Just remember Poco - if it weren't for Sarge the Numpty thread wouldn't exist either. Just sayin'.
Printable View
Just remember Poco - if it weren't for Sarge the Numpty thread wouldn't exist either. Just sayin'.
LOL Yeah I guess you have a point.... I'm just a different kind of Numpty.Quote:
Originally Posted by crashdive123
Great stories. Thanks for sharing that part of your life. I always try to give when someone is in need. It feels good to know that giving to the people who realy need it does make a difference.
Willie
I was pretty wild in my youth. When I was 15 momma told me it was better if I didn't come back home. I came home to get my things and off I went. I was lucky because alot of my friends worked in fast food and brought home what was going to be thrown away. I crashed on couches here and there until I wore out my welcome. The summer wasn't bad at all, the problem was that by fall and winter I ran out of couches. I lived under a bridge for the winter where I could have a fire and stay kind of warm. There was a happy chef restaurant open 24hrs nearby where I could pay $1.00 and drink coffee and stay warm until they told me to leave. Sometimes it was a long time sometimes it was an hour. I can't even start to describe what life was life at this point, i've deleted entire paragraphs several times while typing this post because I just can't post it online. It ain't easy to share things like this. I ended up meeting a kid whose parents let me move in around febuary thank god, I was very sick and I don't think I would have lasted. I had phenomia (sp) and was just in poor shape! They helped me get work and...well.....that was 15 years or so ago.
I post this because alot of kids want to run off and live this way for the excitement.....it is exciting at times but it damn sure ain't the way to go!!!!!!!!!!! Mostly it's just miserable, cold, hungry and just plain lonely!
I live in Texas now but I know I can make it through a Minnesota winter.....mostly.
I have had some very bad times where I lived on the knife's edge but thankfully I've never teetered over that brink into homelessness. But of course with the current economic climate any of us could be on the streets. So although this isn't a story about me, I will say I'm the guy who'll "give you a quarter." A couple years ago I stopped by a Taco Bell on the way home to get some grub for my GF and I. There was a dude sitting out front asking if anyone could help him out with just a taco or something. I tell him I'll be right back, and I order like a half dozen items and large drink for him. I know, lame story on my part but I didn't care about what brought him to that point...I just saw a dude that was hungry and needed a little break. He had a pretty decent looking backpack, so even though he was a bit unkempt his story must have longer than that.
Thing that I regret is that he asked me for a ride to the bus depot. It was five miles the opposite direction and my GF was waiting for dinner. And of course I didn't wanna risk being found by the road side, throat slashed and car stolen. I'm altruistic but not entirely stupid. But I got a good vibe from him and I hope he made it to where he was headed alright.
I sometimes think a true hero is one that knows the difference between altruism and stupidity and acts accordingly. Good post.
My Brother became homeless 2 yrs ago.A combination of economy and marriage breakdown .He was a wreck on a cold January night on our doorstep.A year after coming to us, my Brother got a place to live,after rebuilding his business.He learned to cook(thanks to my lovely Wife)and to shop,and to generally look out for himself.
He is now very prosperous.He contributes to homeless charities.So do I.
Good for you, Paul, for taking him in. We are our brother's keeper. Good for him for working to get his life back in order.
He has helped me since when I lost my job.Family is the strongest force on Earth I think .
And it certainly should be in my book.
For those who would really like more info on the "How" to survive as a homeless person, OR are just interested in these aspects from someone who has been there, Here's something for you. I recently started talking to the owner of this site, and after he learned that I too had once been homeless said he had an excellent article from a guy who was also once homeless. Where mine is a story, this one is a "Text book" or instructional. I have to say that this guy knows his stuff. I DO have permission from the owner of the site(Don) to post a link to this instructional. I must say it is an excellent read on the subject. It seems that the original author has dropped out of sight..... I just pray he's safe.
http://www.donrearic.com/homeless.htm
Thanks for posting this, funny how it all sound so logical when written down.
I have seen this somewhere, and enjoyed it then, enjoyed it bagain.
Book-marked.
Hi i was homeless too it was veryhard at first but got better as you will see ps still miss it in a way it tool a few years to ajust to having a place of my own and being a dad.
see some mad stuff and did some mad things too.
I have sat down and red through this again. I am crying again. Things have gotten tight for Mel and I once again here, but we take one day at a time and keep striving to go forward. Sometimes life has a way of throwing a wrench in your plans and you have to take steps back in order to go forward again.
Thanks to all you have told their stories. I appreciate that a lot.
That is true Nig it was hard to get used to having a roof over my head as well.
To add to my story though, I went into the Army a week after I was married. Mike said that it would be a good way for us to get off the streets. Well things happened and I didn't make it through Boot Camp because of some health problems. I tried to do anything to stay in the Army because I knew what was waiting for me. I didn't get to though
so back to the streets did I go.
It was hard to go back because I felt like a failure to myself and to the ones around me. Even though I am off the streets I feel like I could be back there at anytime and that is why I don't ever forget where I have come from.
To Poco he has been my rock that last couple of years. I can not put into words how he makes me feel. I just want him to know that he is the love of my life and I am thankful that we were brought together.
Good read. Thanks for posting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pocomoonskyeyes3
Equus - We're glad, too. Both of you seem to be made for each other and compliment one another very well. And those two young men are pretty special, too. You two must be a really good influence on them and have mentored them pretty well. They seem to be pretty well behaved and good solid young men. That's the real test for a parent, in my mind. That's also where our success is. It's nice to own "stuff" but when you can look at your best friend and know that's the one love in your life and look at your kids and know that's the most important thing there is then you're pretty danged successful in my book. You have your priorities well established and no matter what else happens, you'll get through it.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
Just trying to help you put it in perspective.
As I often tell friends and family " You don't know how good the good times are till you've had the bad times ". I've been against the ropes so to speak a couple times now . You gotta remember times will change , keep working for the better and it will happen . NEVER GIVE UP !. Great story of perseverance .
Like others have well said thanks (!!) so much for sharing.
I have been gaul-dern-dang close to being homeless a few times, recently in this current economy. While I live near the rural in a suburban area, the few times I had to stop and contemplate and accept what may be coming down the pike. I contemplated wether to be homeless in the city, or in the (deep) forests. It seemed like it would have pro's and cons both ways. In the city there may be mercy from your fellow man and some hand-outs. With it comes harassment, trouble, pestering and danger (and for me, in the city- gloom.)
In the wilderness one could be left alone with the only harassment & trouble being that there's no food in the traps today. you could have a self made warm/ dry shelter a roaring fire plenty of water etc. Danger is there of course, especially if you injure yourself or get sick. There would be isolation & loneliness in the woods (but I'm finally at a grumpy age now to think I'd be good with that.) Or so those are/were my thoughts on the outside looking in.
Those of you that have been homeless did you ever think about dumping the cold grey depressing & dangerous city for the at least "neutral" wilds?
Thanks for your insight and wisdom.
not meaning to sound harsh and only speaking in fact but the 20 year homeless with a crack habbit has got to be the most hard core survivor! specially the one who get clean and homed again.
Or just very lucky.
Wow, inspirational story! Glad that you got back on your feet.
Somewhere in everyone's life, we all got "really lucky". There was probably always a point where it all could have went another way...
Thank you for your story it is very good to see someone that has been there and has come back up from it.
I had a 3+ month brush with homelesstness, but a very different situation fromPaco's.
A divorce was pending, and I was out with no place to go.
Now, I had my truck, motorcycle and some camping gear.
I was slso going through depressiom, and seeing a psychiatrist.
I was camping in a park for about two weeks when I went to see tue Doc. He oíwas delited I was out of the house, but said I was not OK enough to be out therr alone. Within two days, he had me in a group home, where I spent three week. Then I moved to a group home closer to home for two months.
Nobody I knew thought I should stay there, so I made plans to return to AZ.
My disability came through, I camped at my old spot for about a weekv, thrn took off for Az on my motorcycle. I was able to afford to have my truck and some belongings follow.
One of the things that I remember most was how well that the folks I was living with treated this old dog Psych RN. They would gather me up for rec trips downtown, take me to the library and invite me for coffee. Before I left, I.boughyt a bunch of free coffee cards from that place and passed them out to help return their kindness.
And here I am, disabled but able to lead a pretty full life.
I am very greatful for that.
The social/ economic situation we find the country in makes this an especially timely thread....These stories are eye opening....everyone needs a reminder every so often believe it are not we are all living on the edge....we often take for granted just how lucky and blessed we are.....thank God I have never been homeless, I did have a scare a few years back....I can assure you homelessness can happen to any of us a lot faster than most thank.....the IRS can and will put you and your on the street in a heart beat....the stories in this thread I have read seem to be of adults both single and couples....just imagine how it would be if you had a family of young kids..... we are living in dangerous times...it is for sure our kids and grand kids will not have the life we have known......I fear we will soon be seeing a lot more homeless.....
WOW! I'm new to the forum and just read your stories. I must say, you have an amazing story. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Thank you for sharing.
I never let it get that bad for long. 3 weeks, a couple of times, then I got enough work to buy a junk car, and that gave me a place to leave my stuff (relatively safely) and also make money by giving rides to the other day labor workers. If you know what to look for on craigslist, there's always a car that runs, (barely, but that's all you need) for sub $500, it may have a trannie or water pump, rods, valves or timing belt going out. It may need valve and ring job, or brakes and exhaust. It may have lots of rust/broken glass, bad dents. But if you can move it 1/2 mile at a time, twice a day, it can keep you from losing it and give you a "home" out of the weather, theft, etc. A van is best, a station wagon next, a hatchback next, but ifit's just a regular old car, you can remove the rear seat, cut out the "x" of stiffeners back there, put your stuff in the trunk and cover it with thick particle board, plywood, nailed together 1" boards.
Thus, you have a place to put your "sleeping pad" (several layers of old carpet you've found in dumpsters) and slip inside of your "sleeping bag", ( 4 layers of burlap or sheets, etc, sewn together with wadded up newspaper on both side of you) You can cook on the hood or the trunk lid, using a "can candle" made of 1 can inside of another, with multiple wicks (made of mop strings) and the inside can `1/2 full of paraffin. poke holes in bottom and top of outside can, in sides of the wax can (above the top of the wax) and use rocks between their bottoms. A bicycle is nice to have, but if you chain it to the car, it attracts attention to you. So hide it well a 1/2 mile or more away (chained, of course) and don't have more than $20 or so in it. Craigslist is a priceless asset, for backpacks, all sorts of great stuff, at great prices. But you can make a backpack, frame and all, as well as most other "camping" needs.
Many times I have used the restrooms at libraries, etc, to hand wash my clothes, give myself a sponge-bath, etc. You can use a couple of black garbage bags, one inside of the other, to heat water on a sunny day. A vehicle gives you a place to stash a couple of 5 gallon jugs of water, etc. The bicycle lets you get to the churches that serve meals. Some of them, 1x per month, have giveaways of staples/food, too. Keep yourself CLEAN, and make friends with people who work at fast food places! At the right time of day, most of them can/will give you the stuff that's been in the warmer "too long", or has not sold that day (late at night or the next day).
Often, for $30 per month or so,, you can take one class at a jr college, or join a karate school or workout club, etc, and have a place to shower. Sometimes and some places, you can get away with a quick dip in a lake or stream, or at least, haul enough water from such a source to a secluded place for a quick sponge bath. You save yourself a ton of worry, effort, etc, if you've got a lockable, "blends- in" old car. So if you are homeless, sell some blood plasma, "fly a sign" at intersections, do some writing on the Net, oddjobs around town, etc, and get/maintain a car, man.
Yeah, you MIGHT have to get a driver's license, plates/insurance on it, eventually. But if all you drive it is 1/2 mile, 3 minutes at a time, 2x a day ( far enough and around some corners, so that the same people don't see it parked all the time, and report you) you will probably go for a year without having to talk to a cop about such things. And you shouldn't need more than a few months to get a GOOD van, actually, along with those legalities. Then you can go indefinitely without paying rent, utilities, etc. Get careless, loud, snotty, drunk, or high, tho, make a mess, be seen "answering the call", and you'll deserve what happens to you. Keep a wide mouthed jar at hand. Women can use a "lady j" funnel to use the jar. Then just empty it later (discretely) into a storm drain, etc. A "kitty litter" pan and vermiculite can handle other wastes. Bag it and dispose of it properly, just as people do for a large dog. Often times, a constuction site aint far away, with its porty-pottie. Use your head, and don't be lazy.
You're condoning driving without a drivers license, plates or insurance? There's nothing like putting my life and property at risk as long as it's a benefit to you. If you can't afford a drivers license or plates or insurance on a car then you have no business driving one. You can use your two good feet, a bicycle or public transportation until you can do it the right way. The last thing I want or need is some uninsured moron running into me causing me suffering and out of pocket expenses and driving up my insurance rates while the rest of us try to do it the right way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Senna
I'd REALLY to meet you one day soon, you ****ing Nazi piece of ****.
That was your 3rd and final warning, Bill.
I had to do some quick research to see why everyone's favorite guy got banned...
/headsmack Now I know. Good riddance.
Eh, words don't bother me much. Words have no power unless you give them power and in this case I don't even give them much time let alone power. I warned him twice about attacking members but threats just aren't tolerated.
That fella sure put a lot of bait on his hook.
At the rate he was posting this morning I figured he'd reach 100 posts before the Big Stick came out. ;)
Dang see what happens when i sleep in!!
HMMM i thought I did a multi quote .. oh well!
Some times its fun to feed a troll, this one however was not entertaining.Quote:
Originally Posted by pete lynch
I go away for a couple of days and you guys open the door and let the trash in. Glad to see somebody took it out before I got back.
You know me. I'm just a big pussy cat. I can't say no so I let anyone and everyone in the door and even let them hang around well after the lights should have been turned out on 'em. I sure wish the forum didn't post all those *****. I'd really like to know what I'm supposed to be.
I have a list of possibles, want I should send it to ya. :smartass:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick