27 Years Old - HIV Poz - and Homeless

Inspiration comes in many forms and today for me it came in the form of a 27 year old young man from New Jersey, whose HIV Positive, living out of his car and attempting to put his life back together.

So I met Bob, (I'll call him that out of respect), today in an online chat room. His profile read:

"Life is a Beautiful Story waiting to be told
27, 5'8", 141lb, 28w, Athletic, Blond Hair, Some Body Hair, Other Ethnicity,

Sometimes in life things don't always go as planned. We find ourselves walking a different path than one we intended for ourselves thus the road can be rough we learn to keep our heads up high and walk as proudly as we can.

Since being in Houston, i have learned how nasty and judgemental people can be. One thing I've always learned is never a judge a person by their situations but instead by their experiences. You never know what you might be missing out.

I love to read, write, lift weights, spent time with my dog. and dancing, karate. cooking. "

So I was intrigued and I engaged him in conversation and the boy was smart and friendly. As our conversation continued I began to pick up on things and finally I asked the question, so where do you live? There was hesitation and then the answer.

"I'm currently homeless and living out of my car with my dog.". I'm in a state of shock and disbelief so I continue to pry and ask then "How are you on the Internet?" His answer was "I use the public library." My thoughts are well that makes sense. But how do you put gas in the car and eat and shower. "I do any odd jobs I can get my hands on I shower at the public gym/pool and I just do my best"

As the conversation continues I a learn his story and it's one that just leaves you in disbelief, from being thrown out of his home for being gay, to finding out he's HIV Poz, to being beaten by an ex-lover so bad that he was hospitalized for a week and while in the hospital that same lover empties out his apartment, takes his savings and his DOG. It's a story I'm finding hard to believe, I mean things like that just don't happen its a movie script, boy was I wrong.

Bob told me where he parks overnight so he's not harassed by the cops or mall security and he told me about how people look down at him and just don't care and look at him like nothing and sub human for being in the situation that he's found himself in. He even mentions how he's surprised we're still chatting, half the time when he explains his situation people just stop talking to him.

I asked him "What about Welfare or Assistance from the City of Houston?", well turns out that any kind of assistance here in Houston for a single young male is that they need to already have a job before they gain assistance in finding housing. Now how are you going to get a job if you don't have an address? (Note: I thought it was bull until I did some research and it's actually TRUE!!!)

Well anyway somehow through all this drama in his life he's managed to keep the conversation up beat and positive and life affirming his thoughts were something like:

"maybe I need to go through this in order to find out who I am, I'm no longer afraid of dying, I'm no longer afraid if living, I've managed to survive and even though I might be homeless and not have a dime, go hungry for a couple days at a time, try to apply for jobs but when your wrinkled because hello I'm living out of my car, it doesn't look good in an interview and I get judged and not hired, when I have money and get asked if I spare some I do because I know what that person is going through and even when I don't have it, I tell them I'm sorry I don't have any myself and I feel bad because I can't help them and I know what they're going through."

THAT just threw me completely. To meet someone whose down on their luck as bad as he is and still feel more compassion for others then for himself!!! To me that's just rare.

After our conversation Bob and his story stuck in my head and I couldn't stop thinking and saying..."You know what I can be one paycheck, one mishap, one streak of bad luck from being in the same position." So today I grabbed a shopping back and opened my cabinets and filled the bags up with whatever would last without being in a fridge and can easily be opened. Threw in a dozen water bottles jumped in my car and went looking for Bob. Part of me was hoping and praying that it was just some kid taking me for a ride and a sob story on the internet for entertainment purposes well.....

I found Bob, and there he was right where he said he would be, with Toby the dog outside his car. He was smiling, until I pulled up next to him, and the smile turned to the standard NY/NJ, who the fuck is this and what do they want look. I looked at him and smile and said we spoke earlier today. He went from the WTF face to the Holy Shit I'm in shock face to a smile. I handed him the bag of food and water to his surprise. I played a bit with Toby (the dog), who actually jumped in my car twice because of the A/C, then Bob and I talked for awhile.

He asked me why did you come down I never thought you would actually come looking for me.

I told him "Believe it or not your an inspiration, you made me realize that even though I'm going through some difficult times right now I still have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, family and friends I can call on, I'm a lucky son-of-a-bitch and I've been blessed, so thank you for reminding me even if your down on your luck your still alive."

So I gave Bob 40 bucks before leaving and said it isn't much but its what I can spare for now. So just use it wisely do some laundry and I'll be around to check on you again soon.

Some of you may think I'm crazy or that story doesn't make sense or even that I was taken for a fool.

Well that all might be true, but I tell you this I think we're all just one paycheck, one mishap, one streak of bad luck from being in the same position.

We should help when we can because we never know when we'll be the ones on the other end.

Love ya'll
Wil

My Experience with a Southern Chiropractor!!!

Ok Like WOW!!! Just had my first experience at a Chiropractor oh AND first time visiting and dealing with a Texas Doctor...WOAH!!!! talk about interesting....

First - Getting to the doctors office:

The address provided doesn't come on the GPS so you have to depend on good ole fashion landmark directions which basically went...exit 290 here, make a u turn stay on the south bound feeder road until you pass a ranch with horses...take the next dirt road on the right with a sign that reads "Hot Wells Shooting Range"....yes you didn't read that incorrectly it says SHOOTING RANGE...once you cross the TRAIN TRACKS take the left dirt road at the fork.....turns out that Doc. owns the shooting range and he has his office in one of those Prefab homes on the property next to the shooting gallery......

Second - The Receptionist:

I didn't realize my New York Accent was so strong and add the Brooklyn tone to it and a southern old ladies anti - northern attitude to the mix you have for a very funny situation....turns out she ran out of new patient forms so I didn't have to fill out any paper work!!!! No record of me being there except for the countless phone calls for directions..

Third - The Doc.:

OK think Yosemite Sam...with white/yellowish hair and Mustache.....he asked me how long have I had the back pain. "Told him since the weekend", he looked at me again and said "How Long have you had the back pain, from the way your walking it's been going on for years." my reaction OH SHIT!!! he's right I've had that pain on and off for years and always thought I either slept wrong or it was a bad mattress...

The next question.."How come you've never been to one of us before?" my response "UH"....he laughs "Are you afraid of this 80 year old man I can't hurt a big guy like you!!!".... again my reaction..."YOUR FUCKING 80!?!?!?!" ....natural New Yorker reaction...(I swear the man looks like he's in his 50's no more)..."I told him I'm scared of chiropractor's the whole snapping neck thing freaks me out"..he's reaction...Deep laughter...

Fourth - The Treatment:

Holy shit I never heard so much cracking and snapping coming out of my body in my entire life...he puts this machine on my back and it feels like someone is massaging my back with a plastic hair brush...then the liquid ice...then he pulls the legs and SNAP POP...something goes into place...presses on the back...snap crack and POP a few more times....then the sides...holy mother of _____....he twisted me like you do a fortune cookie to crack it open...more snap crackle pop...the pain is not so bad....until I stand...WOW...striaght up the heel to the leg to the ass cheek to the lower back....NOW off to the other room where I'm strapped to some medieval table and hung upside down and more neck popping...and arm pulling...

Overall it went well even though I still have pain...I can now sit, stand, lay down and bend with more ease then before. The pain still exist but it's not as bad.

So going to see him again on Thursday!!! I kind of liked it.

Da Question

I have a question. What does being over qualified for a position mean to you?

I've been met with this "Over Qualified" statement several times in the past month while looking for a local job in my new town.

If I'm over qualified doesn't that mean I'm able to do the job in question and go beyond that, isn't that what someone or a company would want in an individual? Do the job, succeed at the job and do more then is required of the job. Isn't this what we were taught and asked to do in order to get promoted to an advanced position. Isn't that what employers were always looking for?

I have to say it's been very fustrating for me as I'm sure it has been for countless others looking for a job in this current market.

How stupid of a phrase is, sorry but your "Over Qualified"?

My Answer is:

Hey I know, right now I just need a paycheck like everyone else, so let me do the job and pay me for doing it. No harm done.

And We have SOFAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the major furnishing of the apartment completed. All I have left is the little knick knacks, a lamp here, toaster oven, there, pictures everywhere. :-) Or as my friend likes to call them Dust Magnets. HA! Check out the Sofa's, I think I bought one to many but hey it was a hell of a deal.

Feel free to chime in with comments.

Tattoo Part II of III

OK I have a whole lot of arm so we still have a bit to go and will finish it completely next week, but here you go.

New Tattoo - Continuation

Today is the day we do the fill on my new artwork. So keep an eye out for the fresh bloody pictures and a week later the finished piece. I'm all excited. Even though right now the healed portions of the outline are itching like mofo and I can't scratch. ;-)

Update soon. : - )