What about the
undeserving poor?
WARNING: I use one cuss word in this post. (But I use it really well.) Our culture tries to separate poor people into two groups: The “Deserving Poor” generally includes: The “Undeserving Poor” includes anyone who did anything to contribute to their situation. (Or didn’t pull themselves up by their “bootstraps” quickly enough.) Rarely […]
Who REALLY wrote Harry Potter?
SCENARIO A Meet Paula. She lived at the homeless shelter where I work. Paula is the woman who REALLY wrote the Harry Potter series. Paula was very proud of her literary abilities. She absolutely hated that “British b*tch” who stole her masterpieces. In fact, we learned to refer to JK Rowling as “She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.” Is this […]
She believed she
was Queen Elizabeth
“Yes, I am the queen of England, but you can call me Elizabeth,” the middle-aged woman said to me, offering her hand. We were standing by a row of washing machines in the homeless shelter. Odors from a nearby restroom were strong. I was 21 years old. I had joined the staff at the shelter […]
Mental illness: Good days and bad days
Monday Mike spotted me from across the shelter dining room. Mike is in his late 50’s. His white hair is just beginning to bald. He’s a big guy, much bigger than me anyways. Mike knocked over a chair (and almost three people) to get to me. I braced for what would come next… “Hey, Ryan! […]
Am I anti-male
and anti-homeless?
“I appreciate what you’re doing with these emails, but…” Uh oh! He said “but.” This isn’t going to end well. That was the first line of an email from a stranger about our email newsletter. “It makes my decision to unsubscribe from your email that much easier.” That’s how the email ended. Well, at least […]
Do you believe in humanity?
You have a choice. Path 1 You can accept the prevailing cynicism of the day. You can focus on the flaws of those around you—their imperfections, their greed, their propensity for evil. You can assume the worst of your friends, neighbors, and — especially — strangers. You can remind yourself that people are selfish and […]
How do you hurt a nun’s feelings?
It was a humid Saturday night in July. The homeless shelter was full of people getting trays of dinner (hot dogs and baked beans!). Two people faced off in an epic confrontation: A tiny Catholic nun. In her 60’s. The founder of the shelter. A broad-shouldered homeless man. In his 40’s. Fermented breath. The nun […]
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
It is a Tuesday morning in early spring.
The large homeless shelter has faded tan bricks and a thin layer of melting snow.
Inside is a poorly lit hallway. OSHA workplace safety posters cover one wall. Stacks of canned goods line the other.
Five seconds determines whether you get punched
The new guy is going to get punched by that old dude. – That was my first thought.
I was in the men’s bathroom of a homeless shelter. I was training Steve, a new staff member.
In case you are wondering, the bathroom had tan walls, four stalls and two sinks. The faint smell of bleach was losing out to “other” odors.
Steve and I were responding to reports that an elderly resident was causing problems in the bathroom.
I provided backup for Steve so he could practice his de-escalation techniques.
Steve charged into the bathroom like a Navy SEAL in pursuit of a terrorist.
Seeing the elderly resident, Steve squared off like John Rambo (in the later movies… when he got cocky).
Then Steve yelled like an Army drill sergeant on the first day of basic training.
Holy Military Similes, Batman!! Steve needs a lesson in human psychology!!
I love what Dwayne Johnson does to my brain.
Dwayne Johnson (aka “The Rock”) is a lousy actor.
I love him, though, for what he does to my brain.
