Poor Cyclist

Thanks so much for producing this short video. One my greatest heartaches while on the City Council was to help make a difference for Annapolis families living below or at the poverty level. Even the ten public housing neighborhoods are hidden away so that they are unseen. In a city of incredible affluence, poverty is, for the most part, out of sight and out of mind. Thanks again for making it a bit more visible!

I’ve been homeless as a teenager in a rural area, sometimes floating from couches, to tents, to camper popups. I live onboard a boat now, and it prevents me from feeling like I’m trapped indoors. It also gives me a sense of pride, independence, and solitude. But the paradox (as in homelessness) is that it also connects me to the society of fellow-unique-dewellers (in this case, other liveaboards). So I get that solitude along with closeness. Modern life is excessive, trapped, away from other humans but NOT in a good way, and away from nature. I can’t stand that. Living in a boat works perfectly for me, and I’ve long thought the lifestyle would be a great idea for other homeless people, but I don’t know how to suggest this without probable laughter (“what the heck is she thinking?”) or people knowing about my homeless past. I know it sounds absurd, and most people wouldn’t want homeless people at their marina. But no one wants to see them under bridges either, and I do believe that living aboard might be the best chance at transitioning some people back into society on their terms.

Maybe you could tell Charlie about this wild idea. Sometimes people give away old boats that still float or sell them for very little, and if he could earn enough for a cheap slip in an area that’s not too fancy (250-300/mo) this might work out.

Also: have you heard of the Mad Housers? Google them if not! I wish we had an organization like that here.