Author: refinish69

As a political and civil rights activist, I have been excited about candidates before.  The ones I have been most excited about are usually not from Texas as Texas candidates play it safe when it comes to civil rights issues.  I am proud to endorse one candidate who is not playing it safe.  I am personally endorsing Hank Gilbert as the Democratic nominee for Texas Governor and also as the next Governor of the great state of Texas.

Hank Gilbert has released a sweeping plan for civil rights for the GLBT community in Texas.  This sweeping plan that leads towards fairer treatment of Gays. Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender Texans is a step in the right direction.  No longer would the GLBT community be forced to have hundreds of dollars of legal documents to try and ensure fair treatment by the law and hospitals in Texas.  The community would be dealt with dignity and fairness under the law of the state.  This is a great leap in the right direction for a state that believes in the strength of the individual and leaving government out of personal lives.  I salute Hank Gilbert for his courage and his belief in Equal Rights for All Texans and encourage everyone to donate and volunteer for Hank Gilbert for Governor!!!

Follow me below the fold for Hank’s sweeping call for Fairness for All Texans.

cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left, Daily Kos, Texas Kaos
This Is What Is Right For Texas”
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Releases Historic LGBT Policy Statement, Calls For Civil Unions With Same Rights As Opposite Sex Couples
HOUSTON–Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert made history Tuesday night with the release of a sweeping progressive policy statement on issues of importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Texans–including a call for civil unions in Texas designed to give LGBT couples the same rights and privileges as opposite-sex couples.

Gilbert made his clarion call for reform during a meeting of the Houston Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Political Caucus, the oldest LGBT civil rights organization in the American south.

“Knowing that discrimination exists in Texas and doing nothing about it goes against everything I stand for. Those who remain silent on this issue are passive participants in that discrimination,” Gilbert said.

Noting that the office of governor was a position from which the state could be led toward progressive public policy innovations, Gilbert said staying quiet LGBT rights issues he strongly believed in was not an option for him.

“Just because some people see this as controversial or say that Texas isn’t ready for this is not a reason I can use to justify remaining silent on this issue,” he said. “This is what is right for Texas,” he noted.

“The issue of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals is the new civil rights battle for the 21st century,” Gilbert said.

In addition to proposing civil unions with the same rights for LGBT couples as for opposite sex couples, Gilbert also:

Proposed sweeping legislation prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

   
• Proposed ending discriminatory insurance practices negatively impacting Texas’ LGBT citizens.

   

• Proposed legislation allowing Texas’ public universities and governmental institutions to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits.

   

• Sweeping reforms prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in housing, public accommodations, and real estate transactions.

   

• Laws establishing the authority of domestic partners in medical decision making.

   

• A tough anti-bullying statute.

   

• Extending the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act to include gender identity or expression.

   

• Legislation making it less costly and cumbersome for transgender individuals to change the gender marker on birth certificates and state IDs.

   

• Allowing gay youths the same defenses as straight youths under Texas’ “Romeo and Juliet” statutes.

“Most of these changes in policy aren’t things that are brand new concepts to Texas,” Gilbert acknowledged. “Many of them have been proposed before by progressive leaders in the Legislature like State Representative Garnet Coleman here in Houston. Representative Coleman and his progressive colleagues have carried the torch on these issues, and Democrats should be proud of their steadfast leadership. What we need now is a Democratic governor in the governor’s office who supports LGBT rights and is willing to bring the full weight of his office to bear on these issues so they can finally be passed,” Gilbert said.

“A Democratic legislature is not enough to ensure LGBT rights in Texas,” he continued. “Until we have a Democrat in the governor’s office who is willing to show leadership on this issue, the changes LGBT Texans are fighting for will not happen,” he concluded.
<h2>FACT SHEET</h2&gt
<h3>LGBT Civil Rights In Texas: The Time Is Now</h3&gt
Most Texans Support Either Civil Unions Or Same Sex Marriage. According to the 2009 Texas Lyceum Poll, 32 percent of Texans support civil unions and another 25 percent of Texans believe same-sex marriage should be permitted. Overall, 57 percent of Texans favor either civil unions or same-sex marriage in Texas. [SOURCE: 2009 Texas Lyceum Poll]

Violent Crime Targeting Transgender Individuals Common In Texas. From 1970 to 2004, Texas ranked third in the nation for the murder of transgender individuals. [SOURCE: Equality Texas]

With this sweeping plan for Equality for all Texans, Hank Gilbert would bring the great state of Texas into the 21st century and offer rights that should be offered to all citizens.  This is a great plan for Texas and will benefit all of Texas and not just the GLBT Community.  Please donate, sign up for updates and volunteer for Hank Gilbert for Texas Governor.

So much has happened since I last posted a diary about this situation back in January it is hard to even know where to begin.  I guess the medical situation would be the most obvious.  LOL  After spending two weeks numb and tingling and in total fear of finding out I had MS, I went back to se the neurologist at Brackenridge.  I saw a different doctor and he was stunned I had even been released from the hospital.  MS had been ruled out completely. He admitted me the next day and the many test began again as well as high dosages of prednisone under supervision.  Yet another dreaded MRI was ordered.  Believe me when I say I was well medicated for that one.  They started with a mild sedative and less than half way through I started moving again.  When I heard the voice saying stay still, I announced quite loudly that the tech could either sedate me or start over.  As it was 11:30 pm, I was pulled out, given another shot that sent me to the moon and placed back in the tube. LOL  I barely remember being rolled back to my room or stumbling down stairs for a smoke afterward. I am a hard headed cuss at times.

Cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left, Texas Kaos,Daily Kos
Imagine my complete surprise when my neurologist arrived in my hospital room at 9 am on a Saturday morning.  Dr. Perurena said good morning and started in on why he was there. ” Mr. Whichard, you need surgery as soon as possible to keep you from being paralyzed. ”  I like blunt and honest but he scared the bejesus out of me. I accepted his diagnosis and started to worry immediately.  Next thing I know there is a knock on my door and Dr. Tamu, a neuro surgeon enters my room.   After introducing himself he explained that the only reason I was not going into surgery immediately was that he could not get the team he wanted together until Monday.  I would have surgery around 6 am on Monday to keep me from being paralyzed from the neck down.  It turned out my spine was compressing and cutting through my spinal cord and that was what was causing the numbness over 80% of my body.  He tried to explain what would be happening but I was so freaked out and still groggy that I just said explain it after surgery and I will sign anything you want me to sign. LOL

Needless to say, I spent most of the day calling people in between naps.  There is something about a hospital that puts me to sleep.  It might be the constant drone of noise or just that I was not having to deal with the noise level at the homeless shelter or it could be that fear knocks me out.  All I know is that some of the best sleep I had during my time in the homeless shelter came while in the hospital.

Monday morning came all to quickly and I was wheeled out to surgery prep around 6 am.  They explained they wanted me to breath a numbing gas for my throat and then would insert a tub and give me a shot when I started gagging- who were they kidding?  When they gave me the nebulizer it reminded me of hash pipes from my youth. LOL  I took 3 big hits and promptly passed out.  I remember nothing about a tube, being rolled into surgery or even the recovery room.  I finally woke up as I was being rolled back into my room and saw a friend of mine sitting there.    I saw Boadicea sitting there and asked wasn’t I suppose to have surgery and heard a voice behind me say “You already have”.  I asked ” who are you?”  ” Your nurse.  We talked in recovery.”  I was a little freaked out as I remembered nothing of this but I guess the pain killers were working.  I promptly grabbed my cell phone and started calling everyone to let them know I had made it through surgery okay.  When I called Robert Andrews, he wanted to know if Boadicea was still there and when I said yes he asked to speak with her. Boadicea hung up the phone and said Robert and she decided I needed to rest. LOL

My stay at the hospital was uneventful except me scaring the nurse by disappearing for cig breaks. LOL  The surgery was a complete success as I was not paralyzed.  The numbness had not dissipated but was no worse as long as I took the medication prescribed.  The neurology department and even my surgeon lied to me and said the numbness and nerve damage would get better until sometime in May.  I was then informed that the nerve damage was permanent and I would be taking medicine and walking with a cane for the rest of my life.  Life went back to normal or as normal as it could at the shelter.  I now had day sleep so I had a safe place to recuperate until 2:45 pm each day when I was forced to go downstairs and even outside at 5:30 pm each day to wait in line to get back in.  Saturdays and Sundays I was forced outside at 4pm.  I started going to the library and concentrating on other things as I learned to deal with walking with a cane or at least thought I had.

Taking long walks and getting away by myself became a major part of each day.  I was tired but determined not to be down.  I was furious when I found out the nerve damage was permanent but determined to get through it as I always had any problem.  I would keep pushing until I could deal with it.  I guess my coping mechanism was about as good as it had been in my past and that is why on June 26 I took 30 days worth of gabapentin in 45 minutes.  I woke up on a bench in front of the main library and called EMS as I did not want to die even though I had taken all the pills.  The stress of the situation along with other things in my life had pushed me over the edge and I had tried to kill myself yet again.  Depression is a real sickness and can be deadly if not treated with medication and counseling.  Being a considerable actor I had said what was expected in counseling session and not told the truth.  I was aching inside and fighting being handicapped with every fiber of my being.  The thought that I was never going to get better drove me over the edge to suicide.

I spent the entire weekend in lock down on the 7th floor at Brackenridge Hospital.  That is the psych ward.  I had a sitter the entire time who was in the room with me to make sure I came out of the restroom on time, didn’t try to hurl myself out the window that wouldn’t open or cut my veins with the butter knife on my dinner tray.  After this disturbing weekend of being treated as a child and seeing the hurt look on people’s faces as I railed at them for no reason, I came to my senses as they were and started fighting to stay alive.  The demon I had to fight was in me and not anywhere else.  I had to accept that I was handicapped or challenged but that I could over come the odds and lead a normal life.  It might not be as I wanted but it would be a good life.  It is a struggle I still deal with at times but never to the extent I did on that dreadful night I tried to end it all.

Look for the next installment that will deal with my homelessness and my getting my on place.  I thought a description of my medical and mental state was important for those who know me and as a cathartic exercise for me.

Being homeless in Austin has taken on a new dimension as I try and deal with my mystery disease.   The numbness I described in my last diary has now spread to almost 60% of my body.  I was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Brackenridge Hospital on the 11th of January at 12:30 and was admitted to the hospital at 9pm.  I have now had so many blood samples drawn that I feel like a pin cushion. LOL  After having a 40 minute Brain MRI was done, I was informed they had found lesions in my brain.  The next day I had a 2.5 hour full spinal MRI done.  There were no clear results so a Lumbar Punch was ordered for Wednesday morning.  The Punch was painful and intense but the spinal fluid was clear and now has been sent off for more testing.  They do not know what is wrong or what is causing it but they have ruled out a few things.  I have not had a stroke, heart attack, or aneurism. They say I might have MS but are not sure until the test results return.  All I can do is keep doing what I know how to do best and that is keep on keeping on.  This is not always easy considering the situation and how being homeless seems to affect the way some doctors treat patients.

Crossposted @ Daily Kos & Texas Kaos

When I had the Lumbar Punch on Wednesday, I was informed that I needed to stay as quiet as possible and if I was sitting up or moving about and got a headache I should immediately lay down.  At 4:30 pm the same day, I was told I was being discharged from the hospital that same night.  Even the nurse on the floor was stunned that they would send someone back out or even home the same day they received a Lumbar Punch.  I am sure if I had been on private insurance instead of a MAP Card I would not have been sent home until the next day.  I was instructed to come back to the hospital if the symptoms got worse, I had chest pains, dizziness, or started running a temperature greater than 101 degrees.  I got my stuff together and was given a voucher for a cab ride to the ARCH.  I was also given a prescription that I could not wait around to get filled since it might make me late for signing into to get some place to sleep.  Even though the hospital had given me an anti-depressant for two nights, that prescription was not written.  

Once I arrived at the ARCH, I found out I would have to sleep on a mat since I had not called early enough to get my name on the list for a bed.  While waiting for the people on mats to be let in, I started to feel clammy, nauseous, and dizzy.  I had the people at the ARCH call EMS and I was returned to Brackenridge Hospital.  They started doing blood draws yet again and then started something new.  They check my blood pressure with me laying down, sitting up and then standing.  It turned out that after having been in the hospital for 4 days I was dehydrated.  I then received 2 IV’s of liquids. I had been telling the doctors since Monday that I was having lower back pain that was sometimes intense.  The emergency room doctor finally prescribed a mild pain killer that I could not get filled but they did give me one to take there.  I was then informed I was being released from the ER at 2AM.  This left me with nothing else to do than walk back to the ARCH and spend the rest of the night sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the ARCH to open at 6:30AM.  

Thursday would turn out to be a very busy day with no rest.  I called my case worker to make sure my name was back on the list for a bunk.  I took a 30 minute bus ride to a   Walgreens to get my prescriptions filled.  I then went to lunch so I could take my first mega dose of Prednisone.  For the first 4 days, I take 8-5mg pills at once then 4 days of 4, 4 days of 2 and 4 days of 1.  Prednisone is a steroid with some weird side affects.  One is feeling like you are having a hot flash.  I can now understand how women feel who have had them.  It is not easy to go from normal temp to full on burning up in .00002 seconds.  It also has been affecting my sleep that was not all that great in the shelter anyway. LOL I am also having some mood swings that could be stress but could also be from the Prednisone. I do feel that it might be helping some as sometimes instead of numb I feel pain.  The balance issue is not any better but I will get through this.  I am patiently waiting for the next appointment which is the 24th.  I was warned that some of the test results might take two to three weeks.  

The one thing that has been great about all of this is that I have begun to work on one of my biggest demons while dealing with being in the hospital for the first time.  I am learning to ask and allow people to help.  I have this issue with Pride and always being the strong one and that is being chipped away slowly but surely.  Friends and family have helped me in so many ways I can never thank them enough.  The warm wishes, caring thoughts and many prayers have been my salvation through all of this.  Some people visited and some even wheeled me outside to the sidewalk so I could have a smoke. LOL I know this would have been the perfect time to quit but it didn’t happen and probably will not during this high stress time.  

I was able to go to my counseling session on Friday and was amazed at how much it helped to speak out about my fears and even shed a few tears.  I have speaking out about these fears and shedding a few tears with family and friends as well.  Thursday afternoon Robert took me to his house where I cooked pasta noodles and reheated homemade sauce he had for lunch and then was turned lose on a computer for 3 or more hours.  It was nice to spend time with a friend and pet his beautiful puppy and just do what I wanted- even walk around barefoot.  

I know this diary leaves more questions unanswered than answered but that is where I am at this time.  I am dealing with each day and moment as it happens.  Am I scared?  HELL YES!!!  But even so, I know that I will survive this with help from my friends, family, and doctors.  No matter what the issue turns out to be, I will handle it with dignity and grace.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and as soon as I know something I will pass on the news.

I did want to share one antidote from my stay.  My nurses and their assistants could not have been sweeter- except for one.  Due to the numbness around my midsection, they were concerned with my body functions.  I was asked everyday if I had had a bowel movement and if I was urinating okay.  Well, most everyday anyway.  On Tuesday night, I finally had a gay nurse and he was the nelliest thing on the face of the earth and asked me had I poo-pooed.  I was not amused. I said no but I did take a Sh*t.  I then proceeded to tell him not to talk to me like I was in kindergarten but as an adult.  Except for snapping at the Neurologist and one of her Residents, this was the only time I was a total jerk in the hospital. The staff could not have been more helpful and supportive as they realized my fear and nervousness.  I even gave the flowers I received to thee nures so that they would know know how much I appreciated their care.   All in all- I think I handled it very well.  As I have said before, “What Dosen’t Kill Us, Makes Us Stronger.”  With help from the great people around me, I will get through this.  

Being homeless in Austin is proving to be more than a full time job.  There are so many appointments to make and buses to catch that there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day sometimes.  I am not complaining about all I have to get done but the hurry up and wait system seems to wear on me more and more each day.  It has not helped that I had acute bronchitis and now have some weird neurological disorder that they cannot diagnose.  

crosspsoted @ Daily Kos and Texas Kaos

I spent this past Monday morning in the emergency room after waking with 60-85% of my left side numb.   They did a CAT scan and x-rays.  They have ruled out a stroke, heart attack, or aneurism but still have no idea what is wrong.  The doctor from the emergency room referred me to the neurology clinic but I have to wait and see my Primary Care Clinic before the referral will be approved.  I will see them this Monday at 4pm and mean while the symptoms keep getting worse.  The numbness is spreading and I am starting to lose some mobility and balance.  Don’t think this has slowed me down much.  I have still been attending meetings and went to my first counseling session for depression.  

Many people have asked about Transgender Homeless in Austin after the death of Jennifer Gale.  Transgender are accepted in both the ARCH and the Salvation Army but must reside in the dorms for the sex they are biologically.  It is not a perfect situation but it is better than nothing at this time.  This means the GLBT Community and their Allies need to step forward here and in other cities across the country and provide safe shelter and opportunities for the GLBT homeless.  The current shelters are stretched to the max with what they do.  More services are needed for all areas but recognizing the special needs of the Gay, Lesbian and Transgender community is something the community leaders themselves need to address.  I can survive in the system as a gay male since I am not flamboyant.  That is not saying anything negative about the many different aspects of the community it is just a fact.  

The amount of racism and bigotry present in the shelters would overwhelm many of the people who donate and try to make a difference.  The homeless are from so many different backgrounds, education levels and cultures that racism and bigotry are almost expected.  People are down on their luck, feeling bad about their situation and very frustrated and taking it all out on someone else is a very common reaction.  I cannot even count the times I have been called a faggot in the last month just because someone was mad because I wouldn’t give them a smoke or let them break in line.  

On a happier note, I have started attending church again.  I gave up on organized religion about 22 years ago.  I walked by a church in the area downtown and heard the choir singing and decided to attend the next week.  I have attended Central Presbyterian Church 3 times and I’m loving it.  I have yet to make it through a service without crying like a baby but the release as well as the warm and love are helping me to rediscover a part of my life I had lost.  Never fear, I will not become a bible thumper. LOL  My religion is my own and the peace and strength I am finding through attending church and prayer is not something to scream from the roof tops.  This as many of the other areas I am working on is a work in progress and will take some time.  I would like to share part of one sermon with you as I think it describes caring and loving liberals in a great way.

This past Sunday there was a guest pastor from the Presbyterian Seminary who spoke of his reasons for chasing Central as his church home when he moved back to Austin.  He told the story of the Molly Dancers and how the members of Central are very like the Molly Dancers as they refuse to accept the status quo or sit quietly even within their own denomination.  Central is an all inclusive church and refuse to discriminate against anyone.  While dancing the dance, the church, it members and most liberals I know, strive to understand, help and reach out to all.  This is a lofty goal and one that I personally believe reflects the true message from the New Testament and the spiritual world (never said I was a strict Christian).  Enlightenment comes in many forms but striving to always learn, share and care makes the world a better place for us all.  Standing up for our beliefs, protecting others and striving to make the world a better place for all People is something we can all do in our own little way.  

Okay, I am off my soapbox.  I will keep you informed as further developments occur.  Their have been a few other exciting things happening but I will share those next time.  This is my story as a homeless person in Austin.  For every homeless person there is a different story and I can only tell mine.  Remember to help where you can and donate to shelters in your area.  I will respond to comments as I can but computer time is very limited.  

Christmas can be a trying time for anyone but even more so for a homeless person.  There are so many things you wish you were doing besides standing in line or running around for meetings or appointments but life does not take a holiday. It didn’t help that the public library and Work Source were both closed for 3 days this week and will be closed for those same days next week.  You do what you have to do and keep going.

Cross posted @ Daily Kos & Texas Kaos
Christmas for the homeless in Austin can be a special time as well.  Many people and organizations do even more nice things to try and help during the Holiday Season.  Last Sunday a group pulled into the parking lot across from the Sally(Salvation Army) and ARCH(Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) with things to give to the homeless.  You could get a hat, gloves, toiletries, socks, some clothes and even some fruit.  The blankets and sleeping bags went quick as always.  Other groups kept coming by through out the week with food- everything from turkey dinners to sandwiches and even Christmas stockings full of candy.  

Food was abundant and Holiday Cheer was easy to find as United Methodist and Caritas served a Christmas Brunch on Christmas Eve.  The volunteers were there to sing Christmas carols, serve food and even offered hugs to those who need a little special care.  I found myself crying several times as I thanked the volunteers for being there and sharing their Holidays with us.  

I was one of the lucky ones on Christmas Eve.  I spent the majority of the day at a dear friend’s home.  I was allowed free reign in the kitchen and cooked Christmas Eve dinner for a few people and then spent an evening chatting and laughing with friends.  Once I arrived back at Sally, I realized how blessed I was to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in as I saw people sleeping on the sidewalk and still leaning on buildings downtown.

Santa did not arrive with a sleigh full of gifts but everyone downtown tried to make Christmas as special as they could for everyone.  Most people walked around wishing each other Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas.  Breakfast at the Sally was a continental breakfast as they had been cooking the Holiday Lunch for everyone.  The Holiday Lunch started at 11:45 for families and was opened for the public at 12:15.  The many volunteers and the kitchen staff served over 1,100 people on Christmas Day.  We had ham, sweet potatoes, green beans and pie.  You could get as many plates as you wanted and it was all brought to your table by a smiling volunteer.  The volunteers felt they needed to spend part of their holidays at the shelter helping the less fortunate.  I know I thanked as many as I could and wished them all Merry Christmas but I wonder if they will ever know how much it meant to me and many others to see people from all walks of life willing to help and try and spread Holiday Cheer.  The employees and volunteers of all the churches and organizations downtown brought joy to an otherwise depressing holiday season.  The warm wishes, kindness, gifts, food, and decorations helped soften the depression of not being able to do the things I have always done for the holidays.  

The Homeless Shuffle

Voices call out:
Hey, you got a smoke
Some weed
A dollar
A blanket

The crowd shuffles as lines form for
Food, beds, blankets, showers, toilets
Feet stomping, shuffling, slipping and sliding
While more lines form and hoops appear to jump through

Voices call out:
Food Truck coming
There’s the law
Someone died last night
Who lost their bunk

New lines form
Same old faces
Strange ones mixed in
As the Homeless Shuffle continues
Find a bed
A job
A fix
Themselves

Voices call out:

F YOU!!!
Baby, you okay
Get Lost!!!
You can do it

The crowd shuffles
As some escape
Some Out
Some Down
Some just gone
Replaced by new faces & New Stories
As the Homeless Shuffle moves on

by S. Whichard

crossposted @Daily Kos and Texas Kaos
This is my story of being homeless in Austin, TX.  It is not an easy story to share but I am hoping that by doing so I can express and share some of the reality of my situation and help others understand what is going on in the world today.  Each story is different and there are a million stories to tell.  TYhe first two installments can be read here.

This past week has been a busy week for me.  Being homeless and trying to get off the streets is more than a full time job.  There are many appointments, interviews, classes and different departments you have to speak to or see.  This past Friday I was at a Health and Human Services office by 7:15am to wait to see if I could get a stand-by appointment to get a MAP card.  When I arrived, 6 people were already in line ahead of me and some had been there since 5 am.  Luckily for me, some of those ahead of me grew frustrated and left.  I was called back into an office at 11:35 and left shortly afterwards with my MAP card.  MAP is a health insurance card for low income or homeless people so they can receive treatment for illness and emergencies.  I used my card on Monday morning at the Emergency room and was diagnosed with Acute Bronchitis.  I am now on antibiotics and have codeine cough syrup so I can sleep at night.  Of course, anyone knows that with bronchitis you are also supposed to get plenty of rest.  This has not been an option for me.  I still had appointments and classes I needed to attend to guarantee I qualified for programs I need and to keep my bed at Sally(Salvation Army).  Monday I went to the emergency room at 8am and was finally back at Sally by 2:30pm after seeing a doctor, getting x-rays, and going to a pharmacy to get my medications filled.  I ate dinner at 5:30 and finally checked in upstairs and went to be at 6:30.  

Tuesday applied for jobs on line and set an appointment with MHMR for an intake interview so I can get treatment and meds for depression.  I also went to the library to check emails and apply for jobs. Wednesday I had 3 appointments to attend.  One with a case manager at Sally, another with a case manager at ARCH(Austin Resource Center for the Homeless), and one with a case manager at Caritas.  I dressed warm, drank my fluids, and kept every appointment.  Thursday I attended 3 different classes at ARCH as well as taking time to talk with different staff members at Sally and ARCH to ask questions about things I still need to get done.  Today I will see my doctor for a follow up appointment about the bronchitis and try and get a referral for an eye exam.  Not an incredibly busy day or week except being sick and still showing up for everything when all I wanted to do was find a soft bed and sleep.    I am feeling much better and still taking care of myself but have to realize that rest is from after supper till the early am.  

People asked what the diet consisted of for the homeless.  For those who are in programs, there is a decent diet available if not a tasty one. LOL  Breakfast usually consist of a cup of oatmeal, grits or cream of wheat, an orange, grapefruit, or banana, a biscuit, bagel, or toast, coffee, powdered milk and doughnuts.  On Tuesdays and Thursday, most of the Austin homeless go to the United Methodist at 13th and Lavaca and have a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy and pastries and fruit.  They serve coffee, orange juice and real milk.  You can get refills on the coffee, orange juice and milk which is a real treat.

Lunch can be obtained in a couple of different locations. Caritas and Angel House serve lunch everyday. Lunch is soup, a sandwich or hotdog, a dessert and some fruit.  Nothing exciting except once in awhile a deli or bakery will donate different items that spice it up a little.  Don’t get me wrong.  The soup is homemade and taste great but when you eat soup 7 days a week for lunch it gets old after awhile no matter how good it is.  Once in awhile I use my food stamps card to buy juice and a sandwich at HEB just to change things up a little.

Dinner is always a mystery until you get there and sometimes one even after you are there.  At Sally, the men’s and women’s dorms eat at 5pm.  They serve this god awful premixed green tea that has 20 pounds of fake sweetener in it.  I have started drinking only water at dinner.  Dinner consists of whatever they can find to serve us.  It can be chicken, fish, brisket, mystery meat casserole or any combination of the above, beans, a really nasty goulash dish-I refuse to eat, some type of bread and a dessert.  Some nights dinner is great and sometimes only so-so.  It is hot and filling and free so you make do.  Many of the folks drown their dinner in Louisiana Hot Sauce to kill the flavor.  I have not gotten to that point yet. LOL  You can always supplement the daily routine with food from the food trucks that stop by.  They always have sandwiches, chips, cookies and that type of thing but as I am trying to eat healthy I avoid these.  Many of these food trucks also show up with things for people such as shoes, socks, gloves, knit hats, and many other items.  These help but only go so far as there are way more people in need than there are items being handed out.

Anyone who wants to help the homeless in their area can contact the Salvation Army and other homeless shelters and ask what items are needed.  I know in Austin the ARCH, Salvation Army are still looking for donations of winter clothing for men especially but also for women and children, blankets, sleeping bags, wash cloths, toiletries, as well as food and that type of thing.  No gift is too large or too small.  If anyone knows a plumber or plumbing business in Austin that would like to some to the Salvation Army and repair the many broken toilets and urinals, I am sure Sally and the residents would appreciate it.

Living in a shelter or on the streets is not an easy thing for anyone.  There are programs to help but a person has to be willing to do the work needed to help themselves to get anywhere.  The case managers are there to point you in a direction and to guide you but cannot do the work for you.  It is all about finding your own way with help to the goals that you have set for yourself.  I am busy setting limited goals that will eventually get me to my ultimate goal of being back on my feet, in my own home, having the Diva Dogs back with me and being in a position to help others again.  Right now I have to concentrate on helping myself and doing what needs to be done to achieve my goals.

Part of the test for me as well as anyone else in this situation is learning to live in the homeless environment.  There are so many people who are homeless and all the stories are different.  They could be from an abusive home, just out of jail or prison, strung out on dope or alcohol, or any of a million reasons I haven’t heard yet.  Mine is depression and not doing what I needed to do and there are many others who are also there because of mental illness.  You learn very quickly that there are some you can trust and some you cannot trust.  There is always some kind of scam running in the streets.  People are selling drugs, booze, clothes, phones, radios, or anything else you can imagine- including their own bodies for a drink, a drug or whatever.  I have seen people so desperate for attention that they will start screaming or fighting even though they know it will get them arrested or thrown out.  I keep my ears and eyes open and avoid all the DRAMA on the sidewalk and alley by Sally and the ARCH.  I have even learned to keep my big mouth shut and ignore the opportunity to tell it like it is. LOL  Sometimes I am scared, sometimes I am lonely but mainly I am being wise.  I have enough Drama in life that is my own creation that I am dealing with as I rebuild my world.  I cannot afford to be swept into the alley or sidewalk mentality and be drug down further by others.  It does not mean I have lost compassion or caring.  I am learning that there is a time and a place for everything.  Only moments ago someone asked for a smoke and I said 25 cents.  I have learned not to give out cigarettes as I would have none left in 10 minutes.  As they guy is reading me the riot act about being selfish, he is pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his own pocket and lighting up.  I calmly called him a hypocritical asshole and walked off.   You never know what type of person is behind you in line.  I have felt people reach for my wallet or my netroots bag I carry.  I always have my bag zipped up and either my shirttail or coat covering my back pocket so it would be more difficult to rob me.  The early check in at Sally makes things easier as far as not being out late when the real crimes starts on the streets.  The criminals are usually not the ones at the shelters but the ones who are on the streets due to drugs or alcohol.  They need that next fix and some will do anything to get it.  

I have met many great people in the shelter as well.  People who are fighting to get their lives back on an even keel.  They are the ones willing to share information and help someone out who seems lost or off track.  I even find myself giving pointers to people who are truly trying to work on getting off the streets.  I am learning lessons about myself and the world I never thought I would.  It is not easy but once I am done, I will be a much stronger person.  The strength and determination I am have to find in myself will be something no one can ever take from me.  What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and by god I will be stronger.

As per the other diaries in this series, I will not be able to respond much but will when I can. I am not asking for donations.  I am just sharing what is happening. Many thanks to everyone for their warm wishes and good thoughts as I find my way.

Link to news story

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to ban drugstores from selling tobacco products.  Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed the amendment to San Francisco’s Health code.  Any pharmacy found selling tobacco products could be fined $1,000.

A spokesman for the mayor’s office Nathan Baird said “A pharmacy should be a place you go to get better, not a place you go to get cancer”.

cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left
So when will San Francisco ban the sale of alcohol, over the counter remedies such as cough syrup, sleeping aids, and fad diet pills which have been known to harm consumers, and also stop selling candy and junk food which lead to health problems?  Is this just another form of Prohibition which did not work when the Religious Right of old wanted to ban the sale of alcohol across America.

As a smoker, I appreciate that everyone is so damn concerned with my health.  I appreciate the fact that I can not smoke in restaurants, night clubs, or bars in most major cities so that other people can enjoy their night out.  I understand not allowing me to smoke at work and even making me stand in the broiling heat, freezing cold or rain to take my break while people still do the fake couch as they walk by the smoking area to let me know they disapprove of my smoking.   I accept all that grudgingly, but when you start limiting the places where tobacco can be sold you have gone too far.  It is bad enough that some stores card me when I buy cigarettes.  I know you have to be  of age to buy them but when I am old enough to be most of the store clerk’s father, it is a damn insult to ask for my ID or my date of birth.  I am old enough to know what I am doing and even that it can be dangerous for me but that is my choice and not the government’s.

Conventions are not a new thing in my life but this was my first Netroots Nation.  I missed Yearly Kos in Las Vegas and in Chicago but after the fabulous time I had this past week, I will try never to miss another one.  Thursday after registering I immediately started running into local activists from Austin.

Matt Glazer from Burnt Orange Report & Fran Vincent from Democracy for Texas.

Glen Maxey, Laura Kolstad, and Matt Glazer

cross posted @ Doing My Part For The Left’s new home
Then I started meeting all the great bloggers from around the nation.  Many I have known on line for years and many were new to me but all made the experience even better.

CabinGirl, Booman, me, & Man Eegee

Kath25 & I

Brandon

This was taken after I donated a dollar to Ben’s campaign

I just love the Bikes Not Bombs hat

The gang who worked so hard on the Netroots for the Troops  I was happy to meet the people I had entertained in the dairies with Happy Dances.

People would never guess how much I hate having my picture taken as I ran around the convention center and the Hilton having my picture taken with every candidate and elected official I could find. LOL

Glenn Nye US Congress Virginia District 2 Candidate

Diana Maldonado TX-HD52

Congresswoman Donna Edwards Maryland

Andy Brown Travis County Democratic Chairperson

Sherrie Matula TX-HD129

The Gang promoting Crawford the movie. A must see in my opinion.

There are many more pictures I will be posting later. I will close with 3 that had me walking on cloud 9!!!

Gavin Newsom Mayor of San Francisco

Jim Neal North Carolina

Speaker Nancy Pelosi

I regret I did not take more pictures of bloggers or of the parties but look for more pictures soon from this exciting event!!!

Mark your Calendars for Saturday July 19th 7:00PM to 10:00PM.  As the Netroots Nation conference winds to a close Saturday evening, come by Bay6 Studios in East Austin:

Kick Back and Kick it Up before We Kick ‘Em Out!

Sponsored and hosted by Texas Kaos and Bay6 Gallery.  Featuring music, food, drink and  a group art exhibition of work by Texas artists with a political theme titled:

“Blogging from the Right Side of the Brain.”
In honor of all of the effort that has been going on around Texas Kaos over the last couple of years Bay6 Studios has decided to host a party to say thank you for all of the good work you have done.  Please accept this as your personal invitation to attend.  I would like to also personally extend an invitation out there to any artist’s, lurking or not, to submit pieces for consideration in the show.  I have always been fascinated by left brain/right brain thinking (as opposed to GOP no brain thinking!) and hope this event turns into a good mix between the bloggers and artists.  We have some great art work lined up for the event already and will make room for more if you are so inclined.

This is an out of pocket expense for Bay6, our way of saying thank you to people like Krazypuppy, Boadicea, and all of you really who make this a stimulating place to be.  We will be passing the boot at the event and all proceeds will go to ActBlue, editors choice (sounds like a good opportunity for a poll).  

We are not looking for any cash to put the event on, but if you are in the Austin area and would like to participate in catering, food, drink or music, we would appreciate any and all donations to the effort.  If you would like to lend a hand in putting the event together, volunteering at the event that would be helpful also.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

View Larger Map
For any and all inquiries, email kevin@bay6studios.com

Today is the 4th of July and is the day we celebrate American Independence.  There will be lots of flag waving, speeches, fire works and food.  While celebrating the 4th with family and friends at a back yard cookout, parade or political rally, I hope everyone takes a few moments to reflect on what they consider America and why they are celebrating.

cross posted @ Daily Kos, Texas Kaos, Doing My Part For The Left
I am the last person in the world to be a “flag waver”.  The notion of wrapping myself in an American flag and singing “Old Glory” is sort of repulsive to me for many reasons.  I have watched the neocons turn patriotism into an evil thing actually and use it as an excuse to condone genocide and needless war.  I do not celebrate the America we are but the American Dream I believe our great country can be.

We have all heard and song “America the Beautiful” but I wonder how many have actually read the words.

“America the Beautiful – 1913
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man’s avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!”

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Her final version was written in 1913.

Here is a note from Katharine Lee Bates:

“One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”

The song speaks of a dream.  A wondrous dream where Americans work together to make this a great country for all and not for selfish gain.  It speaks of freedom for people and striving to make America the best it can be without restrictions based on faith, creed, color or any other man made barrier.  America the Beautiful speaks of working to make this Country of ours all it can be and working endlessly to improve the world.  This is my dream for America and why I do what I do in politics and civil rights.  Instead of singing the National Anthem with it’s images of War, I will sing America the Beautiful with it’s dream and images of Hope for a better America.

Celebrate this day and the freedoms we have and cherish.  Use today to rekindle the fire and resolve to continue the battle to create America the Beautiful for all Americans and for future generations.