Living in a big city like Chicago forces you to see the good, bad and the ugly. I love to people watch and see how the other half lives. Chicago is an electric city with its own personality. Sadly, part of that charm has a flip side; every yin has a yang. Something happened to me yesterday that scared me. I was walking along the South Loop area last night and passed a section where homeless people often gather. It's really sad to see this. Most people walk by and don't think about it and I understand that logic because you never know if that person is unstable or mentally ill. Still, your heart breaks because these people are living on the streets and that's just sad; each person with their own tragic story of how they got there.
I saw a man looking in a garbage can and I just couldn't look away. It's one thing to beg for money when you're obviously drinking and smoking it away, but it's another story to see man physically sift through the garbage. What would you do? I had food leftovers with me so it was the perfect the time to help someone in need...CUE THE MUSIC... I gingerly walk over to him and ask him if he's hungry...because if he is...I have food. I thought I was doing something nice! He looked at me with a Buster Keaton, blank stare, eyes wide open, pupils dilated and he doesn't respond. Like a ding dong, I repeat the question assuming he didn't hear me. The stare worth a thousands daggers continued to gaze upon me...and I wait for an answer. He then proceeds to go in his pocket. At that point I'm frightened, yet frozen. He pulls out a club, you know, the kind to beat the heck out of you with and continues to stare at me. I walk away and say to myself, "all righty then, maybe not."
lesson learned...drop the food and run!
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Jill U ROCK!!! I met you once before and am glad that I stumbled across your blog...funny and interesting. Hope we can reconnect for a cup of coffee.
Bob J.