Friday September 21 – Good Cop … Bad Cop … whatever …
I knew I would not be able to sleep on my perch on the hill tonight, but I was uncertain as to the extent of the ban. After dinner at the Salvation Army I made my way up the hill and sat under the shade of the trees, knowing full well that I could not remain there for the night. After about 15 minutes the police Paddy Wagon pulled up in front of me. The officer got out and walked up the drive and over to me. It was the same officer who had given us the warning the night before.
“Didn’t I warn you about being here?” “Yes” I replied, “but I know I cannot stay here, I was only getting out of the sun for a while.” He then asked for my I.D., ran a check and asked if I had any outstanding warrants, to which I replied “No”.
“Well”, he said, “for the time being we are under orders to arrest anyone for virtually any infraction of a town ordinance.” He then explained that last night they made over 50 arrests, for anything as small as smoking in a public park. He explained to me that the “no camping” ordinance is usually not enforced, but things being as they are, they are under orders to.
I told him I know what is going on down at the ARCH and he said that as a result of that the whole downtown area is affected for the next 6 weeks.
I then asked him about sitting on some steps of the side walk that don’t lead to any particular place and he told me as long as they don’t block the side walk and if they are on private property and no one objects it is O.K.. He then explained that “camping” could be defined as sitting on the ground with something that belongs to you sitting next to you. Obviously I this this could be over turned in court, with a decent lawyer, but that wasn’t the point. These are the criteria he has to apply in enforcing the laws as he has been ordered. But it’s enough information to use to stay out of trouble and out of court.
He said “You don’t appear to be looking to cause any trouble, and you’ve had more warnings than most.” He returned my I.D. and started down the hill. “Thanks man”, I said and went to sit on my steps, newly sanctioned.
I will be expanding my search for new night spots. I found one last night and viewed a few possibilities, I know there are more. It just means time and effort to explore them out. I have some new walking shoes coming next week (courtesy of my sister), they will be put to good use.
I am now sitting on my steps on 8th street between Neches and Trinity, facing south. A police cruiser pulls up across the street near to the corner of Trinity. I hear foot steps behind me and I move to the side to allow whoever it is to pass. A cop is standing behind me. “Did you see a phone fall out of a car here?” he asks, not once looking at me, but intent in his gaze on the street. “No”, I slowly and with certain meekness replied. He runs on toward Trinity and the cruiser heads on west up 8th street.
So I’m sitting on my steps and it had just turned dark, I don’t mean dusk, but night dark. Two officers on foot walk up to me. “You know you can’t be sitting there”, a young Hispanic officer tells me. I explained to him that the first officer had said it would be O.K. and we get into a short exchange about what was permissible. He relaxes a bit and tells me of all the troubles with the homeless who think they can do whatever they want.
“Well, I’m not looking for any trouble” I tell him.
“You can sit on the benches on …”
“Well, I’m going down to Red River and head north”.
“Out of downtown?”
“Yeah”.
“Well, you’re smarter than most.”
And I headed on my way to Red River and north, out of downtown.
I really think the young cop was bull shitting me, but I wasn’t about to get into a match flexing intellectual muscles, that would be sure to get my ass thrown in jail. I believe he had orders to clear the streets and he was trying to do it and still avoiding a confrontation. And neither did I want a confrontation, not at this stage of the game anyway. But, I still think he was full of shit and bravado.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Wednesday September 19 – The Empire Strikes Back, well … sorta
Wednesday September 19 – The Empire Strikes Back, well … sorta
The administration of the ARCH had a town hall meeting today and all who make use of the facilities were welcome to attend. I did attend as I feel a part of this homeless community and I appreciate the services provided. Unfortunately there are relatively few who feel compelled to participate in such functions. There were about 12-18 others who are homeless and about 10 staff and administrators, but it was still a good meeting.
After some general discussion about things to be implemented and other issues brought up by the homeless participants the executive administrator informed us about pressure being exerted on the ARCH and the Austin Police Department by the city and several civic organizations. The problem is the number of people (not all homeless) who hang around outside the ARCH and openly smoke their weed and peddle their pills. I know this as a fact as I observe this regularly. Well, we at the meeting were asked to encourage those outside to come inside so to avoid what will obviously be coming.
Dan and Wendy hang around outside the ARCH. After the meeting and lunch I saw Dan and informed him of what may be coming down. He informed me this evening that not an hour after I warned him the police were by and made an arrest.
Earlier this evening a “Fox” news camera man was just below mw taking shots of the exterior and sidewalk of the ARCH and the homeless congregating as usual. About a half hour later two cops on bikes came speeding out of the parking garage next door. They have never done this before. They proceeded down the street past the ARCH. A few minutes later we heard voices from the top of the parking garage. We looked, and three officers were up there observing what was going on at the ARCH and radioing their observations. They are still there at present. A cop walked by us on the hill without saying anything. He went across the street and he began questioning a black man who assists people parking on the streets. He was soon joined by two other officers. Another black man was walking down the street, they stopped and detained him. A cop car pulled up in front of us and an officer got out and went to the others. One of the officers walked back up the hill and as he was walking by he told Dan, “It is a Class A misdemeanor to camp here,” indicating that it would be better if we moved on. We got the message and are seeking out new vantage points to observe what seems to be happening.
I went down the backside of the hill and found a spot where I could observe the ARCH. I went back to check the status of the first two black men but they and the police were gone. The police are making their presence very noticeably now in front of the ARCH. Yet there are those huddled against the wall and wandering around aimlessly.
And the music rings through the air. There is another concert at Stub’s.
Eventually an officer walks up to those huddled against the wall seated on the sidewalk, about 8-10 stand up immediately. I am about 200 yards away so I cannot hear what is being said. A few scatter, but not too far, some continue to sit. Most meander about, oblivious to what is going on. For the time, the police exit the scene.
Dan informed me that the man who was questioned by the police, who assisted with parking, was arrested for asking for money from those he assisted. Legally he is allowed to accept tips if they are offered, but he is not allowed to ask for money.
I returned to my perch on the hill. I don’t think the police were too concerned about me. I’ve been there for 5-6 weeks, I think the cops who were on the parking garage expected me to be there. But I won’t put down the cardboard this time. Don’t want to look like I’m camping.
Thursday September 20, 2012
Today while standing in line to get lunch it could be seen across the street at the ARCH police were moving in again, squad cars and police on bikes swarming in as if on cue. I could not tell if anyone specific were the focus of their attention. At the same time all this was occurring an independent camera man was across the street on the corner videoing what was going on. The ARCH Executive administrator eventually went out to the camera ma, talked for a short while and then brought him back into the ARCH. The police soon vanished.
3:30 P.M. Police are out front of the ARCH, 3 officers on bicycles and a “paddy wagon”. All I want to do is get in line at the Salvation Army for dinner. A fight breaks out about 15 yards behind me in line, a Hispanic and a black man. I am familiar with the Hispanic, hangs with a group of “punk” kids (young adults), and very rebellious group. The black man I don’t know, but he took off as soon as he was aware the police were right there. And they were “right there”. No one was arrested; I had my dinner and headed for the library.
The administration of the ARCH had a town hall meeting today and all who make use of the facilities were welcome to attend. I did attend as I feel a part of this homeless community and I appreciate the services provided. Unfortunately there are relatively few who feel compelled to participate in such functions. There were about 12-18 others who are homeless and about 10 staff and administrators, but it was still a good meeting.
After some general discussion about things to be implemented and other issues brought up by the homeless participants the executive administrator informed us about pressure being exerted on the ARCH and the Austin Police Department by the city and several civic organizations. The problem is the number of people (not all homeless) who hang around outside the ARCH and openly smoke their weed and peddle their pills. I know this as a fact as I observe this regularly. Well, we at the meeting were asked to encourage those outside to come inside so to avoid what will obviously be coming.
Dan and Wendy hang around outside the ARCH. After the meeting and lunch I saw Dan and informed him of what may be coming down. He informed me this evening that not an hour after I warned him the police were by and made an arrest.
Earlier this evening a “Fox” news camera man was just below mw taking shots of the exterior and sidewalk of the ARCH and the homeless congregating as usual. About a half hour later two cops on bikes came speeding out of the parking garage next door. They have never done this before. They proceeded down the street past the ARCH. A few minutes later we heard voices from the top of the parking garage. We looked, and three officers were up there observing what was going on at the ARCH and radioing their observations. They are still there at present. A cop walked by us on the hill without saying anything. He went across the street and he began questioning a black man who assists people parking on the streets. He was soon joined by two other officers. Another black man was walking down the street, they stopped and detained him. A cop car pulled up in front of us and an officer got out and went to the others. One of the officers walked back up the hill and as he was walking by he told Dan, “It is a Class A misdemeanor to camp here,” indicating that it would be better if we moved on. We got the message and are seeking out new vantage points to observe what seems to be happening.
I went down the backside of the hill and found a spot where I could observe the ARCH. I went back to check the status of the first two black men but they and the police were gone. The police are making their presence very noticeably now in front of the ARCH. Yet there are those huddled against the wall and wandering around aimlessly.
And the music rings through the air. There is another concert at Stub’s.
Eventually an officer walks up to those huddled against the wall seated on the sidewalk, about 8-10 stand up immediately. I am about 200 yards away so I cannot hear what is being said. A few scatter, but not too far, some continue to sit. Most meander about, oblivious to what is going on. For the time, the police exit the scene.
Dan informed me that the man who was questioned by the police, who assisted with parking, was arrested for asking for money from those he assisted. Legally he is allowed to accept tips if they are offered, but he is not allowed to ask for money.
I returned to my perch on the hill. I don’t think the police were too concerned about me. I’ve been there for 5-6 weeks, I think the cops who were on the parking garage expected me to be there. But I won’t put down the cardboard this time. Don’t want to look like I’m camping.
Thursday September 20, 2012
Today while standing in line to get lunch it could be seen across the street at the ARCH police were moving in again, squad cars and police on bikes swarming in as if on cue. I could not tell if anyone specific were the focus of their attention. At the same time all this was occurring an independent camera man was across the street on the corner videoing what was going on. The ARCH Executive administrator eventually went out to the camera ma, talked for a short while and then brought him back into the ARCH. The police soon vanished.
3:30 P.M. Police are out front of the ARCH, 3 officers on bicycles and a “paddy wagon”. All I want to do is get in line at the Salvation Army for dinner. A fight breaks out about 15 yards behind me in line, a Hispanic and a black man. I am familiar with the Hispanic, hangs with a group of “punk” kids (young adults), and very rebellious group. The black man I don’t know, but he took off as soon as he was aware the police were right there. And they were “right there”. No one was arrested; I had my dinner and headed for the library.
Tuesday September 18 – Please, not now … I’m trying to listen
Tuesday September 18 – Please, not now … I’m trying to listen
I came back from the library, about 7:45 P.M. Dan and Wendy were already set up for the night. Dan asked how I was this evening and after my walk over the hills of Austin and up the parking lot to our back I could only reply, “It’s hell getting old,” to which there was a hearty agreement.
As I looked to the east, what’s this? The lots were full and all the parking on the street filled. This could only mean one thing … Stub’s was having a concert tonight.
If you were to walk down the hill, due east and past the parking lot and pass the restaurant below and cross the street (Red River) you would find stubs, a Bar-B-Q restaurants that has an outside stage in the back and periodically has some of the better bands come in and do concerts. I mean the quality of what they put on is top notch.
As the sun set the first band started and I tell you, for not paying a red cent I could not ask for a better location to sit and listen. After a few minutes, my Bible totting neighbor stands up and starts reading out of the book of Revelations. Fortunately the band was loud enough, so it was not too much of an inconvenience. He started over to me and asked if he could pray for me. “I’d rather you didn’t,” I told him, and he went to Dan and Wendy who consented to his request.
I have lost patience with the religious proselytizers. Yes, to some degree I used to be one of them, but I was always a “free thinker”. Religion cannot tolerate “free thinkers”. They become a threat, because the more you try to learn objectively, the more the fallacy becomes apparent. And it is not just the religious fallacy; we might just as well include the economic and the political.
You see, the religious need their absolute (God). And whether it is religion or economics or politics we long for something absolute, real, unchangeable. But the fact is, there is nothing absolute, only relative concoctions of “better” or “worse”, and that could be virtually anything. But, of course, whatever we have become accustomed to that is our best, our absolute … and damn the man (or person – PC) who tries to fuck with it.
Prayers ended, the music continues …
I came back from the library, about 7:45 P.M. Dan and Wendy were already set up for the night. Dan asked how I was this evening and after my walk over the hills of Austin and up the parking lot to our back I could only reply, “It’s hell getting old,” to which there was a hearty agreement.
As I looked to the east, what’s this? The lots were full and all the parking on the street filled. This could only mean one thing … Stub’s was having a concert tonight.
If you were to walk down the hill, due east and past the parking lot and pass the restaurant below and cross the street (Red River) you would find stubs, a Bar-B-Q restaurants that has an outside stage in the back and periodically has some of the better bands come in and do concerts. I mean the quality of what they put on is top notch.
As the sun set the first band started and I tell you, for not paying a red cent I could not ask for a better location to sit and listen. After a few minutes, my Bible totting neighbor stands up and starts reading out of the book of Revelations. Fortunately the band was loud enough, so it was not too much of an inconvenience. He started over to me and asked if he could pray for me. “I’d rather you didn’t,” I told him, and he went to Dan and Wendy who consented to his request.
I have lost patience with the religious proselytizers. Yes, to some degree I used to be one of them, but I was always a “free thinker”. Religion cannot tolerate “free thinkers”. They become a threat, because the more you try to learn objectively, the more the fallacy becomes apparent. And it is not just the religious fallacy; we might just as well include the economic and the political.
You see, the religious need their absolute (God). And whether it is religion or economics or politics we long for something absolute, real, unchangeable. But the fact is, there is nothing absolute, only relative concoctions of “better” or “worse”, and that could be virtually anything. But, of course, whatever we have become accustomed to that is our best, our absolute … and damn the man (or person – PC) who tries to fuck with it.
Prayers ended, the music continues …
Saturday September 15 – Clouds Clearing
Saturday September 15 – Clouds Clearing
I am watching the sky. The clouds are clearing, moving east by south east. And the short end of a rainbow appears out of the bottom of some particularly ominous bunch of clouds. And the clouds reclaim that far away corner and the rainbow disappears. And I look up, nearer and a goddess is stretched out lying on her side. And a face appears and within a minute or two fades into a blur and then nothing. But for now the sky is clearing and all that remains are the high wisps someplace in the stratosphere, and the contrails of passing jets, now far gone. But in the distance, to the west something dark is appearing.
A man approaches me, obviously a more “experienced” homeless sort, a “pro”. He asks if he can read some scripture to me, “No”, I reply, “I’d rather you didn’t.” He says “OK” and turns around to go back down the steps that are on the front of the hill, and then turns around and asks if it is alright if he camps up here. “Sure” I reply, “The cops don’t seem to bother us up here.” He thanks me and makes himself comfortable at the other side of this mesa.
At the same time a woman I had seen numerous times at the ARCH walks by with a male friend. She waves and we exchange a few courteous words. She is pretty, but very street hardened, tougher than me, I’m sure.
The clouds to the west are breaking up, dark but no longer threatening.
A new couple has made their way to my hill. They are at the far back corner. And the parking lot has yet to fill and the bands to play, but I can see the stars again. “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight …” It’s become like a prayer, focusing my attention … and you can guess the wish. My lady and I believe in each other. And possibly we see something in the other that we are unable to recognize ourselves. Our lives are open to whatever possibilities and difficulties arise. We will have each other. … But, it seems to be working, and who am I to argue when things are going well.
I met the couple who just arrived, Dan and Wendy, second day being homeless. They are around my age (late fifties) and from Illinois. My God, I feel like I’ve located a couple more “normal” human beings. I was able to give them a few pointers about life on the streets here. I’m sure if they are around for any length of time we will develop close ties.
… It’s 2:19 A.M. … the bars are closing … the Lone Star has fallen … blue belles are squatting … does anyone know where we parked the car?
Sunday September 16
It began raining at 10 a.m. and continued all day long. I sat on the porch of the condemned house keeping myself half hidden behind one of the brick pillars. A neighbor, a guy who uses the vacant lot across the street decided to join me but didn’t try to conceal his presence. He sat openly and defiantly on the porch, leaning against the wall, reading his book. He is a nice enough guy, from Montana, but a braggart, and hates blacks. The desire and ability to attempt to understand seem to evade him. After a short while the police cruise by and from their car, tell us to move on. We go our separate ways.
A short walk up the hill I stood in a doorway that is infrequently used. It could be satisfactory if only there were something to sit on, a milk crate or a five gallon bucket. The ground below is wet so sitting on it is out of the question. The rain is “On again. Off again” so I wandered to check out other locations. I found myself under a tree in the lot across from the ARCH and sat for a while. Everything is damp, my feet are wet, but my pants and upper body are dry. The leather jacket I wear is proving to be one of my better investments. The rain picks up again, when will it ever stop? Eventually it slows and I walk back to my hill. There is no place dry and the humidity in the air precludes the idea of anything drying soon.
To the east, at the same place I saw the end of a rainbow, another appears. It is still raining lightly. I am about to leave and glance to my left and into the sky. My god, I can follow the length of the rainbow from the northeast corner of Austin to the south east portion that had only been visible just a few minutes prior. It really is a magnificent sight.
The Rain finally subsides.
Dan and Wendy make their way back up to the hill around 11 P.M.. They had been sitting on the pad under the awning at the ARCH when they were finally asked to leave. No one is supposed to be there after 6: P.M., but the ARCH is not hard about enforcing the rules, especially during inclement weather.
It had stopped raining but a dry spot was not to be found. But Dan and Wendy had got a trash bag from the ARCH which they cut open to put on the ground under their sleeping blankets and could be comfortable enough. I found some large pieces of cardboard that someone had hid in the bushes and Dan lent me a quilted blanket to use for padding. It was damp, but better than sleeping on the bare ground.
“I was fortunate enough to go to Woodstock”, the words just came out of my mouth. “This reminds me of that.” Wendy looked perplexed; Dan threw his hands up in the air and laughed. “Lots of rain.” … “Yep” … But it was more than that. The night went without more rain.
I am watching the sky. The clouds are clearing, moving east by south east. And the short end of a rainbow appears out of the bottom of some particularly ominous bunch of clouds. And the clouds reclaim that far away corner and the rainbow disappears. And I look up, nearer and a goddess is stretched out lying on her side. And a face appears and within a minute or two fades into a blur and then nothing. But for now the sky is clearing and all that remains are the high wisps someplace in the stratosphere, and the contrails of passing jets, now far gone. But in the distance, to the west something dark is appearing.
A man approaches me, obviously a more “experienced” homeless sort, a “pro”. He asks if he can read some scripture to me, “No”, I reply, “I’d rather you didn’t.” He says “OK” and turns around to go back down the steps that are on the front of the hill, and then turns around and asks if it is alright if he camps up here. “Sure” I reply, “The cops don’t seem to bother us up here.” He thanks me and makes himself comfortable at the other side of this mesa.
At the same time a woman I had seen numerous times at the ARCH walks by with a male friend. She waves and we exchange a few courteous words. She is pretty, but very street hardened, tougher than me, I’m sure.
The clouds to the west are breaking up, dark but no longer threatening.
A new couple has made their way to my hill. They are at the far back corner. And the parking lot has yet to fill and the bands to play, but I can see the stars again. “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight …” It’s become like a prayer, focusing my attention … and you can guess the wish. My lady and I believe in each other. And possibly we see something in the other that we are unable to recognize ourselves. Our lives are open to whatever possibilities and difficulties arise. We will have each other. … But, it seems to be working, and who am I to argue when things are going well.
I met the couple who just arrived, Dan and Wendy, second day being homeless. They are around my age (late fifties) and from Illinois. My God, I feel like I’ve located a couple more “normal” human beings. I was able to give them a few pointers about life on the streets here. I’m sure if they are around for any length of time we will develop close ties.
… It’s 2:19 A.M. … the bars are closing … the Lone Star has fallen … blue belles are squatting … does anyone know where we parked the car?
Sunday September 16
It began raining at 10 a.m. and continued all day long. I sat on the porch of the condemned house keeping myself half hidden behind one of the brick pillars. A neighbor, a guy who uses the vacant lot across the street decided to join me but didn’t try to conceal his presence. He sat openly and defiantly on the porch, leaning against the wall, reading his book. He is a nice enough guy, from Montana, but a braggart, and hates blacks. The desire and ability to attempt to understand seem to evade him. After a short while the police cruise by and from their car, tell us to move on. We go our separate ways.
A short walk up the hill I stood in a doorway that is infrequently used. It could be satisfactory if only there were something to sit on, a milk crate or a five gallon bucket. The ground below is wet so sitting on it is out of the question. The rain is “On again. Off again” so I wandered to check out other locations. I found myself under a tree in the lot across from the ARCH and sat for a while. Everything is damp, my feet are wet, but my pants and upper body are dry. The leather jacket I wear is proving to be one of my better investments. The rain picks up again, when will it ever stop? Eventually it slows and I walk back to my hill. There is no place dry and the humidity in the air precludes the idea of anything drying soon.
To the east, at the same place I saw the end of a rainbow, another appears. It is still raining lightly. I am about to leave and glance to my left and into the sky. My god, I can follow the length of the rainbow from the northeast corner of Austin to the south east portion that had only been visible just a few minutes prior. It really is a magnificent sight.
The Rain finally subsides.
Dan and Wendy make their way back up to the hill around 11 P.M.. They had been sitting on the pad under the awning at the ARCH when they were finally asked to leave. No one is supposed to be there after 6: P.M., but the ARCH is not hard about enforcing the rules, especially during inclement weather.
It had stopped raining but a dry spot was not to be found. But Dan and Wendy had got a trash bag from the ARCH which they cut open to put on the ground under their sleeping blankets and could be comfortable enough. I found some large pieces of cardboard that someone had hid in the bushes and Dan lent me a quilted blanket to use for padding. It was damp, but better than sleeping on the bare ground.
“I was fortunate enough to go to Woodstock”, the words just came out of my mouth. “This reminds me of that.” Wendy looked perplexed; Dan threw his hands up in the air and laughed. “Lots of rain.” … “Yep” … But it was more than that. The night went without more rain.
Thursday September 13, 2012 – Instincts
Thursday September 13, 2012 – Instincts
I am sitting on the porch of the abandon house located next to my hill. It is raining and the roof over the porch offers the best and nearest cover. It is not the most pleasant place. Years of homeless taking their respite here and the smells of urine brought forth and amplified by the wet and humidity. But, at least it is dry.
Thunderstorms came through earlier today while a large number of us were standing in line to be fed lunch at a local restaurant which provides meals at 11 a.m. for the poor and homeless. It could have been worse, but we clung close to the wall and were able to keep anything we had essential dry by placing it between ourselves and the wall. And within a half hour were dry enough to go on about the days business. Well, it has been threatening rain all day, but only started to sprinkle as we stood in line at the Salvation Army. After the dinner meal I made my way to my hill and just kept an eye on the clouds. They seemed to be clearing to the south, the wind was from that direction, but it was beginning to thunder progressively more to the north. I sat and waited and eventually it started to sprinkle harder and I decided to move before I was caught and soaked. As I sat on the porch it did begin raining harder, though no thunderstorm. I sit there now, waiting, hoping it will subside and I can go make a phone call later tonight.
But as I sat (or sit), I began to wonder about our instinct to survive. Most modern day psychologists would tell us that we human beings are not “instinctual”. Instincts are a relic of our pre-human evolutionary past. The human being is now a conscious thinking animal.
C.G. Jung says that instincts are a part of our unconscious. Hidden away and virtually forgotten, and our conscious minds taught to disavow the existence of not only our instincts, but the unconscious itself.
I am no expert on the unconscious, but I am learning and I have realized there is a great deal more to and about the human psyche that we, if we are open and willing to explore it, can come to realize and integrate into a fuller human experience. Much of this I see as what Jesus Christ taught.
And I can’t help but wonder, living on the streets of Austin Texas, is this not a way to force me to learn to live on the long forgotten instincts and integrate them into my conscious mind?
I am sitting on the porch of the abandon house located next to my hill. It is raining and the roof over the porch offers the best and nearest cover. It is not the most pleasant place. Years of homeless taking their respite here and the smells of urine brought forth and amplified by the wet and humidity. But, at least it is dry.
Thunderstorms came through earlier today while a large number of us were standing in line to be fed lunch at a local restaurant which provides meals at 11 a.m. for the poor and homeless. It could have been worse, but we clung close to the wall and were able to keep anything we had essential dry by placing it between ourselves and the wall. And within a half hour were dry enough to go on about the days business. Well, it has been threatening rain all day, but only started to sprinkle as we stood in line at the Salvation Army. After the dinner meal I made my way to my hill and just kept an eye on the clouds. They seemed to be clearing to the south, the wind was from that direction, but it was beginning to thunder progressively more to the north. I sat and waited and eventually it started to sprinkle harder and I decided to move before I was caught and soaked. As I sat on the porch it did begin raining harder, though no thunderstorm. I sit there now, waiting, hoping it will subside and I can go make a phone call later tonight.
But as I sat (or sit), I began to wonder about our instinct to survive. Most modern day psychologists would tell us that we human beings are not “instinctual”. Instincts are a relic of our pre-human evolutionary past. The human being is now a conscious thinking animal.
C.G. Jung says that instincts are a part of our unconscious. Hidden away and virtually forgotten, and our conscious minds taught to disavow the existence of not only our instincts, but the unconscious itself.
I am no expert on the unconscious, but I am learning and I have realized there is a great deal more to and about the human psyche that we, if we are open and willing to explore it, can come to realize and integrate into a fuller human experience. Much of this I see as what Jesus Christ taught.
And I can’t help but wonder, living on the streets of Austin Texas, is this not a way to force me to learn to live on the long forgotten instincts and integrate them into my conscious mind?
Monday September 10, 2012 – BMX or some such
Monday September 10, 2012 – BMX or some such
The hill that I camp myself on as you face east towards Neches St. is secured and held up by a retaining wall. To the right of me, facing the condemned house is another retaining wall securing my hill. In front of the retaining wall along Neches St. where a side walk should be, the wall is reinforced by concrete against the wall down to the street at about a 45 degree angle. This is not a walkable situation as one is just as likely to twist an ankle as make it to the other end of the walk.
Being a Monday night, it is the slow, off night for the bars, and thus there is less demand for parking spaces along Neches St.. But not to let the time and engineering marvel go to waste, the BMX bikers made a show of it, although I’m sure if some parents knew what their kids were up to some restrictions would no doubt be forthcoming.
At first three teenage boys showed up on their bikes. They were maybe 14 to 16 years old, and for the most part didn’t do anything too dangerous other than ride along the concrete embankment and a few jumps where the corner meets the road.
Then the older boy brought his bike up to the top of the wall and jumped the bike down onto the concrete embankment and onto the street. I could see he was starting to push himself into skill levels he was not quite ready for. Now understand … They had absolutely NO protective safety gear on. No helmets, No elbow or knee pads – Nothing. He then took his bike up the street about 30 – 40 yards and peddled downhill, gauging his speed, and then turned straight into the embankment attempting to jump to the top of the wall. Most times he failed. Twice he managed to land with peddles on the wall, and then jump the bike back off the wall and down the embankment. It was obvious he had received some physical punishment for his efforts.
Two older boys showed up, about college age. One was obviously the designated photographer. Cell phones are great for that. The other boy, young man, was obviously the experienced biker. He quickly went up the hill, peddling down and turned straight into the embankment and up and over the wall, landing along the ridge of the wall at 90 degrees to his approach. He then pushed his bike pass me, walking it down the drive to my left. He continued in his attempts to jump the wall, but none was as successful as the first. After a dozen or so tries, with varying degrees of success, he too apparently felt the pains of the exercise, gathered his backpack, checked the pictures out and the boys went on their way, peddling west on 8th St..
And even though it is a Monday night, parking is still needed here along Neches St... I saw a guy getting an amplifier out of his car, carried it across the street and had his girlfriend wheel it down to the bar. Well … he had to go back to his car for his guitar … Seems perfectly natural to me. Of course, when they returned, he wheeled it back and she carried his guitar.
The hill that I camp myself on as you face east towards Neches St. is secured and held up by a retaining wall. To the right of me, facing the condemned house is another retaining wall securing my hill. In front of the retaining wall along Neches St. where a side walk should be, the wall is reinforced by concrete against the wall down to the street at about a 45 degree angle. This is not a walkable situation as one is just as likely to twist an ankle as make it to the other end of the walk.
Being a Monday night, it is the slow, off night for the bars, and thus there is less demand for parking spaces along Neches St.. But not to let the time and engineering marvel go to waste, the BMX bikers made a show of it, although I’m sure if some parents knew what their kids were up to some restrictions would no doubt be forthcoming.
At first three teenage boys showed up on their bikes. They were maybe 14 to 16 years old, and for the most part didn’t do anything too dangerous other than ride along the concrete embankment and a few jumps where the corner meets the road.
Then the older boy brought his bike up to the top of the wall and jumped the bike down onto the concrete embankment and onto the street. I could see he was starting to push himself into skill levels he was not quite ready for. Now understand … They had absolutely NO protective safety gear on. No helmets, No elbow or knee pads – Nothing. He then took his bike up the street about 30 – 40 yards and peddled downhill, gauging his speed, and then turned straight into the embankment attempting to jump to the top of the wall. Most times he failed. Twice he managed to land with peddles on the wall, and then jump the bike back off the wall and down the embankment. It was obvious he had received some physical punishment for his efforts.
Two older boys showed up, about college age. One was obviously the designated photographer. Cell phones are great for that. The other boy, young man, was obviously the experienced biker. He quickly went up the hill, peddling down and turned straight into the embankment and up and over the wall, landing along the ridge of the wall at 90 degrees to his approach. He then pushed his bike pass me, walking it down the drive to my left. He continued in his attempts to jump the wall, but none was as successful as the first. After a dozen or so tries, with varying degrees of success, he too apparently felt the pains of the exercise, gathered his backpack, checked the pictures out and the boys went on their way, peddling west on 8th St..
And even though it is a Monday night, parking is still needed here along Neches St... I saw a guy getting an amplifier out of his car, carried it across the street and had his girlfriend wheel it down to the bar. Well … he had to go back to his car for his guitar … Seems perfectly natural to me. Of course, when they returned, he wheeled it back and she carried his guitar.
Sunday, September 9, 2012 – The Clan
Sunday, September 9, 2012 – The Clan
I have been on my perch on the hill for four weeks now, and generally it has turn out to be the best spot around to plant myself sit and think, listen to music and sleep. The only times I had been approached by police were after 6:30 a.m. and I was either asleep or in a half sleep dazed state and each time issued a warning not to be caught sleeping.
Since establishing my squatter’s rights a few other homeless have begun to join me on my hill. At first it was an odd ball lot of individuals, a couple that I had seen numerous times around the ARCH and more recently a group of about a half dozen young people (young adults) who seem t have formed themselves into a clan.
This afternoon I was lying on my hill and I heard this group gathering about 20 yards behind me. The two guys were picking up trash that had been strewn and left behind by some of the prior visitors to my hill. “The cops told us if we cleaned things up a bit they wouldn’t bother us”. Apparently the one young man had a visitation from an officer the night before and he behaved respectfully and the officer had mercy and enough human concern to extend his care and “un-officially” the care of the police department to these young people, and by extension, to me.
Well … this is a relief to me. I was wandering what I was going to do with all that trash that had been accumulating.
I have been on my perch on the hill for four weeks now, and generally it has turn out to be the best spot around to plant myself sit and think, listen to music and sleep. The only times I had been approached by police were after 6:30 a.m. and I was either asleep or in a half sleep dazed state and each time issued a warning not to be caught sleeping.
Since establishing my squatter’s rights a few other homeless have begun to join me on my hill. At first it was an odd ball lot of individuals, a couple that I had seen numerous times around the ARCH and more recently a group of about a half dozen young people (young adults) who seem t have formed themselves into a clan.
This afternoon I was lying on my hill and I heard this group gathering about 20 yards behind me. The two guys were picking up trash that had been strewn and left behind by some of the prior visitors to my hill. “The cops told us if we cleaned things up a bit they wouldn’t bother us”. Apparently the one young man had a visitation from an officer the night before and he behaved respectfully and the officer had mercy and enough human concern to extend his care and “un-officially” the care of the police department to these young people, and by extension, to me.
Well … this is a relief to me. I was wandering what I was going to do with all that trash that had been accumulating.
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