I. STARTING OUT
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY, AND I WANT TO RIDE IT
I never have a hard time figuring out how to start writing. For me, it's just a matter of placing the pen onto the paper. Instead, the question I find myself asking is, "where do I start?"
Do I start by re-hashing my entire life? Or, should I recount the events that have brought me to this place? The answer is, "I don't know." But, that's okay. I don't have to know. I just have to start.
The path I have chosen- at the late age of 30- is quite unorthodox...
FINDING MY WIND
I left Houston on Saturday, June 30th, 2012. I was given a ride, by a good friend, from West Houston to The Woodlands.
My friend, Stuart, dropped me off in the parking lot of an H.E.B. grocery store. I hung out there about and hour, until the rain passed. After the rain passed I grabbed my gear and set out for a quiet place to rest for the night. I found a parking garage not far away. After settling on the third level of the garage, I huddled down for the rest of the night.
The next morning I awoke around 8:30am. After going to the corner store I returned to the garage and sat at the picnic tables which were placed there for the smokers.
I never have a hard time figuring out how to start writing. For me, it's just a matter of placing the pen onto the paper. Instead, the question I find myself asking is, "where do I start?"
Do I start by re-hashing my entire life? Or, should I recount the events that have brought me to this place? The answer is, "I don't know." But, that's okay. I don't have to know. I just have to start.
The path I have chosen- at the late age of 30- is quite unorthodox...
FINDING MY WIND
I left Houston on Saturday, June 30th, 2012. I was given a ride, by a good friend, from West Houston to The Woodlands.
My friend, Stuart, dropped me off in the parking lot of an H.E.B. grocery store. I hung out there about and hour, until the rain passed. After the rain passed I grabbed my gear and set out for a quiet place to rest for the night. I found a parking garage not far away. After settling on the third level of the garage, I huddled down for the rest of the night.
The next morning I awoke around 8:30am. After going to the corner store I returned to the garage and sat at the picnic tables which were placed there for the smokers.
30.124974,-95.444369
I FOUGHT THE LAW...
After sitting there about an hour, two cops pulled up. One cop drove around the area slowly. The other cop was racing around, peeling out, and revving his engine. As the speed-racer gunned his way up to the upper levels of the garage the other cop pulled up next to me.
When he got out of his car he asked what I was doing here. I told him I was just killing time. The 'Coward Cop' explained two silent alarms had been tripped at the adjacent bank, and that's why they were here. I explained I had been sitting there for more than an hour and had not seen anything out of place.
That's when 'Aggressive Cop' raced up. By this time I was recording everything. 'Aggressive Cop' came up behind me and snatched my camera phone from my hand. Then 'Aggressive Cop' tells me to walk to the back of his car. Presumably aware the dash cam was not aimed toward the back, he began to repeatedly slam me against the car, torque my shoulder, and- oddly enough- yank on my ear. 'Coward Cop' stood by and watched.
After being cuffed, 'Aggressive Cop' took me to the The Woodlands Police Station to book me. However, because I refused to identify myself or sign any paperwork, I was refused and he had no choice but to take me to County. While being taken to County 'Aggressive Cop' started to strike up a conversation. He asked me if I am on dope, and I told him I am homeless and couldn't afford it even if I wanted it. Then he said there were ways of getting dope for free and he continued to explain how some people will suck dick to get dope. I told him not to push his fantasies onto others, and such things were unbecoming of grown men.
'Aggressive Cop' repeatedly attempted to entice me toward anger. Each attempt was met with a mild response as if I were talking to a slow child.
After sitting there about an hour, two cops pulled up. One cop drove around the area slowly. The other cop was racing around, peeling out, and revving his engine. As the speed-racer gunned his way up to the upper levels of the garage the other cop pulled up next to me.
When he got out of his car he asked what I was doing here. I told him I was just killing time. The 'Coward Cop' explained two silent alarms had been tripped at the adjacent bank, and that's why they were here. I explained I had been sitting there for more than an hour and had not seen anything out of place.
That's when 'Aggressive Cop' raced up. By this time I was recording everything. 'Aggressive Cop' came up behind me and snatched my camera phone from my hand. Then 'Aggressive Cop' tells me to walk to the back of his car. Presumably aware the dash cam was not aimed toward the back, he began to repeatedly slam me against the car, torque my shoulder, and- oddly enough- yank on my ear. 'Coward Cop' stood by and watched.
After being cuffed, 'Aggressive Cop' took me to the The Woodlands Police Station to book me. However, because I refused to identify myself or sign any paperwork, I was refused and he had no choice but to take me to County. While being taken to County 'Aggressive Cop' started to strike up a conversation. He asked me if I am on dope, and I told him I am homeless and couldn't afford it even if I wanted it. Then he said there were ways of getting dope for free and he continued to explain how some people will suck dick to get dope. I told him not to push his fantasies onto others, and such things were unbecoming of grown men.
'Aggressive Cop' repeatedly attempted to entice me toward anger. Each attempt was met with a mild response as if I were talking to a slow child.
30.124974,-95.444369
LEE IS GAY?
Ultimately, I was hauled off to jail on bogus charges of Public Intoxication and Failure To Identify. After being released the following day, I began my 20+ mile walk back to the garage to collect my gear. After walking for 3.5 hours an older man, named Lee, offered me a ride.
After hearing my story he offered to wait for me to grab my gear and take me to a shelter in Conroe. When he dropped me off at the shelter he propositioned me for sexual favors for money. I respectfully declined and never saw him again, despite him saying he would stop by later.
I ended up staying in Conroe for one week. I left the following Sunday after failing to find any work.
Ultimately, I was hauled off to jail on bogus charges of Public Intoxication and Failure To Identify. After being released the following day, I began my 20+ mile walk back to the garage to collect my gear. After walking for 3.5 hours an older man, named Lee, offered me a ride.
After hearing my story he offered to wait for me to grab my gear and take me to a shelter in Conroe. When he dropped me off at the shelter he propositioned me for sexual favors for money. I respectfully declined and never saw him again, despite him saying he would stop by later.
I ended up staying in Conroe for one week. I left the following Sunday after failing to find any work.
30.309467,-95.452965
THE HOLE IN CONROE
While staying in the shelter in Conroe, I was afforded the opportunity to see people from a different perspective.
Former meth-heads, recently released convicts, traveling families, migrant workers were all using the shelter as a half-way house. This, of course, is the intention of the shelter.
However, there is another segment of people within the community, who's thought processes are radically different.
These people have been, and fully intend, to stay homeless. When they are welcome in the shelters they complain about the conditions, food, and anything else that pops into their mind. When they are not in the shelters, they are often in the 'hole'.
The 'hole' is a section in the woods that is populated by dozens of homeless people. I could never bring myself to go down there, but I've been told the beer cans are piled up, and drug paraphernalia is littered all over. The people in the 'hole' will piss and shit anywhere. In fact, while I walked by the 'hole', on certain days, I could smell the stench of human waste.
This latter segment of people have become complacent through the use of alcohol and methamphetamine. They have become 'used to' being fed and watered through the kindness of others and social programs. In turn, these people have developed an unjustifiable sense of entitlement and have forgotten how important gratitude is.
While staying in the shelter in Conroe, I was afforded the opportunity to see people from a different perspective.
Former meth-heads, recently released convicts, traveling families, migrant workers were all using the shelter as a half-way house. This, of course, is the intention of the shelter.
However, there is another segment of people within the community, who's thought processes are radically different.
These people have been, and fully intend, to stay homeless. When they are welcome in the shelters they complain about the conditions, food, and anything else that pops into their mind. When they are not in the shelters, they are often in the 'hole'.
The 'hole' is a section in the woods that is populated by dozens of homeless people. I could never bring myself to go down there, but I've been told the beer cans are piled up, and drug paraphernalia is littered all over. The people in the 'hole' will piss and shit anywhere. In fact, while I walked by the 'hole', on certain days, I could smell the stench of human waste.
This latter segment of people have become complacent through the use of alcohol and methamphetamine. They have become 'used to' being fed and watered through the kindness of others and social programs. In turn, these people have developed an unjustifiable sense of entitlement and have forgotten how important gratitude is.