Will Work For Food

[Alfonso Crawford]

I've been finding places to work that pay in food instead of money. It's been going well. A local church I attend does this with their volunteers, and they have lots of opportunities ('cause most folk around where I am are affluent and don't want to bother). Gonna hit-up a Buddhist-center, next. There's a Helping Hands a dead-cat's throw from base.

The networking's not too bad! I'm already lined up for a missions-conference to China that should be prepped by late next year. (Suck it, Peace Corps! Turn me away, will you?!) I can't wait to see what else comes my way, 'cause I've met some nice folk so far.

Working for money's not really where the money's at, eh. Plus this Florida-sun'll kill a man afore night-fall, so trollin' 'cross the byways under it in search of torture just makes NO sense.

Just figured I share! I'm half in the mood for a pint, but ain't got the scratch really to share. Have a nice day!

[saif]

What happens when you can no longer work for food? Such as old age. I know that's pessimistic but you've got to have at least a contingency plan.

[Alfonso Crawford]

What happens when you can no longer work for money? That's actually more commonplace, I've found.

[saif]

It maybe common but you're replacing it with something equal in needs and dependancy. I can only see this working short time as an excerise to show yourself you don't need to work for money.

[moonrambler]

It's fine to work for food; you're just skipping the middle means of exchange and instead of getting money to buy food, you get food.

That's not going to pay the electric bill, though.

I know someone who got a job in an independent bookstore by offering to work in exchange for books.

[Alfonso Crawford]

The beauty of working for a direct exchange, so far, is that I don't need to put in as much toil as with working for money (in a job, anyway): it's just a matter of washing the dishes for a few dozen people, after a communal meal of sorts (a simple task, with a commercial machine). I can get all my necessary electricity from the local library (lol, laptop) and Florida-weather's always nice enough for napping (unless there's a hurricane).

The last thing I need to figure out is how to get my clothes washed.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

The last thing I need to figure out is how to get my clothes washed.

Offer to wash other peoples laundry at a laundry place if you can put your clothes in too?

Where do you sleep btw? Do you really sleep outside? Or do you have a house? How do you wash yourself? Where do you go to the toilet? What do you do if you are ill (not seriously, but just a small flu)? What if you have friends over from another state? They have to stay in a hotel?

[Alfonso Crawford]

1. Scouted out a few sleep-spots. I also take afternoon-naps on a local pier. Currently coach-surfing.
2. I've still got to hit up a pet-store for a dog-brush (the kind that has a reservoir and spray-pump), and I still need some lye-soap (love that stuff). Fortunately, coach-surfing gives me access to showers.
3. If I get sick, I'll do like I've always done; MAN IT OUT. I dislike most medication, and can rarely afford doctors.
4. There are many public restrooms, where I haunt.
5. My friends are out-of-country, not out-of-state. None of us even have passports (I don't think). They all know how to hold a job, anyway.

Thinking about it, it's not really that hard at all to do; least where I live. And I used to loathe the suburbs....

[BitterFlower]

I lived in Florida for a few years, and if there were any place to be home-free, it would be Florida, more specifically the Southwest and Southeast areas.

Tropical weather, tropical fruits (can't tell you how many coconuts and mangoes I would get either off the beach or from a friend's house), and enough tourism to not be bothered too much. I feel exactly where you are coming from, Alfonso.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

Thinking about it, it's not really that hard at all to do; least where I live. And I used to loathe the suburbs....

It is just very ver far from my reality... But I like that you do what feels good for you!

if you ever come in the direction of mexico i´ll have a couch to surf for you

[Alfonso Crawford]

Originally Posted by ssandra

It is just very ver far from my reality... But I like that you do what feels good for you!

if you ever come in the direction of mexico i´ll have a couch to surf for you

Noted! I'm actually a very solid worker: I can cook and clean very well, and I can be put to good use as a laborer. If I'm ever surfing with you, your household will be well kept!

Hey, I could start a business as a wandering butler! Teaching what little I know of survivalism, while I meander across the countryside. That'd be fun.

[James81]

So, wait, are you saying that you are homeless?

And if so, is that by choice?

And if by choice, is there a reason behind it?

Just trying to understand where you're coming from.

[Alfonso Crawford]

It's been a choice in that I've really just stopped investing energy into maintaining crap I didn't want. Lost jobs, lost apartments, lost "stability," etc. Lost a cat, too, but at least she's been doing well [I keep tabs on her.].

It's been going on so long that I can't really bring myself to care about finding another gig, nor about having a roof over my head. The biggest sacrifice I'll make is my phone going off. Oh, no!

Hell, I should turn the thing off now. Automatic payments was already disabled when I had to replace the bugger.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

It's been a choice in that I've really just stopped investing energy into maintaining crap I didn't want. Lost jobs, lost apartments, lost "stability," etc. Lost a cat, too, but at least she's been doing well [I keep tabs on her.].

It's been going on so long that I can't really bring myself to care about finding another gig, nor about having a roof over my head. The biggest sacrifice I'll make is my phone going off. Oh, no!

Hell, I should turn the thing off now. Automatic payments was already disabled when I had to replace the bugger.

What's a typical day like for you?

[Alfonso Crawford]

Nowadays?

1. Clean something at house.
2. Establish some BitTorrents, with unrestricted Wi-Fi.
3. Wash up.
4. Eat some of personal food-stores.
5. Go to library, for electricity and internet-access.
6. Nap on pier (~2 PM, at this point).
7. Head back to library (closes at 8), to watch movie and finish up work for the day.
8. Volunteer at church-café (if open that day).
9. Head back to base to drop off my heavy pack (backpack with laptop and library-haul) and have second/final meal of the day.
10. Haunt local comic-book store (if there's a gaming-meeting that night).
11. Enjoy closing at Barnes & Noble.
12. Enjoy night-crowd at napping-pier.
13. Try like Hell to avoid heading back to base.
14. Patrol outdoor sleep-spots.
15. Head back to base, clean some things, (should start cooking things, again).
16. Download erotic literature with unrestricted Wi-Fi.
17. Pretend like I don't need sleep, and pass out with work-station open (~2 AM, at this point).

Some of the above things I don't do yet, but really ought to start doing: I just thought of them while making the list.

PERSONAL ASIDE:
I want to spend more time at parks, too: I could Tai-Chi and stuff, there. And swim (there's a NICE park for that, horseshoe-crab infestation notwithstanding). I've also got to start investigating the local Helping Hands: they're run by the same church I "attend." If only the "Food Not Bombs"-operation didn't run only on Wednesdays (church-night and drum-meet), I'd join them.

And I can't forget that the beach isn't very far away.

[themaster]

Congratulations to you Alfonso on giving the idea the "homelessness" is anything but a awful lifestyle

I understand where you coming from cause I do that sometimes

Here's a tip if you want some
- We have 24/7 Fedex places that let you sit in there (in the quiet) and use your laptop (if ethics isn't a big deal either.. you can jack a ethernet cable from one of their terminals and have really slow internet 64k kb/s from a T1)

and saif you should let loose on your ego.. you know every message you have on here is fear based.. you can be "old" live on the street and be happy, excited and pleased.. to believe anything else is to believe in "limitation"

If you have some funds.. I'd be happy to recommend a few more real world tips for internet/cell service

[Alfonso Crawford]

Wahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa~!!

Back at base, reflecting on my latest food-source! The local Buddhist-center is always eager for help, eh? Well, I'm a guy eager to help! After I get done with some light yard-work, the head(?) monk(??) shows me the center's... "offering-stores?" I forget the actual name. Anyway, the idea is that people offer food to all living things; which basically means it's free. The fellow said I don't need to trade work for the stuff, but I said that I would anyway. Since the place is open every day (or tries to be), and they always have odd jobs that need done; I'm basically set with them. Now all's I need to do is keep the church from finding out.

I've got some money left over from my working-days. I'm going to cut off my $65/mo.-cell, since I've only $100-200 to my name. What tips've you got, eh? I just found World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, which I'm going to investigate more. Honestly, I'm wary of farms (out of the frying-pan, into the fire; as far as toil goes, from what I know); but I'll give it a shot! I've also found:

• More Than English
• The Freeconomy Community

I gotta look back into the Rainbow Family, methinks.

A few years back, I couldn't go a week without meeting a vagabond or hobo; so I'm well aware of how sustainable non-monetary living can be. I'd become one, myself; but the feeling I get when I'm raring to make an unsound move holds me back: that feeling's pretty reliable, from my experience as a gamer: it ain't the same as fear.

[themaster]

Well, you can get a prepaid cell for about $30 a month or I think $.50 a minute if that's helpful to yah.. also you can get a yagi off ebay for about $70-100 (assuming you have some place to pick it up) in addition wep networks can be cracked easily (cracked many myself) if that doesn't sting your moral code (a yagi extends wireless usable signal I would say half a mile)

These are best tips I have for mobile living.. maybe you could consider a vehicle if you could raise yourself up some gas money..

I once had a idea and this requires a car but you can pick up things of the craigslist: free list and sell these things locally or via ebay and make a living that way

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

Working for money's not really where the money's at

Great quote, and so true!

[ar81]

Work for gold...
Think of it as your retirement plan when dollar collapses.

[Alfonso Crawford]

Actually not heading back to base, tonight. At least, I've put it off for a record amount of time.

Gonna charge my laptop some, then watch "Pirates of the Caribbean" on the pier. I asked the local police, and they don't even care. Schweet! Votta twist!

[saif]

@themaster
First i didn't know the OP was involuntarly homeless

Originally Posted by themaster

you can be "old" live on the street and be happy

Really? There are a dozen old,disabled and vunlrable homeless people on my local highstreet every night and day of the year and they definitely don't look happy. London is not a city to be homeless. Homeless people are harrased by the police on every opportunity, nobody wants you around and you get beaten and verbally abused all because you're homeless.

And Yes I have taken the time to talk to them but the were more interested in change than me just satisfying my ego.

Personally I was sort of voluntarily homeless for a night and it wasn't pretty nor something I whish on anybody long term.

The OP clearly is not one of them as his not sitting on same spot all day asking for change

Reading OPs reposne in this thread it looks like it all depends in where you reside.

Originally Posted by themaster

you know every message you have on here is fear based

Thread or forum because I don't have the time to familiarise myself with every single post I made.

[James81]

Originally Posted by saif

@themaster
First i didn't know the OP was involuntarly homeless

I really don't think there is anybody in any developed nation (is the proper term like "first world country" for that? I dunno) is "involuntarily homeless."

Homelessness for a brief stint of your life is involuntary. **** happens, ya know?

But any extended period of homelessness is purely by choice. At least in countries like the U.S. and any other well-developed, free country.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by James81

I really don't think there is anybody in any developed nation (is the proper term like "first world country" for that? I dunno) is "involuntarily homeless."

Homelessness for a brief stint of your life is involuntary. **** happens, ya know?

But any extended period of homelessness is purely by choice. At least in countries like the U.S. and any other well-developed, free country.

I almost completely agree... except that there are several mental illnesses where we do not yet have sufficient capacity yet to help these people. Those I would call involuntary homeless.

[themaster]

Originally Posted by saif

Thread or forum because I don't have the time to familiarise myself with every single post I made.

I only meant this thread.. for clarification

Originally Posted by saif

Really? There are a dozen old,disabled and vunlrable homeless people on my local highstreet every night and day of the year and they definitely don't look happy. London is not a city to be homeless. Homeless people are harrased by the police on every opportunity, nobody wants you around and you get beaten and verbally abused all because you're homeless.

Yes, REALLY

Obviously cause you were once on the street for a day and didn't have a good time.. everyone who ever tries it must have the exact same experience as you?? yes???

saif you seem to believe in the world as a victim mentality.. that you can be walking around, have something happen and all the sudden you're a victim.. you're on the street, you have to eat garbage.. the police seek you out and beat you.. lol (this is technically what the ego believes.. and why your ego lashed out about ideas that don't conform/you don't understand)

Did I describe what you believe pretty well?

Here is what I believe in comparison

1. We all create our own reality and should take responsibility for what were creating.. notice in this thread how Alfonso is taking responsibility and even creating what he wants..

2. That we can create a experience of "victim" but we have the power to change our perspective on that and see it as a learning experience, as a fun thing (Alfonso maybe?)

In a viewpoint about say current homeless people on your local street rather than Alfonso's place of paradise (more likely a paradise cause he choose's to see it that way )

1. I think you believe they are victims down on their luck that get treated like garbage and have no power to fix there situation whereas

2. I think they are persons who have chosen to experience said situation and may or may not know they can take themselves out of said situation if they choose too..

[Alfonso Crawford]

I gotta say that house-free living in a major city is certainly has its own advantages: if you're struggling too hard to survive, you're probably doing it wrong. I've been extraordinarily poor, while living in a city—and not even a world-class city such as London—and very rarely had to pay a cent for food: I wasn't even hitting up every source in the area.

Don't even get me started on hiding-spots!

The trick I've found is that I only really lose faith in alternative living when around folk that were staunchly against the very notion. When about town, left to my own devices, house-freedom wasn't much a scare at all. My only worry was computer-access, and I've since addressed that. But being around depressing people depressed me, thus my current endeavor to stay away from them for as long a daily period as I'm able. (Current record? 14 hours! I can't wait to go for more.)

My concern is still food. I need more sources. Two beats one; but six beats that, eh? Wednesdays and Sundays are basically set in stone. A stretch beyond a stone's throw lies a couple houses I've yet to investigate: their mailboxes have been properly recorded, thankfully. The weather's turned a tad frigid, so my movement may do a great spell better than its usual: even as a native Floridian, I am utterly enamored with the cold.

With the last of my funds, I can stay bathed for quite some time. Recently, I was struck with the idea of washing clothes by massaging them with soap while wearing them: from there, a quick swim would easily rinse 'em. Being in a water-side town isn't too shabby. I still loathe the abundance of horseshoe-crabs in the waters.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

and very rarely had to pay a cent for food: I wasn't even hitting up every source in the area.

This is my only real issue with your lifestyle.

Deliberately living as a homeless person, but still hitting up the sources in your area for food. There's limited resources out there as it is, and I wonder how many legitimately (and by "legitimately" I mean "those who have no other choice") homeless people do without because there are people who choose to go homeless and eat up their food.

[Alfonso Crawford]

There was more than enough to go around, love: we all went for seconds and thirds. I relied on the largest source in the area. The small sources I left alone because I know I can survive without 4-5 meals per day (which is what I could have finagled). Even in my new environment, I don't drain the less-endowed stores, and instead barter with labor at abundant pantries.

Here's the million-dollar question, however! There aren't any jobs in the area that won't compel me to commit suicide (or jobs period), so I'm not going for them. I'm supposed to either suffer through a miserable vocation (if I can even get one), now? And if I'm destitute, I'm supposed to be miserable about that, as well?

What I can do to earn money isn't enough to really feed myself better than what I can get from my current sources, anyway: I'd have to put the majority of my funds into just eating, which would still leave me on the street! With less free time! What choice do I have, eh?

Do you have much experience being poor, James-dear? There really is a skill to it, just like managing money; and Lord knows either ain't inborn. It's really not as much a wasteland as you seem to picture it. If it makes you feel better, I've been thinking about taking up fishing again, too.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

Here's the million-dollar question, however! There aren't any jobs in the area that won't compel me to commit suicide (or jobs period), so I'm not going for them. I'm supposed to either suffer through a miserable vocation (if I can even get one), now? And if I'm destitute, I'm supposed to be miserable about that, as well?

So you're saying that you don't have any interests at all? I'm not telling you to go chain yourself to a cubicle. Hell, I'm not even saying to get a job. All *I* am saying is that you purposely leeching off of charity programs designed for people who have no other choice but to be homeless is....selfish? Trying to think of the right word for it.

And you do it because you simply don't want to work. And it's all because of your beliefs. You've attached "I'll commit suicide" to all types of jobs, when there are plenty of jobs out there that you could probably do and enjoy if you wanted to. That's the key though: wanting to.

And you know what? Even if there aren't, I'm sure you could use that brain of yours to find a way to NOT leech off of programs designed to help people who don't choose this lifestyle. It's not that you don't want to work that I take issue with. It's the leeching off of programs designed for people who don't make the choice that I have an issue with.

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

What I can do to earn money isn't enough to really feed myself better than what I can get from my current sources, anyway: I'd have to put the majority of my funds into just eating, which would still leave me on the street! With less free time! What choice do I have, eh?

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. That's just an excuse. My current bills currently tally to $1200 per month. That's for an apartment, a CAR (which not everybody needs), electric, TV, internet, a gym membership, and a phone. As you can see there are plenty of things on that list I don't even need. And anybody working a minimum wage job can earn enough to pay my bills.

I liked it better when you made it seem like a choice to you. This defeatest attitude you bring isn't convincing anybody of your plight. You'd be surprised at what people make it through in this country and how little you truly need to earn to survive.

Originally Posted by Alfonso Crawford

Do you have much experience being poor, James-dear? There really is a skill to it, just like managing money; and Lord knows either ain't inborn. It's really not as much a wasteland as you seem to picture it. If it makes you feel better, I've been thinking about taking up fishing again, too.

Yeah, I have a little experience in managing money. I know what it's like to make meals out of ramen noodles, to live frugal, all of that. Why do you think my monthly bills are so cheap?

I'm not calling your lifestyle a wasteland. Personally, I think it sounds great. I just don't respect the fact that you're leeching for your food. If you found ways to earn at least that much, I'd applaud your life. Cause I'm a minimilast myself. Obviously not to the extent you are, but compared to your average American, my lifestyle at the moment is pretty lean.

[Alfonso Crawford]

Originally Posted by James81

So you're saying that you don't have any interests at all? I'm not telling you to go chain yourself to a cubicle. Hell, I'm not even saying to get a job. All *I* am saying is that you purposely leeching off of charity programs designed for people who have no other choice but to be homeless is....selfish? Trying to think of the right word for it.

And you do it because you simply don't want to work. And it's all because of your beliefs. You've attached "I'll commit suicide" to all types of jobs, when there are plenty of jobs out there that you could probably do and enjoy if you wanted to. That's the key though: wanting to.

You're just skipping right over the thread-title and my mention of bartering labor, aren't you? I'm not leeching: I'm trading fairly. Ah, what a humorous trigger o'er which I hath stumbled.

What's all this about a cubicle, mate? I can only qualify for working in kitchens and warehouses, and neither are hiring.

Originally Posted by James81

And you know what? Even if there aren't, I'm sure you could use that brain of yours to find a way to NOT leech off of programs designed to help people who don't choose this lifestyle. It's not that you don't want to work that I take issue with. It's the leeching off of programs designed for people who don't make the choice that I have an issue with.

I've used my brain to find a way to help them directly in exchange for an essential commodity: done! I'm also doing web-design for anyone whom'll have me, but that's only just gotten started.

Originally Posted by James81

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. That's just an excuse. My current bills currently tally to $1200 per month. That's for an apartment, a CAR (which not everybody needs), electric, TV, internet, a gym membership, and a phone. As you can see there are plenty of things on that list I don't even need. And anybody working a minimum wage job can earn enough to pay my bills.

*clears throat to speak with Voice of Experience*

Bu-hu-hullshit! Y'ever had to walk 'cross cross-town at the crack o' ridiculous just to loiter in front of a temp-agency so that you might earn $20 for unloading a truck? and had no other source of income? At most, I've never earned more that $500-600 per month, and that's when I've had great hours (~40 per week) at $8 per hour. Jeez, where do you live? I've got enough scratch left for a bus-ticket!

Originally Posted by James81

I liked it better when you made it seem like a choice to you. This defeatist attitude you bring isn't convincing anybody of your plight. You'd be surprised at what people make it through in this country and how little you truly need to earn to survive.

This is a choice. Instead of fighting in a barren job-market, I'm making the most of my ever-looming necessity to live without money. My sense of honor is demanding that I still give something in exchange for the resources available to me; so I employ my most marketable skill, laboring. I need food. A local pier is a great nap-destination. Bathrooms are plentiful. Most everything I own currently fits into a small/medium-sized backpack.

I know how simply an organism can sustain homeostasis, friend.

Originally Posted by James81

Yeah, I have a little experience in managing money. I know what it's like to make meals out of ramen noodles, to live frugal, all of that. Why do you think my monthly bills are so cheap?

I'm not calling your lifestyle a wasteland. Personally, I think it sounds great. I just don't respect the fact that you're leeching for your food. If you found ways to earn at least that much, I'd applaud your life. Cause I'm a minimilast myself. Obviously not to the extent you are, but compared to your average American, my lifestyle at the moment is pretty lean.

You think a G per month is cheap? Wow. And off of ramen is no way to live.

Anyway—and for the last time I'm able to say it, in this response—I am NOT simply living as a vampire! I vill vork for ze food, as I have done! Bah! Besides, define "no other choice but to be homeless," anyway. I've chatted with homeless folk: some are war-veterans; others made more in a day pan-handling than I did at work! We all had access to the same public libraries. Cart-wielding outdoorsfolk even owned more stuff than I carry around or kept at home: what's up with that? Are you referring to the insane or something, like drug-addicts and/or disabled? At least where I'm from, they were the minority by a strong margin. People on the street... get this... are still people, sparky: they can do nigh-anything, if they put their minds to it. There ain't no hobo-disease like a zombie-plague stoppin' anyone from "rising up" to a larger tax-bracket.

***

If you don't respect someone for taking their business—their fine ability to contribute as a member of the proletariat—to a venue wherein they are practically guaranteed to get a fair deal for a day's efforts; well, what do you respect?