the signs of homeless men -

mostly mutable signs?

I don't understand how someone could be homeless in the first place.

That is, someone who still has family members alive .. unless, to be homeless is by choice.

Often, I see people holding signs and looking for hand-outs .. sometimes, people give them money, sometimes items .. and I normally think that by doing that, it's keeping that person on the streets instead of actually helping them. But, really, for just the individual person observing a homeless one, that's all they can really do .. try to keep them warm and fed. Even shelters, probably only reinforce the homelessness by feeding them.

This isn't something I've looked into .. are there not programmes to actually do something to give these people back some dignity in their lives by providing a means to be independent again? Perhaps not.

An alcoholic can recover, depression isn't a permenant condition with the right meds. It's a pity that more focus isn't put into aiding the person who is homeless, it appears the only aid is maintaining the circumstance.

It's hopeless, from their perspective, I guess .. seems like some kind of plan could be put in place to give hope back.

The random homeless men here in Atlanta tend to be rather schizophrenic also, the last two homeless guys I spoke to were Virgos. And I compulsively do the sign guessing thing figured gussed one for a Sagittarius and the other Gemini both turned out to be Virgo.

One of the Virgos was from Colorado - quite a feral character, estranged as ever considering the US estranged as homeless people can be here - and compelling, compelling enough to observe them even approach and talk to them, this character didn't seem to have a severe debilitating schizophrenic personality as the other Virgo I met who was plain schizo. I spoke to him too - observed him had seen him around before, similar blue eyes, fine light hair, light complexion and a friendly, talkative affable personality as the other one sometime later on he lost it. These destitutes are not as tough as feral cats.

I remember (this was about 15 years ago, or so) a man standing at an intersection everyday when I drove by. He had been there about a year, everyday, holding a sign up saying he needed money for food. People sitting at the traffic light would give him cash. Then, my mother-in-law started managing the 7-11 that was on the corner where he stood and she said that everyday, after he was done, he would come in the store and buy wine. He always had loads of cash in his pockets and he stayed every night in a hotel down the street.

It kind of upset me .. he made enough to drink, eat and sleep in a hotel. Since then I haven't had a very good outlook on the homeless. However, I realize that there are some people out there with serious issues and need help.

Here's a picture I took

http://img169.imageshack.us/my.php?image=z1ap3.jpg

He has an impish mischivous Mercurial quality about him, this is him in his side profile I asked him to flex his jaw and he bloated his cheeks with air - it was plain hilarious funny.

http://img254.imageshack.us/my.php?image=z2uu3.jpg

"gave up their Christmas day to hand out free Christmas dinners to the homeless"

Awww, that's so kind. That takes real compassionate people to give up celebrating a holiday for others. I'm sort of like you .. I think about people who find theirselves in unfortunate circumstances, but, never really do anything about it. That's bad, I should be ashamed.

My Uncle volunteers for that Habitat program .. I forget what it's called, but, they build homes for people. It's a charity group.

Fierce, is that one of the homeless Virgo's you were talking about?

I spoke with one and he was a Veteran. He had family, but felt his family (his parents) were using him for his veterans check so he left. I dont think he was completely sane though...but definitely sane enough.

Capgirlinlustwithleo 5/7/2007 8:18:52 AM | ip: xxx.xxx.xxx.2

"A pisces friend and I once bought a homeless guy in Picadilly circus a burger and my friend wanted to know all about him. He had been in business as a roofer and found out his wife had been having an affair with his best friend. She left him and stung him for money. He spiralled into depresssion, stopped working and lost what property he had. Ended up having his home repossessed and homeless. He was still depressed and was unable to see a way out of his predicament. He said there were many schemes for getting young people off the streets but nothing for people his age."

She should seriously get stabbed or shot. What a bitch!

"That is, someone who still has family members alive .. unless, to be homeless is by choice."

I have wondered that myself (not necessarily the family aspect, but the choice). Seeing homeless people, I am touched with feeling of empathy and often want to help them, often contemplating what it would be like if I were in the same position. But, then I wonder if I ever would really be in the same position. I am a type of person that believes there are always solutions and always means, ones people may not like, but they are / have to be out there. Obviously there are those with handicaps that inhibit their ability to overcome such a thing, but short of that, in my heart I do not believe even God itself could keep me in such a position. That is not a form of arrogance, merely an inability to accept such a fate. I do not care what hardships it would require me to work through. My mother taught me that no one is too good to do what needs to be done.

Don't get me wrong. I realize that I have have no true capacity to fathom such a fate (or the reasons people have fallen prey to it), but I do know the strength within my heart and soul and know that, while I would by no means desire such a test or perhaps overcome such a thing easily, I would find a way to endure and overcome.

I dunno, though. Just thought it was interesting hearing someone who had spent some time thinking about some of the same things that I had...

I would wish to feel empathy towards those truly stuck in such positions (and help them, truly help them), but not for those who merely accept it complacently. But, how do you tell the difference and how does one know what truly lies in a person's heart? I dunno how I feel, I suppose. Such a thing is truly sad and disturbing, from either perspective... 😢

P-angel made my argument for me regarding how she doesn't understand people with family or friends could become homeless.


I was going to agree that mutable signs for sure. Because fixed and cardinal signs would still consider moving back in with parents or accepting a favor from friends or family as technically homeless.

Alch, Nic .. yeah, this always comes back to sit on my shoulder when I see a homeless person. I love my son so damn much and I can't imagine ANYTHING he could possibly do that I would turn my back on him in time of need ..

.. what has taken place that was so horrible that their own families would rather see them rot on the streets than take them in to their homes?

P-Angel,

My work had me dealing with the homeless on a regular basis. A high percentage of these people choose that life style . They prefer to live like that then give in to the demons of the government as they put it. A lot of people are freaked out by bums....don't be. Talk to one every once in a while, they enjoy a good conversation more than most because they are usually beaten down by the public.

Some are clearly insane, some are extremely intelligent and articulate. It is a wierd culture all together. But rarely dangerous. Just act like what they are saying is normal even if it seems insane, and youll learn a bit about people and human nature.

Yes P he is a Virgo, thought he was a Gemini.