Living the American Dream.

Meet Daniel, Alyssa, and Chicken.  

I met them today after they were harassed by cops.  I called my mom to make it look like I wasn’t concerned with the Q&A going on near by, and when the police decided they weren’t a threat, my mom heard “Okay, have to go, love you” —Click.  

I immediately asked if I could photograph Daniel for a project.  He was more than willing to pose; he squinted his eyes and lifted his head as if he knew how to show his tattoos.  He has a few lines, swirls, and circles on his cheeks; along with “Crunchy” above his right eyebrow.  His hands, arms, and neck are covered in gray tattoos, covering and accenting years of highway scars.

They had been given a free Greyhound ticket by the state of Florida if they would just quietly leave.  Apparently that’s Florida’s way of getting rid of homeless people.  But you see, Daniel wasn’t homeless because our economy sucks, he wasn’t disowned at 16, or even raised into being this way; he chose this life style and loves it.  

He’s 34 now, a college dropout with full support of his lifestyle from his parents, who he says are his best friends.  Alyssa had scholarships and attended college for a year but didn’t like it.  Chicken didn’t like college either. 

“When I was like …four, I wanted to be this guy from my favorite show,” he recanted offering me a cigarette, “his name was Crunchy.  So my mom dressed me up in an old sweater, ruffed up my hair, blacked out a tooth, and gave me a stick with a bandanna on the end.”

“See man, at the time, I had no idea Crunchy was homeless like me,” He stops for a second, “I’m the only one I know who grew up to be what I wanted as a kid.  I’m living the American dream.”

(via whoisval)

(Source: the-finder-keeper, via fapplicationsacceptedhere)

(Source: amorihs, via vivienmurray)

worldupmyass:

The Mad Conductor - Marifasa Lupina