Urban Survival 101: How to Sleep in a Garage

When you find yourself having to do what you have to do to make it from day to day, you may find that you'll need to adapt long term while the world and your life goes through changes you hadn't thought of. This is what I've done to get by.

Step 1: Build a Wall

I push these recycling bins together and build a cheesy wall.

Step 2: Roll It Up

The bottom layer is about 6 layers of flattened cardboard, the 1" foam is thrown out every year at the dorms. I just roll the pillows up into the balnkets and...

Step 3: Stuff It!

Stuff it down into a newspaper recycling bin, cap it with more newspaper and place it in an unlikeley place and position for opening. Don't do the stupid and mess with their recycling schedules --- You've got to be around on the sidelines to make sure everything is sorted, acceptable and that your bedroll isn't being tossed in the dumpster, but that's another tale...

Step 4: The Homeless Doug Henning Thing

"It's all an illusion!" One, final layer of cardboard on top of the foam and the spell is cast. It's like it just...DISAPPEARED!

Step 5: I Need More Boxes Over Here!

Spread boxes liberally.

Step 6: Clean It Up

Sweep the area and leave the evidence in a conspicuous place.

Step 7: Where'd It Go?

Bed? What? Homeless? Where? I don't think so.

Step 8: What I've Done With the Time I've Been Given.

The place where I sleep --- the people have stood up for me through some difficult times and I've tried to use the time I've been given to create this trilogy of movies (the 3rd one is being shot now). It's been over 3 years now and "Last of the Big Fat Homeless Berkeley Movies" Is slate for release with all the outtakes from all 3 movies.

There's a bigger instructable about what grattitude can open up for you. Remember, you've got to be around to sort the recycling.