Well, it seems “The Homeless Guy” is once again pushing his “gift bags” for the homeless idea. Anybody who has ever been homeless realizes that is full of shit. A grumpy old gruffy homeless guy doesn’t want some patronizing paper bag with candy and a pair of nail clippers. Fuck that shit. That is for the Christian do-gooders to make themselves feel like they have done something good for a change. I have a good feeling this is leading up to Christmas begging season for the guy. A Christmas begging wish list will soon follow. He will most likely start up a whole new blog devoted to it.
When I was homeless, I would love nothing more than beer, cigarettes, and burgers. You would have made my life much simpler to give me a twelve pack of beer, a pack of Marlboro’s, and a bag of cheeseburgers. Fuck cutting my toenails or sucking on gummy bears. At the time, I didn’t even give a shit about brushing my hair let alone clipping my nails and candy doesn’t give you a buzz.
The sad thing is a bunch of busy bodies will read his blog and go make the damn things and pass them out to bewildered homeless people making themselves feel good in the process. That guy is such a tool and such a shyster. I still have a hard time believing he is homeless from the way he talks and writes.
9 comments:
I would never buy you cigarettes burgers or beer to live your lifestyle being homeless. I feel that would be wrong.
Hey, I was just being honest about what I wanted when I was homeless. At least, I am not bullshitting you. For God's sake don't give me any fucked up bags of candy, nail clippers, or assorted bullshit either.
Anonymous:
Why would you *NOT* want to provide the items that would make the homeless individuals day a bit brighter? Is it because you disagree with his lifestyle? Is it because you want to only feel helpful in ways YOU think are appropriate? Is it because you don't really care all that much about the homeless person and instead want to only make *YOURSELF* feel good and martyr-like?
I think Andrew is exactly correct... if we are going to help the homeless, we should try to help them with their day-to-day issues and needs, not try to lay our own philosophical construct upon them of right and wrong.
PipeTobacco
http://frumpyprofessor.blogspot.com
I couldn't agree with you more Andrew. When I lived on the streets, my focus was only on having my cigarettes and drink. I don't even remember eating. If someone showed up with nail clippers there is a good chance that they would have them shoved up somewhere dark.
The only things I was given that I appreciated was a booklet of McDonalds free hamburger coupons. I proceeded to my local 7-11 and traded them with the clerk for a 12 pack and 2 packs of smokes.
Have you also noticed that "The Homeless Guy" stopped allowing for comments on his site. Maybe he got called out too often and got tired of trying to explain himself. I don't think he is truly homeless. His writing does not seem to have that edge to it that you find with most homeless people. He just doesn't seem bitter enough. I don't know. Oh well.
Thank you for that post Andrew. You know that I'm having my writings published and one, maybe two films in the works. I had the opportunity to go downtown last week to where I used to work with the homeless. It was pouring rain and not many were out and about. We are scouting locations and I'm to be 'on set', so I'm hoping to catch up with some of those folks then.
Again, thank you for putting out a truth and reality to the overall issues of homelessness and to calling out those who attempt to capitalize for personal gain (is that an oxymoron?).
Congrats, too, on your life these days :) I think I like Carolyn :)
Di
There was a guy who lived outside the carry out place across from my old job. Everyone called him Steve. I used to get turkey sandwiches for my lunch time meals and I always gave him half because they were too big for me. I would also give him coffee's in the winter. I worked at 2 hotels in the 4 corner intersection and almost ever employee who got food from this place did something for him. I would give him 5 or ten bucks when I could spare it.
I did do it because it made me feel good, but in the sense that the poor guy was eating or had some money in his pocket for whatever. I have had people do things for me, so, in my mind I was passing on the kindness.
He was nice. He didn't talk, except to say Thank You. He would sometimes just sit there listening to his headphones. He was a welcomed part of my work day, even though I always wished he wasn't homeless.
There was even a front cover news article about him in the City Paper. It was rumored that he lived on that corner because of the firehouse across the street. He'd been a firemen and was trying to save some kids, but couldn't save all of them. It got to him too bad. This was just a rumored story included in the article.
The food place let him come in and use the bathroom. They never once (that I know of) reported him for loitering or anything. I saw him buying food sometimes too. He never bothered anyone. I always smiled and said Hi, and he would just kind of nod a little in acknowledgment.
I just wanted to share that story. Reading this post brought up the memories. I think of him from time to time wondering what ever became of him.
2 things I forgot to mention. I saved the City Paper that featured his picture and story. I come across it from time to time. I worked at that job for a long time and he was part of my routine.
Also, I don't think he drank. I never smelled alcohol on him, or ever saw him drinking any. (although I know he could have drank out of many things other then the bottle itself) Now I'm very curious as to if he did drink alcohol or not, because I know that not every homeless person drinks or does drugs.
I'm not homeless and beer, cigarettes and cheesburgers sound good to me. So why wouldn't it be ok for a homeless person?
Unfortunately the Homeless guy thinks he is the single voice of homelessness and if he blogs it, it must be the correct point of view. The problem with listening to a guy like “The Homeless Guy” is that his whole identity; his sense of self worth is wrapped up in being without a home and then talking about it. Anyone who had read his blog for any length of time can see he sabotages himself every time he gets close to finding something
Permanent in his life. Hey “homeless guy” we get it, Homelessness = cold, hungry, and tired this is his mantra and it’s getting old and.
Exterra
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