PDX Urban Outdoorsman

For the past week you would have been unable to swing a stick without hitting somebody handing out flyers telling of a protest against the sit lie ordinance. This protest was to take place at City Hall this morning at 9am. I say was because nobody showed up. No homeless people who believe this ordinance makes it illegal to be homeless or any of the organizers.

Way to go!  They have shown their ability to organize something as simple as gathering people to sit in front of City Hall is worthless.  These are the same people who tell me they can help to make my voice heard.  Yeah right, tell me more.

Pardon me if I choose to not avail myself of your help.
These people are as useful as a sack of wet hair. 

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     I don’t understand street families.  Let me qualify that, I don’t completely understand them.

     I understand the need to be a part of something, a feeling of belonging.  Most of those who I have seen within these families are what you could call social misfits who have always been on the outside looking in which can leave one questioning their self worth.

     What I notice from all of them is a pack mentality and with that comes the need for one to be the “alpha dog”.  As with a pack of wolves at some point one in the group sees a weakness in the alpha and feels the need to exploit that so they will become the alpha.  This weakness may be physical, mental or emotional.  As you can imagine this is the cause of much infighting within the group. 

     Another thing I see that completely befuddles me is what happens when it is time to bed down.  Instead of  finding their own spot to roll out they seem to all pile together like a litter of puppies.  Again this causes conflict within the group also with constant yelling, bickering and sometimes physical confrontation.  Every now and again I have seen one of the individuals with a black eye and they tell of how one of their “friends” did it.

     One other advantage could be the division of responsibilities to help the group survive.  One may have the job of collecting cardboard to lay down on while another will take care of the beer run.  Unfortunately this too can cause some troubles as you are depending on another to handle your own needs.

     I guess another motivation could be the thought of safety in numbers.  In most cases the people are all rather confrontational in nearly any situation.  I guess the idea of somebody “having your back” would also be appealing.

   Whatever the case I will always choose to have a small circle of friends and choose to be responsible for my own needs.  From my observations those who seem to do the best out here choose this option also.

     As usual I may be wrong and would happily invite another perspective to show me the error in my logic.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     On a number of occassions I have received what could be catagorized as rather hateful emails.  I attribute this to either people who are unable to express themself without profanity or keyboard warriors who enjoy hiding behind the anonnimity of the internet.  In the case of keyboard warriors I see nothing but little people with little minds who have found a way to be the “big guy”.  The former would just be people who are ignorant.  Do not confuse ignorant for stupid.  Ignorant just means they do not know where as stupid means there is no chance they will be able to learn.

     In the past what I would do is respond and ask if it was ok for me to post their views.  In every case I have received an answer of NO.  I’m sure some choose not to use the comment feature because their email will be given to the world which they do not want.  Email addresses are not published to the public blog when using the comment feature so this arguement is moot.

     This is going to change starting today.  When ever I receive hate mails they will be posted along with the email address for the world to see so keep this in  mind before hitting that send button.

     I do not have any kind of problem with comments that do not agree with my point of view and would actually welcome them.  Differing opinions can result in hearty discussions which I freely encourage.  If you should happen to dissagree with the way I think please drop a comment because I would love nothing more than an exchange of ideas.  I’m the last person to think there is nothing for me to learn or another angle to look at an issue from.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     Maybe I’m wrong but this just seems like a bad idea if you ask me, especially if you happen to be unemployed.  I only bring up the subject because I have seen somebody panhandling with signs telling of how he needs help because he is unemployed and also has a facial tattoo.

     Of course this same person will tell me their are plenty of jobs where such tattoos should not be an issue.  I am willing to agree with that statement and can think of some jobs where this would not be a problem such as telemarketing.  Unfortunately there is just one teensy eensy little problem with this line of reasoning.  In order to get that job you must first pass the interview process and many people will judge a person based on appearance.  I’m well aware this is superficial and unfair but it is a simple fact that must be dealt with.

     Another problem is the “design”, if I can call it that just might be construed as possibly offensive.  On this persons forehead in large block print are the words F*CK YOU.  While I’m sure he means it in the most complementary the average person will not see it that way.

     I think this person will have his best chance if he can become self employed as maybe a personal punching bag for people to work out their aggressions at the end of the day.  Don’t laugh.  I see this as a vital service so people will not have to take those negative emotions home to loved ones.  Imagine all the marraiges that could be saved as a result of such a service.  I’m willing to say he could corner the market.  It’s just a matter of good advertising.

     Don’t let it be said I did not try to help.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     I am the one you saw in the sleeping bag while you parked your car.
     You shook your head.

     I am one of those you saw standing in line for breakfast, actually you were gawking.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw walking towards the light rail.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one who stood so you would have a place to sit on the train since I was taking a short ride.
     You shook your head.

     I am one of those you see on a daily basis as you walk by the drop-center, again you gawked.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw sitting at Pioneer Courthouse Square reading a book while you ate lunch.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw as you hightailed it back to work so you would not be late.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw walking by as you took your afternoon break.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw while talking to you friends at the bus stop after work.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw while you were having dinner with friends at the restaurant with outdoor seating.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw as you and your friends went barhopping.
     You shook your head.

     I am the one you saw as you stumbled down the sidewalk after far too much to drink.
     I shook my head.

     Did you remember me?

     Being in my situation I have time to notice things many do not have the time to see.  One of these things is the lost art of parallel parking.  Here comes the part where I sound like an old codger.  When I was a kid getting my learners permit in 1977 I was required to take a Drivers Education course and one of the skills I had to demonstrate was the ability to parallel park.  Once explained by the instructor it was an easy skill to master.

     It now seems there is no need for people to know how to do this and I have no understanding at all.  My thoughts, and I could be wrong, suggest if you are unable to pilot your vehicle into a parking space at under 1mph you have no right what-so-ever piloting the same vehicle down the highway at 65+mph.

     Just yesterday I saw some guy attempt to parallel park his little Smart Car into a space large enough to accomodate a Ford Excursion and it took him five tries and he still ended up about 6 feet from the curb.  When he got out I was laughing and he wanted to know why.  My answer was quite simple:
“That’s not parked, it’s abandoned”.  As you can imagine the dumbass called me an asshole.  If that’s what it takes to be an asshole so be it.

Sincerely
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     Here in Portland there is an ordinance that prohibits a person from sitting or laying down on the side walk within fareless square between the hours of 7am and 9pm.  Initially I thought this to be a bunch of bullshit.  I mean seriously, I should be able to sit or lay down any damn place I choose. Right?  After speaking with somebody I have a great deal of respect for I decided to look at the other side of this issue.

     Imagine you are a shop owner,  and every day there is a gaggle of people sitting near your doorway.  Also imagine some of these people are what some would consider unsavory individuals as far as the general public is concerned.  To believe this will not have a negative impact on your business would just be plain silly.

     I have discussed this with many who choose not to look at the other side and the best I can hope for is to agree to disagree.  Many will suggest this is an infringement on constitutional rights.  I am more than willing to argue from the stand point that they do not have the right to negatively impact somebody’s business just so they may plop their lazy ass on the sidewalk when there are plenty of park benches available within the area this ordinance is being enforced.  Oh silly me, there is not enough foot traffic in those areas to make any money begging for cash.  What the hell was I thinking?  If you want to lower yourself to the point of panhandling the least you can do is stand up.

     If I told you I have no problem at all with this ordinance I would be bending the truth.  My problem is how it is enforced.  One day this past summer I was sitting next to the Nordstroms along with MANY commuters who were also waiting for a bus.  When an officer on foot patrol came by I, and only I was told not to be sitting there.  When I asked why the other people were allowed to do so I was asked if I would prefer getting a ticket for the offense or move on.  Since I had no control of the situation I decided to move on suggested.

     As stated I have no trouble with the ordinance but the way it is being used.  I understand my choice of lifestyle has cost me some freedoms but equal enforcement of law is not one of those freedoms.

    For the record let it be known I am quite aware most police officers are VERY fair in how they do their job but there is a small number who see people living on the street as a target for some kind of twisted sport.  It is only that minority that I have a problem with.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

   The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me.  I have heard far too many people gripe about having “lost” their belongings.  For some this has happened on more than one ocassion.  You might feel sorry for these folks until they tell you how these items were “lost”.  So far every damn time it is because they have stashed their stuff someplace where nobody would be able to find it.  I generally have one question for these numbskulls “If you are able to find this “great” hiding place what makes you believe somebody else can not do the same?”.

   Last night I was awakened by one of these people asking if I saw their stuff or if I could spare any bedding.

1. I really don’t care about your crap, who took it or where it is.
2. I’m in a mummy bag with a camp mat.  Does it really look like I can spare any bedding?
3. I’m trying to sleep damnit!

Many have called me a cold hearted bastard for feeling this way about their situation and I really could not care less about their opinion.  If a person is living on the street they are the only ones responsible for their crap.  This might be the reason I ALWAYS pack my stuff with me.  Sure it can be a pain in the ass but I always know where my stuff is and I have never been cold as a result of stupidity.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman