so today i began a topo downtown for drainage analysis and design of erosion controls for a rather vertical project that will grace our skyline in the next year or two. nothing terribly out of the ordinary, except for the fact that our fair town has a reputation for being rather compassionate to those without homes, and thus we have a large population of those without homes. this job will, as i found out, facilitate a good bit of interaction with those without homes.
started the day with my cantankerous fingers and their dislike for our exceedingly early dose of cold this year (i got a mild case of frostbite in both hands a ways back when i had a nasty habit of running marathons at higher elevations). dealt with that.
as the day went on, well, here's the tally:
-stepped in TWO piles of human feces.
-was mistaken for scott glen, "you know, the astronaut" (i don't look anything like scott glen or his cousin, alan).
-came around a corner to find a guy shooting up into his hand. evidently i surprised him because he jumped like i assume, based upon his condition, he hasn't done in some time. (this isn't the first time i've surprised somebody in this situation- the de rigueur reaction is best qualified by "nonplussed").
-bore witness to two elderly men fighting over 5 sleeping bags and... mayonnaise.
-a guy tried to break into my truck with a shoe. i was 15 feet away.
this job is gonna take a few days. i bet it feels like more...
Keeping it Weird
They're just keeping it weird.
Justifies getting "battle" pay
I have no desire whatsoever to help you on that job. Doesn't matter what they are paying.
Just to be politically incorrect, that's just a "Looney Bin" without walls.... The plight of the mentally ill and homeless is heartbreaking to me. But I don't have the answers.
It has to be very difficult to work under those conditions, especially when you can't really blame them for their actions.
> Just to be politically incorrect, that's just a "Looney Bin" without walls.... The plight of the mentally ill and homeless is heartbreaking to me. But I don't have the answers.
>
> It has to be very difficult to work under those conditions, especially when you can't really blame them for their actions.
While many do have mental problems, some just had some bad luck and minimal job skills and just need a hand up.
Then there are those who are just bums and are there by choice. It is a mix.
B-)
Not so sure I'd want to be 'flyin solo' under such conditions as you so describe. Might be nice just have a second body to run interference, maybe with a bag of rock candy on hand they can throw while yelling out 'FREE CRACK!!' to create a diversion.
Isn't Kent in Austin?
I only jest because the subject is so depressing to me.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
I used to work with a bike messenger in Portland, he had so many stories about dealing with homeless there. He'd always say that you gotta be careful with them in the winter time because they get extra cranky. However usually by wintertime they'd already taken a greyhound to San Francisco or LA.
You definitely need a new field crew!
I surveyed a mental institution once, the first dude to strike up a conversation recited the legal description of the property from memory.
I would have said your hired.
> I surveyed a mental institution once, the first dude to strike up a conversation recited the legal description of the property from memory.
Most people who inhabit such institutions are actually quite intelligent.
"'Tis but a very thin line betwixt Genius and insanity"
B-)