A bag and some clothes
When I was a teenager circumstances had me living with my father and step-mother for a little while. This is one of the few times my father directly imparted wisdom to me and so far its proven true. He said
"Son, no matter what happens, how rich or poor, no matter where in the world you go, you really only have a couple things to call your own. Your word, always number one, and always keep to it. The more physical thing is a bag and some clothes."
At the time I didn't understand the reference, so he clarified for me by explaining that throughout his life he has had several instances where he lost everything, except a garbage bag of clothes. I didn't understand it at the time, but little did I know I was about to get a lesson from life itself on the subject, in the form of job corps, boot camp, and the military. During these times I found myself in the position of owning nothing except a bag and some clothes, and in a slow realization of clarity the conversation with my father flooded back and I understood what he was trying to say. Do not get attached to material things, as they can easily be lost, stolen, or taken away by life itself.
This is not to say that you should not value your things. I personally value every single item in my pack, as its all neccesary for my survival and comfort long term. Still sporting the bag, but the majority of my clothes have been replaced with other items such as a multi-tool, a stainless cook pot, a water filter system, a sleep system, and food. One change of clothes plus a few extra pairs of socks is about the limit of my clothing that I keep always ready. Maybe I should update my fathers wisdom to be a bag and a change of clothes.
The End of an Era
Mobility, it is one of the biggest perks to being a hobo. If you dislike your current situation you can literally pick up and move on, hoping the next town down the road is better than the one you just left. Recently I decided it was time to move on myself and get a new means of getting around, so I sold my motorcycle. Mainly because it needs work that I cannot afford, and even if I could afford the work I can't legally operate it in this state. Apparently Nevada is the only state that allows ignition interlocks on motorcycles. My past degeneracy aside, the sale of my motorcycle is allowing me to purchase an electric-assisted bicycle. The major limiting factor on my ability to cover ground has been the fact that I'm having to do it on foot, and with the recent heatwave I have decided that a bicycle with electric assist would be a wise investment for the hobo that hates walking.
“Well c'mon hometown, part of being a hobo is walking!” Yes, I agree that walking is part of the gig when you're in your teens and twenties but when you hit midlife you start to prioritize your comfort and long term well-being a little bit more. The ground isn't quite as soft, the breeze doesn't quite cool you like it used to, and every movement your body complains to your brain who is reluctantly ignoring the pain and still pushing forward. So instead of buying a motorcycle for my midlife crisis, I have sold one. Talk about being bass ackwards.
Criminalized Homelessness and a Preventable loss of Life.
As we all know the judicial system in the US is corrupt and prone to believe the testimony of law enforcement, doctors, or even some random by-stander rather than the accused, so now that you are accused of being a danger to yourself or others you have to prove you're not before they will release you into the public again. This process is called “Involuntary commitment” by the legal system, and once you are I.V.C.'d into an appropriate facility you are there until the doctors no longer think you pose a threat, but it is usually at least a month before you will be released again.
The recent stabbing of a war-torn refugee in my home state of NC, is the poster child case for IVC being legal and even necessary in some cases. Charlotte, known as a sanctuary city because its lax democratic judges, released a known criminal who is clearly not of sound mind, instead of IVC'ing him. Even his own family pleaded with the courts to IVC this guy and get him the mental help he needed. And this was BEFORE the stabbing, not afterwards.
As someone who has been an addict, been in trouble with the law, and been IVC'd myself, I can honestly say the system failed not only the stabbing victim, but the perp also. If the perpetrator were IVC'd when his family asked for it, he would not have been out in public. He would have been inside a secure facility being evaluated and treated accordingly.
Until Next Time..
Stay Tuned.