reply posted on 6-5-2008 @ 01:23 PM by DezertSkies
I spent times when i was homeless, but by some choice of my own. Back in Florida, as much as i do abhor the place, heat, humidity, traffic, people,
not much nature left, and the police state, i was able to live easily on the beach. I'd swim out to the reef everyday with a Hawaiian sling, and
spear me some fish. I'd also get coconuts, citrus, mangoes, cocoplums, and various plants/herbs that were grown as ornamentals. I'd carry a net
hammock and set it up concealed in the bushes on the beach at night.
Most of the time it was homelessness by choice, as i really didn't want to live indoors, a roof overhead is overrated, but can be very convenient.
I'd rather just go live off nature (even in the city) rather than play the slave game. It just made more sense to work for myself. If you do
become homeless, make sure you treat your daily routines as your "job", apply good work ethic (if you have it) and make sure your boss (yourself)
remains pleased with your performance. Strive for excellence in the occupation of being homeless, and it can become just as comfy, if not more so
than trying to not be homeless.
Out of all the time i've spent in the craphole that is florida, the best times i've spent there were the times that i owned my spear, a snorkel,
mask, fins, a shirt, some shorts, and a pair of inline skates. Skates would get me around on land quick, and i could also skate for recreation,
there was plenty of stuff to skate, stairsets, handrails, walls, ledges, and lots of skaters. I'd fish most of the day, and skate until late
night, then sleep in the bushes somewhere with my hammock (or just on the sand sometimes if i find a good spot).
One time i went from homeless to making a very solid 6 figures, i got a penthouse on the beach and filled it with fly gear like stereos and bigscreen
tv's, and all kinds of toys. I'd still find myself living on the beach, spearfishing, every chance i didn't have to work, occasionally glancing
up at the penthouse pad i had, and wondering why the hell i decided to go make the big bucks. It was just a complete waste. I don't really want
to live in some silly box, even if it is a penthouse on the ocean.
Right now i live in government subsidized housing, AKA the Projects, but it's in a small town and i pretty much spend all my time outside of my
little room. I mainly use it as a place to keep the stuff that won't fit in my backpack and on my bike. I'm working on reducing my load down
though now so that i can easily be homeless and mobile, and i'm almost there. I've got a closet full of worldly possessions which i'm going to
try to reduce down to about 6 milk crates full of stuff i own, that i can easily find a place to store without having to have a residence. I just
hate being attached and obligated to belongings.
Being homeless in the city and trying to live the life off the streets is just nuts, there's a lot easier ways to do it if you adopt the attitude
that you're going to do what it takes to stay off the streets and out of that scene. Be inventive and resourceful, ad also don't be lazy. Lazy
homeless people are miserable, but if you put a little bit of hard work into your "job", then being homeless can be great. You're truly free when
you have nothing. There's been times i've gone months without ever coming in contact with money. I just didn't want it, not a single dollar,
i'd live off my surroundings and nothing more. Everybody's out hustling for cash, i'm harvesting fruits and fish, with no competition except that
of other animals.
It's not easy when you think you've got to get out of being homeless, but where do you really have to go? Slave for someone or something that
could care less about you as long as you're productive and make profit for the slavemasters, or work entirely for yourself for your existence.
I will admit though that a good compromise is a part time job for a person or organization that you believe in and that does good things, combined
with low cost simple accommodations. Such is my situation right now, i make about about 9k/year during a good year, yet i live a life of abundance
and happiness. I work a couple days a week doing something i absolutely love, and i'm extremely good at, cooking four star cuisine. I actually
enjoy work so much i feel guilty about accepting money for it, and oftentimes will lie about my hours and "forget" to write a day or two down here
and there. I'll work for 25-30 hrs but only take pay for about 20-25.
Truthfully, dignitywise, i think i'd consider fast food jobs as a VERY last resort, i'll keep my pride and not assemble burgers full time for $150 a
week, there's no pride in being a wage slave, i'd be more proud digging through their dumpsters and feeding myself without selling my soul to the
corporation. One note on dumpster diving though, you can fully build and furnish a house if you dumpster dive for the stuff. Construction
materials, furniture, appliances, and even computers can be had from dumpsters. Pay attention and learn which dumpsters people regularly use for
bulk trash. Dumpsters around short term rentals are promising, with enough units on the block, at least one ce a week somebody's abandoned
belongings end up in a pile by the dumpster. I've furnished places starting from an empty room this way several times.
Also, if you're going to dumpster dive for food try to find food transfer stations and dive there. I used to dive in a dumpster next door to a
frito lay warehouse. Anything that would expire within a week (too quickly to get it to the store and sell) would get tossed, unopened. I'd come
back with full cases of chips and such, and stockpile 'em. I don't mind if they're a bit out of date, they stay good in the bag for a lot longer
than the label says, and it beats diving for half eaten Whoppers.
Should you need money, it's everywhere, at least enough to feed yourself daily. Just look on the ground, you'll find change. Look around closed
drive through windows of fast food places, banks, and anywhere where people are likely to drop money and not bother to pick it up if it's only a few
cents. You can quickly acquire a few bucks this way. We did this all the time when we were kids, as well as other forms of hustle. If you decide
to operate outside of the law, there's several low risk high payoff ventures that you can engage in. Don't rob anybody, don't deal drugs,
....CONTINUED
