I live in the Home of the Homeless. By and large, they're harmless, maybe hitting up the tourists for change. My observation is that most are victims of mental illness and/or substance abuse. Cops don't usually bother them unless they're causing a disturbance or just acting wacko. City and various church groups offer shelter and self help programs, but with strings attached, mainly attracting the real down on their luck cases, folks living hand to mouth who've lost jobs, etc. Being a homeless-friendly town, it seems the terminally homeless would rather keep their independence. I can certainly understand that.
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Homeless man's walking staff
- Thread starter Loosearrow
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Don't know where I'd be without my wife as well. She's been a good friend and let's me keep lots of gear. I have a tendency to buy coats and camping gear. I finally understand why. Although not living on the street, I was moved around alot and ended up in an orphanage my senior year. It's a pack mentality in there. I'm somewhat of a loner. Quit highschool and went into the Marines. Best move I ever made. I think I wanted to know that no matter what happens, I can take my gear and live fairly comfortable. Could be why I enjoy this forum so much. I adopted my grandchildren. I didn't want them to go through the same thing. I buy gear for them as well. including gear for the wife. She gets the Tipi. Ha
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Other than the drug/alcohol abusers that are homeless or some of those with severe mental illness, I've often wondered if the homeless such as the gentleman you met embody the spirit of our past "mountain men"? Those men were loners, survived harsh conditions and were considered a little "odd" from the more civilized. In today's society anything not considered normal is tagged as some type of mental illness. I'm sure there is something to it, but not in the way they've been labeled.
Glad you made contact. I've ran into fellow vets under similar conditions and none of them wanted money but i could see their desire for camaraderie when they find a fellow vet. These individuals are the hardy survivors if something truly catastrophic happened, I doubt 90% of the population could survive under the conditions these guys face especially during the winter months.
ROCK6
Glad you made contact. I've ran into fellow vets under similar conditions and none of them wanted money but i could see their desire for camaraderie when they find a fellow vet. These individuals are the hardy survivors if something truly catastrophic happened, I doubt 90% of the population could survive under the conditions these guys face especially during the winter months.
ROCK6
We have a very large amount of homeless here in Washington D.C., and they are some of the best survival people around. They use newspaers and cardboard from boxes as insulation in makeshift shelters in secluded areas of parks and woods. Last winter, people around the National Zoo on Conneticutt avenue kept smelling woodsmoke. The cops kept looking for a brush fire in Rock Creek park, but couldn't find one. Only smelled the smoke when the wind was from that direction. Peoplle kept calling in a possable fire for a couple months. Cops wpuld go look, but found no fire.
Finally a hiker in the park reported seeing a homeless man going into a hole in the ground on the side of a hill in a heavily wooded section of the park in back of the zoo. Cops got there and found the guy had taken an entreaching tool, and tunneled into the side of a hill and inulated it with cardbard from broken down boxes and newpapers. Made a little chimminy out of some PVC pipe he'd scavened and had a little stove made from a large coffee can. Had a little sleeping chamber big enough to sit up in and cook a meal on the stove. All underground.
The spokesman for the park police said it was a warm enough shelter that one could peel off outer layers of clothing. The guy was taken to the V.A. because he was a vet who had been undergoing treatment for severe depression.
He'd been living in his underground shelter for a couple of months, warm and dry during some very bad weather.
Finally a hiker in the park reported seeing a homeless man going into a hole in the ground on the side of a hill in a heavily wooded section of the park in back of the zoo. Cops got there and found the guy had taken an entreaching tool, and tunneled into the side of a hill and inulated it with cardbard from broken down boxes and newpapers. Made a little chimminy out of some PVC pipe he'd scavened and had a little stove made from a large coffee can. Had a little sleeping chamber big enough to sit up in and cook a meal on the stove. All underground.
The spokesman for the park police said it was a warm enough shelter that one could peel off outer layers of clothing. The guy was taken to the V.A. because he was a vet who had been undergoing treatment for severe depression.
He'd been living in his underground shelter for a couple of months, warm and dry during some very bad weather.
I usually don't mind helping somebody out but one time I was leaving a restaurant in NYC and a homeless person asked me if they had any change. I handed him a five, the only bill I had left after buying dinner, wished him good luck and continued walking. He then asked for more money, stating "Only $5?". I wanted to take it back from him. I understand he is going through a hard time but its a hard time for everyone and he should be grateful I gave him money at all.
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My first Christmas away from home was spent with me wandering around downtown Seattle, feeling sorry for myself. I was employed, safe, healthy and had a great place to live. I went into a Denny's and ate at the counter next to a man with a helluva story and an appreciation for life that I didn't yet realize. I offered to pay for his meal and he agreed, as long as I agreed to let him pay for the coffee. I had a nice meal and learned alot.
Her are a few little known facts about homelessness.
50+% of the population is only 2 paychecks away from homelessness at any time.
Only 25%-30% of the homeless are the visible homeless. Many more who classify as chronicaly homeless are invisible. Living either by couch surfing, living in vehicles etc. Or they just take much greater pains to hide their homeless condition.
The homeless are also the most stereotyped, and victimized segment of the population. As well as the least protected by the courts and police.
A person who has been homeless for over 6 months is considered to have only a 5% chance at best of reentering society.
While billions are spent annually to alleviate the problem and help the homless. lESS THAN 5% OF SAID MONIES ACTUALY MAKE IT OUT OF THE NON PROFITS AND INTO ACTUAL AID TO THOSE IN NEED.
50+% of the population is only 2 paychecks away from homelessness at any time.
Only 25%-30% of the homeless are the visible homeless. Many more who classify as chronicaly homeless are invisible. Living either by couch surfing, living in vehicles etc. Or they just take much greater pains to hide their homeless condition.
The homeless are also the most stereotyped, and victimized segment of the population. As well as the least protected by the courts and police.
A person who has been homeless for over 6 months is considered to have only a 5% chance at best of reentering society.
While billions are spent annually to alleviate the problem and help the homless. lESS THAN 5% OF SAID MONIES ACTUALY MAKE IT OUT OF THE NON PROFITS AND INTO ACTUAL AID TO THOSE IN NEED.
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One more set of reasons to like you besides what you normally post which is generally excellent observations.
Yes, some people refer to it as, "tough love." I call it sadism. There must be order in such a place and for that to be a reality, there must be rules and they must be enforced. For many people doing that job, they seem to take a perverse glee in what they do and the power they wield.
Schadenfreude.
Loosearrow, that is a neat story, If you every get up this way and can bring him a long do so and we will head to the timber to cook up some food and then sit and chat by the fire
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Semper Fi Devil dog,
Wild Mike that is some interesting info you posted.
I know some of the homless I have chatted with just had some economy problems and some just plain are addicted to drugs or to drinking or both and that is all they live for, add to that some type of mental illness and wow you have a lot against you already.
Thanks for sharing your story Loosearrow, and the comments from the rest of ya.
Bryan
. Semper Fi Devil dog,
Wild Mike that is some interesting info you posted.
I know some of the homless I have chatted with just had some economy problems and some just plain are addicted to drugs or to drinking or both and that is all they live for, add to that some type of mental illness and wow you have a lot against you already.
Thanks for sharing your story Loosearrow, and the comments from the rest of ya.
Bryan
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Indeed it is. Made my day a little better knowing that people do still care about their fellow man. :thumbup: Merry Christmas everybody.
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Appreciate the invite. Should I ever see him again, I'm sure we will smile at each other, exchange some quality time, and walk away smiling.Loosearrow, that is a neat story, If you every get up this way and can bring him a long do so and we will head to the timber to cook up some food and then sit and chat by the fire
Semper Fi Devil dog,
Wild Mike that is some interesting info you posted.
I know some of the homless I have chatted with just had some economy problems and some just plain are addicted to drugs or to drinking or both and that is all they live for, add to that some type of mental illness and wow you have a lot against you already.
Thanks for sharing your story Loosearrow, and the comments from the rest of ya.
Bryan
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Great story, and it does suck that so little is thought of our vets or that alot end up on the streets...when I was bouncing night clubs there was a homeless dude (little rough round the collar but a good guy, never intoxicated) i used to let in the back to clean up on weekends in the staff bathroom, when i finally got caught by the club manager i was fired and yelled at for common decency...I didnt feel too bad about losing my job since theirs no shortage of nightclub work for someone like me, I know i'll never end up being as big a sack of shit as the boss that fired me.
When I wound up homeless it was quite an emotional shock. Even while I was walking down the road in shock my training kicked in. Without realizing it I started noticing items and materials that I would need for a shelter, a bottle for water etc. This was all scavenged as I headed to the river which was the closest area to camp out. Once down to a safe area I sat down and did a survival inventory. It all started from there.
For me the succeeding years were difficult but not a big deal. More like a camping trip without an end date in site. The mental aspects of long term homelessness are far worse however. We all grow up desiring to be a part of society, family, church etc. When suddenly displaced and disenfranchised it takes a toll. Keeping ones head through all that is tough. I think I only did so well by being very involved in helping others rather than concentrating on my situation.
It probably served to intensify my obsession with survival gear and skills as well.
For me the succeeding years were difficult but not a big deal. More like a camping trip without an end date in site. The mental aspects of long term homelessness are far worse however. We all grow up desiring to be a part of society, family, church etc. When suddenly displaced and disenfranchised it takes a toll. Keeping ones head through all that is tough. I think I only did so well by being very involved in helping others rather than concentrating on my situation.
It probably served to intensify my obsession with survival gear and skills as well.
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