The street term for "spare changing" (aka panhandling) is "spanging" (pronounced spayn•jeen). Yesterday, a group of homeless kids were doing so while sitting together on a sidewalk in the biz district. A couple of cleancut people, maybe college-aged, showed up nearby, clutching notebooks/literature for "Environment America" -- a nonprofit purposed with environmental issues.
It's common to see college-kids on the streets pitching various organizations, often getting paid to do so, as they sell memberships and/or just collect donations. This is a form of paid spanging, really -- if organizational instead of just private and personal. But they get their $ out of approaching strangers and asking for money, so what's really so different to that extent?
These two were doing so in close proximity to the street kids also doing their version. The street kids asked the two if they could go down the block a ways, since it's something of a tacit custom for spangers to not position too closely... as it competes too much for each individual going by. As the kids explained it, too, once a person says "no" then that's still in their mind and is their mode if someone else immediately appeals to them again.
Of course all this was likely pretty alien to the two well-meaning two soliciters, and they seemed taken aback by the kids' contact and request. But they also resisted cooperating at all. So the kids were becoming a bit frustrated and annoyed, although far from anything too overbearing. But they persisted in trying to persuade the two, since this was a location outside a popular cafe and a fairly promising spanging spot.
One of the two "canvassers" took out their cell phone and punched three numbers, and holding it their ear. Everyone noticing assumed they'd called "911" -- the police. At that, the kids got more visibly miffed, expressing their resentment, and departed down the block rather than have further confrontation or trouble. Yet, another person, a bit older, encountered them getting the story of what had just happened, and then approached the two contenders himself. He very reasonably tried to explain the situation and dynamics to the two, although they were still being uptight. He persisted, appealing to them as just persons and advocating cooperation, allowance toward the kids and their plight, etc. and disapproving of calls to police or any perceived need to.
The one with the phone had apparently cancelled the call when the kids took off, but then said that he'd been calling his supervisor, not the police. And he relaxed his stance somewhat. His companion then quietly, briefly discussed the matter with him and they both moved to the other side of the street, in front of a bookstore.
This was an interesting intersection of factors and dynamics.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Those Pesky Noisy Neighbors
We all probably have had them. But, when homeless, there are some unique aspects to the annoyance.
Lately, I'm "curb camping". See the Blog Entry below for a brief description. This isn't in a "skid row" type area, but a residential street with apartment buildings, university student housing, etc.
But at night, and late into the night, there's a LOT of "partying" going on. And inebriation. And both on the street and indoors.
There's been a growing number of homeless "curb campers" too. Last night, folks were bedded out head-to-head, head-to-foot and foot-to-foot from the corner where the street "T's" into the cross street to about 300 feet down the block. I took the "last" position away from the intersection.
I don't generally even "turn in" until midnite or later, in part due to the amount of activity and noise going on. But even then, there's often a considerable amount of people out, about, and in and ... noisy. Often real noisy.
Being "out there" the other, typical loud parties and boisterous small groups coming and going means that some number of these are also passing right by... within a foot or two of where I'm trying to sleep. Or pulling up in cars, right next to me. The experience is really difficult to properly convey, without actually being there.
And, yes, there are others "out there" that are wildly inebriated, or just psychotically ranting, raving and sometimes fighting or some other, unknown clattering, banging and whatnot.
I typically am running with an accumulating sleep deprivation, which sooner or later simply forces some daytime napping - wasting yet more precious potentially productive time, if not just the fatigue hampering everything. That is, IF I can find anywhere I'm both allowed to do rest or sleep... and that isn't too noisy.
Lately, I'm "curb camping". See the Blog Entry below for a brief description. This isn't in a "skid row" type area, but a residential street with apartment buildings, university student housing, etc.
But at night, and late into the night, there's a LOT of "partying" going on. And inebriation. And both on the street and indoors.
There's been a growing number of homeless "curb campers" too. Last night, folks were bedded out head-to-head, head-to-foot and foot-to-foot from the corner where the street "T's" into the cross street to about 300 feet down the block. I took the "last" position away from the intersection.
I don't generally even "turn in" until midnite or later, in part due to the amount of activity and noise going on. But even then, there's often a considerable amount of people out, about, and in and ... noisy. Often real noisy.
Being "out there" the other, typical loud parties and boisterous small groups coming and going means that some number of these are also passing right by... within a foot or two of where I'm trying to sleep. Or pulling up in cars, right next to me. The experience is really difficult to properly convey, without actually being there.
And, yes, there are others "out there" that are wildly inebriated, or just psychotically ranting, raving and sometimes fighting or some other, unknown clattering, banging and whatnot.
I typically am running with an accumulating sleep deprivation, which sooner or later simply forces some daytime napping - wasting yet more precious potentially productive time, if not just the fatigue hampering everything. That is, IF I can find anywhere I'm both allowed to do rest or sleep... and that isn't too noisy.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Be Careful Out There
Those of us that prefer to be "on the streets" rather than in the "shelters" tend to strike alliances, for mutual benefit. Just so, last night, three of us "curb camped" in a frequent spot. There's a number of people doing so, along a stretch of street that's residential on the other side and we're all outside a large church property, but only allowed right along the curbside of the wide sidewalk.
So two of us, or three like last night, will set up head-to-head or toe-to-toe to provide some kind of "support". Even so, this morning it was discovered that one of us had had the seat to their bicycle stolen and their rear wheel's quick release and spindle taken. We'd just discussed this the other day, when I'd given him a replacement seat for his old worn out one, and I'd explained why I don't even use those quick-release mechanisms for my bicycle seat anymore. Our other companion does have a quick-release seat post, but actually removes the seat and post and tucks it down in the foot of his sleeping bag.
These vermin that prey upon and steal from folks that are "out here" and have so little are among the lowest of the low. What's worse is that there's a good chance that we "know" who did it... if not personally, we've probably seen them around. Because anyone in that area most likely isn't some random newcomer that both just happened by in the middle of the night and would have the moxy to risk that theft.
This illustrates one of the more basic dynamics of the predicament being homeless and outdoors: there are those that will help and ally with you to important mutual benefits and advantages; and there are those that will do you seriously wrong. Of course, this is true in most all strata in this life. But the precariousness of a destitution on the streets really forces the issues. A bike without a seat and rear wheel spindle can't be ridden.
And it's his second day working at a new job. So he has to get to work another way, meaning leaving his bike behind, either to be watched by others (that may not be able to take it with them or stick around) and that he can't get to a bike shop to buy used replacement components because he'll be working. And that's if he even happens to have enough cash in his pocket for just such an otherwise modest expense.
Even some of the smallest of matters become truly major matters when in this circumstance.
So two of us, or three like last night, will set up head-to-head or toe-to-toe to provide some kind of "support". Even so, this morning it was discovered that one of us had had the seat to their bicycle stolen and their rear wheel's quick release and spindle taken. We'd just discussed this the other day, when I'd given him a replacement seat for his old worn out one, and I'd explained why I don't even use those quick-release mechanisms for my bicycle seat anymore. Our other companion does have a quick-release seat post, but actually removes the seat and post and tucks it down in the foot of his sleeping bag.
These vermin that prey upon and steal from folks that are "out here" and have so little are among the lowest of the low. What's worse is that there's a good chance that we "know" who did it... if not personally, we've probably seen them around. Because anyone in that area most likely isn't some random newcomer that both just happened by in the middle of the night and would have the moxy to risk that theft.
This illustrates one of the more basic dynamics of the predicament being homeless and outdoors: there are those that will help and ally with you to important mutual benefits and advantages; and there are those that will do you seriously wrong. Of course, this is true in most all strata in this life. But the precariousness of a destitution on the streets really forces the issues. A bike without a seat and rear wheel spindle can't be ridden.
And it's his second day working at a new job. So he has to get to work another way, meaning leaving his bike behind, either to be watched by others (that may not be able to take it with them or stick around) and that he can't get to a bike shop to buy used replacement components because he'll be working. And that's if he even happens to have enough cash in his pocket for just such an otherwise modest expense.
Even some of the smallest of matters become truly major matters when in this circumstance.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Bus-ted
My friend "Typhoon" had been living in his bus for a couple of years now. It's one of those smaller ones, just larger than a typical "van". It finally got towed a few days ago, because he'd fallen behind on registration fees. This is a major disaster for many that are living in their vehicles.
He also had a temporary guest staying with him, who arrived there while the towing was underway. She's got a terminal illness and they wouldn't even allow her entry to retrieve her medications -- because she isn't the owner. So they took the vehicle and everything in it.
Often, or usually, this means that the owner is going to just lose their vehicle/home, since the fees and fines for the towing and the additional daily ransom charges are more than a person can muster right away. If they'd had the cash, they could've paid the registration and avoided the seizure in the first place. So the vehicle is heading for the auction and the tow lot will get the proceeds, paying themselves for having gone and gotten it.
Meanwhile, the clock's also ticking on how long is allowed for a person to go retrieve whatever belongings were inside. That is, whatever might be left, since theft is common. Who has a documented inventory of everything to prove what was there? And, of course, there's a fee and a cumbersome process to get an official access permit. Each time.
I've managed to keep a commercial storage unit for some of my own belongings, in all this time. Often, just barely, which is a precarious monthly challenge of raising enough funds to meet that rent to keep virtually all I own from getting seized and sold off there. So I pay a couple of hundred monthly so that my stuff is safely indoors, even with heat/air conditioning, while I sleep outdoors.
I juggled things and made some space and Typhoon borrowed a pickup truck, did the drill and brought some of his things over there, where we've stashed it all, for now. My storage rent day is directly ahead and I've managed to rustle it up, once more, which will leave me with precious few dollars in the pocket.
Just days before Typhoon's bus got taken, he'd been notified that he has been successfully qualified and will be receiving monthly benefit payments, which are to commence in about two weeks. He'll be able to get another vehicle so just has to "rough it" until then.
I don't receive any such benefits or payments.
He also had a temporary guest staying with him, who arrived there while the towing was underway. She's got a terminal illness and they wouldn't even allow her entry to retrieve her medications -- because she isn't the owner. So they took the vehicle and everything in it.
Often, or usually, this means that the owner is going to just lose their vehicle/home, since the fees and fines for the towing and the additional daily ransom charges are more than a person can muster right away. If they'd had the cash, they could've paid the registration and avoided the seizure in the first place. So the vehicle is heading for the auction and the tow lot will get the proceeds, paying themselves for having gone and gotten it.
Meanwhile, the clock's also ticking on how long is allowed for a person to go retrieve whatever belongings were inside. That is, whatever might be left, since theft is common. Who has a documented inventory of everything to prove what was there? And, of course, there's a fee and a cumbersome process to get an official access permit. Each time.
I've managed to keep a commercial storage unit for some of my own belongings, in all this time. Often, just barely, which is a precarious monthly challenge of raising enough funds to meet that rent to keep virtually all I own from getting seized and sold off there. So I pay a couple of hundred monthly so that my stuff is safely indoors, even with heat/air conditioning, while I sleep outdoors.
I juggled things and made some space and Typhoon borrowed a pickup truck, did the drill and brought some of his things over there, where we've stashed it all, for now. My storage rent day is directly ahead and I've managed to rustle it up, once more, which will leave me with precious few dollars in the pocket.
Just days before Typhoon's bus got taken, he'd been notified that he has been successfully qualified and will be receiving monthly benefit payments, which are to commence in about two weeks. He'll be able to get another vehicle so just has to "rough it" until then.
I don't receive any such benefits or payments.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Oakland, itself, on brink of bankruptcy?
In my former property manager role, I was brought into especial proximity with various aspects of political, economic and sociocommunity issues and dynamics of the city. Considerations that impacted the property and our tenants/neighborhood, as well as my own eventual hardships resulting, had a great deal to do with some of the finances moving through city hall and/or private sectors.
Shortly after my own demise there, a number of city officials came to be investigated by Federal authorities, and some probes and other actions against improprieties have continued in Oakland since. It's long been a troubled city and certainly remains one. More of these examinations are likely deserved and warranted.
Now the latest twist - one that sadly probably doesn't surprise many anymore - is that the city itself may be inexorably facing bankruptcy.
I hope to examine how my own recent involvements there hooked in to some of the associated dynamics.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12554613
Shortly after my own demise there, a number of city officials came to be investigated by Federal authorities, and some probes and other actions against improprieties have continued in Oakland since. It's long been a troubled city and certainly remains one. More of these examinations are likely deserved and warranted.
Now the latest twist - one that sadly probably doesn't surprise many anymore - is that the city itself may be inexorably facing bankruptcy.
I hope to examine how my own recent involvements there hooked in to some of the associated dynamics.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12554613
Monday, June 8, 2009
I am resuming/continuing this blog
After creating this blog, I then let it sit idle for the better part of a year now. There were a couple of main reasons for this:
1. The daily malaise of being homeless (especially when new to it and fresh into the predicament) becomes so overwhelming and strongly tends to dominate and consume one's time, attention, efforts and resources... leaving precious little to other ventures that don't directly and immediately produce manifest benefits.
2. After doing some online checking and finding any number of other such blogs and online personal expositions, I lost heart and became disappointed, thinking that perhaps no one is really interested in reading such things, after all.
3. Due to some of the particulars of my circumstances, and some legal/other matters associated, there were some reservations about what could - or should - be included and covered in such a venue.
I want to thank Shannon at Change.org for both her public acknowledgment and personal encouragement for my similar contributions to her own blog:
http://homelessness.change.org/
In response, I intend to continue to contribute to the fine ongoing work at that site, but feel that some other, further detail kinds of material would both be better located on my personal blog as well as being able to more fully treat an extent of the particular material than would probably be fitting there -- for those interested in pursuing things in that way.
So, thanks again Shannon! And all the rest of you that have let me know that I've not "invested" precious time/effort in such writings in vain. Please do feel free to check THIS site and blog, as I WILL be developing it more.
1. The daily malaise of being homeless (especially when new to it and fresh into the predicament) becomes so overwhelming and strongly tends to dominate and consume one's time, attention, efforts and resources... leaving precious little to other ventures that don't directly and immediately produce manifest benefits.
2. After doing some online checking and finding any number of other such blogs and online personal expositions, I lost heart and became disappointed, thinking that perhaps no one is really interested in reading such things, after all.
3. Due to some of the particulars of my circumstances, and some legal/other matters associated, there were some reservations about what could - or should - be included and covered in such a venue.
I want to thank Shannon at Change.org for both her public acknowledgment and personal encouragement for my similar contributions to her own blog:
http://homelessness.change.org/
In response, I intend to continue to contribute to the fine ongoing work at that site, but feel that some other, further detail kinds of material would both be better located on my personal blog as well as being able to more fully treat an extent of the particular material than would probably be fitting there -- for those interested in pursuing things in that way.
So, thanks again Shannon! And all the rest of you that have let me know that I've not "invested" precious time/effort in such writings in vain. Please do feel free to check THIS site and blog, as I WILL be developing it more.
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