Just a short post today to recognize that it is nation hunger and homeless awareness week. There are tons of people less fortunate than us and they deserve a helping hand every now and then. I encourage all of you to Donate to the nation coalition for the homeless, or go find a homeless person and give them something. It doesn't need to be money; give them some food and a blanket, maybe some clean socks. I'm sure they will appreciate anything you have to offer. Just remember that while you are reading this, there are people freezing and starving to death, possible on the same block as you.
"As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency."
-Caroline Kennedy
Showing posts with label homeless. Show all posts
Showing posts with label homeless. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
How to make a hobo heater or portable stove
Winter is just around the corner so I think its time to show you guys how to stay warm and make some warm food. This is a cheap stove that can be used as a heater/lantern as well.
Things you will need:
Empty paint can (or similar metal metal object)
Paper/cardboard (roll of toilet paper works well)
70% isopropyl alcohol
Lighter/matches
Metal/pot ban
Ceramic tile sticks or rocks
This is a very simple design that works very, but will get very hot and last a long time. So please make sure that you are using it outside, or in a place that can withstand the heat of the can.
Hobo Heater:
The first thing you need to do is pack your tin can full of toilet paper. This make take a whole roll or two depending on the can, and its okay to use really cheap TP. Next you need to add in the isopropyl. You want the toilet paper to be fairly damp. I suggest 4-5 ounces per roll that you stuffed in the paint cant. Simply pour it over the TP that is in the can. If you are using this as a heater the final step is to just light that bitch up. It will burn slow, but hot for around 3 hours.
Hobo Stove:
Do everything said above before starting here. All you really need to do now, is use ceramic pieces or rocks to hold a cooking pot/pan on top of the heater. You can't put the pot directly on the heater, or use a solid flat piece of tile because air needs to get into the top of the paint can. So tale 2-3 stick like pieces of rock/tile and place them on top of the paint can so there is a vent. Then you can put the pot/pan on top of the tile.
Here is a quick diagram of what it should look like when you cook three cheeseburgers for you and your poor college friends.
Things you will need:
Empty paint can (or similar metal metal object)
Paper/cardboard (roll of toilet paper works well)
70% isopropyl alcohol
Lighter/matches
Metal/pot ban
Ceramic tile sticks or rocks
This is a very simple design that works very, but will get very hot and last a long time. So please make sure that you are using it outside, or in a place that can withstand the heat of the can.
Hobo Heater:
The first thing you need to do is pack your tin can full of toilet paper. This make take a whole roll or two depending on the can, and its okay to use really cheap TP. Next you need to add in the isopropyl. You want the toilet paper to be fairly damp. I suggest 4-5 ounces per roll that you stuffed in the paint cant. Simply pour it over the TP that is in the can. If you are using this as a heater the final step is to just light that bitch up. It will burn slow, but hot for around 3 hours.
Hobo Stove:
Do everything said above before starting here. All you really need to do now, is use ceramic pieces or rocks to hold a cooking pot/pan on top of the heater. You can't put the pot directly on the heater, or use a solid flat piece of tile because air needs to get into the top of the paint can. So tale 2-3 stick like pieces of rock/tile and place them on top of the paint can so there is a vent. Then you can put the pot/pan on top of the tile.
Here is a quick diagram of what it should look like when you cook three cheeseburgers for you and your poor college friends.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Maintaining Hygiene
Hygiene is something often lost in poverty, but it is extremely important maintain. Proper hygiene will not only keep you healthy, but it will make you feel better about yourself and keep you motivated. Have you ever woke up in the morning and felt like complete shit? Whenever I do, I feel much better after a nice warm shower. These can be hard to come by for a hobo, but they are not impossible to get on a regular basis.
The first thing you need is a toiletries kit. You should have one of these regardless of whether or not you are going to try and shower regularly. My kit has various mini shampoos and soaps that I gathered from various hotels and friends houses over time, tooth brush and paste, and even a moisturizing lotion (not essential, but it came with some soap that I bought in bulk). I put all these items into a zip-lock freeze bag, and into a small drink cooler/lunch box. This is handy to bring where ever you want and it doesn't look suspicious. The next thing I have when I go to get a shower is a change of cloths. A shower isn't complete unless you change your cloths.
I've said it before and I'll say it over and over. I take advantage of my young appearance. I like to throw my change of cloths and lunchbox of toiletries into my backpack, and blend with student. I put on my backpack, go to a college campus and loiter outside a down until a student goes in or out of the dorm, and I slip in while the door is open. Student are told never to let anyone into a dorm, but if you appear to be a student then they really don't care. Once I get into the dorm, I just use their community shower stalls. Infinite hot water, and so many people are coming and going during the day that you should be able to blend right in without question.
I know that some of you readers are a little older, or may be uncomfortable trying this. If that is the case, then you should invest in a cheap membership to a 24 hour gym. I have been considering this for awhile, and I will probably do it soon. Even if you really don't feel like working out, a 24 gym membership will get you a shower, bathroom, clean drinking water and a place to get in from the cold or weather, anytime of the day. Planet Fitness gyms are nationwide(I think), and they always have deals that can get you a membership for as low as $10/month. $10 a month to be able to shower everyday, no matter where you want to live is an excellent deal. I see myself getting a membership to one very soon.
A third option to get clean is what I have dubbed the "Hobo Bath". I have done this a few times and it's no fun, but I am a firm believer that hygiene is extremely important. Go into any public bathroom, whether it is a single bathroom at a gas station or a stall style bathroom at a fast food joint. Take a cloth, get it wet and soapy, strip down and give yourself a dry bath with the cloth. Again, it's not fun, especially to do in front of other people, but its worth it. I have only had to do this a handful of times, but if I run out of other options, I plan to do it regularly.
The forth option to get clean is scrub down in a river/pond/ocean/etc. I personally don't like this option because the water is colder, dirty, and the soap+shampoo is bad for the environment. I supposed though that given no other choice, I would do it. I ask though that if you do choose this option, please try to find cleaners that are organic/biodegradable and won't harm the animals inhabiting the area that you bathe in.
That's all for now. Stay clean guys.
The first thing you need is a toiletries kit. You should have one of these regardless of whether or not you are going to try and shower regularly. My kit has various mini shampoos and soaps that I gathered from various hotels and friends houses over time, tooth brush and paste, and even a moisturizing lotion (not essential, but it came with some soap that I bought in bulk). I put all these items into a zip-lock freeze bag, and into a small drink cooler/lunch box. This is handy to bring where ever you want and it doesn't look suspicious. The next thing I have when I go to get a shower is a change of cloths. A shower isn't complete unless you change your cloths.
I've said it before and I'll say it over and over. I take advantage of my young appearance. I like to throw my change of cloths and lunchbox of toiletries into my backpack, and blend with student. I put on my backpack, go to a college campus and loiter outside a down until a student goes in or out of the dorm, and I slip in while the door is open. Student are told never to let anyone into a dorm, but if you appear to be a student then they really don't care. Once I get into the dorm, I just use their community shower stalls. Infinite hot water, and so many people are coming and going during the day that you should be able to blend right in without question.
I know that some of you readers are a little older, or may be uncomfortable trying this. If that is the case, then you should invest in a cheap membership to a 24 hour gym. I have been considering this for awhile, and I will probably do it soon. Even if you really don't feel like working out, a 24 gym membership will get you a shower, bathroom, clean drinking water and a place to get in from the cold or weather, anytime of the day. Planet Fitness gyms are nationwide(I think), and they always have deals that can get you a membership for as low as $10/month. $10 a month to be able to shower everyday, no matter where you want to live is an excellent deal. I see myself getting a membership to one very soon.
A third option to get clean is what I have dubbed the "Hobo Bath". I have done this a few times and it's no fun, but I am a firm believer that hygiene is extremely important. Go into any public bathroom, whether it is a single bathroom at a gas station or a stall style bathroom at a fast food joint. Take a cloth, get it wet and soapy, strip down and give yourself a dry bath with the cloth. Again, it's not fun, especially to do in front of other people, but its worth it. I have only had to do this a handful of times, but if I run out of other options, I plan to do it regularly.
The forth option to get clean is scrub down in a river/pond/ocean/etc. I personally don't like this option because the water is colder, dirty, and the soap+shampoo is bad for the environment. I supposed though that given no other choice, I would do it. I ask though that if you do choose this option, please try to find cleaners that are organic/biodegradable and won't harm the animals inhabiting the area that you bathe in.
That's all for now. Stay clean guys.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Clothes Shopping
Getting new clothes is very expensive, and often impossible to pay for without an income. If you do have a little bit of cash you can always go shop at a discount store or thrift shop. Personally I don't want to spend any money on clothes, so I found other methods of acquiring them.
The first way is less than desirable, but its free. Go to a laundromat, college laundry room, or random apartment complex laundry room. Most laundry rooms that I went to in college or in apartment complexes, have a pile of unclaimed clothes pushed away in the corner. This pile is normally compiled of pieces of clothing that stuck to the inside of the dryer when someone was doing their laundry, and they left with their other clothes without realizing it. Take them. Yes, this is stealing, but its mostly like that the owner will never miss, and they will be thrown out if left unclaimed. With this method, you also need to get over the fact that your accepting clothes from a stranger. It's pretty easy to accept, if you consider that they were just washed.
The second method is my personal favorite, because it helps others and gets me brand new clothes. Get involved with your community. Look online or in newpapers and bulletin boards for community service opportunities. More often than not, if you are volunteering at a yearly or ongoing event you will get a uniform and a free meal just for helping out. Sometimes you get stiffed, but I have volunteered and walked away with a full stomach and a hoodie after only a few hours of work. It doesn't hurt to try. If you are homeless you probably have nothing better to do anyways.
The last method sucks and I haven't done it yet. Begging. I don't ever want to have to do this, but when winter comes around I may not have a choice. Survival is the most important thing, no matter how embarrassing it may be to beg. If you aren't prepared for a snow storm, and can't get to a warm place, you will freeze to death. Most people I have talked to think that people in a city won't freeze to death, but they do. When I was in highschool, I volunteered in a homeless community outreach project(irony) in Boston. I spoke to some cops who were telling me that every winter they get calls some mornings about citizens finding dead homeless people who froze to death over night. It really put things into perspective for me. I hate the idea that people will walk by someone who is freezing to death and just do nothing, but it happens. So lose that pride and beg if you have to, or you will die.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
The first way is less than desirable, but its free. Go to a laundromat, college laundry room, or random apartment complex laundry room. Most laundry rooms that I went to in college or in apartment complexes, have a pile of unclaimed clothes pushed away in the corner. This pile is normally compiled of pieces of clothing that stuck to the inside of the dryer when someone was doing their laundry, and they left with their other clothes without realizing it. Take them. Yes, this is stealing, but its mostly like that the owner will never miss, and they will be thrown out if left unclaimed. With this method, you also need to get over the fact that your accepting clothes from a stranger. It's pretty easy to accept, if you consider that they were just washed.
The second method is my personal favorite, because it helps others and gets me brand new clothes. Get involved with your community. Look online or in newpapers and bulletin boards for community service opportunities. More often than not, if you are volunteering at a yearly or ongoing event you will get a uniform and a free meal just for helping out. Sometimes you get stiffed, but I have volunteered and walked away with a full stomach and a hoodie after only a few hours of work. It doesn't hurt to try. If you are homeless you probably have nothing better to do anyways.
The last method sucks and I haven't done it yet. Begging. I don't ever want to have to do this, but when winter comes around I may not have a choice. Survival is the most important thing, no matter how embarrassing it may be to beg. If you aren't prepared for a snow storm, and can't get to a warm place, you will freeze to death. Most people I have talked to think that people in a city won't freeze to death, but they do. When I was in highschool, I volunteered in a homeless community outreach project(irony) in Boston. I spoke to some cops who were telling me that every winter they get calls some mornings about citizens finding dead homeless people who froze to death over night. It really put things into perspective for me. I hate the idea that people will walk by someone who is freezing to death and just do nothing, but it happens. So lose that pride and beg if you have to, or you will die.
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Hobo Definition
What is a hobo? Is it bad to be a hobo?
A simple google search led me to this hobo definition:
Well, this is poor definition of a hobo. A hobo is someone who travels with next to nothing and survives by making use of his or her surroundings. It has nothing to do with being unskilled or degenerate. This hobo definition is slanderous.
A professional hobo is simply one who excels in the hobo lifestyle. I am not an ingrate or lazy bum. I am simply a person who had some bad luck and is knows how to efficiently utilize the limited resources at my disposal.
Sorry for the rant, just had to get that off my chest after reading that sketchy hobo definition.
A simple google search led me to this hobo definition:
1. a tramp; vagrant
2. a migratory worker, esp an unskilled labourerWell, this is poor definition of a hobo. A hobo is someone who travels with next to nothing and survives by making use of his or her surroundings. It has nothing to do with being unskilled or degenerate. This hobo definition is slanderous.
A professional hobo is simply one who excels in the hobo lifestyle. I am not an ingrate or lazy bum. I am simply a person who had some bad luck and is knows how to efficiently utilize the limited resources at my disposal.
Sorry for the rant, just had to get that off my chest after reading that sketchy hobo definition.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Get your sleep
Being a hobo involves moving around a lot. It is easy to travel over 10 miles in an average day. Getting your 8-10 hours a night can be very difficult when you are homeless, but day to day life is so much easier if you aren't constantly tired. I have been going for months and I have never spent a night in an alley way like most people would assume is where homeless people sleep. Take advantage of your community.
I reside in a college area, and being a recent graduate it is easy to blend as a student. Find yourself a backpack and a book and you can hang out just about anywhere on a college campus without being bothered. Many colleges have 24 hour libraries, study rooms or lounges. These are a great place to get a good nights sleep. The college I frequent has really nice couches in some of the lounges, so I just go there in the evening and wipe out a book. As it gets late, most people leave and eventually, and since it is a quiet study area I can nod off easily. If people see you sleeping there, they assume you are just college student who fell asleep and they probably wont bother you.
Some of these study places are don't have locked doors, so you can come and go as you please. If they do have a locked door, just put on your poker face and blend as a student. If you aren't a total tool, you hang around outside and get in next time a real student opens the door. I am writing this blog right now from a study room at a local college. I will probably sleep here tonight.
I often spend weekends enjoying the night life, and then need a place to sleep during the day. To sleep in peace during the day, I always go to a beach or a park, throw on my shades and just lay down out in open so it appears that I am just tanning. There is nothing better than a nice 3 hours nap on the beach.
To further convince you of the importance of sleep, see below picture:
That's all for now. Go get some sleep, hobo's.
I reside in a college area, and being a recent graduate it is easy to blend as a student. Find yourself a backpack and a book and you can hang out just about anywhere on a college campus without being bothered. Many colleges have 24 hour libraries, study rooms or lounges. These are a great place to get a good nights sleep. The college I frequent has really nice couches in some of the lounges, so I just go there in the evening and wipe out a book. As it gets late, most people leave and eventually, and since it is a quiet study area I can nod off easily. If people see you sleeping there, they assume you are just college student who fell asleep and they probably wont bother you.
Some of these study places are don't have locked doors, so you can come and go as you please. If they do have a locked door, just put on your poker face and blend as a student. If you aren't a total tool, you hang around outside and get in next time a real student opens the door. I am writing this blog right now from a study room at a local college. I will probably sleep here tonight.
I often spend weekends enjoying the night life, and then need a place to sleep during the day. To sleep in peace during the day, I always go to a beach or a park, throw on my shades and just lay down out in open so it appears that I am just tanning. There is nothing better than a nice 3 hours nap on the beach.
To further convince you of the importance of sleep, see below picture:
That's all for now. Go get some sleep, hobo's.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Greetings, Internet
I am starting this blog because I really don't have anything better to do. I finished college and received my Bachelors degree this past spring.
In this economy, my degree landed me no job offers. Within days of graduation, my lease ended and I didn't have the money for a new place.
Since then, I have been living out of my car. I have clothes, my laptop from college, fishing gear and a enough cash to buy myself ramen noodles. I have been bumming around for a little over three months now, and have gotten pretty good at being a hobo. I am not writing this blog for pity or as a cry for help. I am here to share techniques I have used to survive off of almost nothing.
In this economy, my degree landed me no job offers. Within days of graduation, my lease ended and I didn't have the money for a new place.
Since then, I have been living out of my car. I have clothes, my laptop from college, fishing gear and a enough cash to buy myself ramen noodles. I have been bumming around for a little over three months now, and have gotten pretty good at being a hobo. I am not writing this blog for pity or as a cry for help. I am here to share techniques I have used to survive off of almost nothing.
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