So they put me on the news I guess! And I found a TV at a gym to watch it at! So the guy next to me watching the news too kept looking over at me. And I started smiling. And he looked and looked and was like "Its You!" Yup. Its me. I love that it happened however I just want to say that in no way am I trying to make light of the Homeless around here in Provo. I feel nothing but sympathy for them and this whole experience has humbled me so much and made me think a lot about why people find themselves in a homeless situation. I dont know... maybe they decided to do it for fun in college.
Today, because of the news thing, was a big and tiring day. Someone made me some rice today and I got some leftover birthday cake and I dont think I have had much to eat other than that. Im exhausted. I cant wait for it to cool down so I can sleep. Tomorrow Im going to start writing about all the cool intricacies of homeless life so I need to rest up. Enjoy the A/C for me!
You might want to check out some sites I've found about what 'boondocking.' There are some neat links that describe people who live in vans and such all the time!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
http://cheaprvliving.com
http://cheaprvliving.com/Boondocking.html
Hey thanks so much! It always good to hear about other people so I dont feel so crazy! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYep, you're famous! Just saw you on ksl and had to find your blog....and I never follow bloggers.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time....it sounds simple and super fun.
yeah, I saw you on KSL as well. I have to follow your adventure - sort of interesting what you are doing. good luck to you!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kurt,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your story on the news and, of course, I just had to follow your blog. I think what you're doing is great, but also a little crazy & dangerous. Enjoy this experience & STAY SAFE!
P.S. Any chance you were named after the actor, Kurt Russell?
Did you push the whole'"He's doing it because of the recession" angle the report seemed to take? I don;t see the recession really affecting students that much, as they have been leading meager existences for years.
ReplyDeleteHaha Kurt! I met right around Day 1 of this adventure! remember, at amanda's? Well a few days later I was telling someone that I still needed housing at the Y and they told me they had just met you![were they implying I get a van and live in it? i suppose!] I love your blog... you make me laugh! Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteSaw the article on the news, and I say Good on you! You are proof that living outside of a standard home is not a crime, and to the fact that you can have happiness with less. I highly doubt you'll end up homeless for the rest of your life, unless you fall in love with the lifestyle--and then I doubt you'd be unhappy or in despair. Keep up the attitude wherever you find yourself.
ReplyDeleteI believe you when you say this is a fun humbling experience. I know that when it's time to help those you are with now and most of us choose to ignore, you'll do it with love and much success. I know most of them would prefer to live differently, but we've closed the doors to them. keep blogging, we may start looking at them! i want to read your experiences :)
ReplyDeleteAfter the news story I realized that you "live" near my home. I hope you are an okay person, but I'll tell you point blank I don't like it. I chose to live in a home in a residential area with other people that live in HOMES and have families. If I had wanted to have transient neighbors I would have lived in a trailer at a KOA. Frankly I hope you MOVE soon or your mother has a cat and gets you an apartment.
ReplyDeleteI do understand the frustration of BYU approved housing, but that doesn't give you the right to alter the makeup of the neighborhood. And frankly if I had discovered you were homeless just by observation I would call the cops - I have kids and consider you a danger. That may be unfounded, but someone just parking on the street to live sets off my protective mother radar.
I have no animosity towards you personally, but I thought you should know that not everyone thinks what you are doing is great and why.
Hi! Kurt here. Im sorry about the above comment. I honestly want to delete it because I think its unfair and makes me sound a little like a creeper. I understand though. For the record I checked everything out and since I paid for my registration on my van Im all set and not doing anything illegal. However, here is what Ill do. My van is broken down right now. But as soon as I fix it ill move it. To the other side of town or something. I know that wont mean Im off the street but if it bothers people I dont want to promote that. So I promise promise as soon as its fixed Ill get out of the neighborhood. Im sorry! Thanks!
ReplyDeletePS I want it to be clear that I intentionally try and not look homeless. Im still me, just not living in a home. Sorry again.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRLD needs to really take a chill pill. Honestly by calling Kurt "dangerous" because he lives in his van makes her sound very off color and psycho.
ReplyDeleteKurt is a college student with a job, friends, and is active in his church community. He is a regular person!!! Just because he chooses to live in his van does not automatically make him unsafe or "dangerous" as she would call it. Silly comment.
Kurt, you're young, single, and happy and you live in your van! Good for you. We love you!!!
People are reading way way too much into this.
I think Kurt's decision illustrates the strength of the human spirit. He's living proof that we don't need luxuries to be happy. I think it's more noble of him to sacrifice this way to go to school than to put himself under crushing debt to do so.
ReplyDeleteKurt, I should probably mention that one of the best men I know lives in a van by choice. He does it because he doesn't have a family to take care of yet, and because he believes his money can go to better things. It's just a matter of priorities and believing in yourself.
ReplyDeleteHey Kurt! I used to work with you at a pizza joint forever ago. Fun to see you on the news!
ReplyDeleteRLD is just afraid to envision anything outside the box.
ReplyDeleteI found out about you through CNN and am intrigued. I'm amazed at some people's reactions and ill feelings towards you, but to each his own. You are homeless, after all you are without a home, but to want to call the cops because you could potentially be dangerous? Seems a bit much to me. There's plenty of crazies who own homes and who could be what you think is your friendly neighbor. Just because you don't live in an actual house doesn't make you any less. I'm sure you know this yourself, but I had to express that. Anyways, I plan on following you through your journeys :)
ReplyDeleteHope you stay cool,
Gg
So I just saw the story on KSL, and read the comment from RLD on the blog, and I just want to say to to him/her and anyone else concerned that Kurt is my freaking hero. I have known him from when we were what... 12? 14?... from the good ole days as GA youth. He is a brilliant guy, with a big heart.
ReplyDeleteKurt, be safe man. Can't wait to read about the rest of your year on the streets.
-Scott Pett-
After reading RLD's comment, it's clear to me this person did not pay attention to the news report. Kurt is more than an "okay person", he's a GREAT PERSON! Can't say as much for RLD. It's not where you live, it's how you live that makes you an "okay person".
ReplyDelete