It’s been three weeks since I wrote the blog entry, Life in the Homeless Shelter.
I think you deserve an update on what’s been happening.
Dan the Canadian world traveler is still working at the grocery store. He enjoys his job because he has a chance to schmooze with the ladies.
I have mentioned to Dan several times that he should start a blog. The content coming out of his mouth, if put on the net, would probably make him some money someday. He’s been all over and knows music inside and out. He reads constantly about the musicians he loves and can always relate a good story.
Dan got on the web the other day for the first time with some help from his friend (me) to look up a picture of a bike he has in storage in California. It’s a 1986 Ducati F1 (click on the thumbnail for a full view).
I really like Dan. He’s a good guy. He harbors some negativity though. I think it might be frustrating to him that a guy of his intelligence and experience is in our situation. Again, I’m hoping that I can get him into sharing his experience and knowledge with the world (and making a good living at it).
George Fast Hands is also still working at the grocery store in the meat department.
In case you haven’t noticed, the first of the month is the busiest time for grocery stores in states with “food stamp” programs because the client EBT cards receive their credits on the 1st of the month. At midnight, a run on the store begins and it doesn’t end for several days.
Apparently the meat department has to constantly be replenishing its shelves during this period. It makes a huge mess and someone has to clean it up. George hasn’t been getting back to the shelter until long after I’ve gone to sleep. In the mornings, I have frequently found him sleeping in the recliner in front of the TV.
George likes to make gross jokes. He is in love with Jenna Jameson.
Yippy and Lana moved out of the shelter not long after I wrote the last installment. Lana was on the public housing list for a two bedroom home somewhere here in town. Her number came up just in time for the baby. I saw them at the library last weekend and they seem to be doing okay. The baby is still on board Lana. She’s due at the end of this month.
Craig got into a scuffle with the shelter manager and ended up getting kicked out.
The manager was dealing with an unruly guy who was just visiting the property. Apparently the guy grabbed the manager and the manager started to slip off the curb and pulled his arm away from the guy and elbowed Craig in the mouth. Craig hauled off and hit the manager in the mouth. Words were exchanged.
I was sitting in #3’s car at the time and only saw it out of the corner of my eye. The description I gave is from what the manager told me.
Craig has been up to eat a couple of times. He seems to be doing okay.
Prince Charles is living with another guy a couple of blocks from the shelter. He’s doing odd jobs. He seems a little down when I see him. The guy he’s living with seems to be quite the upstanding young dude. He’s driven, for sure. They’re both trying to get training and licenses in complimentary trades. One is trying to be an electrician and the other a heating and air guy. They’re talking about starting their own company. They’re right about one thing: If you really want to make enough money to be independent, then you need to own the show.
Ron was also living with Prince Charles and the other guy, but he started to drink a lot and became erratic. Then he hooked up with a woman and disappeared. They don’t talk about him anymore and I haven’t asked. The guy they were living with said he felt like he had been taken advantage of and I responded that it was very nice of him to try to help Ron.
Bob is feeling okay, but he still doesn’t have a job. He said he’s always been a hard worker and this sitting around is starting to settle in. He’s afraid he’s not going to want to get back to working after a while.
Well, Yankee is excited that the Yankees won the Series. Matsui is his favorite player and was named the MVP, batting like .800. We didn’t hear the end of it for several days. Yankee has a Yankees jersey with the championship patch which he had steam cleaned to prepare for a World Series patch.
Yankee has a number of women tattooed on his left leg. They’re wearing bikinis and striking curvy poses (as women sometimes do). He is now having the space around the ladies filled in with black ink. He said that hurts. It’s about 1/3 done.
Butch is gone, but I don’t know where he went, for sure. Police and warrants have been mentioned, but I don’t know what’s true.
Frank was calling his wife every night saying that he loved them and wanted to get back with them. Then he left for Virginia with a couple of other homeless people. He’s gone.
Micro-K is now living with a guy who is like 15 years older and addicted to all sorts of drugs. I suspect that’s why she likes him. She comes by the shelter for dinner frequently and she’s always in a good mood. I worry that she’s getting mixed up with a bad crowd, but she’s got to live her life.
Micro-K’s ex-girlfriend, Rachel, now lives in the shelter. That little woman is very cool. She makes every little movement, like looking around a corner, or pulling rolls off a tray, a production – lots of comic relief. She said the sweetest prayer last night. If I could help her, I’d adopt her.
Brent is the shelter manager. He’s been the manager for 3 years. He’s a very young 52 (Dan and George are also 52).
Brent is a devout Christian, but he’s pretty new to the game. He spent a lot of his adult life addicted to drugs. Eventually, he started coming to the Salvation Army for dinner. Then he started volunteering. Along the way he found Jesus and was literally saved (on Earth as it is in Heaven).
Brent has exactly the right temperament for his job. He’s nice to everyone, but he’s firm about the rules. He praises God for his fortune, but he doesn’t force Jesus on residents. He does exactly what the Salvation Army espouses: Show the love of Jesus through your actions with a servant’s heart.
Slim was staying at the shelter when I wrote the last article, but I didn’t mention him. Slim is a very tall, very quiet guy, who plays the guitar. But, his quietness hides anger. Sometimes he flips out when he doesn’t think anyone is listening. I heard him cussing at himself several times. He was brutal.
I also heard Slim cussing at Brent after Brent had to ask him to leave. Brent also asked his new girlfriend to leave.
The shelter has a strict no fraternization policy. Of course, it’s a Christian organization, so they’re not really into playing the dating game. Plus, it’s just a good policy to get yourself back on your feet before you start a new romance.
Beth, Slim’s girlfriend, was only in the shelter a few days. She came in sick as a dog. I think she was in the middle of withdrawals, but I understand she was in the hospital with lots of serious problems. The hospital stabilized her, but kicked her out (cab to the homeless shelter) even though she was miserable.
The problem with the shelter is that they are not a day shelter. Even though Beth was ill, she had to go outside during the day. Slim pushed her oxygen machine around and kept her company.
At the library, I heard Beth say that she needed a mirror. Slim said he had one in his bag (he carried a big bag everywhere he went). She laughed and called it his magic bag, then asked if he had any condoms.
There are more people to talk about, but I want to go ahead and get this posted.
Take care of yourself.
Remember, if you don’t have at least two months of living expenses in the bank, then you’re risking too much. Homelessness happens.
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