The song of the day today is "Make It Rain" by Tom Waits. Blogger's video application is not working at the moment so you'll have to click the link to watch the video.
I am asked a lot of questions about my safety during this month. This was a concern of mine leading up to this experiment, but all my worries quickly faded. My thought was that, if I could stay out of "shady" situations and places, I would be perfectly fine. My only concerns were: 1) Being found out that I was not actually destitute, and 2) random acts of violence. The first has not been a big deal. I've found that I look sufficiently homeless especially when carrying my backpack (almost always), and definitely when I have gone several days without showering. The second has not been a concern at all. The "shady rule" covers me as I never walk alone at night, and I don't go anywhere with anybody. Some might argue that Tent City is a shady place, but anyone who has been there will argue otherwise. It is in a part of town where the crime rate is about mid-range, and it is surrounded by neighborhoods with high crime rates. But, the gates are locked every night and someone is always on duty. Besides, what would anyone want with homeless people? The thing about being homeless is that everybody assumes that you don't have anything they want, and they're probably right. So, I would say that I feel just as safe sleeping at Tent City as I did sleeping in my house.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
June 20, 2011
I've decided that I will start writing a longer entry covering the weekend and post it on Sunday night or Monday morning. The posts on the other days of the week will probably be cut back a bit on account of limited internet usage. The song of the day today is "God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash.
Since I spend my days at work, the only time that I’m around Tent City during the daytime is on the weekends. Saturday at Tent City it was hot, windy, and dusty. There is not much relief in the way of shade and the dust really blows. Many seek shelter in the Administration Building from the wind and the dust which, in my opinion, is a worse enemy than the heat. The Administration Building has central air conditioning that provides a reprieve from the heat to those who want it. The heat doesn’t seem to bother some residents as long as they can find some shade. I sit in the shade with an elderly woman everyone calls Miss Mary who is one of the sweetest old women I’ve ever known. Miss Mary is probably in her seventies, and I know that she has diabetes, and probably a host of other health problems. She is weak and walks slowly, but the residents of Tent City all keep a close eye on her, including Alabama. Miss Mary is always sure to be stocked with ice and water that she keeps in a cooler in her tent delivered daily by a concerned citizen. She keeps a garden on the side of the Administration Building that has some melons and squash growing now. There is never a shortage of volunteers helping Miss Mary water her garden, and even the toughest residents have walked her back to her tent when the wind is blowing too hard. I don’t know how she makes it some days in the heat and I wonder if she would accept a spot in an assisted living facility should she be offered one. I know that she would be a hoarder if given a spot in a place such as that, always taking crackers and sugar from the dining room and knocking on people’s doors to collect their empty cans. I guess it’s better than knocking on doors and asking for spare medication which is what I’m sure many of our peers would do if given the chance.
Friday, June 17, 2011
June 17, 2011
The song of the day today is "America's Favorite Pastime" by Todd Snider. If you don't know the story of Dock Ellis's no-hitter while tripping on LSD, click here. And, if you don't know Todd Snider click here.
I decided to take the bus yesterday as my bike needed some work that I didn't feel like waking up early to do. I arrived at the bus station downtown to find that the bus was free all day. The bus station is very nice, and a remodel which began last year is almost complete. It's got the feel of an airport, but it is actually nicer than any airport I've been to. I decide to buy a cup of coffee from a vending machine while I wait for my bus to arrive. A man in his fifties who is wearing slightly nicer clothes than I am approaches me and asks if the bandana I have hanging off my backpack is an American flag. I ignore the fact that it's a strange question and tell him that it is an American flag. He then asks me for spare change, and I don't really know what to think. I'm wondering if he's got some sort of sixth sense about who is really homeless and who is just a poser until I notice the drool on his chin. I'm relieved to find that he's just insane, and I give him the rest of my change (about thirty cents). I walk outside and I see Bill sitting on a bench waiting for the same bus as me. He's drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette, and he doesn't look so good. I don't imagine waking up in a tent with the sun shining down on you is pleasant after a night of drinking beer, and I feel his pain. We exchange nods and sit in silence until our bus arrives. The ride was quite pleasant as I was able to sit and read the newspaper the entire thirty minute ride to work. I may consider taking the bus more often.
I decided to take the bus yesterday as my bike needed some work that I didn't feel like waking up early to do. I arrived at the bus station downtown to find that the bus was free all day. The bus station is very nice, and a remodel which began last year is almost complete. It's got the feel of an airport, but it is actually nicer than any airport I've been to. I decide to buy a cup of coffee from a vending machine while I wait for my bus to arrive. A man in his fifties who is wearing slightly nicer clothes than I am approaches me and asks if the bandana I have hanging off my backpack is an American flag. I ignore the fact that it's a strange question and tell him that it is an American flag. He then asks me for spare change, and I don't really know what to think. I'm wondering if he's got some sort of sixth sense about who is really homeless and who is just a poser until I notice the drool on his chin. I'm relieved to find that he's just insane, and I give him the rest of my change (about thirty cents). I walk outside and I see Bill sitting on a bench waiting for the same bus as me. He's drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette, and he doesn't look so good. I don't imagine waking up in a tent with the sun shining down on you is pleasant after a night of drinking beer, and I feel his pain. We exchange nods and sit in silence until our bus arrives. The ride was quite pleasant as I was able to sit and read the newspaper the entire thirty minute ride to work. I may consider taking the bus more often.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
June 16, 2011
The song of the day today is "Killing Time in Texas" by Gurf Morlix.
I stopped at a convenience store not far from Tent City on my way back last night to get something to drink. I walk in at the same time as another resident who I've spoken to on a couple occasions. He's an old man of about seventy with grey hair and a big, thick, grey beard. He doesn't have any teeth and he gives me a big, toothless grin as he stumbles inside. He's a little overweight and he always wears a pair of stained work pants and a t-shirt. On top of his head sits a hat that crowns him World's Greatest Grandpa, and I decide to call him Pops. Pops is drunk right now and he heads straight for a tub of twenty four ounce cans of high gravity beer. He picks out a can of Steel Reserve and turns to the clerk. "Rang me up one more time, boss." he tells the man with a Texas twang. Pops pays the man in change, gets a bag for his beer, and heads outside. After I pay, I head outside to find Pops waiting for me. He asks me how things are going as we begin to walk towards Tent City. I find that I have to slow my pace as Pops takes three steps swaying side to side for each one of mine moving forward. He says that he and a few guys are drinking beer behind an abandoned house near the gas station and invites me to come. I decline and we part ways. I can hear his compadres behind the house laughing at some joke I didn't hear and, even though Pops didn't hear it either, he lets out a cackle.
I stopped at a convenience store not far from Tent City on my way back last night to get something to drink. I walk in at the same time as another resident who I've spoken to on a couple occasions. He's an old man of about seventy with grey hair and a big, thick, grey beard. He doesn't have any teeth and he gives me a big, toothless grin as he stumbles inside. He's a little overweight and he always wears a pair of stained work pants and a t-shirt. On top of his head sits a hat that crowns him World's Greatest Grandpa, and I decide to call him Pops. Pops is drunk right now and he heads straight for a tub of twenty four ounce cans of high gravity beer. He picks out a can of Steel Reserve and turns to the clerk. "Rang me up one more time, boss." he tells the man with a Texas twang. Pops pays the man in change, gets a bag for his beer, and heads outside. After I pay, I head outside to find Pops waiting for me. He asks me how things are going as we begin to walk towards Tent City. I find that I have to slow my pace as Pops takes three steps swaying side to side for each one of mine moving forward. He says that he and a few guys are drinking beer behind an abandoned house near the gas station and invites me to come. I decline and we part ways. I can hear his compadres behind the house laughing at some joke I didn't hear and, even though Pops didn't hear it either, he lets out a cackle.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
June 15, 2011
I've been asked several questions about my panhandling. I don't actually collect any money when holding my signs. I just stand there long enough to have a picture taken. Maybe I'll collect money one day to see how it goes. Feel free to leave suggestions as to what the proceeds should go to (new bike). The song of the day today is "T for Texas" performed by Johnny Cash.
I arrived at Tent City last night around 7:00 to find a small group of people gathered near the Administration Building. They are talking intently about something and I learn that Rufus nearly got into a fight with Julius. It's unclear what the argument was about, but I learn that a few people think Rufus is not well in the head. I've not received word if the council will be summoned in the case of Rufus v. Julius. A black man of about sixty years with a thin, white beard is lounging at the picnic table near the entrance to the Administration Building. I've seen him every day that I've been at Tent City, and have gathered that he goes by Alabama. Alabama is loud and constantly talking and smoking cigarettes, though it has become apparent that he may not have bought a pack in his life. He speaks with a quick cadence typical of old, southern, black men and sounds like a mix between this guy and this guy. He's wearing a Bowling for Soup shirt, but I doubt he's much into the pop-punk scene as he does not wear sweat bands and Doug Funnie shoes. Alabama is telling everyone that he wouldn't mess with Rufus because "hegottha crazystrenth." Alabama speaks with an air of authority that is tough to argue with.
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