[spagirus]

You're sharing really is appreciated Poco. I am always interested in the 'homeless' aspect of survival for several reasons. I have barely brushed with that life here and there, but never lived it fully. When I moved to Austin, TX I had very little for like a month, except for friends. So I wound up couch surfing for that time, and spent a few nights 'out' we'll say. I have also done the train-hopping/crust punk/traveling kid thing a couple of times, but that was more like a camping trip party (with maybe a slight bit more danger than normal) than really being homeless. But I also don't drive in Austin, so I take the bus and walk, and this has allowed me to get fairly close to those who truly are homeless. Most of the ones I meet are mentally ill people who have nowhere to go. Some of them are people who chose to be homeless because they were fed up with their grid-attached lives, and they range in attitudes about it. Some find living that way exhilarating or just natural, some regret it. I have met a few people that just got in a bad situation and couldn't get out of it. Whatever put them there I have learned to respect all of them, and cherish my time with them. I have learned so much from them (they feel fairly comfortable with me as I tend to look pretty ragged most of the time, and they just think I'm one of them, so they don't mind sharing info). If it weren't for my wife and family (by which I mean genetic family, and my family of good friends) and various creative/musical endeavors that I involve myself with, I probably would choose that lifestyle myself. I know it's hard, but 'normal' life is hard too really. Anyway, all I really want to say is that I discourage anyone from looking down on homeless people and encourage respect for them, and I am thankful to you Poco, and all whom I encounter, that have lived or are currently living homeless for sharing with me what you all have. I know I'm a better person for that.