Jun 29, 2011

Homeless Blog Writers

Homeless  Blog  Writers

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Blogging and tweeting might be among the last hobbies you'd list for a homeless person, but some down-and-out people have embraced social media in such a way that it's actually garnered them needed assistance -- everything from food and diapers for children to counseling and housing.
"I did not believe in social networking before I ended up on the streets," says Rd Plasschaert, who became homeless last year. "It's the way people are finding housing. It's the way people are finding food banks."
Plasschaert, who had lost her job and was on welfare, joined the social networking sphere one month before she knew she was losing the bedroom she rented. She started a blog called "Lost Awareness" in desperation when nonprofit agencies told her they couldn't help her out until she had actually lost her home, she said.
A homeless blogger from England recommended Plasschaert sign up for Twitter and search for homelessness-related hashtags, or topics, on that site.
Days before landing on the street, Plasschaert contacted a man who went by the handle @hardlynormal for advice on available services. That connection ultimately led to Plasschaert getting into her own subsidized studio apartment this year.
"It was purely social media that placed me. Absolutely and totally," she says.
But the incident did more than simply house Plasschaert, it helped inspire a website called WeAreVisible.com with tutorials to teach homeless people how to use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
"I saw how technology could improve people's lives," says the website's creator, Mark Horvath, the man who was @hardlynormal. "I was creating WeAreVisible to empower homeless people to have a voice, a voice that we all have, but the homeless population doesn't."
Horvath knows about being homeless -- he lived on the streets of Hollywood more than a decade ago, and, fours years ago, when he lost his job and his house in foreclosure, he essentially embarked on a career of recording homeless people's stories and posting them online.
He knew that many homeless people had the tools to connect online.
"If you were going to be homeless tomorrow, what are the two things you'd take? Your laptop and your cell phone," Horvath says.
With the growth of free wireless services at coffee shops, stores and libraries, people don't need their own Internet connection or cell phone calling plan to use their devices. And those without personal communications devices can access computers at shelters and libraries.
Homeless people are embracing social media for various reasons.
AnnMarie Walsh, who was living in an empty lot in Chicago, says tweeting as @padschicago gave her a sense of peace.
"I used (Twitter) as an outlet to vent my feelings and to share information about homelessness and things I was going through," Walsh says, adding that she was driven to the streets in 2004 after emotional trouble linked to an abusive past. She didn't join Twitter's ranks until two years ago.
"Just knowing that somebody was out there, that someone was reading my tweet, it was an awesome feeling."
She says her tweets caught the eye of a case worker last summer, which led to transitional housing and a permanent room in April. Others use social media to critique and praise homeless shelters, case managers and city agencies.
"It's changing how shelters and cities do business," says Neil Donovan, executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, especially because of what he calls the "lightning-fast communications."
Horvath says his ultimate goal for WeAreVisible.com would be to connect homeless agencies directly with the people seeking services, what he calls "virtual case management."
"Homeless services need to step up and listen to people online, because they're there. They're there searching for us," says Horvath, who until recently was working at a shelter before heading out on another tour of recording homeless people's stories.
Horvath says the unintended impact of WeAreVisible.com has been the creation of a virtual community for homeless people and those who have been there. He has more than 12,000 Twitter followers alone.
"We encourage each other," says Plasschaert, who volunteers to train homeless people to use computers. "It's important to have that sense of community."
"I encourage homeless people to do whatever it takes to get out of their situation," Horvath says, "and if that's social media -- jump on!"
                                                       

Jun 23, 2011

Pass Or Fail

Pass  Or  Fail

The answer is YES I passed my pre-trip inspection , skills test and road test. I am the proud owner of a CDL ( commercial drivers license ). My trainer is buying donuts for breakfast because if everyone passes that tests in a class that is what He does. The main stress is history , now it is all about driving , learning the fare box and other Bus stuff. Probation period is for a whopping 6 months , so there is still lots of room to mess up . However I cannot fail with so many of you drawing inspiration from little old me. I won't let you down .If I can do it you can do it. Maybe not the same way . It just shows if you keep plugging on , then some progress will be made. suffer a little extra now for the payoff down the road. Good friends help, and I found all of mine on the internet. Strange . Tell it and someone will care. Never lie. tell the good and the bad and people will recognize the truth.
                                                
My Photo

                                                TILL NEXT TIME......................

Jun 21, 2011

Training Week 2

Training  Week  2

We are going through a super heat wave with high humidity since the weekend. It has been 100 degrees + and will drop down to low 90's by next weekend. I started week 2 of training 6/20/11 . I have been practicing my pre-trip inspection and driving through the "cones" - straight backing , offset backing , parallel parking. Then comes the road course with train tracks , Turns , stops etc. I will pass my exam on Thurs. I have no doubt. I have been getting wheel time and even picked up riders while learning routes. I like this job and hope nothing goes wrong , I only say that because every time I let myself get happy I end up disappointed. Last night I felt like I was sleeping in a puddle. I get up at 6:30am to be at the terminal by 8:00am. I have to go s**t , shave ,and wash my hair. I also have to wear dress clothes with shinable shoes. khaki and navy blue are the Co. colors. I have to get there at least 15 min early to let the a/c dry my sweat from the walk in and the shoes gave me blisters. I eat once a day and drink water that I fill in a plastic bottle. Mostly peanut butter sandwiches . I 'm hoping to be indoors in two months but I wish it was two days. Oh well , I just do alot with very little. It's extreamly trying  and difficult mentaly and physically . I get off at 5:00 then I come to the library to escape the heat.There is no way I can sit in the tent until the sun goes down around 9:oopm , even then it is hot and sweaty until 4 or 5am. O.K. I'm done groaning. I'm smiling

                        
                 
                             TILL NEXT TIME...................

Jun 17, 2011

1 Down - 5 To 7 To Go

1 Down 5-7 To Go

I just completed my first week of R.T.S. bus training. I may finish early or not until 7 weeks from now It depends on how fast they move us. I got my certificates for E.E.O. and also NIMS training. Orientation is Mon. and  my road test is on Thurs. I am not nervous and have full confidence in myself. I will be a city bus driver. All the employees are friendly and wish me well. No , they don't have a clue I'm homeless. I guess that's it for now , I'll keep you all posted.

                                                   


                                                    TILL NEXT TIME..............

Jun 13, 2011

Training In Progress

Training  In  Progress

Started Bus training at 8:00am this morning. Today was mostly orientation.My class has a total of three people including me.We are very lucky because next week twelve more start then the week after that fifteen more . The bus Co. wants thirty drivers in all to be ready for the fall . A new contract was signed by the Governor for Santa Fe college , meaning the creation of more bus routes. Hence all the new drivers. My class will have seniority over the other drivers. My trainer is putting us in buses right away as he wants us fully licenced by the end of next week , then we will concentrate on all the book study . There is much to learn and be tested for per regulations. I'll be very busy for the next  6-8 weeks. I came to the library after class to write this update. my schedule  is  Mon-Fri  8-5 . I still could use some help with food and bus fare.

                                 

                                                       TILL NEXT TIME..........

Jun 11, 2011

Here Nor There

Here  Nor  There

Perhaps I'm transitioning from the hollow man to citizen . Being one of the invisible people takes it's toll . I find it hard to put into words . one minute your not , then you are. I do believe it will take some time before I feel that I matter to anyone. I know there are people of the opinion " That I should just die and decrease the surplus population " - Scrooge . I refused to cry or give up. I know there is always a brighter day coming. I don't rely on anyone. I can only trust myself ( I do not lie to me ). This is not to say I haven't been caught completely by surprise at the generosity  of some kind souls ,  because if anything could make me cry that would be it. Still living with trepidation .
your friend ,
Peter                                                        

                TILL NEXT TIME..................



Jun 9, 2011

Give Me A Break

Give Me A Break

Today I went to check on my mail at the P.O. I was surprised when the clerk came out with a letter , I wasn't expecting anything but you never know. It was from the I.R.S. It said according to them I owed back taxes from 2001 -$800+ add penalties and interest = get this $4,364.37 . They have been messing up my refunds and statements since the 80's . I called immediately to find out why they put a levy on my debit card which had a whopping $26 until they took it. I explained I was indigent and homeless and how they have been taking the same $400 for an old army debt every year for twenty years . and every time I thought it was resolved , they took it again .He said that's water over the dam.they are only going back as far as 2005. He said the good news was that they are lifting the levy. So when I do get paid I'll  be able to spend my own money. he also said I'm entitled to a couple of refunds ( which they will be keeping ) He is sending me a ( forest ) of paperwork and forms. But the penalties etc. will keep accruing. I told him I just want this monkey off my back. So I don't care but by the end of the year I'm going to be settled up with the Gov. Today's headache courtesy of the I.R.S. - every time I get over a mountain there  is a bigger one in my way . Oh well at least I don't have a shortage of challenges. After this little problem is cleared I'll be free from all debt. That is a wonderful thought .I seem to be able to hold money in my hand for 5 minutes tops before I get to place into somebody else's hand . but I don't owe anyone ( except this,they say ) so I'm better off than most U.S. citizens.



                                           Till Next Time...............

Jun 8, 2011

All Set To Work

All Set To Work

Finally everything is in place . I passed all my exams and now have my Class  B drivers permit the last piece of paper I needed. I start training on  6/13 Mon. at 8:00am . Now I 'm hoping for a miracle because I have no money for food or transportation to see me through until I get that first pay check , which will most likely be mid or end July . I know I keep asking for support in this matter but I have to because people tend to forget and assume every things alright but this time It's not. I'm trying and doing the best I possibly can and I really need your help to see me through for a little while . I know times are tough and that you care . however nothing is coming in and I am very worried that all my efforts will be for nothing . I will not be able to get  to the soup kitchen let alone eat lunch . that's it , that's the truth . praying and hoping
Your Friend Peter

TILL NEXT TIME.....................

Jun 4, 2011

Illness

Illness

getting sick when you have no air conditioned bedroom to go lay down in sucks lead darts. I have a touch of food poisoning , disentary , gas and bloating with a headache .I'm  dehydrating due to loss of body fluids ( running for a bathroom  ) which isn't readily available. I'm cooking in this  heat and feel as though I'm going  to throw up. I'm dizzy. I have to raid my  $40 apartment fund and it's killing me to do it ,  but I need some amodium and aspirin , also a couple of jugs of Gatoraid . I'm getting hot and cold flashes and a little bit of shaking in my hands. I eat what I can and there is no way of knowing if it was prepared sanitarily or had bacteria on it. I need the medicine because I have to be at the newspaper at 12:00am . I can't afford to miss sick or not. Yes I wash my hands more than most humans , almost all the time. Could have been from this very keyboard at the library , I don't know. something got me.

                                                       

                                   TILL NEXT TIME...................

Jun 3, 2011

Taking The Bad With The Good

Taking  The  Bad  With  The  Good

I have seen concern and caring from kind people. I even had a few donations , which have helped through tough times. I have nice days of weather and blistering heat. I have been hungry and I have been stuffed. I have been happy and I have been sad. In other words , I take the good and the bad , that's all. Life on the streets is probably a bit harder than not. I don't have expectations . Disappointment comes with the territory. The laptop I was so excited about receiving finally arrived. It was damaged in transit , The left corner was smashed , the hinge was broken . It is useless . The good? I still have the library. I thank the sender for trying . Knowing there are compassionate people makes all the difference .
                                                       


                                         TILL NEXT TIME.....................