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Wanna know what is like at the shelter?
Well, I don't think I'm really the person to ask. I thought I'd be interacting with people, helping them...you know, the way one might make a difference in someones life thru the magic of caring. Okay, I conceed that maybe that was a stupid idea, and i was hoping to get a whole bunch of self-validation and feel-gooditude from a single encounter.
Needless to say, that did not happen.
Firstly, the inside of the place reminds me of rehab, hospitals, and any other place where poor people hang out and everything is done in the most cost effective way possible. I'm not ripping on the place, it beats prison or a cardboard box...but its a damn depressing atmosphere. Yes, If I had a brain in my head, I would have seen that coming.
Secondly, it was hot. Very, very hot. Over 80 degrees inside. Those of you who know me in real life have probably never seen me in that temperature. I don't like it. It is not comfortable. 'But Wednes,' you might think, 'it's a shelter, and its unreasonable for you to expect it to be air conditioned'. Well fie! Because the whole rest of the place was nice and cool, and the floor I was on was Africa Hot. Sadly, this is also the floor where people who don't have beds yet are trying to sleep on hard plastic chairs. I did not envy them.
Thirdly, the midnight shift is a job which entails watching people sleep (I can now identify the Snores of Many Lands), changing sheets and folding towels. In fact, I did 7 loads of laundry, and learned how to use one of those giant-ass dryers like in Magdalen Sisters. I also read half a book and taught my supervisor how to play Pinball of the Dead on my GBA.
Last but not least the guy at Nightride (to get the low price cab fare home because the busses are not running) was totally rude to me when I gave him the shelters address for pick up. AND they made me pay upfront, which I have only been asked to do one other time, and it was when H was with me. It is not right to think a homeless person is more dishonest (and likely to stiff a cabbie) than any other person.
On my way home, I realized I had received a phone call from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
madush69 offering me company and some White Castles. If you're reading this, Dan, I'll be around Thursday night so raincheck me! We're not leaving for "up north" until late Friday or early Saturday, I know not which yet. I can't wait to see the bear sanctuary . Plus it will be only my 3rd foray into the part of Michigan that does NOT look like a mitten.
Needless to say, that did not happen.
Firstly, the inside of the place reminds me of rehab, hospitals, and any other place where poor people hang out and everything is done in the most cost effective way possible. I'm not ripping on the place, it beats prison or a cardboard box...but its a damn depressing atmosphere. Yes, If I had a brain in my head, I would have seen that coming.
Secondly, it was hot. Very, very hot. Over 80 degrees inside. Those of you who know me in real life have probably never seen me in that temperature. I don't like it. It is not comfortable. 'But Wednes,' you might think, 'it's a shelter, and its unreasonable for you to expect it to be air conditioned'. Well fie! Because the whole rest of the place was nice and cool, and the floor I was on was Africa Hot. Sadly, this is also the floor where people who don't have beds yet are trying to sleep on hard plastic chairs. I did not envy them.
Thirdly, the midnight shift is a job which entails watching people sleep (I can now identify the Snores of Many Lands), changing sheets and folding towels. In fact, I did 7 loads of laundry, and learned how to use one of those giant-ass dryers like in Magdalen Sisters. I also read half a book and taught my supervisor how to play Pinball of the Dead on my GBA.
Last but not least the guy at Nightride (to get the low price cab fare home because the busses are not running) was totally rude to me when I gave him the shelters address for pick up. AND they made me pay upfront, which I have only been asked to do one other time, and it was when H was with me. It is not right to think a homeless person is more dishonest (and likely to stiff a cabbie) than any other person.
On my way home, I realized I had received a phone call from
madush69 offering me company and some White Castles. If you're reading this, Dan, I'll be around Thursday night so raincheck me! We're not leaving for "up north" until late Friday or early Saturday, I know not which yet. I can't wait to see the bear sanctuary . Plus it will be only my 3rd foray into the part of Michigan that does NOT look like a mitten.