Homeless - 25

Hello there,

While working out the other day, there were a couple of younger guys in the facility who were talking about the Bible and quoting scripture, pointing out current events and reassuring each other that the end times are just around the corner and that they were counting themselves as among the few lucky ones who have a validated ticket for the 'forever ride'. Naturally, I was minding my own business; that is, attempting to tame the wild, elemental forces trapped within my supple musculature when one of them asked me, ''Do you believe in the Bible, sir?". I don't have any problem with any life form attempting to come to grips with that non-rational part of us that seems to be embedded within the force of life by using whatever tools that is put in their path by the spirit of the universe or God or whatever. Now, I tried to avoid the conversation (shoulda had an ipod!), I didn't want any part of that particular dialogue; been there, heard that but the workout place is only so big and I guess the universe couldn't function at its' maximum potential unless I got roped into this discussion. I knew by overhearing their conversation that they didn't want any meaningful dialogue; they were only after affirmations and reflections of their belief system...which I don't have and/or share. Well, maybe at one time I did but my relationship with the universe has evolved into something different.

Anyway, I responded that that was a difficult question to answer. I went on say that I have no doubt that there is something greater than us, so beyond the human condition that we are unable to even begin to think about it; that that power has attempted contact with each and every human throughout the course of history and will continue to do so for the duration of eternity; that all religious texts are but a dim, distorted reflection, at best, of interactions between that power and men that had to be filtered through language and current cosmological understanding and, as such, those interpretations, in my opinion, are suspect and should not be taken literally as a pretense in the hope of arriving at a state-of-being that is driven by purely egotistical concerns - such as wanting to live forever.

Needless to say, there was a pause and, capitalizing on their brain lock, bid them to have good workout and returned to my own which I had the good fortune to complete in relative peace. I remember thinking how I got off lightly that time. Doubtless, I was being damned within the confines of their thoughts but that they would pray for my lost soul anyway. Ahhh, I can almost smell the sulfurous fumes, hear the wailing of the eternally tormented and Satan cackling hysterically 'You eeeediots! Of course I made you do it!'.


I was fortunate this past weekend. I just happened into a couple of pool environments that had cold drinks, agreeable humans to interact with and food in abundance. Grilled chicken, beef, chicken and pork; cold beer and water as well as one of the causes of post event hangovers...Jello shots. The weather has settled into a normal Dallas summer at least for the time being, that of being a 100 F. with the heat index somewhat higher. Having a pool nearby helps but the water in it is starting to warm up. The water at the 'quiet' pool, the deeper one that is shaded by trees the majority of the day, remains refreshing cool though.


Contending with the heat over the last few days has presented me with the opportunity to restructure how I spend my time during the day and night. I've been using the vehicle more than usual over the last several days due to the heat and the remnants of this irritating sinus infection. Except for Sunday, I spend the hottest part of the day at a branch of the library. The evenings I spend at the quiet pool. The nights are a bit more trying. With nighttime temps in the 80's and muggy, the truck is too hot to sleep in and sleeping in the bed of the truck is not an option due to safety concerns. There are a couple of places that I have access to that are climate controlled. I usually sneak into one or the other around midnight and sleep to 4:30 - 4:45 AM at which time I sneak right back out of. I relocate to catch another 2 or 3 hours of sleep during the coolness (?) of the morning. I'm going to move my workout routine to the late night hours since that facility has AC also. That is a departure from my preference but I think it'll be better for the situation. I'm rev'd up after a workout for 2 or 3 hours so maybe that'll be ideal for my situation until the weather cools back down. If my circumstances continues into the winter, that may be an ideal strategy for then, too. Well, look at the bright side; at least I'm not in Baghdad where it's 115 F. during the day...and let us not forget about that pesky ordinance that has an irritating habit of treating living tissue in a very aggressive manner.


One of my camping spots, the one with the 24 hour 7-11 that is adjacent to a small strip mall, has been closed since the first of July due to some remodeling at the direction of the new corporate owners. I felt uncomfortable spending the night there, the feelings of isolation and increased vulnerability no doubt, so I moved to the other camping spot, the one with the large shopping center and 24 hour fast food place. Last week I was awakened by a couple of cops around 4:30 AM supposedly checking to see if I was alright; thank God, I sent everybody home a couple of hours ago.They asked what was going on with me and I told him and asked if there any problems by my presence here. He replied no and said to take care and they left. The next night another policeman stopped by around the same time (what's up with the early morning calls?!?) and said there had been numerous complaints about my presence at that location and that I couldn't sleep there anymore and suggested to move further north. There was even mention of citations for future transgressions. Let's see...one night there is no problems regarding my presence and the following night there have been numerous complaints. Complaints about what? I leave no trash lying around; I'm courteous to all; my hygiene, while not as impeccable as it once was, is still what I regard as above average; I haven't thrown any wild parties, played the TV/stereo loud enough to invoke sound pollution sanctions nor have I initiated any construction/home improvements to my property. And both times, they didn't ask for any documentation regarding personal identification, vehicle ownership or proof of insurance.

Hmmm...maybe it was my longer hair or maybe someone is jealous of this free-wheeling life-style. Oh well, maybe the universe will function better if I spend my nights elsewhere. At this point, I'm concerned over the possibility of additional fuel expenditures. These two locations are at the hub of my 'range'; an area that supplies what I consider important assets such as access to several pools, a workout facility, several options regarding hygiene activities, access to climate controlled environments that are already proving useful. Also, I can park my vehicle at either location and walk to any of these assets but now that my presence has been magnified on the radar screen of human authority figures, I may have to adjust some things. I'm not sure I could discover another area with the mix of resources that I currently enjoy. It might not be easy to move to another locale. After all, I did actually live in this area for a number of years so many people are used to seeing me. Only a few have an idea of my situation. To be a new face in a new environment might draw attention that I don't want.


I mentioned last week about suffering from a sinus infection, an unavoidable downside of being alive. I'm still not at 100% but at least I don't have much of that Darth Vader voice left. The thing is that if I was a home-with I could have driven this Satan-spawned creation back to the nether regions from whence it came with several doses of Grandma's Award Winning Homemade Stew (also patent pending). I've made some improvements to the recipe that I think she would've agreed with. I usually get a 2 - 2.5 lb. roast, not too lean nor with too much fat, and cut it up into sizable chunks and I mean chunks, people, each piece good for 2 - 3 bites. Throw the meat, salt, pepper, medium sized chopped red onion, 1 can of extra hot Rotel tomatoes and 1 can of whole tomatoes into water and cook over medium heat for about an hour or so or until desired tenderness. That's the baseline and with some potatoes thrown in later, it's good to go. There are some additional spices that can be added all together for one batch or any single ingredient to one batch and another spice to the next batch, alternating according to mood or whim or fancy. To wit: a bay leaf, a couple of sticks of celery diced up, 3 - 4 carrots chopped up in a chunky way and/or a few diced Jalapeno peppers (easy there, pardner!). After the meat has reached the desired stage of tenderness that is best determined by a taste test, cut up some potatoes on the chunky side, enough for just one meal per person. Serve up in a bowl with a tablespoon, knife and fork with cornbread and/or crackers and copious amounts of ice water or ice tea. From experience, I can tell you that this dish can be eaten as breakfast, lunch or dinner or a snack. At each meal time, reheat in pot on stove (no microwave) and add some fresh chunked up taters and consume. I prefer fresh taters myself. I find that the cooked taters that have soaked until the next day are not as crisp. After the third day, if there is any left, and there shouldn't be, I would suggest throwing out the remainder but I have no experience regarding this particular type of event.

Many known human maladies have met their doom when encountering such a formidable mixture of nutrition and well-meaning.

David