SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com: July 2022

#vellumdays #halfmoonbay #garin #100thBirthday #theheartseen

"Thank You Jesus!" ~amen.

NATIONAL... today? really.. laughs (me!) ~topps

LOOK WHAT GOD CAN DO...

#VellumDays for (sexy! & topps!) "Thank You Jesus!" ~amen.

SOLVE for HOMELESSNESS where the most people possible thrive by (me!) ~topps

city council yields 1 to 2 minutes max for you to speak

letters to the editor, sometimes, 150 words

this crisis demands more thought, more words, more ideas..

it requires a new public panel, with many different people, knowledge bases, experiences represented

contributing to a comprehensive solution; where the most people possible can thrive

THE FOLLOWING IS STILL IN DRAFT/UNEDITED FORM/IN PROGRESS

-not sure when a window of time will open to edit/fix/rearrange, etc.

but lots to say on the topic.. -amen.

****

i am going to put aside suspicions that san jose city council members have political and/or financial agendas and motivations

and for the sake of real problem solving, give all members, the benefit of the doubt, and

work this through, with the understanding that they -really believe- caged tiny home sites are an actual solution to homelessness.

i want to point out, that my husband and i, have zero political aspirations, and nothing to gain financially from trying to problem solve in a more thorough way. our motivations are to protect our neighborhood, our schools, our sacred perc ponds -to help prevent caged tiny home sites from colonizing places/spaces which causes way more problems than it solves.

i must first refute the argument/suggestion that people who are against caged tiny homes sites, are also against the unhoused people they are placing inside said sites. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We need to look at resources/infrastructure and we need to look much closer at the cost of destroying for the all in a misguided effort to help the few.

-what we currently see, is caged tiny home sites [with very dense populations] next to homeless encampments; not replacing homeless encampments, but adding to:

i.e., monterey/bernal intersection in san jose. the densely populated, caged tiny home site is just across the street from a homeless encampment. -and in the same area, there is homeless living in their vehicle, and trash randomly along the road.

It should come as no surprise, that our neighborhood is up in arms about having a caged dense population of 100 tiny home/400 bed homeless placed on our perc ponds park, a popular, beloved place for families/friends to safely hike, walk, enjoy all the wildlife (herons, hawks, egrets, mallards, cormorants, coots, frogs, turtles, fish..long list) It is also, a water supply facility, which demands extra protections for a myriad of obvious reasons. It is directly across the street from an elementary school and daycare and library.

Plopping in a caged dense population 100 beds/400 people, destroys the entire environment, puts the water supply facility at high risk, and attracts more homeless to the area; which results in less safety and more trash, on and on, etc. A caged dense population of tiny homes on this park property robs a wide spectrum of indigenous and migratory wildlife of their habitat, and robs the neighbors/families of their peaceful, safe, clean nature walks. The structure; the cage, the multiple buildings -robs from the neighborhood park the view, the space, the land; the overall feel and experience that make it the beautiful beloved park it is.

Now let's imagine, for the sake of argument, -the 100bed/400 people caged tiny home site is built on the park.. and a success story results for one or more people/families, who transition from the caged tiny home into subsidized housing.

I would urge everyone to take a closer look AT THE COST; if you have spent 20+ million, destroyed the local neighborhood park experience for hundreds of families who enjoyed and took care of it; attracted encampments to the outskirts, increased the need for policing; increased the amount of garbage outside the caged area; put the water supply facility in jeopardy -and in a time of drought?

that is not a real success story when you look at what expense.

Remember this micro example: you have a school, it is run by the most loving/compassionate people.. they want to help others in crisis.. -identify the tipping point: you only have so much space and so many resources.. as you let more and more people in.. the space becomes overcrowded and you tax all the resources. if you do not understand the tipping point, instead of helping a few; now everyone is in crisis.

If we fast forward a decade, -that is exactly what we see.. instead of helping a few; we have absolutely everyone in crisis. And after building these millions of dollars caged dense population sites throughout the city.. destroying neighborhoods and parks unnecessarily and irrevocably

, creating a tiny class; still nothing will have been done about the mentally ill, drug addicted, prematurely released inmates

This path: while the intentions may be good, causes way worse problems than it solves.

City Council wants to obliterate obstacles and fast track the building of caged tiny home sites. We are Praying for an injunction, so we can slow down and problem solve with more voices/experiences/knowledge/wisdom contributing to long term solutions.

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

We all love a success story. but these success stories are not dependent on the creation of tiny homes sites. [unless... have we no success stories from the hundreds of services, over many years, that already exist?]

San Jose already has: -read it! "30 days free, 60 day max, bus passes, shelter, transitional housing, case management, employment and housing assistance, medical services.. workshops..

it goes on and on. Why can't we just fast-track the healthy unhoused straight into the subsidized housing they are destined for anyway. Why spend millions, destroy neighborhoods and parks, for a few months stay?

Our first vote and suggestion is to reassess all of San Jose's current offerings. Which are succeeding? Which need a revamping? I'm sure there are some success stories among all these organizations.. whatever we are currently doing that works.. let's do more of it!

Our next idea/thought.. If raising rent 5% sends up to 2000 people out on the street.. rent control and restrictions.. that makes more sense than having all these homeless, and then scrambling for what to do..

Our next idea/thought.. The City is in desperate need of clean-up.. and many of these unhoused are in desperate need of wages -why not employ and pay them to help clean up? this is a win/win.. they get a job, they get paid, they do well, they get subsidized housing/housing vouchers.. and san jose gets cleaned up,. They will be directly investing in the city that is helping them.

Our next idea/thought.. Crowd sourcing, and roommate screening: The same way people are currently assessed (vulnerability index) to qualify for a tiny home -and demonstrate they can work, will work, are able to work..

[not mentally ill, etc.] Continue the screening process, and then, provide a list of qualified candidates to potential room-for-renters

There are many people, who could benefit from the extra income, and/or the company. But they would only offer a room to rent from someone pre-screened.. and subsidize that..

Our next idea/thought: we have the group of unhoused due to financial crisis... but, the mentally ill.. they need a hospital. drug addicted: they need rehap prematurely released inmates: they need jail

We strongly believe a hospital would help more to actually remove homeless from our streets

We'd personally much rather see billions go toward a high rise hospital, than billions spent building/maintaining numerous densely populated caged tiny home sites, while ignoring the actual homeless population which would not qualify for a tiny home and are living in encampments throughout the city.

The 'equal distribution' goal only make sense if each district starts out equal when it comes to vacant land/buildings ratio. If one district has more vacant/appropriate space available -Appropriate is more important than equal. We need to look at the entire City of San Jose, not very unequal district boundaries. And we should be looking to build high rise hospitals.

In our effort to relocate (vs. eliminate, our first choice) a densely populated caged tiny home site from being built on the perc ponds park directly across the street from the elementary school, library, and day care.. why not the fairgrounds? why not.. my favorite suggestion (admittedly facetious), but, at the corner of St. James and First, kitty-corner from the Santa Clara Courthouse.. yes! then you could see everyday, up and close and personal, just how successful these densely populated tiny home gated communities are doing. And whether or not they attract any additional homeless encampments, garbage, vehicles in the outskirts of the gates. You have a big open lot... -perfect!

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

In part, this is a math problem but it involves so much more than mere numbers! -the human elements must be factored in: addictions, ptsd, depression, victim mentalities, manipulators, cons, abusers/abused, -you have greed.. you have enabling, dependence, co-dependence, -you have innocent ignorance; short-sightedness, political/financial ambitions/agendas/motivations.. -so the mind(s) that can solve this complicated of a problem

part math genius * part humanitarian * part phD in economics

you need master gardners, horticulturists for analogies/understanding: it is the leaf? the root? the soil?

you need nurses * therapists * artists * hardworking, devoted parents * students * teachers * police officers * business/land owners

i could go on.. but a much larger panel, all contributing their knowledge, experience -a very public brain-storming, sharing.. we need to stop this tiny homes train in its track; slow everything down, and think it through, -before the whole city goes to S%#*

we can see areas (within portland, within seattle, within san francisco, to name only a few..) we KNOW what it looks like when homelessness goes ignored. -we KNOW what giving up looks like

and giving up is not an option; but nor is, what we see happening in slow motion: the destruction of otherwise heathy neighborhoods, schools, parks, and the shameful creation of a caged tiny home class.

-Before we destroy in an irrevocable way, -Let's stop here.. gather a larger panel of voices/experiences to identify all of the factors and problem solve in a more comprehensive and cost effective way.

WE do have an opportunity to become a remarkable example to other cities and restore San Jose to it's former glory.

Jury Duty -cerebral hyperlinks from the archives, by (me!) ~topps.

...if only it really were about truth and justice...

#selfportrait -poem from the archives, by (me!) ~topps

did i originally write this in 2008? -was just recently gifted the book, seabiscuit, "thank you deborah!", and that of course "CH!" [ding, ding] -so that inspired me to put the whole collection together, -take a pix, and repost my self portrait poem.

***

i am rudy. pistol pete.
but mostly fisher king
i am maya, pi & braddock
a giant redwood tree.
i am million dollar baby
but parry through and through
i am mother goose and gilbert
a me of many you's.
stella luna, owen meany
every child in silence screaming
i am every poet ever born
awake, but always dreaming.
i'm eleanor
i'm roosevelt
i'm jefferson on tuesday
rogers in a gypsy skirt
love everyone that moves me.
i'm seabiscuit
the shop girl
charlie rose
and sunday morning
i'm every artist ever born
creating without warning.
i'm every woman ever born
i'm blessed. i'm loved. i'm cursed.
but i am mostly fisher king;
here to quench your thirst.

No stranger to financial hardships, that's for sure -shares (me!) ~topps

oh, honey.. i know about financial hardships! i will just skip to a memory that captures my experience:

i am divorced, two children, and spousal support was terminated (2009 represents hardest time)

i am renting a room, working three jobs.. hourly wage does not even come close to taking care of living expenses

i have to save! -save for who knows how long to take both of my young children to the movies

so excited to offer this when a movie comes out at theaters that all the kids want to see (and all of their friends had already seen)

hiding my struggles from my children, not wanting them to experience my stress..

so i say to them.. "i want to take you two to the movies!" -all proud and excited..

and then they look at me, so happy.. "can i bring my friend too..."

and i could feel in that moment.. my entire insides collapse. i only had enough money to get just us 3 tickets, and had pre-purchased $1/each candy from courtyard marriott because the price of treats at the movies was out my reach

but i could not let them know

"well,

ummmm, ok.. let me think about this for a minute..

...., i wonder... do you think it would be okay, well, if i pick them up.. i can pick them up and drive them and bring them home...

but, they're going to have to buy their own ticket okay... " i had to make certain in advance that i would not end up at the box office window for tickets, and then tell the kids 'sorry, i cant get you in'

****

my memories of not being able to provide.. not being able to keep up; my memories of working so, so hard just to rent a room, but share that room with boxes, because i could not afford both a room for rent and storage at the same time.

these memories are still fresh, and still make me cry..

-some make me laugh too..

like,

my thursday nights at barones, music under the stars.. the very thing that help me keep my sanity.. live music, outdoors, fresh air, i love to dance! i was surrounded by 100's of slightly intoxicated happy dancing people; a wonderful vibe.. gave me strength for the days and week ahead; refueled me.

i suppose people might not guess, -watching me smile, dance, enjoy pride n' joy live.. or entourage.. some of the best bands the bay area has to offer..

i suppose no one would have guessed or imagined,

but,

they have a cover charge. it has changed over the years, but, i think it was $10 at the time,

and i will not forget, how one day..

i went to the ATM machine..

and for those of you who have never had financial struggles, you would never think much about this,

but with ATM bank machines, the lowest amount you can take out

$20.

i did not even have $20

so i walked inside U.S. Bank, on main street in Pleasanton, and stood in line to see Cynthia

-she knew me.. my sister, our families, our ex-spouses, our bios..

and she knew our financial situation

but she didn't seem judgmental; she seem to understand

"well, guess what.. i can't even use my card.. i think i have $12 though.. and i need it for the barones cover... -wipe me out to zero! i want it all... "

-danced the night away.. (wow! im still so grateful to all the dance circle friends.. motown..)

and locked eyes with Cynthia a few times from across the dance floor. She was there too! We could exchange smiles and winks..

and for those of you who have never experienced anything like this..

many of us have.

that's why this song became as popular as it did (as it is). not only does it have an awesome dance beat

but it is a kind of anthem. "...knew my rent was gon' be late about a week ago, i worked my ass off, but i still can't pay it though... but i got just enough, to get up in this club, have me a good time, before my time is up hey! let's get it now.."

"Thank You!" for writing it. -still a favorite

And fast-forward several years..

It is on the dance floor at barones where I met Robert, my sexy.. and i was renting a room at the time.. and my hair was short, and all white/gray, i had let it go natural for several reasons, but one of them was financial

that's why i love this song too "they say that time takes a toll on a body, makes a young girl's brown hair turn gray, but, honey, i don't care, i ain't in love with your hair, and if it all fell out, i'd love you

anyway.." we have many conversations, my sexy and i, many conversations.. trying to figure out the how/when/what/why's of this cost of living/wage gap/inflation/homelessness

do you think.. when credit cards.. loans..

and everyone could live outside of their means..?

no one.. no one on either political side, of any faith.. no one can stand it when they know people who are capable of working, do not work, and accept handouts.

but, we have a large population not looking for handouts.. hard working people! willing to work people! multiple jobs people! -still can't keep food on the table, or gas in their cars..

everyone sees the extremes happening.. the way rich.. the way poor.. at first slowly.. but, like technology itself, it is happening faster and faster..

stepping over the sick and poor; to open the mansion door..

and, i remember learning, long ago.. about how unique the united states was for creating a middle class..

and, i just know we can do better! but when i consider these tiny homes..

and i just know! the problem is economic..

and i just know! that if we don't address the problem from an economic/fiscal standpoint..

then,

a decade from now.. the united states will not be unique at all. and it will go on record for destroying the middle class, and creating a tiny class

-how can the absolute most amount of people thrive.. without exceeding resource/infrastructure tipping points -under what 'ism'?

it is not 'capitalism, socialism, marxism, communism..

we need a brand new 'ism' for our times.

Calling out to Jesus.. the chain-breaker, the pain-taker, the way-maker! hallelujah & amen.

#NOTonNOBLE

The court has received your letter requesting an immediate injunction against the City of San Jose regarding a proposed tiny home site for homeless residents in your area. If you wish to file an injunction against the city as to this project, you may do so at the Civil Courthouse at 191 N First Street in San Jose. I cannot give you legal advice on the process of filing the injunction. You may wish to seek legal advice or you may review the court’s self-help page at https://www.scscourt.org/self_help.shtml.

Thank you,

Dave Walker

Dave Walker | Executive Secretary to Presiding Judge Theodore C. Zayner

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara

191 N. First Street | San Jose, California 95113

p: 408-882-2282 | e: dwalker@scscourt.org

ONLY COMMERCIAL FREE MUSIC SAVES LIVES laughs (me!) ~topps

we have been enjoying stranger things.. and i woke up this very morning giggling..

i really appreciate the value of music to save, enhance lives.. different music for different people; but it cannot be underestimated

in any case, so many of us are paying subscription fees for 'commercial free' music..

So, in my imagination.. in one of those crucial scenes, when only music..

write in the middle of the potential save... an ad. -with a 'skip ad in 3, 2, 1 seconds..."

"to uninterrupted music and stories and conversations!" hallelujah & amen

HOMELESS CRISIS PROBLEM SOLVING NOTES & call to action from (me!) ~topps #NOTonNOBLE

of course, wish i would have acted sooner,

but, looking closer at the problem(s),

HOMELESS CRISIS -RESEARCH/RESULTS/QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS

It is 2022. First tiny home community opened 2020. RESULTS?

What, if anything, is being done to prevent more homeless from populating San Jose from other areas?

Per san jose spotlight article feb 27/2020, katie lauer

6000 homeless (obviously this # is not fixed) (will have more opportunities to get off the streets)

Initial grand opening of 40 tiny homes (bridge housing) safe & stable place w/support services while tenants search for permanent housing -tenants pay $20 month, to help prepare them for when they achieve permanent housing.

[where is this permanent housing they are finding? How much is the rent?...]

Homefirst CEO Andrea Urton (previously homeless teen)

COST

2.2 million to build, (approx. 55,000 per home) /keeping in mind 40 homes/6000 homeless…

About 1 million annually budgeted in san jose general fund to continue paying for the site.

RESOURCES

City’s general fund + a one time housing authority award (amount not mentioned)

State’s Homeless Emergency Assistance Program funds helped (how much?)

Measure E which would levy a real transfer tax on property sales of $2 million or more to boost affordable housing efforts (did this pass?)

Newsom/Provide California Environmental Quality Act exemptions/fewer obstacles w/like, Caltrans

QUALIFICATIONS for tenants

Qualifying vulnerability index score, in a rapid rehousing program (details); have a job or are job ready

A two-three month stay is the goal, Urton said, residents will be granted extensions as needed while they work toward permanent housing

[results? It is now 2022.. how many transitioned out? To where? Employed how? How is it enforced if after extensions, there is still no job/permanent housing? -then what? -back on the streets?]

SPECS

80 square foot homes x 40, 120 square foot w/wheelchair (how many of each?)

[how many square feet is the entire community? How many people within that square footage?

Population per zone ordinances… reasons they exist….

QUOTES “if we can get the obstacles out of the way, cities can move quickly to address the crisis” Liccardo

“just need to get red tape and lawyers out of the way” “deeply accountable to our communities..(!?!) to tackle the crisis

QUESTIONS/CONCERNS/SUGGESTIONS

Of the 6000, what % currently qualify for tiny home w/vulnerability index score (details), in rapid rehousing, job or job ready?

What % of the 6000 do not qualify? How are we getting them off the street? Where are they going?

What is the current protocol (enforceable protocol?) for a drug addict living on the streets in a neighborhood or business? Unable to hold down a job.. a crime threat due to need to finance drug habit? What are we doing currently? How successful/unsuccessful? -to jail? And then after sentence is served, released with no money, no place to go.. -set up to fail again?

What is the current protocol (enforceable protocol?) for a homeless person living in a car -and said car is parked in a neighborhood/business? Where are they being relocated? How successful/unsuccessful?

What is the current protocol (enforceable protocol?) for a homeless mentally ill person, loitering in a neighborhood, school, park, business, etc. -where is this person relocated to, currently?

How are homeless encampments removed? Where are those people currently going?

What is the current status of the all these services/organizations?

What is the lowest amount of rent on record for San Jose? Highest?

What is the average hourly wage? Minimum wage?

What does one week worth of groceries (on average) cost for 1 person?

[imagine/draft.. one month of just basic living expenses (average) rent, car pymnt, groceries, gas, water/pge, phone..] in San Jose?

What % of jobs available in the City allow for…

Why don’t we continue to utilize the acres of land available near the airport -where homeless (unqualified for tiny homes) already live; -make that a homeless safe zone, so to speak, and then provide portable toilets, garbage pick up, and food supplies to a central a location. IF this were implemented.. how many more people do we remove from streets all around the city, neighborhoods, schools, freeways, etc.

And if districts are not equal to begin with, size/population/house to business to school to land ratios;

Why would we try to distribute homeless equally?

instead of taking up more/space/resources/budget creating brand new 'affordable' [tiny] homes throughout the city, might i suggest (again) we make the homes/apartments that already exist more affordable. -stop pushing people out and then scrambling for what to do with them next.

30% lost job..

if 68% cant afford rent... 60% 'not enough income' 47% No housing available (? where/at what price point?) 42% not enough money for moving costs

google:City of San José HOMELESS CENSUS & SURVEY COMPREHENSIVE REPORT 2019

google: Homeless Services, City of San Jose

https://oir.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exjcpb1026/files/sj-hmls-svcs-guide.pdf

another spotlight san jose article/// 1 families success story

community of 60, A tiny home at the site costs roughly $10,000, officials said. Each unit has four foldable beds, a heating and cooling unit and shelving. The site also provides daily meals, WiFi and other basic needs.

The site is currently hosting 20 adults and 40 children, ranging from 1 to 18 years old. The Castanedas are the fifth family who have found stability—and permanent housing—

Roughly 10 months after launching Casitas de Esperanza, Santa Clara County is looking to expand the program. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan last week to identify new sites in the county for other tiny home communities.

In September, Santa Clara County approved a multi-million contract with LifeMoves, the region’s largest temporary housing provider, to replicate an existing shelter site made out of shipping containers in Mountain View at 10 other locations across the county.

***

different san jose spotlight article [cost numbers bounce around.. from article to article]

Building more housing is the key to fighting the growing homelessness crisis in Santa Clara County. Two officials want to give a local nonprofit $25 million to do so.

Supervisors Joe Simitian and Otto Lee announced a proposal Thursday to grant LifeMoves, the region’s largest temporary housing provider, a multi-million dollar contract to help it replicate an existing shelter site in Mountain View at 10 other locations across the county.

San Jose, California in unique position to lead thinks (me!) ~topps #NOTonNOBLE

-that is; after we clear out the 8 city council members and anyone currently in a leadership position who voted yes, underhandly, to place 100 bed homeless/tiny home community across from an elementary/on a wildlife park..

it is not a personal attack on anyone, the attack is on the decision itself; not the person/people,

but, in order to really solve this problem, we need new leadership

***

and we need to more properly identify the problem(s); and look in a more detailed way at the ramifications of each proposed 'solution'

certainly we can look at san francisco and see what not to do..

we can clearly see how ignoring and/or enabling the problem results in exponential growth of the problem

so, behind the scenes, like many of our neighbors.. we are each bringing our unique life experience, gifts/talents, ideas, hopes/dreams and pragmatic problem solving skills to the table..

part of me, idealist.. can see san jose in a unique position to demonstrate for the united states how to really solve this homelessness crisis -from its true roots, which are economic/fiscal in nature, and not 'lack of housing'

what have i read.. 3 pages of services already available.. this does not even include the churches/volunteer organizations.. 6000+ people sleeping on the street on any given night -what percent healthy in financial hardship? -what percent addicted/mentally ill

-what percent prematurely released inmate? released inmate? what percent ready/willing to work?

what wage for cost of living? what enforcement do we have to remove/compassionately relocate encampments; car/RV homes in sensitive/residential/small business areas?

-and we believe, 'relocating' to open land near airport.. acres/acres of open land, so you can have a central location for portable toilets, garbage pickup, food drop off.. and we believe hospitals are in order!

and so many unanswered questions about tiny homes.. -there is a time limit, as there has been for shelters all along.. when the time limit is up, and there is still nowhere else to go? no job? etc. -then what.. you've only multiplied the problem.. enforcement?

and resources! -when you add 100+ people to only so many square feet in any given location -the new problems this creates seems worse than the original issue..

this has not been thought properly through... that is very evident. i know the humanitarian intelligence is out there...

***

-no weapon formed against us will prevail! God can use all things for good

i am just certain, in this moment.. that from all this ugliness good will come

-already, good has come.. neighbors who would have otherwise never met

-many of us being suddenly introduced to our 'worthy cause/activism' button

and, i'm really hopeful about the perc ponds receiving permanent protection -that would be a great result! that would have otherwise not happened..

we are learning as we go... superior court for injunction.. and reaching out learning about,

like, ... how do you get open space protected?

Nuances, Distinctions & Internal Knowledge by (me!) ~topps

-sometimes people are thinking out loud;

-sometimes people are talking out loud, even though no one else is around;

-sometimes people really are talking to themselves

-sometimes people are talking to imaginary others

still curious about that human mute/unmute mechanism inside each of us -and how we hear our thoughts.

****

now, sometimes people are creating an 'image' of themselves, or of an event, and they consciously edit out anything negative, unsightly, unflattering, etc. it is more tied to the ego, and needing/wanting to be seen only in a perceived positive light.

and sometimes, -from a Christian perspective, it is not about creating an image, but, you seek to glorify God's name and goodness, and avoid letting the enemy get any attention. In spiritual warfare, God is blessings you; and you become awake to those blessings, but the enemy wants to 'kill, steal, destroy'

a 'victory' is when the enemies efforts (to steal joy or peace..) are recognized and aborted, and the joy and peace (among other blessings) are experienced and celebrated. -always giving God the glory

****

love also considering and reconsidering what it means to 'believe'

the more interesting part is the internal knowledge mechanism which allows each individual to 'know' whether they believe something or not. -one of many examples being.. a younger couple dating and one says to the other 'i love you.' the person on the receiving end of those words, does not 'know' whether this is true or not..

and believes it's true, or wants to believe its true, but isn't sure.. etc. every time i read a little blurb here or there, and it repeats the message/sentiment, that people who create/code/program for A.I. begin to see humans as just advanced robots, i don't understand..

to me any/all A.I. work would result in even greater awe.. the masterpiece a human being is! joy, peace, hope, love.. kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.. strongholds/addictions and being set free.. truth! sets you free.. love, self-sacrifice, forgiveness..

mercy, grace, healing..

maturing, aging, concepts/appreciation of time..

****

i love all things golden state warriors, and i am about to go purchase a good old fashioned magazine, because trying to read articles online with animated ads every couple paragraphs is...

-so, the same way i will pay a monthly subscription fee to listen to commercial free music..

i would subscribe (were it reasonably priced) to add-free golden state warriors news/stories. does it exist?

***

This is the day the Lord has made.. Re-Joyce! -be creative and productive, blessed to be a blessing, enormously grateful -Take care of every responsibility; cast every care -Jesus'yoke is light! Glorify God's name by enjoying it... amen.

Don't have a green thumb? "YOU DON'T NEED ONE!" sings (me!) ~topps

look at my cosmos' go! an explosion of orange bursts.. and bright yellow... and mixed... and deep orange outlined... oh! i love these flowers

and i so delighted, in disbelief , the first time i read the back of the seed package.. wish i had a pix. essentially it said,

-you don't have to plant, you can just scatter the seeds on top of the dirt..

-they don't require good soil, they'll grow in average or even poor soil..

-they don't require a lot of water; drought-friendly..

and it all sounded to good to be true.. i had to give it a go.. and! WOW! these flowers.. all they need you to do is scatter some seed on top of soil in the summer, and then back off and let 'nature do the rest' as the saying goes.

~miracles on a stem. God's generosity. and you know how you say "Thank You!" -you enjoy them! and say "Thank You!" hallelujah & amen.

Dear Santa Clara County Superior Court Judges, #NOTonNOBLE

We are all learning as we go.. I've never had cause to use the word injunction.. but I just learned that City Council Members do not have that authority; To request an injunction you must go to Superior Court of Santa Clara County and contact Judges. -and so, that is exactly what we are doing... /getting a kind of crash course in U.S. government studies..

*****

Judge (insert name here), /don't forget to use Honorable, or Chief when appropriate..

We seek an immediate injunction regarding San Jose City Council's underhanded 8-2 vote to place 100 bed, homeless, Tiny Home Community on Noble in the Berryessa Area. The vote was consciously, intentionally made without community input. The entire neighborhood population is livid and scrambling to uprise and fight on such short notice. The precedent set, if this 100 bed homeless Tiny Homes is permitted in this very sensitive location, will have far reaching and dangerous ramifications. If this sensitive location is not off limits.. nothing ever will be. They are mistakenly destroying all to (questionably) help the few.

'San Jose has 120 days to explore alternative options to the sites selected," officials said.

9 REASONS THE NOBLE LOCATION IS AN IRRESPONSIBLE, NEGLIGENT, POTENTIALLY ILLEGAL, PROBABLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL IDEA:

1. It was already successfully vetoed and found not viable a few years back, and should have never been put back on the table for consideration

2. It is directly across the street from Noble Elementary School.

3. It is directly across the street from Noble Library

4. It is directly across the street from a day care center

5. It is very near Toyon Elementary

6. It is down the street from Piedmont Middle School

7. It is land that has been and is, a popular park, walking trail for countless neighbors, families, and a sanctuary for a wide variety of wild life; indigenous; migratory

8. It is nowhere near transportation resources or services homeless would need

9. It ignores zoning ordinances which restrict single-family residential (up to eight dwelling units per acre).

The parents of this neighborhood are losing sleep with this looming in their hearts and minds; having to wonder if... wonder if.. 100 bed homeless, Tiny Homes will be across from their children's school and taking over the sacred wildlife park, walking/hiking visiting nature area. We are already dealing with higher crime rates, including home invasions in the Berryessa Neighborhood area. These parents do not need to have this looming also.

A large group of us showed up at San Jose City Council 6/28 only to be jostled in and out of the chambers at their whim, going through security twice, having our open forum time put off and changed three times, then having our 2 minutes cut to 1 minute.

We are united for 3 goals: 1. To have the Noble site relocated. 2. To have the Percolation Pond/Neighborhood Park permanently protected so these wonderful, devoted, very busy parents don't have to fight this every few years. and 3. An injunction which will allow us proper time to respond and reach our goals. We are learning as we go. "Thank You!" for your consideration, and for letting us know what our next step(s) should be.

REPEAT: This is not a 'housing' crisis, It is economic; fiscal at its core

instead of taking up more/space/resources/budget creating brand new 'affordable' [tiny] homes throughout the city, might i suggest (again) we make the homes/apartments that already exist more affordable. -stop pushing people out and then scrambling for what to do with them next.

30% lost job..

if 68% cant afford rent... 60% 'not enough income' 47% No housing available (? where/at what price point?) 42% not enough money for moving costs

research and prayers continue.. amen.

DR NiMbY = Damn Right Not In My Backyard -says (me!) ~topps

i love this counterattack verbage: DR. NIMBY (doctor nimby = Damn Right, NOT in MY backyard.) -they have been playing the compassion card against everyone/casting a failure of government problem off on everyday citizens then trying to make them feel guilty about it; this has nothing to do with not being caring and compassionate; don't buy into that.. Drug Addicts, Mentally Ill, Prematurely Released Inmates do not belong in anyone's backyard! They belong in Rehab Centers, Hospitals & Jails. There are already an abundance of shelters & services for our healthy 'unhoused' due exclusively to loss of job/financial crisis. -My research continues..

and, so i was reading/researching.. researching/reading

and over and over again, what i was reading/learning is this:

THIS IS NOT A 'HOUSING CRISIS' 'lack' of housing has nothing to do with it!

-absolutely not

over and over, the problem is financial/economics/fiscal

***

i was wanting to see a pie chart, a graph which revealed

what % of 'unhoused' are

what % exclusively financial crisis (sudden unemployment, sudden increase in rent, etc.)

what % drug addicted

what % mentally ill

what % prematurely released inmate

what % released inmate

and there is a 57 page report, but the amount of reading, digging, interpreting, analyzing..

lets look at what we already know:

STOP CALLING THIS A HOUSING CRISIS.. when healthy hard working people are 'pushed' out

of their homes, apartments

this is a cost of living; inflation; greed; taxes; lack of rent control problem; fiscal at its core

all of our brightest, most intelligent humanitarian minds (especially mathematically inclined)

should be figuring out how/what needs to be done at what level

so that the most amount of people can thrive.

without this level of problem solving, we are on a direct path to

extreme poverty/extreme wealth; stepping over and around the sick and poor

to open the door to gated mansions. -Not what America Stands for...

building tiny homes does not a thing to address

drug addicts -they need rehab center hospitals

they do not belong in anyone's backyard!!

building tiny homes does not a thing to address

mentally ill -they need hospitals

they do not belong in anyone's backyard!!

building tiny homes does not a thing to address

prematurely released inmates; released inmates who recommit crimes

they do not belong in anyone's backyard!!

We deserve clean, safe streets, grocery shopping, hiking, walking, recreational experiences

We deserve to have the homeless encampments removed -entirely removed-

from around neighborhoods, schools, libraries, parks, small businesses plazas

They do not belong in anyone's backyard!

The 15million + 3 million annual maintenance for tiny homes is utterly wasteful

repurposing vacated/abandoned buildings makes much more sense than

scouting out and taking up park/school/neighborhood sacred and protected space to build brand new tiny homes with vacated/open buildings sitting empty and taking up space.

when you do that, instead of helping a small % out in an emergency -you take 100% down

you grow vs. shrink/address the problem

what is the overall budget? if 15million + 3 million, x how many tiny home sites?

We'd be much better off investing in this way:

repurposing vacated/abandoned areas for the healthy & temporarily 'unhoused'

currently there are more 'now hiring' signs than i have ever seen in my entire life!

we know we don't have a lack of jobs problem

but, of the jobs available,

with most of these 'great opportunities' for employment

you'd need 2 day jobs, and a nightshift to afford half a room for rent, and one bag of groceries

-THAT is the REAL PROBLEM!

how does that problem get solved?

if you are going to invest millions and millions and millions in building anything new..

it should be HOSPITALS; for rehab & mentally ill

that employs builders, healthcare workers.. long list.. and is actually helpful

that provides a safe place to relocate ill homeless with compassion

without spreading the problem to neighborhoods, parks, businesses, libraries.

DR NIMBY

Damn Right! Not In My Backyard

This shouldn't be in anyone's backyard!!

We need a more accurate vocabulary. May I suggest instead of this blanket 'unhoused' or 'homeless'

we be a bit more specific: Healthy & Temporarily Unhoused

Drug Addicted or

Mentally Ill, or

Prematurely released inmate

In Jesus name, We pray for the true/real problem to be identified; and for the intelligent, humanitarian minds/hearts of people who can problem solve at this grand level to step up and out into the light and introduce themselves.. we need you! hallelujah & amen.

SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

Monday, July 25, 2022

#vellumdays #halfmoonbay #garin #100thBirthday #theheartseen

Thursday, July 21, 2022

NATIONAL... today? really.. laughs (me!) ~topps

#VellumDays for (sexy! & topps!) "Thank You Jesus!" ~amen.

SOLVE for HOMELESSNESS where the most people possible thrive by (me!) ~topps

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Jury Duty -cerebral hyperlinks from the archives, by (me!) ~topps.

Thursday, July 14, 2022

#selfportrait -poem from the archives, by (me!) ~topps

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

No stranger to financial hardships, that's for sure -shares (me!) ~topps

Monday, July 11, 2022

#NOTonNOBLE

ONLY COMMERCIAL FREE MUSIC SAVES LIVES laughs (me!) ~topps

Sunday, July 10, 2022

HOMELESS CRISIS PROBLEM SOLVING NOTES & call to action from (me!) ~topps #NOTonNOBLE

San Jose, California in unique position to lead thinks (me!) ~topps #NOTonNOBLE

Nuances, Distinctions & Internal Knowledge by (me!) ~topps

Friday, July 08, 2022

Don't have a green thumb? "YOU DON'T NEED ONE!" sings (me!) ~topps

Thursday, July 07, 2022

Dear Santa Clara County Superior Court Judges, #NOTonNOBLE

REPEAT: This is not a 'housing' crisis, It is economic; fiscal at its core

DR NiMbY = Damn Right Not In My Backyard -says (me!) ~topps

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