traveling through homeless lifestyles

The shelter, managed crisis with a twist of sanity!

dawgrunner — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:08:01 +0000

Is a man a warrior first and then a solitary beast that sits an waits for the sun to set? Is he only destined to wanders the lands in search of peace of mind , not reconizing it as he passes by?
We carry the fire bundle, that tiny smoldering collection of embers wrapped tightly together to start a new fire before dusk. that fire that warms us, protects us while listening to the distant barking an howl of the “dogs on the edge of civilization”
This shelter is new, friendly,compassionate continuing to expand to better provide a safe enviroment. From the outside as you pass by all would assume the building was just another industrial business. The street overfilled with storage an repair outlets, heavy equipment sales an rental warehouses.
Once inside the building you become aware of a small office set up similar to any small business waiting an ready to greet you to explain the rules an recieve a packet of resources, the do’s an don’t's.
Outside of the office proper an to the left is a hallway leading to the main bunking area. First impressions are the visable markings of many days of dragging footsteps between the beds has worn paths through the paint on the swept an mopped floor. The numerous rows of surplus military or hospital ward type beds are neatly arranged for maxium effective use of every foot of space.
Each bed has a stack of bags upon it, the personal property, shoes, extra clothing belonging to a crisis with a twist of sanity. They are out at this time of morning in the community fending for themselves. Looking for the morning meal from the scarce number of soup kitchens in the city. The men are woke up early about 5am each day well before dawn allowing each just enough time to shit, shower, shave an brush the teeth. each having to learn, create a dance of waiting, shifting avoiding each others space to finally get in front of the sink, crapper or shower. Granted some do this the evening before. Then there are other folks who regard hygene as a less important aspect of daily living. some how effecting others bunking near them. Just another part of living here!
At 6 am everyone is asked to leave from the main building to wait outside for a referbished school bus for a short ride downtown to start the day.
There is the old school boy rush to the bus door. A crowd of men pressed together but not touching, standing that precious ground that is theirs an no others. Each wanting the few front seats letting them see the way.
Seperated from the main bunking area is a large room that is divided into a tv room, shower room with toilets an sinks. With a area designated as for a respite resident only. Those six beds are for people who have come here an are physically weaked due to injuries or disease to the point that rest an meals are provided to get them back on steady feet . Assist them with transport to appointments for healthcare testing, treatments. Veterans of 5 generations are the majority resting at this whole oasis, With a mixture of non vets encluded
Never had meals on wheels before, I’m impressed with its taste,
I thank you…
You might invision this house as a castel, a fortress to protect and provide a little hope for a man down on his luck. It is all that, as well as a hobo jungle and refuge for men to share their stories an their madness. Madness isn’t really defineable, maybe a little. But what is normal? There is a lot of rage, anger,frustration an hopelessness. No where to express it except with another mad man. The stories flow with a degree of fluidity that brings emotion to a stop, unless you respond to each story it will be repeated over an over. A rehearsal to the future audience of fellow associates.

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New Chapter or same song

dawgrunner — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:32:43 +0000

Updated today, Tuesday April 16, 2013

Monday was tough emotional day posted to facecrook my needing ride to Albq, NM to get to VA hospital for help with this strength robbing HepC.
My niece Teresa an my daughter Danica called me. Teresa came up the coin for a bus ticket and her an Danica helped me emotionaly. I was in a crisis couldn’t keep the tears back. I’m tired of running an want to be able to sleep in a safe place an hopefully rid myself of these constant nightmares.
Made it to abq NM will write when I can

UPDATE BELOW
Well after 3 days at a motel 8 I was in contact with a VA rep that worked out of Albq Center for the Homeless. Very knowlegeable man.
We had talked in person about what type of resources were available to help get veterans get off the street.
I decided to work with him and his state, federal and local connections.

I’m very thankful that I admit to the fact I have been for many decades been absolutely in denial of my actions regarding making wise an healthy decisions. I have managed to ruin a long marriage, strain my relationship with my daughter her kids an husband. snapped like a cork at my sisters an father. All because I would not accept mental health professionals advice. When any conflicts of personality or lifestyle choices became a part of the discussion I would leave town. Hitchhike right out of there! Not caring one bit for my safety or the feelings of my family. I was in self destruct mode. I was running for nothing. maybe I’ve been scared since I was 10 thinking that the dead body of the kid by the canal bank was going to be blamed on me. I’ve been running ever since.
I’ve stopped now and am seeking help. maybe biopolar or PTSD or both, what do I know? I’ve been running not thinking. I’m Sorry Deanna and Danica it’s been so hard.

Traveling from Dallas to Jacumba

dawgrunner — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:29:17 +0000

through the kindness of numerous people through twitter an the people I’ve met along the way I’m in Las Cruses, NM
I will update this as I travel.
Update:
Well so far I have managed to get past Deming, NM
Deming was a tough spot the town isn’t very big but it has a lot of homeless an home bums.
I arrived just before dark and was exhusted. I went to the Denny’s about three buildings from the gas station selling greyhound tickets.
I ate a good meal, the first since two days before leaving Dallas.
This has been a interesting few days. I was at the entrance ramp at I-10 heading westbound outside Deming NM after a overnight of sleeping next to the highway an the railroad tracks ( quite a few trains passing ) I walked back into the town. I called the local American Legion. I asked if anyone could get me out of town. A nice local vet took me to the Petro Truckstop #385 13 miles west. These people have been really nice an friendly.
The second day there I got the terrible runs, just sapped the strength out of me. I’m just starting to gain a little a more, I was feeling the pains again from two seperate attacks of pancreatits those were only a few months apart from each other an I starting drinking little bits of water hoping it won’t happen again. Been sleeping behind the main building of the truckstop alongside the airconditioners intakes. Tucked into a corner oneway in oneway out.
Does anyone know of a good crystal ball laying around?

Traveling by Greyhound too tired to hitchhike

dawgrunner — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:54:18 +0000

UPDATE 4-02-2013
Recieved my VA check. Spent 65$ on bus ticket from Dallas, Texas to Las Cruses, New Mexico.Final destination Jacumba, Ca. Bus only goes to El Centro Ca. Short about 40 miles. Thats all I could afford! 50$ on monthly cellphone ( basic unlimited ) purchased 4 packs of buglar rolling tobacco, suncreen, ballcap and wide tip magic markers to make signs for hitchhiking. VA check was for 251$ for month. NO MORE FOOD STAMPS. Have maybe 50$ for food for month!

I’m asking for donations to allow me to get a another bus ticket
So if you would like to help me please use the https://www.paypal.com and this email address dawgrunner@live.com just a dollar will help. When I find work I’ll be in a better place and remove this link.

Recieved 70$ so far via paypal from nice folks. 4/02/2013

Hep C and Hemochromatosis is kicking my butt. Both increase fatigue. The VA was talking to me after I requested treatment. I told them I believed I contracted HepC from the mulitdose vaccine injector.
Their treatment was being drawnout over months of discussion of should they do it because I currently was being treated for depression. Screw them I give up asking for help. I could probally do the treatment again myself without having to listen to their indecisions. I applied for service connected disability an was denied. Since then I’ve weaned myself off their depression medicine. The VA likes to dope you up an says its treatment. Bullshit

Thanks in advance
1-318-315-3755 24/7 its a real phone #
Jean Andre Vallery
twitter @iamjeanvallery

Needed Right Now For Helping Homeless Veterans

dawgrunner — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:20:58 +0000

1. Truckstops need to offer an provide free help to homeless veterans? Hey Loves, FlyinJ, Petro you need to stepup to the plate an provide a free shower an warm meal. Get or give a ride to the veteran, to any Veterans Administration Hospital!
2. Americian Legion and VFW need to post a live person in uniform at all Greyhound bus stations nationwide 24/7 365 to talk to assist any homeless or non homeless veteran. Provide crisis counseling at the station and transport to a VA Hospital for free care.
3. Someone create a youtube video showing Homeless Veterans in the cold rain, extreme heat. With the words “Dogs are treated better” Post it and send link out to all news stations and twitter followers.
4. Need someone to create a iphone an android app that will allow a person to report and post the location of a homeless veteran.
5. VA Outpatient Clinics and Va Hospitals need to open doors for Homeless Veterans to shower and get a hot meal. Give them medical help
6. Assign me ambassator at large to help and find homeless Veterans Give me DHS clearance to check railroad yards.

I’ll update. Do you have any immediate statements for homeless veterans emergent care?
follow twitteraccount @iamjeanvallery we need 1 million followers to spread the word.

Jean Andre Vallery

Was that Pecos or ..

dawgrunner — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:43:08 +0000

Got a ride from a young lady drifter in a little car. (these type of homeless are called rubber tramps cause they live in their car. she let me drive until the next stop at Pecos, Texas about 2 in the afternoon
So stepping out next to the truckstop a man pulled up in a old 60s ford pickup. gives me a ride to
exit 37 Horizon, Texas Loves truckstop has a policy of no drifters on the property.
I can see the lights of jarez mexico. About 30 miles from New Mexico border
Well I’m moving away from the flying J been here since 5:30am no ride So I’ll walk out on I-10 near the overpass for shade. maybe I’ll get out of texas today. Lots of homebums an drunks hanging out around all the areas of these 3 truckstops.
Drivers I have talked to are scared of people spying on them if they pickup riders. Really scared..
What has happened to the freedom that was afforded to a truckdriver? I suppose america is now completly guided an oppressed by insurance brokers

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Horizon at the truckstop

dawgrunner — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:42:53 +0000

If you haven’t at late been to at truckstop around sunrise your in for treat.
Finally after being around the property now the second day a person in a pickup comes by an tells me I can’t be on property, even at the exit. That’s ok with me.
Yesterday evening two young folks (guy & girl ) with a dog shows up an are sitting with a tiny cardboard sign “East” printed it.
Asked them how many days they had been stuck here, 7 days now was the reply.
Well no ride last night, I slept ok at the same area next to fence. Placed my Alice pack and little alice pack alongside of me. Threw down the tarp, the gortex sleeping bag cover then sleeping bag.
Managed to get broken up sleep,awake at 3 and at 5:45 am
decided to fly a sign “Old Marine Need Ride”
That decision was made as, “What the hell why not? Stashed the three bags so I could still see them An walked over to the entrance the truckers use for paperwork, showers, food, pay for fuel etc..
Interesting story was told to me by a man that served as a special advisor to the SVN and Special Forces as a SVN officer, more later.
Starting to sprinkle you can see the bands in the distance over El Paso an Juarez, Mexico

a undefined community

dawgrunner — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:27:11 +0000

Reading Steinbecks Cannery Row seems to imply that ” life in a pearl moment” isn’t a sought out lifestyle but of those moments of plain chores we all have when the madness of making money isn’t consuming our every waking breath
Well its 4:45 pm. left my 4 bags next to the road an went to macdees for the last two dollars. As I came out into the pilot truckstop lobby I asked a lady was it against The law to get a free shower by asking a driver. She said no, and walked over to a driver got his card and scanned it. all I had to do was listen for my number. hurray I clean head to toe, even behind my ears.
Got a ride about 6:15 pm! Short ride but every ride counts. At exit 115 on westbound I-20. It’s dark now close to 8pm will see if I get a ride or just roll out the sleeping bag!

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walk the walk forget the talk

dawgrunner — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:54:36 +0000

Trying to forget the notion that time is important ! In this game of hitchhiking there is only a few rules to learn an live by.
Can’t really tell you which is first, my personal choice is a stealth sleeping arrangement. Your ability to blend in with your enviroment makes a diffrence if you want solid sleep.
Stealth or not, sleep requires you to follow rules. These are simple to follow, don’t get too comfortable an allow those pesky coyotes to come sniff you while you are dreaming of clear sky’s tomorrow.

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documentary can’t be funded

dawgrunner — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:33:24 +0000

I haven’t received but 20$ for my advertised documentary. I haven’t seen one hitchhiker Or homeless person since leaving dallas on saturday. So I will Try to Take photos along The way

exit 126 westbound I-20 looking At car passing by From under the overpass Of I-20 east of Odessa, Texas
Hey I’m going to check my paypal account to see if it is setup correctly an any donations I get in the future I will hopefully get transfered to my walmart checking account

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