For the past few months I’ve been watching this post stamp size space near the I-5 offramp, some older vato took it upon himself to make it into his living quarters. Unfortunately, as with all reclamations of unused land in this backwards world, some forces of control seem to have booted him out as the place some of us LH’ers have dubbed The Office since it is now vacant. The space itself kept undergoing constant redesign, with different pictures, signs, and artifacts being added or subtracted all the time. I took the above pic on the sly, the guy is sitting down behind that big metal box. I guess I could’ve asked if it was okay to take some pics, but I don’t like to bother people. It was interesting to see him get visitors, cars would pull up, honk, and hand him food or whatever, have a little chat, and then they’d be on their way. Oh well, it’s gone now. Click ahead to see what remains.
All cleared out except for a few remaining items.
Teddy Bear holds a sign the reads “Jesus es el Senor”. How many more will succumb to the simplistic appeal of religion?
Jesus, I will not do anything that is not your will, father of mine, god of mine.
Wow, that’s a nice piece of work: multi-colored stencils on paper, duct tape frame, wires for hanging.
Scripture on a rock. I can see why he left this behind. I saw him for a few days at the park across the street, with lots of his items loaded into a shopping cart, but he wasn’t there the last time I went by. Hopefully he’s found a new spot at which to make camp for the next few months.
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I noticed the office was gone about a week ago. Damn shame…
I saw him walking today on Ave 26, his shopping cart loaded with many of the items seen in the above pic. For a “hobo” he looks rather well groomed. He looks like the assassin guy from Amores Perros.
This reminds me of the piece Nicky wrote about the encampments/homes in the LA River in LBC that he saw being bulldozed. Here’s the link: http://www.diecastgarden.com/groundfounds/Cacavas/cacavas.html
My family and I were sad to see the Office go. I hope he’s found a new spot. 🙁
The office is back!
was he booted as part of that clean-up day a few weeks ago? seems the timing fits.
anyway, glad to hear he’s back!
I have seen him there a few times, but he hasn’t “moved in” like before, he hangs out near the goodwill often though. Easily recognizable since he has long white hair and a jesus cap!
A year ago three homeless guys decided they liked living and sleeping in the vacant lot right next to my home–just about 5 feet from my driveway.
I’d love to say these guys were as cool as your Office guy, but they weren’t. They slept among some tall weeds and drank so much cerveza(40 oz), that they literally had a growing pyramid of bottles there. Plus, they kept defecating there and staggering around drunk.
I’d further love to say I was utterly charmed and thought these guys fuzzy and cute and that I wanted to adopt them. But that would be a telenovela-worthy mentira. I called the cops on their asses after a week.