PDX Urban Outdoorsman

While this concept reaches across all economic layers it is quite important to those within the layer I occupy at this time.  Also keep in mind this story is not about me but the lesson that can be learned from situations such as this. 

On Sunday nights under the Burnside bridge there is a feed which attracts an unbelievable number of people.  The folks who run this event are a blessing to the homeless of Portland.  Along with a wonderful meal they generally bring  supplies to cover many the needs of those who attend such as toiletries, socks, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and so on.  On one Sunday before the cold season kicked in many sleeping bags were offered for those who needed them.  When this was announced there was what could only be described as a feeding frenzy.  Once the sleeping bags had been distributed and people were in line to get something to eat one who received a sleeping bag was attempting to sell the damn thing for $10.00 right in front of the people who provided it to him.  I could not believe the gall of this jerk.  Nobody took the opportunity to buy it so I got the jerks attention leaving him to believe I was a possible customer.  Of course I did not give him anything for it but found a young girl who was effectively shoved out of the way while the sleeping bags were being distributed.  Lucky for me I am rather tall so this guy decided not to confront me about payment. 

I only saw that girl acouple of other times but I could see she had kept and was happy to have the sleeping bag.

No matter your economic situation think about whether you want or really need something.  All too often I hear others saying how they need this or that when it is actually desire. Don’t get me wrong, I know all people including myself have desires and there is nothing wrong with that.  Please, don’t mix up the two because doing so can say quite a lot about your character.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

Sure I could profess of my many wonderous qualities but it really goes against the grain if you know what I mean.  Instead I suggest you get an idea of how I am seen through the eyes of another.
OK, I’ll admit it, I’m actually too damn lazy to write anything today.

http://www.homepdx.net/mike/

Fact is Ken sees me in ways I never even considered.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

There is a man here in Portland who operates a street outreach that I find to be incredible and that is at best a gross understatement.  Ken is a Man of the cloth and if you were to ask him the cloth is tattered.  It is my opinion his tattered edges are what make hime so approachable to those of us he is reaching out to.  When you listen to him there is a chance you would be shocked by his coarse language.  He does not speak this way for shock value or for lack of being able to express himself,  he does so because it is the language of those who he brings the Message of Christ to.  Don’t for one minute believe this goes against the message he carries.  If we consider Christ and the anger he expressed as he ran the moneychangers out of the temple I would imagine his language was really fucking coarse.  Granted I am no scholar of the bible but this only makes sense if you ask me.

I first met Ken last summer at the Hawthorne Bridge one sunday at the gathering he hosts every sunday.  What he does is not to be considered a “feed” but a community of people who are learning to love and care for one another.  The difference between a “feed” and what Ken does is like the night and day.  At a feed there are really no rules to speak of except get what you can while you can and the hell with anybody else.  At Kens’ gatherings people take only what they need being sure there is plenty for others knowing the needs are great and supply is limited.  He always offers new socks and various toiletries and seasonal needs.

To get a better idea of what this man and his ministry are all about I suggest you visit http://www.homepdx.org/ .  If you have ever wanted to help the homeless community the best way is through people and agencies that provide assistance.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

Stop asking me for cigarettes damnit!

It never ceases to amaze that those who are continually begging for cigarettes never seem to have a problem paying for their alcohol, meth, heroin or cell phone minutes.

Alcohol, Heroin & Meth:
If you are able to come up with the cash for these addictions why should I or anybody else be expected to take care of your tobacco addiction.  Chances are you got the money for the drugs or alcohol panhandling and if this is the case just put in a little more time to get the tobacco also.  Others choose to whore themself out to get the money needed so what’s the big deal with one more blowjob?  I guess it’s just a poor work ethic.

Cellphone minutes:
What do you dickheads need with a cellphone anyways?  The bulk of you are not actively looking for work so having a phone number of your own is a complete waste of your time and efforts.  Take that money and use it to defile your lungs instead.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

When I think of the word friend I think of a person I can trust with anything and I do mean anything.  I always thought others found the same meaning in this word but it has become quite obvious my judgement was in error.

Far too many times I have heard stories from others about how their friends had wronged them in some terrible manner.  Of course my first response is to ask if this is a person they would trust with anything and the answer is usually no.  Try as I may people do not seem to understand the difference between friend and aquaintance.  Every now and then somebody gets the idea but most don’t and to those I suggest they be ready to be victimized more until this simple concept sinks into their thick heads.

Just because you have sat, laughed and shared some good times with a person does not make them a friend.  True friends are rare and that is the reason they are to be treasured and the relationship nurtured.  When you call to many people your friend you are diluting the meaning of the word and compromising the value of your true friends.

I can honestly tell you that the number of people I consider to be friends can be counted on one hand, and those who I call friend will believe me and value this opinion.

Sure it’s a cheezy song but it does relay the idea quite well.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtGF2m102Wg]

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

If you have been reading my blog you know I was sleeping under the Hawthorne Bridge awhile ago.  As most things are cyclical so are the places I am allowed to sleep.  Under the Hawthorne are many concrete pillars, the concrete roadway above and the concrete ground below where I lay myself down for the night.  Having that much concrete around makes for an accustic nightmare with all the echos.

Now, imagine you are asleep sometime around two in the morning, all warm and comfy.  Now imagine that while you where dead to the world a number of geese decided to become your “roommates”.  It seems just the action of rolling over in your sleep is enough to give these damn birds a reason to start honking as iff their lives had been threatened.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9AqyBEvFyE]

As you can further imagine I was brought out of the most wonderful slumber to find I was surrounded by these geese that were perhaps four feet from me. You will never really understand the size of these animals until you deal with something like this.  I am happy I do not suffer from spastic colon disorder otherwise I probably would have shat myself right then and there.

I am quite willing to believe some of you thought I was going to write about something completely different when you saw the title of this post.
My apologies for getting your hopes up you pervs.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbandoutdoorsman.

Portland has a goo0d many street performers filling many different talents.  Whether it be the guitarist by Nordstroms, the street drummer by the mall, the violinist playing by the Galleria or the many others you can find some really great talent.  Anybody who thinks what these people do is easy must have rocks in their head or no appreciation for art.  Imagine trying to play a violin when it’s below freezing, until you consider the dexterity required you will not fully appreciate the gift this person has.  These people make living on the streets a little bit easier because of the beauty they bring with them and are so willing to share.

Now think of the panhandler who has “set up shop” right next to one of these performers because of the foot traffic being generated by the performance.  The panhandler has no idea that he/she could quite possibly be costing this performer money.  In many cases people will choose not to stay because of the panhandler or even worse yet the maney that may have gone to the artist ends up in the beggars cup only to be used for alcohol or drugs.

Even worse yet are the bums who think the performers would like to sit their and have a conversation with them as opposed to doing what they do best.

When you see a performer make a point of dropping something in their tip jar because they don’t do that for fun.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

It was very easy at one time to know who the wingnuts were before the advent of bluetooth earpieces.  Now I really have to look to know who is talking to themself and who is actually participating in a conversation.

While this can be slightly confusing at times this could be used to an advantage.  How about we take all the used, discarded bluetooth units that may find their way to the landfill and “recycle” them.  What we do is glue, staple, nail, screw or somehow attatch these units to the head of the wingnuts so it at least appears they are having a conversation.  I only suggest permanant attatchment because you just know we can’t count on the wingnuts to remember this on a daily basis.

Before this the only option was to somehow have the wingnuts pair off together creating the same illusion.  Unfortunately the issue of compatability can quite often be problematic at best.

Just doing my part to find solutions.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

As I walk down the street the average citizen will avert their eyes from me as if my situation is contagious.  Other times I will receive looks of utter disdain.  Your children don’t seem to be nearly judgemental as yourselves.  The little ones are willing to make eye contact and an occasional smile.  I’m willing to believe this happens because you have not had a chance to teach them just how terrible person I must be.  Let me straighten you out about some things about myself and many others out here.

1. I am not a drunk/alcoholic.
2. I do not have substance abuse issues unless you count tobacco.
3. I am not somebody who is running from the law.
4. I will not ask you for spare change or anything else.

At least I have a good understanding of how lepers were treated.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

Here in Portland as in many other cities around the country we have what are known as “needle exchanges“.  By my understanding of the word exchange an old needle must be given in order to get a new one.  It turns out this has nothing to do with exchanging so much as it does furnishing I.V. drug users nearly everything they need to use their drug of choice.  Within these kits is a needle, alcohol wipe, turnaquet and cooker.  As best I can see the only thing missing is the drug itself. 

If you ask those who operate these programs they will tell you it is for risk reduction.   Give me a break!  Why not actually provide the drug also so people will know exactly what they are getting to further avoid the risk of an over-dose?  While they are at it they could also provide a place for these people to shoot up also?  Here is the answer plain and simple, they would rather the public at large deal with those issues.

They might be able sell this idea if it truely was a matter of exchanging. Since these needles are generally dropped at the point of use I see it as nothing more than increasing the risk to those who are not even involved in the drug use.  I have seen these needles discarded all over the downtown area with no regard to the safety of others who may use the same areas for legal activities.  Am I wrong for finding this to be a problem? 

I honestly have no use for those who decide to use these drugs and make it a problem for others who have nothing to do with it.  It’s unfortunate but the only solution I see is kinda, well, illegal… As usual, if this makes me a bad person so be it.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman