I woke up around 5:30 a.m. in the tent. I got dressed and I got ready to go to Boston to help with my new employer’s event for recovery month at the Shubert Theater. I drove my truck to the parking lot in Danvers where I keep my little car with the bikes on it and I drove to Beverly and parked the little car and took the bike to the train station, and took the train into the city. Once I got to North Station I ate some crackers with seafood salad and I had a monster energy drink. I also got a pineapple cup. I rode over to the area of the Shubert and I locked my bike up. I stopped and recorded a protest by the Housekeepers Union. I walked down the street to a park and I sat on the wall.
I received a call from the recruiter for the addiction medicine company who said that my position was still on hold and they didn’t know if they were going to do any hiring. We talked for a while. I did not disclose that I took the offer with the other job just in case something fell through. I let the recruiter know that I was still interested and wanted to know if anything changed.
I walked back over to the Shubert where I met up with my new coworkers. We discussed some of the different logistics of setting up for the event with Shubert staff. After that I walked with my new Boss to the office in Boston and got a full tour. Then I left and started walking back towards the Shubert where my bike was still locked up. I stopped at a Korean chicken place and got some chicken. The chicken was fantastic. Although I will say I’m writing the next day and I woke up with a serious case of mud butt.
I called Freitas while I was at the chicken joint and Freitas said that they were over at the Commons. I walked to where my bike was locked up and then I rode my bike over to meet up with Freitas, Vox, and a new homeless person, Samantha.
We hung out for a while and Samantha told me some of her unbelievable story. It was good to just chill and hang out and talk for a while, eventually Kiana showed up, that is the other woman that Vox and Freitas hung out with. I could never remember her name. I gave Samantha, Freitas, and Vox advice on different strategies to take when trying to access social services, especially housing and shelter. One thing I’ve noticed about Freitas is that not only is Frietis immature, it seems that Freitas likes being the leader. From last year when I first met Freitas and Vox to now I’ve noticed that Freitas is always in charge. I wondered to myself if being homeless is an opportunity for Freitas to be the boss, something that might have been out of reach in civil society.
We went over to the meal at the church on the corner of Park Street and Tremont. While we were sitting at the table there was a group of older homeless people towards the end of the table, they were talking and they said something that upset Vox. Something along the lines of the he/she or something like that. Vox became very angry and aggressive and began yelling. Vox had to leave and then came back with tears in his eyes. Vox was so angry I began calmly saying to him your emotions don’t control you You control your emotions. I had Vox repeat this and he seemed to calm down. Keana was visibly upset since this seems to be a common thing that happens. Although Keana was very relaxed about it. Freitas and Vox walked away to try to defuse the situation. At one point Freitas came back and said that Vox would be going to a crisis unit tomorrow. All the volunteers served our dinner and it was peaceful after that.
After dinner we went and we sat on the steps of the church and I did interviews with Freitas and with Samantha. I gave Freitas, Vox, and Samantha 20 bucks each. I was going to give money to Kiana but she had left because she has a room paid by the government somewhere, which I was happy about because at least she didn’t live outside all the time. I find it very interesting the transgender aspect of Freitas and Vox’s experience. I was happy to see that they had remained together throughout this whole year. Supporting each other and helping each other. I know it’s not the best of circumstances. From what I’ve seen, socialization and community are the most important parts of developing a healthy mind.
The homeless people that become more isolated, I’ve noticed, can be more aggressive and standoffish. Untrusting and spiteful towards humanity. Samantha’s story was very much like I said unbelievable. Regardless of what her situation is, there’s no reason that she should live outside. Through our conversations it seems like she did have some friends, support, and different options. I am a firm believer that people that do not possess the ability to live successfully in our society, regardless of their circumstances should have access to shelter. This theme has overwhelmed me. It’s caused severe depression, I found it difficult to engage certain people and get interviews and things because I tend to want to be positive and happy, and the fact that people are stuck living outside scrambling for survival makes me wonder about the true health of our society.