Nothing messes up a good long run more than stop lights. Objects in motion will stay in motion. Objects that stop at a light are likely to have their jelly-like legs collapse under them. So for a good long run, nothing beats the ocean front walk. No cars, no lights, just snaking along the beach, watching the waves crash on the sand and turning down your ipod so you can hear when the crazy homeless people are coming up behind you. Ah, L.A.

My route takes me along the Venice boardwalk. Stalls on the right sell cheap shoes and bikinis with beer logos on them. On the left are card tables set up with homemade necklaces, naked lady paintings and things that could get you arrested for possession of stolen merchandise. Also a fair number of fortune tellers, palm readers and - I swear to God - a feng shui expert, or so he claims.

I told you all that, so I could tell you this. Loyal readers may remember a post about the very small, very old Asian man I would pass on the sidewalk in the Marina each morning. I was sure if I stopped him, he'd have a great holistic remedy for my bum knee or some advice for my runny nose. He looked like a man who knew things, deep, healing things. Well, a few weeks ago, he disappeared. Or I did. In any case, I hadn't seen him in awhile. And then he reappeared. He reappeared behind a card table on the Venice boardwalk with a sign for fortune telling.

How do you like them apples?