Thursday, December 5, 2013

Day 192, Missoula Rabble, Angela and Vicki

Angela, in wheelchair, and Vicki are homeless. "We are like sisters," Vicki said. "We try to take care of each other as much as we can." They met a couple of years ago at the public library. Vicki told me her fiancé and she have a room to stay at for the next couple of days. I asked Vicki what trials she runs into being homeless during a winter in Montana. "A lot of people who are out here are drug addicts or alcoholics," she said. "Those people who are trying to get help can't because of that." Angela told me she sleeps outside right now. I asked Angela how she manages to maintain a positive spirit especially when the weather is as cold and windy as it is right now. "I build fires when I can and stay in my sleeping bag for as long as I can when it is this cold," she said. "God has never given me anything I can't handle."

Day 191, Missoula Rabble, Trevor

Trevor is very well known for his unique and stylized tattoo work and for having a pair of the sexiest legs in town. He rocks a boot collection that most women envy and isn't afraid to show his stems around town. I asked Trevor when he started wearing boots. "I was in college, back in '96 when the Internet came out" he said. Trevor posts many photos of his legs in boots on Instagram. I asked him what kind of responses he gets from the community. "It sets men off because men are such horny toads," he said. "I confuse a lot of people. I'm not attracted to men. I do it to hear people's responses. My presentation is my sales technique. To me it's superhero clothing."

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Day 190, Missoula Rabble, Sean

While Sean was out walking in the blistering cold, I could hear Eminem blasting from his coat pocket. I asked him if he'd like to be in the rabble. "Why not? Everybody knows about me anyway," he said. "Why is that?" I asked him. "Maybe it's because I'm so damn handsome," he replied. I asked Sean why he was listening to his music without headphones. "I'm schizophrenic," he said. "The music keeps me calm. It gives me something to listen to." I asked Sean if he had anything else he'd like to tell about himself before we separated. He laughed and sharply responded, "I'm innocent."

Monday, December 2, 2013

Day 188, Missoula Rabble, Teddy

Teddy recently found out he's a father to a little girl. "I didn't know I was a father until she was a year," he said. "I'm a full-fledged father now." He said his daughter's name is Ailish which he told me means 'little miracle' in Irish-Gaelic. "She is a little miracle. She's a blessing in disguise," he said. He told me he wasn't in the best place in his life when he found out. "I was not necessarily the best father figure, but it has whipped me into shape," he said. "I've had to put a lot of things aside. Resentments, fears, and personal growth to focus on this, having a daughter." I asked Teddy what's best about being a new father. "The best part of being a dad is how in awe I am that I was able to create life when I was used to destroying life before," he said. "It has really humbled me. I'm not as selfish anymore. I'm trying to build the best life I can for this person."