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Post by X factor on May 20, 2013 17:21:42 GMT -5
 Hello... I use to be homeless, it's a part of my life, past, that helps shape my current thoughts and prospectives on many things. And as such, would like to share a few of the things I went through and saw. I tend to write more like a painter though...a abstract painter. I give you the colors, and allow you to interpit as you see fit.  Yes, I tend to write the way a abstract painter or artist throws paint at a canvess...kind of like chaotic order... Get the emotions out first...then let the colors fall and droop where they may. So anyways...if you've ever been homeless before...maybe you'll be able to relate to a few things I share...and if you never been homeless...read on and learn. No two peoples homeless experience will ever be the same. And there's a variety of reasons why induvisuals or families, end up homeless. Some by choice, others do to bad circumstances... My experience being homeless was a bit unique, in that I kind of choose to live that way for a while, partly as an experiment, and partly cause I got tired of being burdened with the things you're burdened with when 'in the system'. I wanted to live free for a while. And believe it or not, some of the best days of my life, recent life, came when I was 'free' or homeless. I had nothing, but felt like I owned the world, homeless with a purpose is the closest you'll ever come to feeling like the wild animals you see...who are able to cross barriers, and enjoy the earth, the planet, without always having to pay someone to do so. And with that let's begin this backwards journey into some of the times I lived, things I experienced, while homeless...and like I mentioned earlier...my writing can be some what unstructured and abstract at times...1st person, 2nd person and even 3rd person. And sometimes even you. But one thing for sure, it's all real and genuine...and feel I must share...for my own sake first...and for others sake second...lets begin... |
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Post by X factor on May 20, 2013 17:55:45 GMT -5
_cover.png/200px-Into_the_Wild_(book)_cover.png) My homeless experience was more like the character 'Alex' in the true life book written about a person who came from a decent up bringing, yet wanted to 'test self'... Kind of like a passage or calling...sometimes you do things just to prove you can, just to see how you'll emerge from it, to see if you can emerge from it...and what effects it'll have on you afterwards... And that's kind of how I was going into the whole experience. I was already kind of use to living a gypsy lifestyle anyways, do to the type of job I had. But still, I had a place, and just felt financially 'stuck'...like it was either 'stuff' or 'my dreams' or ambitions. And 'stuff' just wasn't satisfying me at the time. I couldn't do both; I couldn't persue my dreams or progress, and maintain 'stuff' at the same time...it was one or the other. Looking back...I'd probably make the same decision again...even knowing what I know now...to me it was worth it...and there's something about knowing you're not bound by anything, gives you strength. Mind you though I was single, and didn't have a family to take care of...of course if I had others depending on me, I would not have chosen to go homeless to persue what I thought was going to be a future investment to a more fulfilling life. Some quick things in list form. 1. Myth...just because you're homeless, doesn't mean you have to be sloppy and look like a hobo. When I was homeless...I kept myself clean...street clean, but clean none the less. Old bearded, grungy, hairy looking was not me...I was young at heart, fit and thin. 2. You learn quick how spoiled you were, and how much you can live without. That in and of itself is very liberating. 3. There are whole and complete 'underworld' societies that exist on the streets, with their own rules, hyarchies, structures and so on. I met some wonderful people while homeless...and none of them are dumb. 4. You learn how much time you spend persuing 'nothing'. When you're homeless, downtown at night can be the most beautiful, calm, time you'll ever experience.  There's just something about empty streets at night, while downtown, that is breath taking. It's totally quiet, peaceful, and all you hear is the wind. It's as if you're the only person left on earth, and it's these moments, while alone, that you embrace. It's hard to explain unless you've been in that spot. You are the street, you become one with it. For so many years you were taught to fear this moment, but when you finally reach that moment, are the moment, you realize how beautiful it is, how free you are...to move about and roam as you please. And then you begin to realize you're not the hostage, rather the hostages show up at the break of dawn, in their Mercedes and BMW's and Lexus's...with their suits on, carrying their briefcases. You begin to realize and see that they're the ones who are the slave, and you are free. You begin to realize you have as much, if not more, than any of them...you are free. Not only that...but homeless street culture people are like a family...there are no walls. You can stir up a conversation with just about anyone, anytime you feel the need for company. When I was homeless, I was never lonely... But once I got back into the 'system'...lonliness set in...people hide behind their doors, their status and so on...no one will talk with you. On the streets, you learn how people are much more willing to share stories and ideas with you, cause they have nothing to hide behind, no status...just energy. And in the end, that's all that matters...what others were willing to share with you. You begin to realize the great separation that technology and income has created in the lives of millions. To be continued... |
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Post by X factor on May 22, 2013 12:56:47 GMT -5
 This seems like a happier healthier way to live, than does this...  But the latter or above cramped living quarters seem to benefit industry, more so than the indivisual. Keep all the labor close and together for easy commute to job centers. If people are spread out, living on their own, where would industry get it's labor? It's an odd cycle, tricked (through commercials) into believing you need stuff, so that stuff is continually needed. |
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Post by X factor on May 22, 2013 12:57:23 GMT -5
I mean what if you get to the point where you just don't want to labor for others anymore? It's not that you're lazy...it could be you just simply don't want to labor for others, see all the efforts of your labor go to bills, and none go to your own interests. Like working for a whole year, just to be in same economic spot. It becomes pointless after a while to some. Maintaining the basics is not the same as prospering. This whole designated 'wage earner' role, you're forced to bare your whole life, just doesn't serve everyone equally. It becomes a burden after a while, always worried about bills, fees, and taxes...it just seems low end wage earners can never generate enough to satisfy the system...so you work all your life and die broke. Wage earning is different than say working on a plot of land, that's yours, and sustaining yourself from the environment, the way animals do.  Kind of like during more agrigarian times (or however it's spelled)...when folks could have a homestead, and just live on their land, independent of the society around them. They still worked, still had to eat...but didn't 'hoard'. Families were closer, relationships more meaningful, roles better defined. And survival skills much sharper. Life wasn't about wage earning, your self worth wasn't reduced to some measly minimum pay labor job. Your worth was based on what you, and how you, contributed to the farm or community you were apart of. But now that's all but impossible, as greedy realitors and the markets have marked up all land to prices only multi millionares can afford, or those willing to be in dept to banks their whole lives, never able to enjoy the land they have cause their always off earning a low wage some where. We've been brainwashed to think that's 'normal'...but it really isn't...it's artifiscal. |
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Post by X factor on Jun 24, 2013 9:44:31 GMT -5
 My perspective on tent cities might be kind of different than others, based in real life experience, rather than dumbed down politics... There was a tent city erected in the forest in one town I lived in while homeless. It was organized, structured and safe. It was a place where the working class homeless could live, and rebound, and save their money. It was clean, quiet and orderly. I never lived there, cause I was single, and a student at the time...and never really got invited to stay there. If anything I was the 'odd ball'...as I would often get drunk and stand out in front of the entrance and just hoot and holler about all sorts of stuff. I sounded important to myself, but looking back, I'm sure I sounded odd and dumb to them, the residents of that tent city. Anyways...we were all homeless...but they were living in a tent city. I spoke to a few occupants on occasion...and discovered many of the people living there had jobs, were employed, and simply living there to save money. When you live in a tent city, there is no expenses...none...accept food, and or cell phone. I learned living in tent city allowed many of these down trodden to rebound in wonderful ways... For instance...instead of wasting 500-800 on rent, another 150 on utilities, forced lease...that's $700-$900 dollars a month they could save. Many walked or had bikes (this town was small)...so instead of wasting $100 on auto insurance, another $300 of gas a month...they saved. All this saving allowed many in that tent city to see how much money they had wasted in the past on nothing...useless services. And I saw how the tent city living really made much smarter consumers out of it's residents... People begin to realize how much they could live without...how in the 'system', they had simply been reduced to mindless, laborious consumers, who's only purpose in life was to feed the commercial interests of greedy merchants. I can totally relate...cause I often had more money in my pocket at end of week when homeless, than I do when working low wage job. Homeless = broke, change in pocket Low wage job = broke, change in pocket The end result was the same...only had more stress while working, and pretending to get ahead while feeding all the commercial merchants. But as expected, the city merchants started getting upset at the idea of people actually living for free... They didn't want this idea to spread to others...that fact that you don't need 'them'... So they complained to the city...tried to get the tent city broken up, and I thought that was so foul...so so foul. The tent city people petitioned back...and not sure what the outcome was, as I ended moving away. But I was 100% for the right of the tent city people to be able and live and prosper as they saw fit, not how greed, drueling merchants did. If these greedy landlords, and Apartment complexes weren't willing to lower rent so low wage, working class folks could live there...than I was like screw them. These people living in tent city were saving up cash, so that they could eventually buy a car with cash, or buy a house, with large down payment or cash...it was a master plan... They were homeless, but working class, and saving a ton of money, rather than staying impoverished by spending 90% of their checks on mandated, useless services that most or brainwashed into thinking they can't live without. And is why so many can't get ahead, unless they go into debt, charge, get bank loan, where you're just further enslaved...  These people found away around all that poison, enslavement, and the greedy merchants were unhappy with them, did everything to shut the place down, would rather have them corralled into shotty, over priced apartments, where all their meager earnings would be sucked from them and they would forever be 'debt slaves'.... Working just to work, but never getting ahead. In conclusion, my view on homelessness is a bit different than most, I don't see it as a big pitty party 'Oh woh is me' type of ordeal. When I was homeless I saw it as a chance to reinvigorate self, to rediscover what was important and what wasn't...and I was right about a lot that I learned. Cause now that I'm back in the system...I'm no happier, no richer, I'm simply owned by the system...told, made to believe that if 'you just work a little harder' type of lie, that someday your labor will pay off. Not really... I've learned unless you earn money in bulk...like 10's of 1000's in one check, it's hard to get ahead of daily living expenses...so you're basically just treading water the whole time...one or two mishaps away from sinking. Tent cities aren't as bad as you might think...no different than Indians living in TP's... Living in a tent city can really open up your eyes and liberate you to a lot, if you go in with open mind. Society, merchants, do their best to 'shame' people who have to live that way...but I know better. They're free...more free than many living up in roach infested apartments, always broke, never getting ahead paying shotty landlords... And that's just my take on it... |
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Post by X factor on Aug 21, 2013 17:38:20 GMT -5
One never realizes how much luxury the average American lives in, until one becomes homeless... Then you learn quick, there's a million things you can do without, but none the less they're things you take for granted when you have or had them like... 1. A/C... 2. Lighting at night... When you're homeless, particularly if living in vehicle, lighting at night is a no no, stealth is what keeps you safe and alive... 3. A bathroom...  To some one who is homeless...this is like heaven...a whole, complete bathroom where one can clean and relieve self at any time, without having to go in woods, or run into department store or convient store restrooms...expecially should you have to go at 2 am in the morning...  4. Electrical outlet...for recharging your phone, computer, or other electronic devices... 5. Laundry facilities...although there are many folks living in homes and apartments that still utilize public laundry matts... 6. Refrigerator... Not being able to store or keep food items cool is a big adjustment...food spoils fast in the heat...so forces you to only buy what you can consume within hours, or it will spoil...good way to loose weight. And I'll stop there... Just saying...when one is homeless, one realizes there's a ton of stuff most people with shelter take for granted... |
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Post by X factor on Aug 22, 2013 19:17:21 GMT -5
The American Dream vs My Dream... The American dream says I have to be employed, work long hours, buy things, a house, cars, that I can't pay cash for thus get credit from banks and pay off until I'm old and wore out...then enjoy last few years as a sickly person... My dream is to just be left alone, to not have to live under any Government...to just be allowed to live off the land, and roam as I please. I'm tired of playing this game that 'Oh, if you just work a little bit harder, all you dreams will be realized'...hogwash... The average person, wage earner, simply cannot generate enough cash income to get ahead of, stay ahead of bills, and other expenses, medical, breakdowns, repairs, ect. So all most do is work enough to live another week...and this cycle goes on for years... I'm tired of this cycle of pretending that some how it will all pay off in the end...for most it won't. You will die just as broke as you were when you graduated high school...all the money you earned will have been siphoned back into the economy. When I was homeless...I had less, but the way in which I measured the quality of a day was totally different, therefore I was happier. It's hard to explain, other than to compare it to being a dog or cat...a cat you see wondering around at night, or during the day through a field.  In other words, a cat doesn't know whether it's rich or poor...it just lives, exists... As humans, we've all been conditioned to measure our self worth, and future value, on how much money, things, stuff we can accumulate. And the amount of money and stuff, we're told we need, to live 'comfortably' just seems to keep on increasing in size...to the point where it's just out of reach for most. So that many or just working just to work, but aren't really thriving. Where as I would rather live as a bird...free to roam, content with self, content with tomorrow. Cause now, going it mans way...I realize this gulf, is one that can never be filled, ever. Not for the majority of people anyways. And it would be nice if all Governments would just set aside land, like a 'free zone'...where people can just live free...no taxes, no money...just simply live off the land and be free. Work their own land for food, grow food, and work that way...enjoy the fruits of own labor, and be content with one day at a time. Cause to me, this new way of life that all have been sucked into, is really a perversion. It's a perversion of how life was suppose to be experienced...and I'll never be brainwashed to think that it's normal... |
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Post by X factor on Sept 9, 2013 20:46:11 GMT -5
This will not make sense but to a small few...but it's odd as I sit here and contemplate homelessness again, and or 'the systems way'... Homelessness seems more closer to richess and paradise than does 'the system'.... For when you're homeless and let go, you're 'free'...your value, self worth, is no longer measured by salary, or residence or degree or anything... It's hard to convey... But when homeless you're just 'free'...  You realize that you already have everything...even though 'broke' by they worlds standards, you realize you have everything...and haven't lost 'self'.... Hard to convey or explain unless you've lived on the streets... But you realize you can be more happy, live a much more fulfilling life, living homeless, or in RV, than trying to chase after the 'dream' of accumulating enough dough and wealth to satisfy your needs. I work, am employed now, but the value of day to day life has dropped 10 fold. I don't interact with folks like I use to, when on the streets...I don't smell the night sky, see the stars, hear the animals, insects, feel the rain...  Being in the 'system' make you shallow and small...it really does... And you learn to measure your worth, your worth to life and others, through artifiscal means. The modern way really has become a perversion to the way things were meant to be, to the way life was meant to be experienced... |
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Post by X factor on Sept 13, 2013 20:13:56 GMT -5
As a homeless person, one of the most vunerable times is when you sleep at night...
When you sleep on the streets, in a shelter or in a vehicle...you are totally vunerable.
You are basically at the mercy of others around you.
One time I slept in a vehicle I had...down town...and when I awoke, door was wide open.
Someone opened door while I was asleep...
But I wasn't touched or messed with.
Most homeless folks on the streets are so old, or smelly, that no one would mess with them anyways...
But when homeless, young, and attractive to some...
You really have to be careful where you bed down at.
Cause on the streets, there is no doors to close...
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Post by X factor on Sept 14, 2013 14:34:06 GMT -5
 Ever been in a Casino, and watched someone win, say, $100.00...just to put the money back into the slot machine, and loose it all. That slot machine scenario kind of reminds me of life. You get paid, but by the end of month, you've lost it all. At the end of year $20,000 dollars gone...vanished...as if you've never earned it. The system is like the slot machine, you win a bit, when you get paid, but then end up putting it all back into the machine. I struggle sometimes with either wanting to put more money, time and energy into the machine, or just giving it all up and living a much more simpler life, where at least I'm not placing all my coin back into the machine. While in the system, sure you make, earn more...but you also spend, waste more as well. While in the system, or playing the machine, you may go through $4000.00 in a few months, and have nothing to show for it. Money simply put back into the system. But when out of the system, you tend not to spend money that fast on useless items. You don't make as much, but don't spend as much either...so that in the end it comes out to the same. (just accidently erased last paragraph, now gotta remember where I left off) To spend rest of life, pretending, thinking, one can get ahead on wage earning checks seems futile to me at times. Cause no matter what you earn, it just gets gobbled up...the systems designed to do that. Or live poor, and meager, emphasize different aspects of life, living, and possibly get more in return... Unless your bring home at least $5000.00 a month, minimum...it's just hard to get ahead of the financial curb, without going into debt anyways. If you're married, it's different...two spouses earning 5 gran a month could get by pretty good. Just not sure how much long I can continue walking this 'system' treadmill...of effort and little or no results... |
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Post by X factor on Sept 24, 2013 17:35:21 GMT -5
Living in the 'system' really isn't all as cracked up as people claim. Living in the 'system' is great when you have excessive funds. When you're like 5 years ahead of all of your bills, and can kind of live life at leisure. But living in the system, just hussling, and barely making it, can be a drain.  In that sure you work, bring home a check, and have a place, but are still a million dollars away from a million dollars, only now, instead of being homeless and content, your busting your butt daily, and still have nothing. And when I say 'homeless' I don't nessisarily mean sleeping on the curb of a street at night. Here are some different levels of homelessness. 1. Boarding house, where separate rooms within house are rented out to induvisuals. 2. RV...many folks live in their RV full time..and save a ton of dough.  And if RV is paid for, you have the freedom to relocate anywhere...to follow jobs, opportunities wherever they may be...there's a certain liberation that comes from not having to pay rent or mortgage...that means you save, pocket, an extra $600-$1800 dollars a month, that you can instead use to save for retirement or buy land or whatever, But at least you're not just pumping it back into the system. 3. Roommate type of situation. Where you just room with folks while paying your fare share. 4. Tent cities. Many cities have tent cities...and believe it or not they're pretty well organized and safe, and many have patrols. Working class people living in tents...I knew of one such place...and it was safer than many section 8 type housing projects... There is a lot of trust involved in such camps...even though without a home, they're still human, and want and expect dignity, law and order. 5. Homeless shelters...  Homeless shelters are free...and serve pretty good tasting food, much of it donated from local grocery stores. Many abhere to strict rules...you have to wake up at a certain time and be gone during the day...and can come back at night and sleep in the evening. If one has a job, this works well...cause it allows you to work, socialize and save money. Even though you're living at shelter, you're far from broke... You could have $10,000 gran in savings account, while sleeping at shelter...just don't let others know that. And there are other situations that fall under the homeless umbrella. On a side note...I saw this and thought it was neat...it's like a miniature homeless mobile home or cart... This is neat...I'd like to buy one, for real... It could come in handy someday, either that or hire a carpenter to build one custom to my liking. But how convient...like a miniature mobile home for the homeless...or even for the weekend adventure type. It's sturdy, made out of wood, up off the ground (so you don't get wet when it rains) (and so insects and other critters don't crawl on you at night as you sleep)... It's basically like a upscale fort, for adult homeless people... It even has windows...you could watch the sun rise... Park this baby next to a creek that runs through city or town...how neat. You would just have to make sure no one rolled you away at night as you slept... But this is what I'm talking about...there's so many ways to save money for the future other than just pumping it all back into the system, so that all you did all life long was work, just to put 90% or more of your laborious earnings back into the system. By the way, if interested in above portable homeless cart or box or fort...a company by the name of 'Fast company' can, will, make you a home to your suiting...you can find them in this link hereMaybe one day I'll give them a call and have them design me something comfy. To be continued... |
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Post by X factor on Oct 11, 2013 19:14:43 GMT -5
When I was homeless...I didn't have stuff...but I had a purpose.. Now that I have stuff...it's as if I don't have a purpose, other than maintaining the stuff. But the thing is, the gap between really having 'stuff', and being homeless is odd. Having a job, a meager income, place to stay, is all kind of an illusion of 'doing ok'...but you still really have nothing, cause the minute you stop, it's all gone again. It's like constantly having to run on a treadmill, or you fall off...there is no rest.  When your a low wage earner, living check to check, you have to continually run, or fall...there really is no in between...and you have to do this all your life, until finally all resources are gobbled up, or you pass away before hand or during process. All it is is one step or level above being homeless. But when you're homeless...all that stress just goes away...and you relax. I'm not talking mentally ill types you see laying on the streets, or drunkards or druggies... I'm talking people who plan their homelessness, and still live a dignified life. Not saying every moment of homelessness is fun, cause it's not. You're always being bothered, mainly by the police. Everyone always thinks you're trespassing...expecially if in a vehicle parked somewhere sleeping. Being homeless is not for everyone, expecially if you have a family to tend to...then I would definatly not recommend it. I'm just saying though, that looking back, there was some elements to it that were better. You stay sharp, alert, are more in tune with what's going on, hear things better. (you have to, survival depends on it)...see things better, and often times eat better, more efficiently, and thus loose weight. And you're never alone...unless you want to be. There's always someone to talk to, chat with, learn something from. There's many different levels of homeless people....some are drifters, others mentally out of it, some are hippie types just exploring life, others are old, tired, and just out of luck. I think I probably fell more into the younger hippie explorer type. Although when homeless I worked part-time jobs, and was in school for a bit. So I had a purpose. I never begged...and never totally detatched myself from the above world. I just simplified my relationship with it. The nights were beautiful...very...  For it was when everyone cleared out, and went home that you would feel the safest. The closer you were to downtown, the safer it was. Not sure why that is...probably cause no one lives there...nothing but tall, lifeless commercial buildings and alleys, and bridges. Neighborhoods with section 8 housing, or 'the housed', are the most dangerous areas to be around. Anywhere where people are living free, off the Government, is a dangerous area to be, at least in certain cities. But anyhow, not to get side tracked. I find myself looking back at that time more and more. It's not that I want to be homeless again...I just miss the peace I had, not really worrying about much. Walking or riding bike downtown, as if you were the last person on the planet. At times it really does feel that way late at night, downtown...cause everyone clears out, and it's just you and very tall structures...and a few people in the shadows...(I guess they would be the zombies). Morning is the worst time, as sun comes up, and commuters race back into the city. Downtown is no longer yours, parking is no longer free, and it's no longer friendly. So during the day, most homeless dispurse, vanish, work, go to libraries, school ect. Until night settles again...and everyone leaves. Funny how I have a place now, and yet often feel less safe than when I did when homeless. When homeless you're always moving around. You rarely stay in same spot twice. Your survival instincts are heightened. All of it just makes you feel alive. My problem is I just have not fully re-connected with the 'top' world yet. Sometimes I'm just not sure how. |
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Post by X factor on Oct 11, 2013 19:50:22 GMT -5
And believe it or not, homeless shelters, the staff, are very 'distant' to those they serve... The only time they get up close with people is during 'camera moments'...like the holidays, when news teams come down and do reports 'on the homeless'... That's when everyone wants a photo opt next to a homeless person.  And they usually choose one of two types...a female with hobbits, and or some older bearded vet wearing a green army jacket... If you fall outside of that template, you'll be excluded from most photo's. When it comes to the media reporting on the homeless...everything has to be 'standard' and 'normal'...so that the public will accept it, like apple pie and cake or something. But if you're homeless, bright, have an intellect, and possibly even soxy or well kept...you don't count. You're suppose to look run down, be older, or some single mother with hobbits...that's what makes good headline stories. Ok back to staff... Homeless shelters are very competitive, everyone wants to be a hero, staff that is. Staff interacts with you like you're brainless...it's scary...and can be humiliating... That's why at the time, I would of rather died, than be treated like cattle. And so never slept at any center. Ate at one twice, only cause another homeless person invited me in. I just had to much pride, I guess, to subject myself to it. I was homeless, but never lost my pride and will. I would starve, while others ate, I'd be right across the street, could smell the food...but would never go in. I did not ever want to feel like I had been defeated...and needed anyone. Well not 'anyone'...but rather 'assistance'... I wasn't raised on the streets, and I guess wanted to prove I could be down, and then rise up again on my own. And I did. And now I find myself looking back, wanting another challenge. Interesting... |
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Post by X factor on Nov 1, 2013 11:49:31 GMT -5
No one wants to be street side type of homeless... But as I map the rest of my life...it's a joke to think working any wage earning job will ever earn me enough to obtain what's now becoming to many, the 'American impossible'... Banks don't loan unless your scores are perfect, and when they do loan, you're paying them back forever... So it's like you can go to 1 of 2 paths...learn to adjust, own what you have, and find treasures and happiness through none monetary pursuits, or continue down the delusional path of thinking that some how if you just work enough back breaking hours in 10-20 years, that you'll earn enough to own a Mansion... A RV could be a mansion, if you live right...  |
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Post by X factor on Dec 8, 2013 19:48:16 GMT -5
When I was homeless...there were certain things I had to have...now mind you I was lucky enough to be living in a Van at the time... Water...water is the main element that will make your life easier no matter what...a must need kit if homeless in a vehicle... 1. Squirt bottle..  A squirt bottle will be your sink, for all pressurized water needs... 2. Small water tub...  This one is small...but you will need a larger one...these plastic tubs are what allow you to bath feet...when you can bathe no other part of your body...and keeps your feet from smelling...and these tubs have other uses also...believe me...you need them, or one. 3. 1 gallon water jugs...at least 3-4 always filled with water...  Water is life, water is sanitation...and when homeless, living in van or vehicle you learn this quick...as long as you have plenty of water...you will be ok...bath, shower, cleaning, and many other uses...always have plenty of water on hand, and it will make your life much easier... 4. A mirror...  And finally you'll definitely need a mirror... You must always know and be conscious of how you look...that's what seperates the homeless doomed, from the homeless who plan on rising back up...and that's caring about yourself and image. You must always be aware of how you look, and dress in a way that others don't know you're homeless... You should be able to walk into a store and no one can detect you're living in shelter or vehicle or sleeping bag behind a alley...that's important for moral..and again that's what seperates those who have given up, from those who realize they will rise up and out of their situation one day... When you're homeless like that...you dress up nice or decent for yourself...and no one else. Believe me...I know...I was there... I did laundry regularly, and had part time jobs, and at one time was even in school... So it can be done...being homeless doesn't mean you have to turn into a drunken hobo... You can be homeless and still maintain your dignity...although while homeless I did have a bit of fun and probably interacted with folks I normally wouldn't... All I'm saying is it's not as bad as people think it is...you would be surprised how strong you are, adaptive you are, resilient you are, when you have to be...and when you survive, make it, you will have more confidence in yourself to over come other situations... 5. A 5 gallon bucket and plastic bags...  A 5 gallon bucket will come in handy for times you cannot utilize public restroom...and of course plastic bags... This may seem gross to some, but when homeless...it's a nessicity or back up when no other alternative is available...you learn to toughen up when homeless. 6. Flashlight lantern...  And you must have lighting at night...preferably a lantern flashlight combo... But let me tell you something...if in vehicle, or tent or whatever...stealth is your life...the last thing you want is someone knowing you're in your vehicle or illuminate your tent ect. So if you must shine light at night...make sure it's under cover so that others can't see it... Life on the streets after dark, can be treacherous...and your only advantage as a goodwill homeless type is to remain invisible when bedding down...cause sleeping will be your most vunerable time... Remember...on the streets there are no doors...locks...all you have is stealth, luck and smarts...but you learn quick...you're skills sharpen...and the ways of your ancestors quickly come back into you... |
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