PDX Urban Outdoorsman

     This morning at about 5AM I was awaken by a civilian who figured I would prefer a donut over sleep.  I wake to hear the question “Sir, would you like a donut?”.  Since this gentleman is unaware that I did not get to bed until shortly after 11PM last night I choose to be polite and tell him all I want is to sleep but thanks anyways.

     Many would think the episode to be over and would be wrong.

     This gentleman decided to leave the donut next to me on my bedroll.  While this may seem like a good idea what he really did was drop off some rat bait right next to my fucking head.

     While this mans heart may, I repeat may have been in the right place all he did was create inconvenience for me.

     In the future if you should decide to provide help for those living on the street where you live please think of a few things before doing so.

1.  We are just like you and need our sleep which can be more difficult in this situation
2. Just randomly dropping off food can create a good deal of problems such as attracting critters to ones camp.
3.  If you have the time go to one of your local service providers like a mission to possibly volunteer.
4.  If time is an issue for you consider making a donation to one of your local service providers in the way of blankets, sleeping bags or clothing.

     I know many will read these words and think I am a complete jerk for taking such an attitude.  Before doing so ask yourself if you would like being waken up by a complete stranger in the wee hours of the morning.  For those who still believe me to be an asshole please click here.

     As per usual, if this makes me a bad person so be it.

Sincerely,
Pdxurbanoutdoorsman

     Last night after having laid out my bed-roll and gotten comfy for the night a scary thought occurred to me.  It’s actually amazing just how comfortable I have become living out here.  To many the thought of sleeping outside in 35º weather is unacceptable but I find it to be easy and quite comfortable.

     Sure it takes one mummy bag inside of another but I was toasty warm with the most striking skyline view of downtown PDX.  Many have suggested that I must really have my shit together to be able to accomplish this and to those I cannot help but laugh.  Honestly….  If  I really have my shit together do you think I would be out here?  All I have done is use some common sense in the decisions made out here.

     One of those decisions is that I must carry a monstrous backpack.  That is one capable of carrying two sleeping bags,  at least two changes of clothing,  various toiletries, misc crap and reading material.
     Another was to actually keep the gear that got me through the previous winter.  That being a good coat that is not only warm but also waterproof and sleeping gear.  I run into far to many who discard perfectly good equipment because of a change in the weather.  If you should ask these same people what their plans are for getting off the street you will receive nothing but a blank stare.  These are the same people I see who tell me how cold they were last night.  I really have no pity for these since they have created their own situation.
     The final decision is to ALWAYS sleep in an area that is covered.  Sure there were many nights during the summer I could have slept under the stars but I have to be practical.  Hell we all know if I was to choose an uncovered place I would be carpet bombed by geese because of their hatred for me.  Again, I run into far too many who tell me how all their gear got soaked because of the camp spot chosen.  Give me a break already!  Portland is known for rain.  Besides, just how difficult is it to take a look at the weather forecast at some point during the day.

As usual if my rather callous attitude means I am a bad person than so be it.

common sense: If there truly was such a thing wouldn’t we all have it?