Please Try Your Call Again......

It never ceases to amaze me.....the few close friends and associates that "know" of my "situation", know that I have a pre-paid cell phone. It seems at the worst possible moments, that they call, and just want to "yack". I can't blame them tho....they are just worried about me, and sometimes don't hear from me for a while. So they call me up (only 6 minutes pre-paid time left mind you...lol) and want to tell me about how the family is, things going on at the office, the color of the new car I bought, how many sales I made yesterday...etc.

They get a little upset or out of sorts sometimes when I cut the call short. But they fail to remember or realize that I don't have a contract, and can't just talk all day. I'm not a phone person really anyhow. I'm a "functional" phone person....I say what I have to say (i.e. meet me at such-and-such at 5 pm) in 3-4 minutes or less and then I'm done.

But, since the advent of texting, it kind of saves me a little money on airtime, since it only cost a few cents to send one, versus actually using per-minute airtime to talk. It also saves me from my friends that like to go on "tangents" with their conversations. It allows me to tailor, and or control it a little more.....say what I have to say and be done.

I also use the old landline/payphone trick. It saves me a lot of money. Someone calls. I let it roll to voicemail, and then call them back from a payphone. Only 50 cents for the call, and I can "talk" a bit longer if they need to, since the call is paid for already now. Who say's I can't have "unlimited" nights and weekends! LOL

CrackHeads Rule!

Last night I went to what I thought would be a quiet spot to get some sleep. Even though it was chilly outside, I would trade it for a quiet nights sleep for a minute. However, what I found upon arrival at a local area church off 14th street was off the chain. When I climbed the steps, I was greeted by several crackheads, (actually using the pipe when I arrived). They were kind of divided into little "communities" or families if you will. The "lady of the house" that I copped a spot near, greeted me (while hitting her pipe, and searching for the crumbs on the ground) and immediately started to question me. She wanted to know if I had been there before (she did'nt remember me from the last time not so long ago....2 weeks), and immediately wanted to know if I had (lol...get this....a gun). Then she wanted to know if I had any money. After I started to engage her....it "seemed" as though she wanted to talk for a minute. So I did even though I was tired. However, as SOON as she found out I didn't have any money, she immediately said that she didn't want to talk anymore.

I guess what appeared to be her man appeared. He was with her the last time that I came there to get some rest. It was colder though, and they were rapped up in their blankets etc. The only time they saw me, was when "he" got up to take a piss and run the street for a minute. He didn't remember me either though, because the last time that I saw him, he was standing over me "tweaking"! He was really high then, and very erratic in his movements. Everytime he moved, my eyes would open (trying to keep track of him). And it's a good thing that I did, because he would be standing over me each time.

Last night however was different though. He did'nt seem to remember me either though. He asked me if I had been there before, to which I replied yes. He asked me then if I would move around the corner from where they were. I told him no, (because there was ample room for all of us and this was a public place). He started to get nervous, and went over and whispered something to his girl (so much for whispering....cause I heard just about everything). He told his girl that I might be "5-0".......and took her around the corner to the other side of the porch on the church. They disappeared for what seemed an eternity, but was only less than 5 minutes. I sat up immediately not knowing if he was going to come around the corner with a brick or gun or something. When he didn't come back within about 10 minutes, I left and went to find another location I thought would be safer. It was a long night.

Appreciating your input.....assistance

This is a special thanks to those that have posted information & resources that provide for the assistance of homeless individuals. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the concerns of everyday life, that we take for granted things done.

Thanks to the good peep that posted the information about Bread For The City info, and also the good peep that listed this blog with DC Blogs. Thank you.

It comes with much appreciation.

D.

HOMELESSJOBLESSHUNGRYNDC@YAHOO.COM

Stay Encouraged....Be Strong.......Keep Optimism!

I hope that anyone, if anyone, reading this that may be in a similar boat, can stay strong, and encouraged, and realize that hopefully things will not alway be as they are. I work on a daily basis to set small, realistic goals for myself that I know that I can attain. I set them a little on the small side so that they are not over-whelming, and then I get discouraged....and quit.

Like a Gray Mare

The gray hairs are coming out with a ferocity now. I used to be able to keep up with them. Thank goodness for "Just for Men". The guys in the locker room at the gym stare.....but it's a necessary evil that I have to do. After I get my workout, I have to work the gray out!

It only takes me about 10 minutes.......and I feel so much better, and younger after I'm done. It does a lot for my self-esteem.

They're Biting....Not Fish Either!

They were biting last night. Not fish either! I had to sleep outside last night. I slept at a bus stop. The funny thing is, I had to walk a country mile to find one, because many of them were already "occupied". Yea.....the Inn was full!

I finally found one, in an area that i thought was relatively safe. I pulled my hat down (to keep warm, and "hide" my face) and then put my sunglasses on. Yea....I hear a song coming on....."I wear my sunglasses at night"!

They were biting last night....and no, not the fish either. The mosquito's were out in full effect. And boy were they hungry! They ate me alive! I need to get my bottle of alcohol and go from head to toe. I don't know how some of the guy's do it....they lay on the ground, totally oblivious to the mosquito's, bugs that crawl on them, and the.....RAT'S! I guess for some, a mixture of crack and or alcohol will cancel the sense of "feel and touch" out sometimes. I've never been bitten by a rat before.........not on my to do list!

It's All A Blur!

Memorial day weekend has been a "blur". That's not necessarily a bad thing either. I needed a brief escape from the burden I've been carrying as of late. I went to a local bar and I guess the patrons could tell I'd been under some stress and that it looked like I could use some relief. Before I knew it, I had "5" credit shot glasses lined up in front of me. Different patrons had bought me some much needed drinks. Much needed!

Needless to say, I got blitzed this weekend. It's normall not my character to do this. But it happened. I've never been one to get drunk, vomit, puke, and pass the *#@$ out! Just not my style. I did however, just....pass out! (LOL)

My friend "R - " who works for the "F_ _", cam back from a training class he had in North Carolina. He graduates this weekend. I'm so proud of him. He only came back in town for the weekend, and to check on his house, since hes been gone almost the entire month of May. So I crashed with him for the weekend. He had an all night card party with some of his friends. One of them make the best hot dogs! I don't know what she put on them, but they were all of that! Also another friend made cocktails. She put some MOJO on them MOFO'S! (Whoa Nelly!)

I couldn't hang though. I was already blowed from the liquor I had at the bar. I greeted everyone politely, then went upstairs to take a shower, and then retired quietly to my buddy's guest room. Silent departure.

A Rude Awakening!

Last night and the night before, I was awakened at the bus terminal by a uniformed DC police officer letting me and others know, that if you didn't have a ticket to travel, you would have to vacate the premises.

His voice, was heavy and startled me. Having lived in Detroit, Baltimore, NYC, DC and New Jersey, I don't frighten or scare easily. He caught me off guard. But then again, I guess most anything would when you have your eyes closed......right?