To Take A Shower...

Homelessness for Stupid People

The foibles of the most pampered homeless population in the Bay Area...

My vacation is over... not that it really was a vacation. Even amongst “normal” people, unemployment is seldom considered a vacation.

But I'm back to work, and reminding myself of certain realities that exist when you have a job and are homeless. No, I'm still going to be homeless. Unless I hit the lottery (and since I'm not stupid enough to play, that's not happening) I'm going to be homeless. That or if suddenly Bosslady decides my wages are going to be $18-$20 an hour... and she increases my hours to full time...

Anyway, not happening. Still sleeping outside, still trying to make sure I get a shower.

Mondays and Fridays, now out for me. I won't be showing up at Vineyard on Monday or Trinity on Friday because... well, I'm working! So I'll have to make other arrangements.

I'll make Wednesday at Asbury.

Part of keeping a job is at least looking and smelling presentable. So this is a pretty big deal. I'll be able to make those arrangements, but it'll still be tough. I'll largely be dependent on friends who aren't much better off than I am.

That said, I want to keep this job. For one thing, it's conveniently easy to get to. I have no problem being on time and doing the work. Commuting any length of time would be way to much to handle. I had a hard time with it when I had a place to live.

Bosslady is exactly the type I like to work for. She's no-nonsense, straight shooter who has standards and won't take any back talk. She reminds me a little of Chief Steinhardt, the executive officer back on Coast Guard Cutter Hudson. Well, Bosslady's not quite as gruff or loud as Chief Steinhardt was. I don't think she could bellow down Hudson's 160 foot length and give you the impression he can see every smudge you missed on that brass you're supposed to be polishing... but you get the idea...

I won't have to worry about running out of money, either. The way I've been surviving is by taking the odd job here and there, busting ass, doing it as best I could, and hoping I did it well enough so someone would call me up and offer me another. That's been hit and miss, but I haven't actually run out of money since I got laid off last August. I've managed to stay off GA and Foodstamps, and I'm thankful that there will be no need, assuming Bosslady stays happy with me, to ever go there.

But showers will be a problem.

While I was driving the Dial A Ride minivan, I was all over he place and I made enough to get a membership for 24hour Fitness. I'd grab a shower daily on my lunch break at which ever facility I was closest to, be it Stockton or San Jose or San Carlos.

But this is not a driving job, and the 24 hour fitness has moved. I don't make enough with this new job to pay for that membership with this new job, anyway, so that's really not an option.

For now, it's going to be hit and miss... but I'll muddle through it with an electric razor, wipes and the bathroom where I work... and the occasional luxurious shower at a friends home...

You folks that have your own... you have no idea what a luxury it is till you don't have it any more...