Friday, March 05, 2010

It's time for a letter

Dear Homeless Guy,

I appreciate that we are in an economic down turn right now and things are tight and that might be the reason you and your friends were on the corner of Speer and 8th with your homemade signs and bottles wrapped in paper bags. I was on my way to work, rushing between two hospitals (where, by the way, one of your buddies tried to pee on me when I was taking care of him) and that's why I was eating in my car, so yes I did avert my eyes because I felt horribly guilty as you rubbed your tummy in the universal "I'm hungry" sign as you waved your sign angrily at me. I'm so happy you got a laugh from your cohorts....which makes me wonder why you bought that bottle of whatever that you so cleverly hid in that brown bag instead of buying some food if you were so damn hungry. I digress -- I really do feel the plight of those who have lost their jobs and are losing their homes and do think something should be done about that (and have and will continue to donate to worthy causes that help those in need), but when I see you and your brethren (fellow homeless guys, in case you're going to blame FREE public education for your current plight) drinkin', laughin' and hangin' out makes me (almost) want to become Republican.

In the future, I'd appreciate it if you didn't yell, "Bitch" at me when I choose not to give you my last dollar. I need that dollar to buy the tar they call coffee at the hospital so that I can stay awake until midnight to take care of people, some of them who may very well be you or your asshole friends who thought it was so funny of you to call me names....while on may way to WORK (look the word up, you have plenty of copious free time!).

Sincerely,
me

14 comments:

Amanda said...

*applause*

Well said :)

OHN said...

Brilliant :)

Kendra said...

This is my first time reading your blog. This one today was great! You have a knack for writing. I can just picture the guy rubbing his stomach and all those thoughts going through your head. It gave me a good chuckle. And hey, what is wrong with being a Republican. :)

ganelle said...

Always so uncomfortable, and that's WITHOUT any hand gestures or name calling!

MC Howe said...

Wow! Do you ever hit the next blog button up on top. It just brought me here. What luck. I love this blog.

Simple Mind said...

I liked this. I just happened to cruise by your blog because i was wondering what other people write about. I discovered they mostly write about arts and crafts (quilters have a lot to say apparently), families and then one person who had a rather hilarious infatuation with his/her dog... http://phalenes.blogspot.com/?expref=next-blog ...i recommend it. Anyway. you're post about your almost-fight with your hubby made me smile which was much needed. Thanks ..not really sure what I'm thanking you for but I am. I wouldn't recommend reading my blog as a return favor or anything because as of late my most recent post is sad. stay cool.

FatGirl PrettyFace said...

Great!

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha! Loved your letter. They make a lot of assumptions but I guess their crummy lives have just made them so bitter... I'm always a little worried for my safety as I walk by. I haven't figured out if it's best to smile a hello or pretend I don't see them. The homeless people I know and respect are out on adventures and helping farmers. There really are better things to do than beg.

Nicole said...

wonderful!!! I found you by hitting next blog too.

Dodi said...

I'll give donations and cash to the food bank, I'll drop a dollar or two in the guitar case of a street musician, I drop my change in the salvation army buckets, I donate gently used goods to charity, and I'll use my vote to try to get the homeless what they need - but I won't hand out dollars to the people standing at stoplights drinking their bottled water and smoking their expensive cigarettes. And I get so mad when they shake their signs at us when we're stopped and make my kids feel bad that we're warm inside our car while they are freezing outside. (this is my rambling way of saying that I liked your post!)

barebonsey said...

Come on over to the Dark Side (Repubs)! I think you'll like it over here with The Thinking People. All joking aside, I came accross your blog this morning and I like it! I like your writing style. I plan on coming back and reading more of your musings.

Take care!

Amanda

Colin said...

To play devil's advocate for a bit, most homeless people are undiagnosed, oftentimes paranoid schizophrenics without family caring for them or any means with which to rebuild their lives, and I've heard on more than one occasion from homeless people that they spend money on alcohol and cigarettes because they feel they're going to die of poor health anyway and would rather do so sooner and with less pain, both of which alcohol brings them closer to.

Sue said...

I found your blog by hitting Next Blog too, and I wholeheartedly agree with your letter!

Anonymous said...

I saw a homeless man lounging around outside a Dunkin' Doughnuts once as I was headed in to get a cup of their heavenly coffee. I felt bad, since it was cold, so I got a second coffee and a doughnut for him. He took the doughnut but refused the drink, saying he doesn't drink coffee....

I now carry a can of food in my car.