I know that this is actually the second posting to this blog, but considering that I actually haven't had anything to write till now, it's completely understandable considering that the reason for this posting now is for something that I had seen and shared on Facebook, namely about the homeless, considering that I am one.
I have been homeless many many times in my life, and am currently that way right now as well. However upon seeing me, you would never know that for fact. One of the main reasons why I don't go to the only shelter in the area (which is the Concord Homeless Shelter) is because of two reasons, 1)I don't want to live several towns away from my wife (already did that living in Fresno and her living up here), and 2) they never have any space open (despite what someone happens to say other wise), they give you a meal, a sleeping bag, a number and a number to call. Plus (and here's the kicker) there's no buses out there on the weekends, and I don't have a car or driver's licence yet, though I am working on that right now.
Every time that I see someone that happens to be homeless like myself I take a good hard look at them and ask myself why they ended up in this position. Part of the time these days it's because of the bad Republican created economy that's the reason, other times it happens to be drug use like weed or crack or something else that won't let the person not only hold down both a job and a roof over their head. No matter the reason, one can see how long they've been homeless for, and personally I can see that it's never good. For the new ones they don't know what kind of world they happen to be entering at all, especially if it happens to be a family, that's what hurts me the most. Unless you've spent time in the world that I live in, you can never fully understand what I've been through. Yes having friends is great, but the kicker is trying to understand the one that happens to be living in this situation, and that's never going to be easy to do unless you spend time there.
I've already put something out before, a challenge to others, though I think I just posted it only to my blog here, and I still have no idea how many people actually read this (or any of my) blog(s) at all. After all I can only go by those that subscribe to the page, and right now the only one that happens to be subscribed is me and one other (who is only subscribed to a few of them), other wise I've no idea at all.
Yes my friends on Facebook (at least some of them that have been reading this) know what's been going on with my life, but knowing it and experiencing it are two different stories entirely. After all, you see one homeless person, often at times with out knowing his story, one makes an assumption thinking the most obvious, that they must have a mental issue or is on drugs (and often at times that is the truth too, but not always). I personally am this way because I can't live with my wife because she happens to be living with her mother and step-father (whose a Jehovah's Witness ass hole and doesn't care about anyone but himself, even got kicked out of his order for living with my mother-in-law before they got married, which as I understand it, is a MAJOR no no) and doesn't want me EVER living there. So what do I do, I sleep out in a space that I've been able to find, I have a job, and live to try to make my dreams come true. (My dreams, to not only get published (aside from the fictional story blog that I happen to have), but to own my own comic book store (for which I've started the process on), and to become a film maker and make movies). Right now I'm slowly working to get those dreams to become a reality, but on the other side that's why I keep an eye on the political side, because I know that it's that side that also going affect what I want to do in my life. Yes there's loads that I can do that don't effect me from that side, but if you think about it, if you don't vote for something, then when it doesn't happen to get enough votes (like Measure Q) then you end up losing something that you took for granted. That's why I keep an eye on everything, but I'm just one person with a blog, and I actually don't have that much power at all despite what I tend to write here. Yes I believe in the power of writing, but often at times there are other voices that don't care and will do what ever it takes to bring that voice down.
Now more often than not, when you happen to see someone that happens to be homeless and you are wondering what their story happens to be, you more often than not want to help them out but not sure what to do, well unless they happen to be a drug user (and happen to be addicted and don't want to quit, well they're screwed in that case) then right there there's not going to be much you're going to be able to do for them. But if you can, try to find out what's really going on. More often than not, they want to be left alone and not taken pity on, but at the same time they want a roof over their head, but they can't get one for various reasons. I personally want to get a home to live in with Miramonte, our son Ryan and myself, but with how the price is going these days for renting (and the need for a credit check which I can never pass), getting a place is going to require me to get my book published before that ever happens.
If you would like to see me in person before I head off to work, I always post on Facebook as to where I happen to be each morning. Come see me and talk to me, I'm always not only willing to be a friend, but an ear that one might need. And if you can only talk online, well just check one of the links below and I'll get the message either way.
Ah who knows, it's all up to you either way dear reader, I just hope that you pick compassion and don't turn your head when someone really needs it.
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Felix Sanchez
Sign Dancer, Linen Outlet Pleasant Hill, CA
Alhambra High School
Class of '97
Twitter: @thecat2643
