Ten Things I Miss From Being a Hobo

February 4, 2010, 19:24
Filed under: Uncategorized

In no specific order…

1. The outdoors – when you live outdoors, there is a sense of oneness that you build with the world that surounds you. You start recognizing different clouds, feel the wind the brings a storm, become familiar with the neighboorhood squirels… There is something magical about constantly being outside, in the metropolitan nature that I sometimes miss, if not crave.

2. The absence of responsibility- let’s face it. No schedule, no rent or bills to pay… That’s something we could all do without.

3. Random people talking to me – sure, lots of people are grossed out or have no respect for you at all when your holding your palm out to them asking them for change. But some are quite intrigued or compassionate and come up to you. You can see their thirst for knowing your story in their eyes. The best way to describe it would be raw human contact. From my experience, an intereaction such as a conversation, becomes so much more intense, emotionally wired when one of the ends is completely ,or at least perceived to be, completely vulnerable. I miss bearing my soul to complete strangers.

4. Hopes and dreams of a tomorrow. Simply – now I dream of a healthier planet, robots, unicorns or having super powers. But there was a day where my head was filled with the hopes and dream of having a home and food for the week, if not just waking up alive the next day. I used to dream of having friends over for a big filling diner. I can be greatfull that my dreams have come true… But I miss having realistic dreams, simple dreams… Unlike going to work on my unicorn and having a robot for a boyfriend.

5. Eating birthday cake for lunch – even when it’s not your birthday. Simply because it’s the cheapest thing at the grocery store. And that’s a pretty cool novelty, to eat a messed up cake. So what if I’m not Greg? And I used to love the feeling that I was saving that botched birthday cake’s life. Even though the baker screwed him up, he got to wish someone a happy birthday.

6. Calling collect and saying everything I had to say in a few seconds – ” you have a collect call from : hi dad it’s me I just wanted to wish you a merry Xmas! Do you wish to accept the charges?”

7. Making a big deal out of everything – When I was homeless, everything was exciting. A new pair of socks, a wrapped sandwich in the dumpster, a dollar coin found on the sidewalk. I think I can owe 100% of my child-like amazement for the little things in life to those few years that I spent fighting for my life on the sidewalks of Montreal. A warm winter day was a blessing. A warm meal was like Christmas day.

8. Satisfying a need – Although I take nothing for granted, given the fact that I know that we are all, at some point, a paycheck or two away from being homeless, there is a slightly masochist side of me that misses really needing something (food, a shower, shelter…) and getting it. I enjoy my daily morning or post-workout shower. But the showers that felt the best were the ones when after a week or two or gallivanting around, finally got to sneak into somewhere or go to the local shelter and feel the warm water running on your skin.

9. The stories – Everyone you meet on the streets has an incredible story to tell. Everyone.

10. Finding awesome things in dumpster – It felt like treasures. It felt like you were playing God and giving a second chance at life to some random object. I guess it’s the only kind of power trip a person without any possession can have.