I have a Tent City out in the parking lot at work. In between 4 buildings, heavily used by 500+ undergraduate students on a daily basis.

What do you have?



Our new friends and visitors will be with us for the next three months and moved in over the weekend. I got to meet two of our neighbors when I walked out of my building yesterday to go home. One was a few cans short of a 12-pack, and was a bit overly excited to talk to me. The other was on a walk with his dog. Naturally, the dog was taking a sh#t in our walk-strip and the guy didn't bother to scoop-da-poop as us 206'ers with dogs love to do. Both didn't seem in any hurry to either be employed, or even bother to look for a job. Matter of fact, if I didn't know any better, I would say they were professional Tent City residents.

Our building doors are open 7:30 to 6:30. I'd better keep my doors locked, else, I bet computers and other valuables will just wander away.

I also love it when we find "strangers" rifling through our communal kitchens. Lunch time! Kinda not cool when someone eats YOUR lunch...

500 kids walking past this every day. Wonder if their parents know this is what they are paying for?

Oh, and we've been assured many times that none of this is costing you, the tax payers, any money! None. Like all the meetings our staff here have attended about this Tent City. All those state employees and all those hours in meetings. Or, the extra security and patrols by our enforcement agency - nope, not paid for by you. Certainly not the power and water that was provided.

Actually, Stam is paying for all of this. Thanks, Stam! I feel much better now.

At least the students here are super excited for their new guests! Even raised $900, fed them a hot meal over the weekend, and gave each member a backpack with a pancho, socks, gloves, and hand warmer.

I, on the other hand, may be a bit old and crotchety, and am not convinced our neighbors have us in their best interests. Still don't think that fine gentlemen scooped his dog poop.....at least I didn't contribute financially. I still sleep well at night.

Should be an entertaining next 3 months......

PS. I wonder how many of you are in that city right now? I'm betting at least 3 of you.