L.A. Story

Play This!

I'm not much of a writer. So you can see what Writer's Block can do to someone like me. Smh....April was my last post, huh?  I've been getting poked to get back to blogging (Thanks, Paulette) and when I told this story, I was told to stop hesitating and blog. (Thanks, Winnie) Love y'all like cooked food.

I was just about to make the big move from NYC to LA, last time I blogged.  It's been 3 months, just about now, and I'm about to hit another birthday.  They seem to come faster and faster....I think part of my problem is that I've been waiting to have something to write about. Maybe some funny observations about the differences in life on the coasts.  But, why bother with such boring details about no one's favorite subject: moving?  I felt like I needed to wait for a really unique experience to share.  At least unique to me, and first impression stories are always fun.

So in trying to improve myself and contribute to society in general, I've been making more of an effort to be charitable. An opportunity came up to volunteer to hand out dinners to homeless people on the infamous Skid Row. I wasn't sure what to expect, but, this was a very fulfilling experience....

I suddenly got so many pop culture references.......

This particular group has been doing this weeknights, while getting harassed by the cops for the last year and a half. And they had this thing going like clockwork.  I mostly helped play security, but, I got to hand out a few plates for a little bit.

We formed a tight perimeter.....

When it was a person's turn to get a plate, they'd give their name, and the volunteer at the front of the line would tell us "Say hello to ____" and we'd all shout back "Hi, ____ !!!" It was cool, as it helped ease whatever tensions there were.  And it made people in line feel good to have all of that attention, even if it was just for two seconds.  As the night went on, the names got more and more creative.  Including "Lucifer", "Sunshine On A Cloudy Day" (I think....I know it was a song lyric....) and "Shhhh" which cracked everyone up. And the volunteers covered all the demographics, Black, Latino, White, Gay, Straight, Old, and.....a girl who was probably too young to be hanging with us on a street on Skid Row at night.  She complained she was "starving" by the end. Lol. I won't lie, the food didn't look bad at all. The folks who cook the food I heard are relentless in the kitchen. Preparing enough to feed about 500. We stay until the food is finished, and some people get in line two sometimes three times. To the point they're making requests. It suddenly made sense that when we arrived I heard a dude ask for "Fee-lay Mig-now".

I'll have some Savigg-nahn Blank with that....

That must mean their bellies are full.  And that feels good to know. I know I won't be here every night, or honestly, even every week. But, I'll stay involved.  I was inspired tonight by what I saw and heard. This was a very rewarding night. I had fun, helped out, and actually made a few new friends.

God bless those folks who do this every night.  They are making a difference and making life a bit easier for people who really need it.

See ya back at The Corner

-L

       It is a kick in the head.....R.I.P....