There were two little boys!
One was always negative. The other. Always positive.
A group of psychologists decided that it was the environment that determined a person's attitude. Change the environment and you will change the person's attitude.
They tried an experiment. They put the negative little boy in a room full of toys. Every toy imaginable was in this room. In another room, they put the little positive boy in a room full of manure.
When they went to check on the little negative boy in the room full of toys. They were shocked. He was crying in the middle of the floor. "What's wrong?" they asked the little boy. He was very mad and responded, "There is no place for me to play with any of these toys!"
When they went to check on the other little boy. They also were shocked. The little boy was flinging around manure everywhere and singing Old McDonald had a farm. They asked him why he was SO happy. "With all this manure, there has to be a pony in here someplace!"
I used to be the first boy. I am happy to report that I choose to be the positive person from now on. At least, I am going to try!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
God's Conversation with Me
Welcome Home Son!
Be Still, and know that I am God!
Remember you are crucified in Christ, it is no longer you who lives but Christ who lives in you!
YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit!
Look at the man in the mirror, who do you see?
A Conversation With God
Dear Heavenly Father~
Just before I came here Father, I had lunch at the Social Service center of this church. I wonder how you feel that I am the only one of the two hundred homeless people who came to thank you for the food, the volunteers, the staff and this church for their valiant effort on feeding the homeless? It saddens mine.
My brothers and sisters complained that Mass took up their entire lunch hour so the church cut the mass from one hour to less than thirty minutes. There are some saints that I have read about who fasted for years with the exception of sharing communion with their brothers and sisters during the Eucharist. These saints were filled with Joy, prayed continually and gave thanks for "giving them their daily bread" just like you fed manna to the Hebrew slaves who were led out of slavery by Moses. Today there were more people who showed up late than those who were early or on time. Some members of the church came in just in time for the Eucharist and then left. I wondered if they prayed, "Dear God, Hate to eat and run!" How does that make you feel?
I am unable to get this picture out of my mind. Probably because I had to walk around him as he is sleeping in front of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament behind the bench at the bus stop after I left mass again today. Father, I do not need to tell you as you saw me counting the 310 pews that are in this church. Today we used 10 pews but the 25 of my brothers and sisters at mass could have fit in four pews if we sat next to one another. I had an entire pew for myself. This church will ONLY be open for one hour today. There are 23 hours of the day that over 300 homeless people would be able to rest and sleep in the House of the Lord.
If You do not want the homeless in your house, what is the solution for the homeless situation. Lord, I know that in Proverbs you tell me to not lean on my own understanding. I will be honest with you God! I do NOT understand. PLEASE I IMPLORE YOU to help me understand.
The United States government is $62 trillion dollars in debt. Obviously, our elected officials do not know how to balance a budget. How can we expect them to help the homeless? The people who run your churches have locked the doors to the Church, to Your House! Are they the ones locking the doors or have you locked the doors? Is the solution to the homeless suppose to be that my brothers and sisters allow them to live in their houses?
Lord, Jesus told us that he would be coming back soon! It ONLY took you six days to create the world that we live in, why has it taken Jesus two thousand years to come back? Jesus said that He is preparing a place for us. How am I too convince the homeless, the drug and alcohol addicts, the mentally ill, the disabled, and the forgotten that you love them when they are locked out of your house here. "A mansion in the sky" makes me sound more of a lunatic then they are.
Honestly, most of the street people believe that Jesus is sitting on the right hand of You, the Father and have completely forgotten about us. Otherwise, they do not believe YOU exist at all. Sometimes the latter thought is much easier for the palate. Simply "A God who lives way up there just doesn't seem to care..."
As for me, I will continue to try to trust you. My JOY level has been much better lately. I am talking to you more often. And I thank YOU for all the lessons that you are teaching me while I am homeless and jobless. Look at that picture once more, he is branded on my heart. My mission and purpose in life has become to find this child of yours a home.
Please feel free to write back in the comment section of this blog!
Just know one thng - I love you!
Your prodical son,
John Thomas
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
What's Going On?
As I was walking past one of my backgrounds for my video, Crazy; I noticed a film crew shooting this pretend homeless man carrying a sign. They had dressed this actor down in a dirty t shirt and sweats and had put charcoal on his face to look like dirt. They would not tell me what the project was for but I realized that my heart had changed. Usually I would have thought this was a funny scene if I had seen it in a movie. Now being homeless and jobless myself, I have grown very close to many of the unfortunate souls who are in the similar state. Making fun of the homeless is no laughing matter!
The owners of this establishment call the police regularly on the homeless who sleep at this closed entertainment complex during the day to get out of the hot California sun. As they do not have a sign posted, this is one of the few places the homeless can sleep in Hollywood. There are dozens of my friends who have rested here waiting to go to the Friends Connection which is only two doors down.
The Crazy thing is that we are not allowed to wait there either!
Crazier is me filming them filming their own project. Wonder if they know that they are part of my blog and my documentary?
Time for me to switch to You Tube and listen to Patsy Cline sing CRAZY!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
My heart fears for this man
Having been just given a warning about sitting on the sidewalk, my heart fears for this man who is sleeping on the sidewalk at Cherokee which is right in front of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
Why can this homeless man not sleep in one of the unoccupied pews at MY church?
The New Way of Applying for a Job
Looking for a new job in California is not easy!
Literally, I have watched this building go up from the ground from scratch.
As soon as they posted a "Now Hiring" sign on the building I applied.
They would not let me send a resume. Nor could I go in person and interview. Nor was there a phone number to call for an appointment. The instructions were to text your name, the position applying for, the store location, and they would txt you back for an interview.
I text them five different times over three weeks. They NEVER contacted me.
35 years of experience in the restaurant industry and I was never even given a chance to work at a 24 hour restaurant that serves soup. Working at a soup kitchen seemed appropriate.
I must remember that I asked God to close EVERY door except for the one He wanted me to enter.
I would have HATED working at this place!
THANKS GOD! I will try again tomorrow at a different establishment.
By the way - the "Now Hiring" sign is still posted on their wall.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Love Makes the World Go Round or Money Makes the World Go Round
This was the worst day of the year for me!
The day started out with a LAPD officer threatening to write me a ticket for sitting on the sidewalk.
On Friday, I had checked with an auto shop about the cost of a tune up for my 96 Buick Century. They told me it would be $49.00. I was thrilled because someone else had quoted me $150.00 dollars. This morning, when I talked to them they informed me that they had failed to include the price of parts so the price would be $100.00 plus tax. I explained that I was jobless and homeless, and needed to know the exact amount. They assured me that this price was correct. Later, when I brought my car in for the tune up, they asked me to sign a blank piece of paper for the repairs.
"What happened to $100.00 plus tax?" I inquired.
"Well, we do not know how much labor will be?" They shrugged. With labor charge of $75.00 per hour, I had no way to figure out the total. I only had $150.00. I have no idea what the $49.00 charge was for since parts and labor or separate. Furious about being baited and switched not once but twice, I flew out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell. Never to return. Certain to tell everyone I meet about this band of thieves.
A month or so ago, I had gone to this auto shop on Santa Monica Boulevard. He knew of my plight and told me he would be sure to take care of me. I decided to check out his price but he wanted to charge me $89.00 for a diagnostic check and the tune up would be somewhere from $100.00 to 500.00 dollars. Take care of me? This guy wanted to take me to the cleaners! I will spare you of what the cleaners charge you here in California. Suffice it to say, I know where the expression originated.
There is no place like home. Therefore, my car coughed and rattled it's way back where I park it for a week at a time. My space was gone. There is now no parking. Driving around in traffic, I soon realized how thankful I am not to have to drive anymore. Fortunately, I found the nice little old man with the cute little dog who told me he would do the tune up for $150.00. We took the car to his garage. Thank God I no longer needed to look for a parking spot.
Dropping the car off and walking to my meeting, I suddenly needed to urinate. The restaurant that I had text to seven times for a job with never a reply for an interview had just had a grand opening. They informed me that the restrooms are only available for customers. Walking across the street, I decided to use the alley and relieve myself by the dumpster. Never try this at home kids if the establishment happens to be a marijuana store. A security guard comes flying out and tells me that I am on camera and they are calling the LAPD on me. The security guard goes to confine me and I tell him if he touches me that I will sue him. Believe it or not, the homeless do have rights. I apologize profusely and promise never to repeat the incident. I ask, "What is a homeless person suppose to do? Your establishment would not allow me to use your facility?"
The owner does not say a word. He just waves the security guard off of me.
Group therapy was an emotional rollercoaster as they hit a nerve.
We exchanged war stories of being homeless. Mine is mild in comparison to one of my friend's. He was ticketed at 2:00 am for sleeping on the sidewalk. Several days later, he was ticketed by the same police officer for the same offense at a different location. Several weeks later, he was ticketed and arrested by the same officer for the same offense and for the warrant for not paying the first offense. The judge sentenced him to seven days at LA County Prison to pay off his three tickets. Does this make any sense? The only good news is that my friend was not homeless for seven days and was given three meals a day. Is this the solution for homelessness?
Returning to claim my car, the nice little old man with the cute little dog informs me that he has to charge me more money for the tune up. The parts cost more than he thought and it took him more time than he thought. What am I suppose to do? Susan Molenda was kind enough to give me $50.00. My girl friend from college, Janice Grady had given me a gift of $100.00 so that I would be able to repair my car. Now where I am suppose to find the rest of the money. Tim Page had given me $20.00 to put towards my phone bill. Being that the phone bill had been paid, I had intended to have Tim's money be the first donation for my documentary. Tim said I could use the money for whatever I needed. Looks like I need to put the documentary on the backburner while I go to pay for my tune up.
This is taking too long...
Next, I drove around looking for a parking spot.
Now with an empty gas tank and a fixed automobile, I finally find a spot, only to see the nice little old man with the cute little dog switching out car batteries. Did he replace my brand new battery with one of his?
The night only got worse when I was stopped by the LAPD for walking with a friend on Santa Monica Boulevard. Since my friend was black, he assumed that this white boy was either buying drugs or picking up a prostitute?
Welcome to Hollywood!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Homeless are NOT lazy ~ The people who live in homes are
This homeless man works between 12 - 16 hours a day going through the trash of the residents of Hollywood. It is the responsibility of every citizen to do their part to GO Green by recycling. The problem is many people are too lazy to do their share. I do not mind because it provides a job for this man who most people would stereotype as being a lazy homeless person who will only use the money to buy drugs or alcohol. This poor hard working man stinks because he climbs in and out of dumpsters all day. The LAPD will eventually hassle this man for theft of personal property as he has a shopping cart from one of the local stores. The police like to ticket and then arrest this man and put him in jail only to tie up the court system and add to an over populated prison system. I figured out a way to beat the system. I went to the grocery store and rented this cart from them for him. When the police try to hassle him, he has a letter on the store's letterhead to prove that he did not steal but has rented this cart.
Next problem, the people who work at the recycling center are crooks. They will offer this man a fraction of what his "haul" is worth for the day and keep the rest for themselves. The solution is that I need to go to the center and inform them that I will film them making the transactions if they do not become honest business people. It is the wrong time in our economy to be without a job.
Ask this poor hard working homeless man yourself?
By The Way ~ This man does not partake in drugs or alcohol. He is just trying to make a living!
Friday, June 24, 2011
This is Not a Test
"I think God is trying to tell me something!" The Color Purple
This morning I went to buy Crickets for Clyde. Having only been to this particular pet shop twice before, I was quite shocked when the Asian owner asked me, "How is Clyde doing?"
"Quite well, thanks for asking." I doubt I ever shop at another pet shop as long as I am in this area.
Walking over to the Social Security office on Santa Monica and Vine, I was almost done processing and requesting my new social security card as John Thomas when they asked for my legal name change papers. Had 911 not happened, I would have been able to change my name to my Catholic confirmation name. With all the paperwork filled out now, the government is aware that I am living and working as John Thomas. This will prevent any problems in the future. All I am missing is the legal fees and the court sign off and I will be an officially legal new identity.
After the paperwork at the social security office, I went to have lunch at Blessed Sacrament. As I walked up to the door, Ryan greeted and saluted me with, "Good morning John Thomas! Great to have you here."
Ryan knew my name. Hundreds of homeless and hungry a day but Ryan knew my name.
To make things better, they served Tuna Cremette Salad. My favorite summer salad.
I was SO filled with JOY!
"I think God is trying to tell me something!"
Today was the first time I had been invited to a social gathering at Friends Connection. Seven of the 24 invited guests knew my name. Even more knew my name when I left. I won a bottle of cologne and a brand new t shirt. Life is Great!
Dinner was being served at La Brea and Santa Monica so I headed down to wait in the food line. Three of the mentally insane started conversations with me. What amazed me is that I made three new friends. I found out that once I got past my fears, my prejudices, and my stereotypes, there is a person longing to be loved. One of the most life changing moments of my life!
"I think God is trying to tell me something!"
God answered my prayer today. John A. accepted my request to be my friend. Being in California, I found that I had no male friends. I had met John A. two days ago and I really hoped that we could be friends. God blessed me with a wonderful new friend. His friend Steve, John A. and I walked around Santa Monica and Hollywood Boulevards observing the tourists for about four hours.
I never thought that I would like living in Hollywood especially being homeless and jobless.
The icing on the cake was that a sparrow came and ate scraps of bread out of my hand. I still would rather feed the birds than the homeless but all I that filled my mind was the words,
"I sing because I am happy, I sing because I am FREE,
if God's eye is on the sparrow, than I know he watches ME!"
"I think God is trying to tell me something!"
THIS IS NOT A TEST!
LIVE IN THE MOMENT!
LOVE GOD. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. LOVE ONESELF!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
I would like to invite you to be my friend!
Please add me as your friend on facebook!
Please look for John Thomas - I am the one next to Charlie Chaplain in the picture.
Your friendship is VERY important to me!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Letter from God
This morning I was at the Holllywood Presbyterian Church on Gower in Hollywood. This is where the legendary and world famous Reverend Dr. Llyod Ogilvie was senior pastor for decades. They were kind enough to let me see the nurse as my feet are very sore and cracked.
When I was looking around at the office, I saw this letter from God posted on the wall.
GOOD MORNING,
THIS IS GOD.
I WILL BE HANDLING
ALL YOUR PROBLEMS
TODAY.
I WILL NOT NEED
YOUR HELP - SO
HAVE A NICE DAY!
Although this letter probably had been on the nurse's wall for years,
for me, it was if God took his finger and wrote that note for me this very day!
With the exception of missing mass, it was a perfect day!
God had arranged for me to be fed four meals today, the nurse gave me a salve for my feet, there was another woman who gave me bus tokens so that I could ride the bus and give my feet a break from the hot concrete, I was referred to another service which will provide new clothes for me, and a friend allows me to sleep on her floor so that I no longer have to sleep on the streets.
I feel like a fool now telling God that I could live without him but I could not live without money.
Realizing that every breath I take comes by the grace of God, I am happy to blog that never once did I need to use any currency or any money at all.
Truly I am a very blessed man!
Dear Father God!
Had a wonderful day today! Thanks!
Please forgive me for doubting that you could take care of all my problems!
Hoping you have a nice day too!
I love you~
John Thomas
P.S. I need to make a trip to the ocean soon - I am missing listening to you breathe.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Another Chalk Message
Most likely, I will never meet the person who wrote these chalk messages for me!
Hopefully, the person will know by some psychic or spiritual power that it has caused me to
stop, ponder and contemplate how I can be a better person. How I can make a difference in the world. And how I might use my mind for the good of all mankind.
Actually, I will settle for just being able to improve one person's life!
It is nice not to suffer from the delusions of grandeur that Donnie struggled with in the past.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Words to Live By
Someone was very creative today!
This person went around and wrote very positive sayings along Sunset Boulevard.
One was "One FREE Being fighting for their destiny, Is worth more than one hundred
robots executing tasks perfectly."
Another was "The world does not need Superman or Superwoman...The world needs
YOU to be super!
I loved each an every expression. It made me think of how I can make a difference in the world!
Trend Setting
Here is another homeless person wearing the same clothes I wore in the short film, Walkin After Midnight 1. Hope you have had the chance to check out my first film endeavor.
I Come to My Garden Alone
Living in the this concrete jungle called Hollywood, it is important I come to My Garden alone.
I need to bask in the sun, as I search for God's Son, Jesus Christ,
There no longer is an agenda with the exception of justing wanting to be in the presence of God.
If I were by the ocean, I would rest in solitude as I tried to listen to God breathe with every wave that the tide brought in and out. In the concrete jungle called Hollywood, I need to escape the sirens, the traffic, the noise as I try to listen to that still small voice of God.
This little fountain helps me to escape all the hustle and bustle of a city as I contemplate the trickling of the water. I think of the Living Water which Jesus Christ desires for me.
How will I be one of God's servants and friend's by offering a cold cup of water to someone who is thirsty? Before I can be of any help to someone else, I need to draw from God's well. Well, in this case, this fountain will do just fine.
Are you thirsty? Have you taken some time to draw some Living Water? Have you offered someone a cup of water to drink today?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Jacob's Calling
Some people think Jacob is a lunatic.
One day, when I was talking to Jacob, I asked him if he was homeless.
Jacob answered, "I may be houseless but I am not homeless, for I know that Jesus is preparing a mansion for me in heaven."
I think Jacob is brilliant.
Happy God Father's Day
The last time I saw my Uncle Eddie was at My Aunt Carol's funeral in Appleton in April.
Uncle Eddie is and was My God Father!
There was never a time that I saw My Uncle Eddie that he did not give me a great big hug.
They buried my Uncle Eddie yesterday in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Looking forward to getting a great big hug from my Uncle Eddie when he greets me one day at heaven's door. I never questioned the love of God because of my Godfather!
Happy God Father's Day Uncle Eddie! I love you! Rest in Peace.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Walkin After Midnight - A Short Film by John Thomas
Please check out You Tube Broadcast Yourself.
Sue Anderson Molenda was up until 4:00 am editing my first short film.
Please check it out for FREE!
I hope you like it!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Walkin After Midnight
Walkin After Midnight A short film directed and produced by John Thomas began shooting yesterday at the old Charlie Chaplain Studios in Hollywood. You will be able to see Melinda Molenda who stars in the film for FREE soon on You Tube.
Hoping you will check this short little film out and join our mission to end homelessness!
Please Shop at Trader Joe's
Please Shop at Trader Joe's!
Every Trader Joe's in this country is linked with a charity to help feed the hungry and the homeless.
Every item that is marked out of date is donated on a daily basis and the food is given at no cost to the charities to give to the poor.
My Knight in Shining Armor or Someday My Prince/Princess Will Come
Little girls dream of their knight in shining armor riding up on a beautiful horse.
Other little girls sing the song, "Someday My Prince Will Come"!
I was sleeping on the side walk and was not awoken by a kiss from my Prince or My Princess but by two officers from the LAPD. One male and one female officers mounted on two beautiful horses.
Long story/short. I was almost ticketed and arrested for sleeping on the sidewalk.
My dream almost turned into a nightmare.
What is a homeless person suppose to do?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Walkin After Midnight
Today I started working on Walkin After Midnight. A short film by John Thomas. This will be my first four minute film that you will be able to watch for FREE on U-Tube. Please keep checking this blog or facebook for more details.
Thanks!
I Think God is Trying to Tell Me Something
"I Think God is Trying to Tell Me Something!"
Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster for me. Donnie loved Baby enough to let her go free. Baby loved this little boy even more to not stay. Without words, they both knew that a new chapter was starting in each of their lives. When Donnie let Baby out of her cage, he only had a short sleeve T shirt on. He was always afraid of Baby biting him. Usually he wore a big thick black sweat shirt and hid his hands in the sleeves. Not yesterday. With hand and arm exposed, Baby gently stepped up onto Donnie's hand. Baby loved to have her back and head scratched. She seemed very happy to be massaged for an unusually extended period of time. Baby then climbed on his T shirt and copied the way Clyde rests upon his chest. She cuddled and was very content to be rocked back and forth. After some time, Baby went to her favorite spot and nestled her little body next to Donnie's neck. She did not want to leave as she crawled to the back of his neck, out of his reach. If Donnie would have tried to remove Baby, she would bite. Donnie seemed to be content to let Baby rest there as long as she liked. It seemed as they both knew something that I did not.
Turns out that this was true. Soon Baby wanted to sit on top of her cage. She greeted all the children as they walked by. Turns out she was saying Goodbye. Three people walked by and offered to buy baby. This has only happened several times before. However, three times in one day. Was this a sign from God? Baby seemed pleased as Donnie denied each of their requests. Being homeless, people try to rob you by offering only a fraction of the price that the item you are selling is worth. After explaining the price I paid for this bird, they were shocked that their offer was not even enough to pay for the cost of the cage.
Donnie and Baby seemed to spend more time than ever in non verbal communication when all of a sudden Donnie blurted out, "You can stay or you can fly away Baby fly away!" Noticing the caws of the parrots in the palm tree right next to our 1996 Buick Century. The cackle of these birds had been going on for days. Suddenly, there was a silence that seemed to last a lifetime. In reality, only a minute or two.
Without a sound, Baby flew up to the top of the palm tree with the rest of the parrots. There was a raucous of caws and cackles of celebration and then all the parrots and Baby flew off. Baby was surrounded by parrots who were protecting her from any other birds. Baby had never flown higher or as far as she would on her maiden voyage with her new family.
Donnie was elated and then hysterical. He felt like Rose from Gypsy when her first child Baby took off on her own. To be honest, I had grown very attached to my co-pilot in the front seat of the Buick as we had travelled 4500 miles together looking for a place to live. No time for me to be sentimental. I needed to attend to Donnie. As I hugged and rocked this little boy, I held him like he held Baby or Clyde next to his chest until he rocked himself to sleep.
Dream Donnie Dream.
I Think God is Trying to Tell Me Something
I think God is trying to tell me something about Himself.
Imagine Donnie is God. Imagine Baby is you or me.
God loved us so much that he did not want to keep us in a cage. He gave us free will. Donnie and Baby searched the entire country for a place to live. They chose California.
Enter the sin factor. God loved you and me so much that he sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us and whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life.
Donnie paid over seven hundred dollars to purchase, cage, and feed this little bird. He also flew over 2200 miles to pick Baby up from Chicago. Then he drove over 4400 miles in a car as birds are not allowed on airplanes. Donnie HATES to drive. This is a huge price to pay for one bird. Baby could never afford to do this on his own. Donnie paid the price for this bird like Jesus Christ paid the price for your and my sin. Without Donnie, this little bird would have died in the cage. No freedom. Trapped for a lifetime.
I Think God is Trying to Tell Me Something
Like Donnie loved Baby enough to let her go free, God loves you and me enough to let us go free. God gives us the gift of free will. Will Baby love Donnie enough to return to him? Probably Not. The pain and loss and the void of the loss of being in the presence of Baby is overwhelming.
All day today, Donnie asked the sparrows, "Have you seen Baby?" Usually Donnie sings the song, "I sing because I am happy, I sing because I am free, if God's eye is on the sparrow, then I know he watches me." Not today. His little heart is broken over the separation of his little feathered friend.
Donnie fed the pigeons. Usually "Feed the Birds" is the song from Mary Poppins that plays through his little head. Not today. Donnie who usually takes JOY in feeding the birds was only interested in seeing one little bird come down from the trees. "Have you seen Baby?" Donnie asked over 200 pigeons.
All the while, God was trying to tell me to love all the birds not just one.
Several Seagulls flew over Donnie's path. Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They will be lifted up on the wings of seagulls (eagles in some versions not mine) Donnie asked one seagull to get the Mormons to pray. Donnie asked another seagull to beg for God's protection and provision over Baby. Can God take better care of Baby than he could? It is a rhetorical question. However, one that little Donnie ponders and contemplates. Or is that my job?
I Think God is Trying to Ask Me Something
"What is a homeless person doing trying to feed and tend to a bird?" God asks.
"I could understand if you were tending and feeding sheep but birds? God inquires.
"Just for the record, when I told Peter to feed and tend to sheep, I meant people." God continues. "Peter was a fisherman not a shepherd. However, I was pretty clear when I told him that I will make him a fisher of men."
Now I ask you:
Will You feed my sheep?
Will you tend to my sheep?
Will you feed my lambs?
I Think God is Trying to Tell Us Something!
Clyde
Yesterday I gave Clyde the same option I gave Baby.
Clyde was scared to come out of his cage.
As I held Clyde next to my chest, I could hear his little heart race. He was terrified as he dug his claws into my shirt hanging on for dear life.
When I put him in this beautiful desert garden, he lay there petrified for over an hour.
Living in a concrete jungle is no place for a bearded dragon.
Clyde and Donnie are happy to live in the car. I will look after both of them.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Little Love Story
There was this little boy who loved this beautiful little bird.
There was this little bird who loved this precious little boy.
The little boy traveled over 6000 miles to be with this little bird. Only to end up homeless and was forced to live in a broken down old car. He knew that living in a cage and in a sweltering car by day and cold by night was no life for his remarkable little feathered friend. Loving the bird enough to give it a choice, "You can stay or you can Fly away Baby fly away" he said.
If birds could talk or if you could read this bird's mind, the truth be told, the beautiful little bird knew that homeless shelters do not allow pets of any kind. This feathered friend of this little boy decided to fly away so that the little boy could find a home of his own.
The little boy cried and cried and cried.
There was a nice man who held the little boy until he fell asleep.
Now the little boy dreams of seeing his beautiful little bird again.
The End.
This Burger King has no restroom
This Burger King has no restroom. They will sell you soft drinks. They will sell you food.
What is a homeless person supposed to when they have to go number 1 or 2?
I guess they are suppose to urinate or deficate on the side of their building.
Who approves business buildings like this?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Food on Foot - Week 2
This was my second week as a crew member at Food on Foot.
Got to work at 10:30 am. Needed to be there at 11:00 am.
Worked from 11:15 to noon picking up garbage in the parking lot.
Attended a training meeting from noon to 1:00 pm
Worked from 1:00 pm to 3:15pm picking up garbage along Sunset Boulevard.
Attended another meeting.
Ate dinner and was given some free clothes.
Was paid $10.00 in gift certificates for the day,
I was SO excited that I won fifth place for the day and won a bag full of bus tokens.
The prize was more than my day wages.
I have been asked to work a full day tomorrow!
Hopefully, I do not mess up this opportunity by being late. I need to be there at 7:00 am
For those of you who know me, this is gonna be nothing short of a miracle.
Please keep me in your prayers!
Healed
This past Saturday I attended Gay Pride in West Hollywood.
Usually I would contemplate and ponder on which of these two entertainers I was attracted too.
God has healed me. They are both attractive. I am attracted to neither.
I have chosen to be happy being single!
You will never know what a relief this is for me! Maybe you do!
Went to Gay Pride in West Hollywood on Saturday
Tony gave me a FREE ticket to attend Gay Pride in West Hollywood.
I went. I saw. I left.
Maybe I have just outgrown the entire gay world and gay scene.
Here was what was going through my mind the entire time.
1) I was lonelier here than I can ever remember be lonely somewhere else.
2) I did not belong here.
3) I love freaks show. The one at Venice Beach costs five dollars. This one for me was free.
4) I am very thankful that I did not have to pay $20.00 to go to this event.
Friday
One of my greatest JOYS in life is going to see musicals.
Being homeless and jobless, I did not have the $36.00 dollars needed to attend.
If I did have the money, my priorities should be to save for an apartment, buy some food or get my car fixed. To be honest, I would rather stay homeless, starve and not have a car if that means that I would get to spend a night at the theatre.
My wish came true? I explained to the owner of the theatre that I was jobless and homeless but that I REALLY wanted to see his show, Gypsy but that I could not afford the thirty six dollars. The owner touched my heart. He let me in for free.
I was SO excited. I got to see Gypsy in Hollywood on a Friday night.
Three lessons learned from Gypsy
1) You have to have a Dream
2) Never Give Up
3) Even if you have No talent you can still make it in show business
There was only one thing missing from a perfect evening. My sister.
I love going to the theatre with my sister Linda.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Not all homeless are jobless
I watched this guy throughout the day work for almost 14 hours. He spent the entire time digging through the garbage of Hollywood to bag up this load. He used to use a shopping cart. The police gave him a ticket for stealing a cart from the grocery store. Now he uses this dolly which he had to buy. He will make about $25.00 to $30.00 depending on the weight of plastic versus metal. After several trips like this, he should be able to pay off the city fine. At least he is homeless and not in jail for theft, right?
In jail, he would have a bed, fresh clothes and three meals a day.
PATH
On the way to church, I passed this homeless man.
When I met with one of the volunteers at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, I was advised to remedy my homeless situation by going to PATH. I complied with their wishes and for the first time in fifteen days needed $1.50 to ride the Metro to get to the organization. People Assisting The Homeless.
Arriving at PATH at 6:00 am, I was the first person to arrive to this organization which opens at 7:30 am. The security guard was kind enough to let me fill out the application while I was waiting. The time flew by as I had the chance to talk to Julie Tabian Carlson and Kelly Williams. They were both shocked that I was up even before they were with the two hour time change. We laughed and my heart was filled with JOY reconnecting with these remarkable friends.
At 8:00 am I was called in to speak with the case worker. Thank God I was there early. One case worker was off, another had gone into the hospital the night before and the only case worker could only take on 9 new clients this day.
Here is the bottom line.
1) They can not give me temporary housing unless I have a job or General Relief.
2) I am welcome to use their resource center.
3) Emergency housing is available to me as I am homeless but I would need to speak with Ms. Vicki
4) I am able to use their address for job applications.
Being the time had not run out on my one way Metro pass, I continued my journey to downtown LA to the Los Angeles Mission. Remember when you tried to not step on a crack on the sidewalk or you would break your mother's back? Never seeing so many homeless before, I tried not to step on one who uses "crack" and I saw many who were broken in many more ways than just their back. Arriving two hours before the emergency case worker arrived, I decided to walk to the Social Service office which seemed to be only one street away from skid row.
Yes, it is only one street and three miles away from the mission. Trying not to step on the sleeping homeless, I stumbled over to the Social Service Center.
Hours and six government workers later, here are the results.
1) I do not qualify for General Relief. I seem to be a rich homeless and jobless man. Thus, I will not be staying at PATH until I find a job.
2) Although I did not ask for food stamps, the government had me file anyway since I am homeless.
3) Since I am homeless, I was finger printed.
4) In order to receive food stamps, I need to provide them with my social security card, my car registration, and copies of my bank statements. Although the government has all this information, I have been given three new hoops to jump through. I have 10 days to complete this paperwork or I need to start the process over.
Walking back to the Los Angeles Mission and not tripping over the homeless on my three mile walk, I run across this sign.
REALLY! The homeless were laughing hysterically as they asked me what I was doing taking pictures.
"THIS IS RIDICULOUS!" I yelled. "I am going to do something about this!"
The homeless laughed even louder. I imagined one of them saying, "You are crazier than we are!"
Returning to the Mission, I am shocked. All the gates are locked. The mission is closed until 1:00 pm. Not wanting to have the day be a total waste, I walked in the opposite direction to the Social Security office. I would start jumping through the three hoops and get my social security card.
Remember the the riddle, "Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the door and see all the people."
Government rewrite.
Here's the sign, here's the building, look through the closed curtains and see an empty and locked building.
Bottom line. With the government cut backs, this office has been closed. No sign posted.
Now I need another $1.50 for the return ride home on the Metro.
Moral of the story! or Random Act of Kindness?
There is a guy standing near the ticket center. It is clear that he has heard me collect the two quarters that were returned from my two dollars for the Metro ticket.
He asks politely, "Do you have a quarter you can spare?"
I who never used to give beggars money said, "Here's two."
"Thank you SO much " he said as I continued to walk. As I turned to watch if he would get a ticket, I noticed he continued to stand there. I walked back and gave him another dollar.
"May God bless you." His eyes welled up with tears.
"He just did." I started to cry as I walked towards the Metro.
I turned again. He got his ticket and started to walk towards the Metro too.
Yes, God had directed MY PATH. I would be back in time to go to group therapy, dinner and then to Wednesday night Bible study.
The Little Lost Baptist Lamb
Please forgive me as I have been very hard on The First Baptist Church in Hollywood!
Yesterday was one of the 6 hours out of 168 hours in a week that this church opened their doors.
I went to the Wednesday Bible Study which goes from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
The study was on John Chapter 14. It was suppose to be on the Book of Obadiah but the pastor failed to produce and print out the study work sheets. Let me refresh your memory. The Chapter is about Jesus Comforts His Disciples. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there, to prepare a place for you. And if I go, and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."
Whether it be by day!
Or whether it be by night! Yes, this is night. They have spotlights on this church which is closed 162 hours a week so that the police can see the homeless sleeping on the front steps.
With this sign posted on the front wall of God's house, the police arrested this homeless lost little sheep for trespassing. One of the nine members of the Bible Study accused the homeless man to be a Muslim praying towards Mecca and was afraid of terrorism.
Being my first time at the Bible study, no one even knew that I was one of the homeless people who have slept on their steps also. The ironic thing is no one ever asked me anything. The pastor was too busy telling us about all of his travels. He interrupted one of the congregation because it was time to close in prayer.
Come quickly Lord because your church has locked the doors to YOUR HOUSE!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
CRAZY
The day started out kinda CRAZY today,
As I went to the Saban Free Clinic to get my TB test results, they were unable to find my information. It turns out that I checked in under John Thomas today. On Friday, knowing that I had no identification, I borrowed Donnie's information and used my former identity. For the past five weeks, I have lived as John Thomas. Eventually I will complete the legal process of an official name change.
With my negative test results from the clinic, I am now eligible to apply to stay at the homeless shelter. On my way to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament for lunch, I almost tripped over this sweet old lady. Usually I would NOT have been the good samaritan and would have been like the others and walked on the other side of the street. I am happy to report I am a changed man. She reminded me of a black Mother Teresa. First, I asked if she would like a blanket. She declined. After checking to see if she had been kicked out of the center, she had not; I asked if she would like to join me for lunch. She said that she was not quite ready and wanted to sleep a little longer. The third time I returned, she was gone. I had decided to bring her a bagged lunch and set it on her side. Where did she go? I checked the side streets and the alleys. She was no where to be found. When I returned to the church, I was filled with JOY as I saw her walking in the halls. She had decided to join us for lunch.
After lunch, I rushed off down Sunset Boulevard to take care of some errands. What a CRAZY world we live in as I walked by some of the establishments enroute to T-Mobile, Bank of America and my group therapy session. Had a horrible argument with Charter One Bank. They asked me to open a separate bank account for MY KIDS Fundraiser. Since this was a not for profit account, they assured me that there would be no charges on the account. When I called today to verify the balance $48.00 dollars was missing from the original $200.00 dollars. I was livid. Wanting to transfer the fundraiser to establish a not for profit documentary fund, twenty five percent of my money was gone. The customer agent was kind enough to refund almost $12.00 so I have $168.03 that I transferred back to my original account that has no charges. Charter One Bank had been stealing my money since February. These "whores" owe me $31.97. Telling the customer service representative that I am still very disgruntled and plan on going to the newspapers, blogging and facebook. , the negative press would be much worse than had they just given me back the money that I had trusted them to keep safe for MY KIDS. You put money in the bank to save it, not spend it. The money would have been safer in my pocket. The CRAZY thing is I have to have the same conversation with a monthly charge from B of A.
There is a group therapy class that is sponsored by this wonderful organization, Monday is art therapy.
Not only do they give us an incredible lunch,have group therapy for FREE but they also gave me a $5.00 gift card to target for participating in the study. Remember that flyer from Chaka, I have been trying to get referrals to come with me next Sunday. Ten dollars for the homeless person and ten dollars for me. As Srephen Covey would say, "It's a Win/Win Situation"! This is much harder work than I thought. This is like a one hundred percent comission job. Remember ParkPro? LOL
The question we were asked to draw about or write about was titled MY FAVORITE SONG. I did both. Maybe I can try to get you a copy of why Crazy by Patsy Cline is mine. Group ended at 4:00 pm. I was the last person to turn in my work. However, I am on a schedule. Amy Rosenbaum and I have a dinner date in Santa Monica. This would be the first time in fifteen days that I have spent any money besides the money stolen from me by Charter One bank. I need $3.00 for the bus fare from Hollywood to Santa Monica and back. Amy is sweet enough to treat.
Dinner with Amy is Awesome. However, it is another story, for another time...
The CRAZY thing is my dessert to go? Tiramasu. $9.00 dollars plus tax and tip.
CRAZY, huh?
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