“…complicated”

I mention my Houseless year above. I came across this memory from an old blog. My time of want was varied. It went from literal horror to feasts…I 'mean' literally. As in my last night of being Homeless. My dear sister found out what happened, and  freaked out. She had me found then stuffed into a four star hotel across the street from the Waldorf Astoria. The night before I slept under a loading dock. An Indian friend said such could only happen in America. …Pretty much.

Anyway this was my Houseless Christmas feast.

Once upon a time,…

“Ham”,… No not me. The guest of honor at Christmas dinner. I found myself at a Holiday Feast. I had no idea this was going to happen. I was swept along like a log in a flash flood to a feast worthy of old Fezziwig’s bashes.

He of Dickens “Christmas Carol” fame.

I have to say I’ve been to more parties had more terrifying adventures, was stabbed, and shot at. That, and been bestowed with more kindnesses since I’ve been Homeless than in years of being a taxpaying drone

Oh, but the ham!

Oh my! A Christmas ham all glazed, and plump, and lit by candles! It was like a pagan wedding, but without the human sacrifices. An infamous artist, unnamed for the nonce, threw a bash that I was swept up into. Being somewhat infamous myself I felt right at home. Mostly. I ate, and drank more than I had in the previous six months.

“At this festive time of the rolling year when wealth rejoices, and want is keenly felt.” …You said it pal! Those lines from the liberal trouble makers that foolishly wandered into Scrooge’s office to ask him to shell out for the poor.

Well they got an earful didn’t they. Still Scrooge was redeemed, and that’s all that matters in the end. We get redeemed. Re-Born. Anyhow I was invited to stay a few days. So I worked on my play ate everything in sight, and did the phone to find a place to live. A Merry Holidaze, and New Year to you all!

*Addendum:

That was my Homeless Christmas. Tho’ I was houseless I still had my engineer’s gig was still on radio. Yet my life was daily in danger. Not having a place a home changes you despite what securities you’re hanging onto. I spent the last five months of my time out there on the street. I’m a performer so I performed myself as still living a normal life. However even that fell apart. See the only image of myself as homeless above.

It became impossible to hide my situation at work. 

Which is how word filtered back to my family. Why I never told them is complex. Giving was just what I did. We were taught to share no matter how little we had. I just never knew how to ask for help when I needed it…complicated.