were two drum heads, an opossum, a complete tent, a Dell PC, a pair of shark jaws, a cell phone, a pair of cowboy boots, unopened rolls of xmas paper, and a knockoff Razor scooter called a "Racer" (very clever).

We ended the evening behind the Odwalla distributor, where they had put out crate after crate of their bizarre and expensive beverages that were about four days from expiring. I think Superfood is made of people. IT'S PEEEEEOOOOOPPPPLLLLLEEEEE!!!!!

One of the Rats is doing a film on garbage. We got to talking for the camera about how our society is so wasteful that someone can live off the waste, and how class affects garbage: In upperclass neighborhoods, the buildings are built so that garbage is not accessable, and if you get too lowerclass people just don't throw things out- they use it up, wear it out, make it do, and do without, as my mom always says. So in order to find the really good stuff you gotta find that middle ground. Of course, the Rats are only interested in found items for our vehicles, such as the big pair of shark jaws, which will end up on the front of one of my bikes. We never touch the set-asides, which are useful items that caring homeowners leave out of the garbage for the less fortunate. Last Thanksgiving I even saw a complete turkey dinner set out by the dumpster in little plastic containers. And the homeless folks we meet have always been really nice. I guess even in the midst of all that wastefulness there are still things to make you feel good about society.