Pee for free with dignity -
like Jesus did in Galilee!
Yours truly, even though still homeless, attended the conference as a guest of the Real Change and it's director, Timothy "Big Spender" Harris.
The conference was replete with Poetic Moments. Here's another, which shows that I was not the only one struck by the irony of our presence there.
This is a very close rendition of an actual conversation in a Chicago cab. Tim, myself and two other conference participants were present. Our Polish immigrant driver spoke first:
"So, what, you are with big homeless paper meeting?"
All: Yes, we are.
"But you have places to stay, you are going eating?"
Absolutely.
"You are not from here, you come from all around?"
The U.S. and Canada.
"What do you do? You take train? You take Greyhound?"
We came by plane.
"I am KNOWING IT! I am STUPID! I am IDIOT!"
"They all say go America, work hard, you will be making it!"
"I come America, I get taxi, I drive TWELVE HOURS a day"
"NO MONEY! I get off work I want taxi - I can't pay!"
"You - YOU - HOMELESS in AMERICA, you take plane, taxi, stay
hotel!"
"NOW I SEE! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN HOMELESS - I call back to Poland,
that's what I tell!"
Tim: Yes, homelessness been very, VERY good to me...
"But - HOW YOU PAY? YOU HAVE GRANTS? YOU GET WELFARE?"
Me: Well, we're paying YOU today with Food Stamps.
"Yes, YES, OF COURSE! Don't fear, it's OK, I tell no one
anywhere!"
PS: No need to report us - actually, Tim paid cash (and a tip for the entertainment).
Unfinished business regarding July's "Homeless Gourmet" article:
After talking to Mel Jackson, director of the Millionair Club, I now know that napkins are usually provided at meals. They just ran out the day I was there. Clearly, more donations from the public would prevent such shortfalls. Let's get on it, people!
Meanwhile, Anitra, fellow editor, who lets me sleep on her kitchen floor, wants her one dumpster rating retracted. Since the cornflakes,she has served omelettes, avocados with cottage cheese, and salmon ravioli, among other delights. Her food is REALLY QUITE GOOD and actually rates zero dumpsters.
That's ANITRA, who lets me sleep on her kitchen floor. I am not being extorted in any way.
