How to Become Homeless
Biographical Study27 total reviews
Comment from wilkswrites
Michael, I am gonna become a fan of yours. Your readings are humanistic at best. This piece in particular screamed to me, "sometimes it is smart to move left so that you can move forward." I love that you are a giver, doer, helper. I can relate, but as I continued to read, you had me thinking of myself and my younger brother. We are always bringing someone in out of the cold, and it often bites us in the butt. But we continue to do it. Thank you for being you and for sharing. Well-written essay. Very inspiring.
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Michael, I am gonna become a fan of yours. Your readings are humanistic at best. This piece in particular screamed to me, "sometimes it is smart to move left so that you can move forward." I love that you are a giver, doer, helper. I can relate, but as I continued to read, you had me thinking of myself and my younger brother. We are always bringing someone in out of the cold, and it often bites us in the butt. But we continue to do it. Thank you for being you and for sharing. Well-written essay. Very inspiring.
Comment Written 12-Feb-2017
Comment from mermaids
I enjoyed reading your story, I work part time in addiction, so I know how hard it is to get an individual into treatment. It does seem that you learned much while being homeless, you ended up with a job helping people which you had been doing all along.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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I enjoyed reading your story, I work part time in addiction, so I know how hard it is to get an individual into treatment. It does seem that you learned much while being homeless, you ended up with a job helping people which you had been doing all along.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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I've been so pleased to find so many here that are giving of their time to help others such as yourself. Good for you. Thanks for your response, mikey
Comment from --Turtle.
Hi, Michealhill,
I read through this: becoming homeless non-fiction. The style is informal, at ease and positive, even when faced with many negative aspects of those society would deem dregs and outcasted. Through-out the piece, experiences shared in a: come walk with me-- tone do a solid job with humanizing the people met on the homeless front, who may not be 'raising themselves up by their own bootstraps' as life finds ways to trip a person down. And many times, once someone is down, society seems content to keep them down, or at best, just leave a person in the gutter without a helping hand. Your willingness to offer a hand to others is admirable and was portrayed well throughout the piece, as well as bringing to light the plights someone finding themselves homeless may be facing.
The topic and experiences make the content of this piece engaging and holds attention, the writing does a good job of setting a welcoming and pleasing tone.
I noticed at times that some information echoed, or was repeated or had an overlap that gave the read a ... trying to put my finger on it, but the words are floating out in the recesses of my brain. It's easy to read, the pace simple, the voice consistent, the information sometimes overlaps or has a rhetorical/ redundant vibe. Like the thoughts stopped and started with each sentence and sometimes the thought backed up and a new sentence started. It doesn't hurt with the informal tone, but a few of them I pulled forward for a closer look.
street at four in the morning OR to vacate my own home at four in the morning (thus) making myself homeless. (I was looking at this sentence and felt it would be nice to have a buffer word between the morning making. That's a lot of back to back ING, something for you to consider, if you like)
My felony is another story and my felony is no longer a felony. (here's an example where I mention noticing the overlap of information, I don't think this example has to change, as the rhetorical aspect here presents a specific voice in the matter).
some cognizance and mobility to take advantage of them(,) however. I had both,
(strongly suggest adding the comma for this 'however' because it is an afterthought, minced into the sentence)
my new associates(,) who were very accommodating folk. There was nothing to
(strongly suggest this comma because the modifier is nonrestrictive.
This was especially true of Veterans. I felt rather ignorant to find Veterans in the shelter with me.
I had been so out of touch I(and) had no idea Veterans were homeless and treated like this. (issue with this sentence using I... This information is overlapping with being told of feeling ignorant and out of touch to find veterans. I was ignorant. I was out of touch. I think this might be the overlap of information through the piece that I'm trying to put my finger on. That there might be opportunity in some places to streamline the thoughts. (three sentences all in a row, all containing the same subject: Veterens... Eh, either way, this sentence has a problem-- I think it can be fixed if you swap that 'I' there with an 'and')
There were addicts who couldn't overcome their addiction. If you think help is *readily available, you are wrong**. It is not**. There is help, but it's a dog fight to get it and it {isn't readily available}. (<
An addict who agrees to help is agreeing right then and right now, not next week. Next week is too late. ( I just listened to an editorial done on MPR about this type of situation, following a woman named tea-cup. It was in Baltimore, I believe. This happens all over.)
It seems almost ludicrous, but {there are humans}(found this thought drifted, lost track, didn't complete ... needs something) and romance blossoms even among the weeds. I had a
It seems ludicrous, but where there are humans ... romance blossoms even among the weeds. (really liked the romance blossoms and weeds, but also think the front half of the thought needs something... even if it is the indicator that the thought trailed.)
Michele was attractive and every male in the shelter did hand stands and whatever else they could do to entice [Michele](her) into their waiting arms.
(suggest to change that second Michele into 'her')
It was a live in(live-in)? position. I had a job and a place to live. It wasn't long
A nice piece with a lot of human interest, does well navigating through a time in your life highlighting bits without getting bogged down in details, but while still giving enough sense of the scene to paint a picture of life.
Turtle.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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Hi, Michealhill,
I read through this: becoming homeless non-fiction. The style is informal, at ease and positive, even when faced with many negative aspects of those society would deem dregs and outcasted. Through-out the piece, experiences shared in a: come walk with me-- tone do a solid job with humanizing the people met on the homeless front, who may not be 'raising themselves up by their own bootstraps' as life finds ways to trip a person down. And many times, once someone is down, society seems content to keep them down, or at best, just leave a person in the gutter without a helping hand. Your willingness to offer a hand to others is admirable and was portrayed well throughout the piece, as well as bringing to light the plights someone finding themselves homeless may be facing.
The topic and experiences make the content of this piece engaging and holds attention, the writing does a good job of setting a welcoming and pleasing tone.
I noticed at times that some information echoed, or was repeated or had an overlap that gave the read a ... trying to put my finger on it, but the words are floating out in the recesses of my brain. It's easy to read, the pace simple, the voice consistent, the information sometimes overlaps or has a rhetorical/ redundant vibe. Like the thoughts stopped and started with each sentence and sometimes the thought backed up and a new sentence started. It doesn't hurt with the informal tone, but a few of them I pulled forward for a closer look.
street at four in the morning OR to vacate my own home at four in the morning (thus) making myself homeless. (I was looking at this sentence and felt it would be nice to have a buffer word between the morning making. That's a lot of back to back ING, something for you to consider, if you like)
My felony is another story and my felony is no longer a felony. (here's an example where I mention noticing the overlap of information, I don't think this example has to change, as the rhetorical aspect here presents a specific voice in the matter).
some cognizance and mobility to take advantage of them(,) however. I had both,
(strongly suggest adding the comma for this 'however' because it is an afterthought, minced into the sentence)
my new associates(,) who were very accommodating folk. There was nothing to
(strongly suggest this comma because the modifier is nonrestrictive.
This was especially true of Veterans. I felt rather ignorant to find Veterans in the shelter with me.
I had been so out of touch I(and) had no idea Veterans were homeless and treated like this. (issue with this sentence using I... This information is overlapping with being told of feeling ignorant and out of touch to find veterans. I was ignorant. I was out of touch. I think this might be the overlap of information through the piece that I'm trying to put my finger on. That there might be opportunity in some places to streamline the thoughts. (three sentences all in a row, all containing the same subject: Veterens... Eh, either way, this sentence has a problem-- I think it can be fixed if you swap that 'I' there with an 'and')
There were addicts who couldn't overcome their addiction. If you think help is *readily available, you are wrong**. It is not**. There is help, but it's a dog fight to get it and it {isn't readily available}. (<
An addict who agrees to help is agreeing right then and right now, not next week. Next week is too late. ( I just listened to an editorial done on MPR about this type of situation, following a woman named tea-cup. It was in Baltimore, I believe. This happens all over.)
It seems almost ludicrous, but {there are humans}(found this thought drifted, lost track, didn't complete ... needs something) and romance blossoms even among the weeds. I had a
It seems ludicrous, but where there are humans ... romance blossoms even among the weeds. (really liked the romance blossoms and weeds, but also think the front half of the thought needs something... even if it is the indicator that the thought trailed.)
Michele was attractive and every male in the shelter did hand stands and whatever else they could do to entice [Michele](her) into their waiting arms.
(suggest to change that second Michele into 'her')
It was a live in(live-in)? position. I had a job and a place to live. It wasn't long
A nice piece with a lot of human interest, does well navigating through a time in your life highlighting bits without getting bogged down in details, but while still giving enough sense of the scene to paint a picture of life.
Turtle.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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I've copied this to word. Wow. A lot to study here and I plan to. I can't thank you enough for the time you took to give such a detailed and thoughtful response. I'm stunned and so very pleased. I'm delighted you find the style to your liking as it's very natural for me. I will go through it and try and tighten it up in spots as you've pointed out. I don't often think to edit these more personal pieces, but I should like any other piece. Thanks a million, mikey
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You're welcome, hopefully something of use will be there in my rambling thoughts. : )
Comment from country ranch writer
Where there is a will there is a way to get ahead in the world, some just need a little faith in themselves and apply themselves after finding themselves in a homeless position. Many are there due to downsizing or poor investments or judge-ment
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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Where there is a will there is a way to get ahead in the world, some just need a little faith in themselves and apply themselves after finding themselves in a homeless position. Many are there due to downsizing or poor investments or judge-ment
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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Amen to every word. You have it on the money. There's always hope and anyone can start over. mikey
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smiles
Comment from AnnaLinda
Michael,
Well, you surely do have a memorable story, a caring heart
and an overcoming life. You've learned the real way and your
writing is excellent and your testimony admirable.
I can so relate to your story as I see how veterans are treated,
the huge amount of homeless people in our country and the
work it takes just to get the benefits due them.
You had mobility and a road to your final destination. Many
are not so lucky to not only have that, but no fight left, no
means to get to the fight...
It is better in other countries and this plight of the poor,
the old, injured and mentally ill here is a huge tragedy. I
thank you for your service.
I have been blessed recently to volunteer with a ministry
who is, without asking for offerings...housing the homeless
and going many steps further to feed them, cloth them and
help them get to jobs, get gov. services and so forth. A
rarity for sure...
You are also a rare gem and deserve as many stars as I have
available. Not only for your excellent writing, but for your
honesty, efforts and strong spirit.
Thank you,
Linda
Typo:
"humans and romance blossums" > blossoms
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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Michael,
Well, you surely do have a memorable story, a caring heart
and an overcoming life. You've learned the real way and your
writing is excellent and your testimony admirable.
I can so relate to your story as I see how veterans are treated,
the huge amount of homeless people in our country and the
work it takes just to get the benefits due them.
You had mobility and a road to your final destination. Many
are not so lucky to not only have that, but no fight left, no
means to get to the fight...
It is better in other countries and this plight of the poor,
the old, injured and mentally ill here is a huge tragedy. I
thank you for your service.
I have been blessed recently to volunteer with a ministry
who is, without asking for offerings...housing the homeless
and going many steps further to feed them, cloth them and
help them get to jobs, get gov. services and so forth. A
rarity for sure...
You are also a rare gem and deserve as many stars as I have
available. Not only for your excellent writing, but for your
honesty, efforts and strong spirit.
Thank you,
Linda
Typo:
"humans and romance blossums" > blossoms
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2016
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Wow. Thanks so much, Linda. I'm just thrilled with the positive response and knowing just how many people are on the same page with me like you clearly are. There's a lot of hope and a lot of people making efforts to right wrongs. I can't help but think the good guys will win eventually. You're too kind with your praise, but it sounds wonderful and I doubt I'll stop smiling for a very long time. Thanks again. mikey
Comment from Gloria ....
Mikey! I don't want to learn how to become homeless I want to learn how not to become homeless.
But, all kidding aside you've done a bang up job making a most untenable situation sound like it was a vacation.
You took an incredibly difficult time in your life and learned important lessons from it.
rented a home and took in a women (woman) and her three children
In your signature Mikey manner you've managed to take us on trip and arrive back full circle to the beginning. And, that my dear, is a skill to be envied.
We get a glimpse into the many colourful characters that have inhabited your life or toured through and left a lasting impression, that you will illustrate with the deft hand of a skilled writer.
Great job with this and best wishes to you in the contest. This is not your ordinary story, but it sounds like you came out forged steel.
Very nicely done,
Gloria
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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Mikey! I don't want to learn how to become homeless I want to learn how not to become homeless.
But, all kidding aside you've done a bang up job making a most untenable situation sound like it was a vacation.
You took an incredibly difficult time in your life and learned important lessons from it.
rented a home and took in a women (woman) and her three children
In your signature Mikey manner you've managed to take us on trip and arrive back full circle to the beginning. And, that my dear, is a skill to be envied.
We get a glimpse into the many colourful characters that have inhabited your life or toured through and left a lasting impression, that you will illustrate with the deft hand of a skilled writer.
Great job with this and best wishes to you in the contest. This is not your ordinary story, but it sounds like you came out forged steel.
Very nicely done,
Gloria
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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I had the great advantage of having available options. Most homeless people do not. A great many don't even have the resources of mind and body to seize an opportunity should one arise. It's a true glimpse, I think, at the real result of a greedy society. And if elected I promise a new society based on human worth....
A bit full of myself there. Thank you so much. :)) mikey
Comment from Linda Engel
Michael, the more I read your serious work , the more I applaud you. Most people would never open their home without strings attached or expectations. You never
said what happened to the friend and her children.
You are an unselfish individual with the heart for doing what is right. I am a lot like that. I work in a dentist office and I spend my time helping the elderly and the parents with adult children with disabilities. The people who need the services don't have them or the government makes the guidelines and restrictions so tight that one may barely be eligible.
I commend you for taking on the commitment to help and care for those in the board and care. Not enough hospitals, not enough doctors, and the growing opinion it is everyone eles's responsibility.
I do not praise you to inflate your ego , though I trust you are smiling, I praise you
for being a kindred spirit. You are an angel.
I loved it when you said There was nothing to do but drink, write, and get to know the characters. So cool. I say hell, yes. You can't make this shit up and besides, it makes for good writing. Some of the best characters I've met were poor, drawn, and lived simply.
I wish all the best in the contest, even if it wasn't a contest, I am so glad to shared yourself with us.
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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Michael, the more I read your serious work , the more I applaud you. Most people would never open their home without strings attached or expectations. You never
said what happened to the friend and her children.
You are an unselfish individual with the heart for doing what is right. I am a lot like that. I work in a dentist office and I spend my time helping the elderly and the parents with adult children with disabilities. The people who need the services don't have them or the government makes the guidelines and restrictions so tight that one may barely be eligible.
I commend you for taking on the commitment to help and care for those in the board and care. Not enough hospitals, not enough doctors, and the growing opinion it is everyone eles's responsibility.
I do not praise you to inflate your ego , though I trust you are smiling, I praise you
for being a kindred spirit. You are an angel.
I loved it when you said There was nothing to do but drink, write, and get to know the characters. So cool. I say hell, yes. You can't make this shit up and besides, it makes for good writing. Some of the best characters I've met were poor, drawn, and lived simply.
I wish all the best in the contest, even if it wasn't a contest, I am so glad to shared yourself with us.
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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I'm speechless. Yes, I'm smiling. I wasn't intending to look so wonderful. Hahaha! What lovely things to say and I'm so humbled and appreciative. Sounds like we'd have a pretty good time saving the world. Thanks so very much, mikey
Comment from I am Cat
You must be the most interesting person I've never met, Mikey.
I've known people like you, who take things in stride, and make the best of them... I suppose some of us do that... eventually, you seem to turn bruised apple into applesauce the very day they were bruised and just roll with the punches. For some of us, we might take a few years to make our counterbalance...
I'm in awe of you... you make me smile and you make me proud to know as much of you as I do, which... admittedly, isn't much.
But... I'll take what I can get. I have no delusions... I've known a few people in my life, just like you... and they've always been my best friends, mostly because the best parts of them are somewhere inside of me... even if sometimes I have to search for mine, theirs are there, shining and on the surface... and sometimes, theirs are even thinly veiled... but they are there, and they are what makes real friends stick. ;)
I like you.
this is very well written, and with heart. It beats all the way to Texas and back. It's a good thing.
Well done. I'd love to give it more, but here it is. What I have. My undying gratitude that you exist.
Thanks Mikey
Cat
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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You must be the most interesting person I've never met, Mikey.
I've known people like you, who take things in stride, and make the best of them... I suppose some of us do that... eventually, you seem to turn bruised apple into applesauce the very day they were bruised and just roll with the punches. For some of us, we might take a few years to make our counterbalance...
I'm in awe of you... you make me smile and you make me proud to know as much of you as I do, which... admittedly, isn't much.
But... I'll take what I can get. I have no delusions... I've known a few people in my life, just like you... and they've always been my best friends, mostly because the best parts of them are somewhere inside of me... even if sometimes I have to search for mine, theirs are there, shining and on the surface... and sometimes, theirs are even thinly veiled... but they are there, and they are what makes real friends stick. ;)
I like you.
this is very well written, and with heart. It beats all the way to Texas and back. It's a good thing.
Well done. I'd love to give it more, but here it is. What I have. My undying gratitude that you exist.
Thanks Mikey
Cat
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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Gee, Cat. I'm bordering on speechless. I'm humbled by such lovely words and I'm pretty sure I'm not all that worthy. But I'm also sure they feel wonderful to hear. I do spend many a night awake and agonizing over life unable to sleep, so I've got some screws loose just like the mere mortals who surround me. HAHAHA! You are way to kind. Thank you so very, very much. I'm very touched by your response. I wish I could thank you with more eloquence. mikey
Comment from Ric Myworld
Thanks for sharing another of your fine stories that should touch all of us. I got to taking food, clothing, lights, lanterns, flashlights, and lots of odds and ends to homeless living in tent communities. I made some special friends, most of which were homeless by choice. I also met con artists, drunks, druggies, dangerous psychopaths and so on. I wasn't homeless, but they all could tell that I didn't look at them or feel towards them any different than I would anyone else. Just because I wasn't homeless didn't mean I couldn't have been by tomorrow, put in the right situation. One of these mean turned out to be a very wealthy millionaire who the state of Texas had been looking to find for almost twelve years. I'm about half way through a book on his fascinating life. A rich man, who was so brokenhearted that he only wanted to be left alone, while his ex-wife and past best friend lived the high life on his money and made his children think it was all his fault. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. You have a way of loosening me up and getting my tongue to wagging. Great job. :-)
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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Thanks for sharing another of your fine stories that should touch all of us. I got to taking food, clothing, lights, lanterns, flashlights, and lots of odds and ends to homeless living in tent communities. I made some special friends, most of which were homeless by choice. I also met con artists, drunks, druggies, dangerous psychopaths and so on. I wasn't homeless, but they all could tell that I didn't look at them or feel towards them any different than I would anyone else. Just because I wasn't homeless didn't mean I couldn't have been by tomorrow, put in the right situation. One of these mean turned out to be a very wealthy millionaire who the state of Texas had been looking to find for almost twelve years. I'm about half way through a book on his fascinating life. A rich man, who was so brokenhearted that he only wanted to be left alone, while his ex-wife and past best friend lived the high life on his money and made his children think it was all his fault. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. You have a way of loosening me up and getting my tongue to wagging. Great job. :-)
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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That love stuff is powerful make no mistake about it. This is quite the place. I surely did learn English right here. I couldn't punctuate "see spot run" when I got here. Yep, some gals just like those, well, some of those too, didn't laugh too awfully hard at me and learned me some Englishing stuff. My teachers from back in the day are no doubt dancing on their graves in amazement. Ha! Thanks a million, Ric. We'll have to go get in some horrible trouble one of these days. :)) mikey
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Sounds good to me! I haven't learned how to totally dodge a little trouble here and there. It's what lets us know we are alive. :-)
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I'm charmed. I walked through a prison riot drinking a cup of coffee. Ha!
Comment from nancy_e_davis
You are a good person Michael Cahill. You seem to have a devil-may-care attitude when it comes to living. I admire
your selflessness and determination to help others without passing judgement on them. I enjoyed reading your story. Well done. Nancy
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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You are a good person Michael Cahill. You seem to have a devil-may-care attitude when it comes to living. I admire
your selflessness and determination to help others without passing judgement on them. I enjoyed reading your story. Well done. Nancy
Comment Written 25-Feb-2016
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2016
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You're too kind, my friend. I'm not one to pass judgment, I'm fully aware of those four fingers pointing back at me. And boy, do they have some tales to tell!! Thanks so much, mikey