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Let's chat about homelessness...The Life Of Little Ease.

The Little Ease was the name a prison cell in the Tower of London.  It was called the Little Ease because it was designed to be a small and solitary room without windows in which the prisoner could not get comfortable.  The room was so small that an average person could not stand up, lie down, stretch, or anything else.

The idea of this room came to me the first time I did this, but it did not stick with me past the first shower when I got back.  The problem is what one has to think about and never quite being comfortable without a home.

The rain came down in fits and starts two nights ago.  Before taking this on, I had splurged on a new sleeping bag rated to be warm in 0 degrees and waterproof.  There would be no setting up a tent so I thought this might be the best option for sleeping out.  Then came the rain.

The night was warm, which meant sleeping with the bag only slightly open.  Then came the rain.  Waterproof sleeping bags are great on cool nights when you can zip them up all the way, but it was warm and while they keep water out, they also keep water in.  Rain falling in while one is asleep stays there.

When the sun came up, it was not cold, but just cold enough to be chilly especially when one is partially wet and drying out.  So, shivering as the sun begins to rise, I try to go about my day.  Still, everything is a little wet and it's too cold to take off layers.  As it gets warmer, though the layers can come off but you are forced to carry them where ever you go.

Homelessness brings a distinct and constant discomfort.  There is a feeling that everywhere you are, you shouldn't be there.  It is always a little too cold and later too hot.  You are always tired, but there is no place you can sleep.  These are the things that you have to deal with on a visceral level, these are the lowest things on Maslow's Hierarchy of needs.

This is only day four and more rain is in the forecast.



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