My good deed for the day...

[the_vulture]

Today, during my run, I had an unusual experience. Running along the marsh trails, I spied a one man tent nestled in the bushes to one side of it, along with a bicycle and bike trailer. From the state of the bike and various items in the trailer, it seemed apparent that this belonged to a homeless person. I found it rather odd that the tent was still set up after 2 in the afternoon. This began to worry me, as I continued my run, as we had a cold, hard frost the evening before and it occurred to me that the occupant of the tent might have succumbed to hypothermia. When I passed by on my way back, the tent was still up.

I called out to the tent, asking if anyone was in there. No response. I called again louder, as I approached. Still, no response. I called out, explaining that I just wanted to check if the occupant was alright. Silence.

Left with little recourse, I loudly explained that I was going to open the tent to see if the occupant was okay. I was stealing myself for two possibilities of what I might find inside, a paranoid hostile homeless person (possibly armed with a knife) or, worse, a corpse.

The tent was empty.

Needless to say, I was relieved. It hadn't occurred to me that someone might sent up a tent and just leave it where it could be easily discovered. It did make sense in a way; bringing all that gear into town whilst panhandling could be problematic, especially if one got rousted by the police. However, all the homeless people I've known have been pretty paranoid about leaving their stuff unguarded. Usually, if they're forced to do so, they take pains to hide it, which wasn't the case here. Maybe they're more trusting around these parts. I suppose I may never know. *shrugs*

I just hope that my fears concerning the tent's owner never come to pass.

Comments

[1grl-revolution.livejournal.com]

You are very brave. I would have been too afraid of getting stabbed.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, that kinda worried me a bit, but the guy would've been in a tent. Could've cut my hand, as there was only one place to pull up the zipper, but I'd have the advantage after that.

[spinderella-nb.livejournal.com]

That was a positively frightening read -- you *are* very brave. Aside from a corpse, you could have had a run in with someone whacked on who-knows-what kind of street drug.

Along the river is where alot of the homeless people go, especially the "long-timers".
The street kids used to hang out at the skatepark and just behind there.

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, the drug induced paranoid knife wielder did come to my rather over-active imagination whilst reaching for the zipper of the tent.

But I would've felt crappy about myself all day if I hadn't of checked.

*shrugs*

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Oh, and thanks for the bits of local area knowledge. The kids at the park seem okay, though. Nothing like the mobs of yobs you'd see in the UK.

[spinderella-nb.livejournal.com]

I remember the mobs of yobs in Watford and Rickmansworth *erg*

It was a bit more civilized in Chorleywood's High Street area

I know what you mean about not checking. I'd be curious, but I think I'd be too afraid to actually check unless I had somebody else with me, preferably someone strong enough to pin a crazie to the ground ;-)

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Just think, I TAUGHT in a school near Watford and Rickmansworth. And people wonder why I'm taking my time getting back into the profession...

You taught there? oh my..

[spinderella-nb.livejournal.com]

Which school? I attended William Penn School in Rickmansworth for one year, (after that we went to a private American school)-- the kids were mighty rough there, especially compared to the school I attended in St. John's, Newfoundland where we wouldn't say "boo" to anyone for fear of the strap or the cricket bat. My brothers went to Christ Church school in Chorleywood during the same time, and I don't remember any roughness there -- seem to remember they were taught by Anglican Nuns

Re: You taught there? oh my..

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to go into the details on a public post, but, yeah, the pupils there were might rough. The school was in Special Measures at the time. That should give you an idea of what it was like.

During my teacher training in Canada, I taught a group of kids that were, according to my sponsor teacher, the worst he'd seen in quite some time. They were angelic in comparison to many of the pupils I taught in the UK.

A lot of that has to do with a series of factors negatively feeding off each other in a grim downward spiral, including a diminished respect for education, the grammar school system, elements of classicism, socio economic issues, high staff turnaround, reliance of foreign teachers to fill the gaps, a school inspection system that stresses the bejeezus out of teachers and staff, etc.

whoopps *under-caffeinated moment*

[(Anonymous)]

Was going to comment about your reluctance to go back into teaching right away -- Not sure about Moncton area, but at Dorchester School, and also at Salem in Sackville, there are "No bullying" programs in effect and they also teach the kids about respecting each other's feelings. I've noticed the children at my daughter's school are well-behaved at assemblies, and every time I've gone to volunteer, I've had great experiences there. (Our school is also a bit 'pagan friendly' -- there is a tree of life in the entryway, and they have won a Green School award)
Okay, I'm going to stop bragging, and go help my little duchess get ready for her day :)
Have a good one yourself :)

Re: whoopps *under-caffeinated moment*

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

That's very encouraging, thank you! :)