May 16, 2011

Indoor Inclination

Today I’m participating in Lydia Kang’s and Leigh Moore's little project of having bloggers write something funny about themselves.

Before I do, here's what's coming up Wednesday in my reporting series about the city of Los Angeles shutting down food giveaways in Skid Row: the city's and the Catholic Workers' side of the story, unless the police arrest people for serving food to the homeless in the morning, in which case I will have that story, of course.

And here's (one of many) true exchanges I had with homeless men soon after arriving in Skid Row in 2006.

Me: I like it when it rains. We don’t get enough rain.

Homeless man: That’s because you sleep indoors.



This is Part 6 of the city's effort to criminalize feeding the homeless in Skid Row. Here's Part 7.

21 comments:

Claudia said...

agh - just yesterday i was sitting in the living room..reading a good book...stormy and rainy outside...and just loved it...so this hits me even more. my husband used to work at a place for homeless people and he could tell many a stories

The Words Crafter said...

Wow, what an insightful and profound comment! Thanks for making us think of the other side of things. Hope your Monday is full of good stuff (like that interview you want!)

Brian Miller said...

a sombre humor...true that, it is all about perceptions and when you have no roof the best you get is an unwanted shower...cant wait to read later this week.

Unspoken said...

I live in the rain all to often. Though I sleep indoors. I agree with him!

Vicki Rocho said...

Ack. I'm not overly fond of the rain -- but then we've just had a week of cloudy, wet weather.

Lydia Kang said...

So true, so true. Thanks Ed, for being a sport and joining in on the blogfest!

Anonymous said...

*waves*

Hey Im new here to check out all the funnies.

ROFL thanks for the laugh. Sometimes life's little truths seems to be amongst the funniest no?

Rachna Chhabria said...

The truth can be funny for some of us..feel sad for that homeless man. But thats life.

Ella said...

Sad, but I see the humor~

Wine and Words said...

Frame of reference is the all important backbone of any communication.

But that's not humorous ABOUT you Shutter Bug! It's not like saying I hold my dogs paw while I watch TV (It IS soft and warm, but she only lets me for the half hour shows, after which she can't be bothered.)

Ed Pilolla said...

annie, all i can say is behold the jackass who proclaims his love of rainy days to the man holding a thin sleeping pad under his sooty arm. i'm like the office's michael scott talking to the homeless at times:)

M Pax said...

lol Very pithy.

Anonymous said...

Very poignant. I've had a few run ins with tramps, they all have a sad story. Never worked with them just run into them (as you do):)

Wine and Words said...

Yes but you are both standing elbow to elbow in your naivete...he of you, you of him. We cannot always speak with regard. Nonetheless...humility's a bitch, ain't it?

Wendy Lu said...

I agree with the Words Crafter--this was an enlightening and insightful moment indeed! Poor homeless man...

~TRA

http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com

Ed Pilolla said...

i still feel humility's sting in moments. i soon forgive myself. being genuine in moments means acting before thinking. passing between different worlds, even briefly, involves those stinging moments, at least for me. i joked about it with him later. but there is just no way to know what it's like to live on the streets unless you live on the streets, which i have never done, and don't plan to do.

Wine and Words said...

I would do it. My nephew plans to do it. But even in that...it is a plan, with an end. A choice. It's not the same. Humility is invaluable Shutter Bug. Oh, to let it in and spread. There is nothing greater than self, put in it's place....agree?

Ed Pilolla said...

yes, nothing greater than self, in its authentic place. i agree. maybe together, we create something even greater. my insides say it's possible.

Rhonda Albom said...

Too true, rain is better when you sleep indoors. I found you from the blogfest :)

LTM said...

well... I guess it's a free shower, yes?

pa dum-pum.

Okay, but it's supposed to be funny... :p

Thanks, Ed!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

This makes me wonder if the more material stuff we own, the more insecure we are about being. May be why the greedy greeds must have more than enough money for several lifetimes.