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[Victoria] I grew up in Davis, California [Male interviewer] Davis, okay
25 years And I didn’t speak to my family for 30 years
[Interviewer] How come? [Victoria] Just... reasons... not good
And, I moved all over I ended up in Denver for the last 20 years Doing dentistry
[Interviewer] Dentistry? Like a hygienist? [Victoria] An “EDDA” — expanded duties dental assistant
The only thing I couldn’t do was take tooth structure away Dentist comes in and drills, whatever
[Interviewer] You know, that’s an interesting profession You know, when I go to the dentist, I kinda think...
[Interviewer} Would I want to work in a profession where I have to be in people’s mouths all day? I don’t know
[Victoria] It has the highest suicide rate, dentists are [Interviewer] Really? Dentists have the highest rate? [Victoria] Who wants to go to the dentist?
[Interviewer] So you think that psychologically it kinda gets to them? [Victoria] They’re mad people
[Interviewer] They’re mad people? You mean angry? Or, crazy mad?
Psychologically, a mind-screw [Interviewer] Interesting... Now you’re making me scared to go to the dentist!
[Victoria] No, no, no. Go... not at the end of the week [Interviewer] Not at the end of the week? [Victoria] And go in the morning
[Interviewer] I do go in the morning So your advice, if you’re going to the dentist Is to go in the beginning of the week in the morning?
[Victoria] Correct. [Interviewer] And that’s because they’ll be less worn down from the week. That sounds like good advice.
[Interviewer] Thank you, I learned something today
[Interviewer] So at one point you lived in South Lake Tahoe, you were saying? That’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?
Beautiful. But my ex... In El Dorado County, which is South Lake Tahoe, he got arrested, I didn’t have anything to do with it
The police did. They found what he was doing and I’m like, oh no, this isn’t working out We’re going down, like twelve deep
This is the weirdest law I’ve ever heard In El Dorado County, before... he’s already sentenced Before they take people to prison
They give them an hour out by themselves to take care of their business
You don’t think they’re gonna abscond? Really! [Both laughing]
[Interviewer] And that’s what he did? [Victoria] Oh yeah!
[Interviewer] So they don’t supervise you in any way during that hour? [Victoria] Nothing. No bracelet, nothing.
So they called me, like “Victoria, we’re changing your name to [censored]. You gotta move.
[Interviewer] Oh. So is he back in prison now or is he still out? Oh, so they got him.
He was out from October until March, absconding.
I just did 14 states in 7 days Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas Ended up in Shreveport, Louisiana
[Interviewer] You were just in all those places? Wow! How did you get there?
[Victoria] I’m gypsy-ish type person [Interviewer] You’re a gypsy How did you get to all those places?
I got there with a friend, via whatever and bailed when I got to Shreveport
Not a dime to my name, and I’m like okay, how am I going to work this one out? How am I going to get back... wherever I’m going
I’m sitting there, going, alright, okay... Not calling my dad
So this Marine comes up to me, and he goes “Where do you... where do you belong?”
[Interviewer] Where do you belong? That’s a philosophical question, isn’t it? [Both laughing]
Right. And I’m like, really? And he says, “where did you come from?”
I said, well, I just came from San Francisco via all these states
He says, “come here”. Takes me and buys me a $209 bus ticket, gives me 50 bucks, he was gone
[Interviewer] That’s nice! [Victoria] And that’s how I ended up back
[Interviewer] So of all those places, what was your favorite, do you think?
My favorite? Colorado. Because my kids are there. I just saw them.
[Interviewer] So you have kids? How many? [Victoria] Two boys
[Interviewer] So do they know that you’re wandering? [Victoria] No. They will now! [Interviewer] They might see this — is that okay? [Victoria] That’s okay.
I always thought going home, to Davis, would be going home. My dad was 78 years old, hadn’t spoken to him for years and years and years,
And I thought, eh, just my personal psyche, something did happen, I felt real bad, you know, so
I came back... didn’t work out... grass is not green on the other side
But, my kids are in a state where they are right now, mind frame, you know
And... I’m not sure where I’m going.
Owned plenty of businesses along the way. Ground floor.
[Interviewer] Oh, that’s interesting. So, you’re like an entrepreneur, sort of?
[Victoria] And look at me now, right?! [Interviewer] What sort of businesses?
Hot tub store from ground up. In Denver. Catering company. Housing.
[Interviewer] Was that in Denver, too? For private parties and stuff like that? Anybody famous or anything like that?
No, but when I did dentistry, The Rockies, The Broncos, Avalanche, Nuggets, I worked at a pretty posh dentist office
The old school football players, those poor guys sacrificed their bodies so bad for nothing. They can’t even sit in a chair without 14 pillows and...
[Interviewer] Oh, geez, yes, I’ve heard that [Victoria] Its terrible, poor things
[Victoria] I did cosmetology [Interviewer] You did too, right Bear? [Bear] Yes
[Interviewer] So you both did cosmetology So you could, like, do each other’s hair or something
[Victoria] I didn’t like it [Bear] I loved it, because it got me a chance to be around women, who I adore and respect highly
[Victoria] And I don’t get along with women, so it didn’t work out well for my team
[Interviewer] Yeah, I guess you need to be a barber or something like that, yeah
[Bear] The only reason why I left it was my wife asked me to, so I did
[Interviewer] Was she jealous or something?
I didn’t go into asking her why, but that was somewhat of the concept, being around too many
She trusted me, but, being around too many women, you may get that... thought process, now and then even though you’re trusted
Just happens, I guess part of nature
I was born on Easter, April 2nd
[Interviewer] What sign does that make you? [Victoria] Aeries [Interviewer] Do you believe in Astrology?
[Victoria] I believe in God [Interviewer] Oh, okay
[Victoria] But, there are similarities, cause I’ll meet people and I know [Interviewer] Really
You know, like, “I’m April 3rd” “I’m, April 1st”
And they’re like, “I knew you were Aires” I’m like, “I knew you were too”
Don’t get along with Scorpio, so Bear is not a Scropio
[Interviewer] Yeah, what’s Bear? [Bear] I’m a Leo. [Says “ferociously”] I’m a lion!
[Everybody laughs] [Interviewer] So are you two supposed to be compatible, according to Astrology?
[Victoria] I don’t know [Interviewer] You don’t know [Bear] You know, I don’t know
But, um, I am, ah, very fond of her
[Interviewer] Uh huh, I can kinda tell
[Bear] And, uh, I don’t know, who knows? we’ll see...
[Bear] Slowly but surely [Victoria] But don’t call me Shirley
[Everybody chuckles] [Interviewer] Ha, ha, that’s good
[Interviewer] Do you get any sort of assistance? [Victoria] Food stamps [Interviewer] Food stamps... that’s it
[Interviewer] So you live off of food stamps And you just hang out on the street with Bear
[Victoria] Well, my dad helps me [Interviewer] Oh, does he? Oh, that’s good
And I refuse to do G.A. because I think it’s just a big rut
And it’s stealing from Peter to pay Paul Live in the shelter, pays the shelter
The state pays the shelter 300 and whatever dollars of your money, and you get $60 a month and you gotta go swipe your card 50 times
No, I refuse... I’m too old, you know It’s just... Put you in an S.R.O.
Roach-invested, nasty thing in the T.L. No thank you! It seems wrong to me
[Interviewer] Have you stayed in any of those? [Victoria] No
[Interviewer] I’ve talked to... some people say they’re okay, other people say... you know I suppose it depends on which one you get
[Victoria] I’ve been to them [Interviewer] Yeah, like visiting
[Interviewer] Oh, the Fire Department’s here! [Victoria] That’d be T-3 [Interviewer] That’d be T-3. There they are
[Interviewer] It must be fun to be the guy in the back driving in the back part, what do you think?
[Victoria] Does he drive? [Interviewer] Yeah, he’s got a steering wheel back there
[Victoria] If you ever need blankets, or anything... The other day I was down at... the ocean, down there with one of my friends
[Victoria] And I was freezing, I had no blankets [Interviewer] Like at Ocean Beach or somewhere down there?
[Victoria] Somebody stole all my blankets [Interviewer] Somebody stole your blankets? I’ve heard this a lot, people just steal everything
[Interviewer] The have no scruples, nothing [Victoria] No scruples at all, no
[Bear] It’s like the question: Why do they take from those who have nothing? [Interviewer] Yeah... probably cause it’s easy, right?
[Bear] I guess so [Victoria] I woke up the other night, with Bill down here... (I took off my shoes)
[Victoria] I only had one shoe! [Interviewer] They took one shoe??? [Victoria] One shoe!
[Interviewer] What’s someone gonna do with one shoe? [Victoria] I’m like, what??
Anyway, if you ever are cold, at any point in time, go to the Fire Station, and they will give you blankets
Cause I that down off of, uh, somewhere down there
[Bear] Yeah, but this one here ran out [Victoria] Oh they did?
[Interviewer] I read somewhere the other day that someone was proposing they would outfit this bus, an old Muni bus, with showers and stuff
[Interviewer] And they would drive it around and they would let homeless people take showers for free. Would you take...
[Bear] That would be cool! [Interviewer] So you would like that, so you would take advantage of that?
[Bear] I would take advantage of it as long as they kept it clean!
[Bear] Because M.S.C. South, down on 5th and Bryant, you’re allowed to go in there and take showers
[Victoria] That’s nasty [Bear] But you don’t want to go in there and take a shower
[Bear] They supposedly clean it... No!
[Bear] It’s like... [Victoria] It’s all ugly [Bear] They don’t do a good job, at all!
[Victoria] “Youth With A Mission”, across... I’m resourceful, because I have to be, kinda...
“Youth With A Mission”, across from Glide, Every Friday, at 2:00, you can go in
[Interviewer] Anybody, not just youth? [Victoria] Yeah. Free haircuts on Wednesdays
[Interviewer] Free haircuts on Wednesdays I didn’t know that
[Victoria] A lot of really good things come out of that... All these people, kids from all over the world, come, and they’re like missionaries
[Interviewer] Oh, I see [Victoria] And help out people. It’s cool
[Interviewer] So you’re hanging out in San Francisco now Any plans to do any more traveling?
I’m trying to figure out where I’m going to go. I’m not staying here.
[Interviewer] You’re not staying here [Victoria] No, it’s a nasty... [Interviewer] You don’t like it in San Francisco?
[Victoria] Noo! I don’t. [Interviewer] I’m sorry to hear that [Victoria] That’s alright
It’s just not me... I’m too... conservative, shall we say
[Interviewer] Too “conservative”, interesting
[Interviewer] So, do you feel something about that just being in San Francisco? Do you feel like a fish out of water or something?
Absolutely. I’m walking down the street, and people are walking down the street and all they’re sporting is a backpack — they’re naked!
[Interviewer laughing] [Victoria] That is just so not right! There’s babies, there’s kids and stuff! Really?
I just don’t think that’s... I can’t say “Biblically right”, but just in my world, it’s not
[Interviewer] So do you know of place that you think you might want to go to? [Victoria] I think I might go back to Tahoe
[Interviewer] Back to Tahoe... yeah... That’s very cold in the winter, though, right? [Victoria] Denver.
[Interviewer] Yeah, that’s cold, too [Victoria] Lived in Denver for 20 years, that’s child’s play compared to Denver, Tahoe is
[Interviewer] What’s your favorite color? [Victoria] White [Interviewer] White? That’s interesting
[Interviewer] Is white really a color, I guess it is [Victoria] That’s what everyone says, but it’s... [Both laughing]
[Interviewer] White is all colors, right? All colors mixed together. Interesting.
[Interviewer] So what about special hobbies or special skills?
[Victoria] Golf [Interviewer] Golf! Interesting, golf. [Victoria] I’m a painter
[Interviewer] A painter like oil painting? [Victoria] No, that takes too long to dry. Acrylic.
[Interviewer] What kind? Like, landscapes? [Victoria] Abstract
[Interviewer] I’d ask you to show me your work, but obviously you have nowhere to... yeah
[Interviewer] You don’t get to do any now, I take it? Not even some graffiti somewhere, you should do something
There’s a Community Art Center that I could go to
[Interviewer] Yes, that’s true, have you ever been there?
I have. My friend just had an art show there And sold every one of his paintings
[Interviewer] Wow, that’s nice. Have you ever had any of your art shown at any show anywhere? [Victoria] No.
[Interviewer] Suppose you won the Lottery... Do you ever play the Lottery? [Victoria] No.
[Interviewer] No, never? Is it because it is mathematically impossible, you’re one of those people who says, I’m never gonna beat the odds? Or what?
[Victoria] The odds are way too high [Bear] Well, you know I used to play
I used to buy 25 tickets every two weeks And it didn’t really make enough to keep me interested
Some of the homeless I know, and some of the working girls I know
[Victoria] Me not one of them!
They play it constantly, at least every day and they win!
You know, they tell me, “Well yesterday I played this and I won 50 bucks, and then I won 60 bucks.”
And, gosh! I’m contemplating, like, you know, it’d be nice if I got one that won! But, it’s like, ahhh...
[Interviewer] Obviously, they’re probably stretching the truth a little, because you can’t...
[Bear] No, they do win [Interviewer] They do win sometimes, but not everybody can win all the time or the Lottery wouldn’t make any money
It’s not all the time, but, it’s like... every other day or so, or every two days or so
They’ll tell me, “Ah, got a Lottery ticket, just won $60” And I’m, like, wow, you know, I’m thinking this, right
And then, there’s quite a few, have found tickets, that people didn’t believe they won or whatever, and they’ll pick ‘em up, and go cash it in!
I pick ‘em up now and then, I try to pick up at least one or two a day... Never! I have never found a winner!
[Victoria] I’ve never picked one up
[Interviewer] You know every once in a while, I’ve been at, like, Safeway, or somewhere with a machine, and I’ll get behind some guy who’s got a stack about that high
[Interviewer] Obviously he’s picked ‘em up, and he’s going one by one, trying to find a winner
[Bear] I don’t know, I’ve seen people buy like that I’m standing in line, and they’re “Oh, give me one of those, two of those, three of those”
You know, I’m like, wow, I hope he wins! At least enough to cover what he just paid.
You know, cause some of them are like ten dollars! Five to ten dollar tickets! I’m like, wow.
I don’t play the Lotto because, I just like... sit, wherever. Suits come up. No ill intent at all.
Because, I’m, uh... celibate
[Interviewer] Are you? Okay. [Victoria] Yes [Interviewer] You’re like a nun, sort of?
No. Kind of, but no, no! Gosh, no.
But I’m just sitting there, and suits come by That’s what I call them, you know
They look at me, and I say “Hi, how ya doing?” And I don’t want anything from anyone
And they turn around, look at me, come back 50 bucks, 20 bucks
[Interviewer] Really [Victoria] Constantly [Interviewer] That’s nice
[Interviewer] So it sounds like you are sort of blessed to hit a lot of nice people
Too blessed to be stressed if you know what I mean
[Both laughing] [Interviewer] Too blessed to be stressed [Victoria] Yeah, cause it is what it is
[Interviewer] So there are lot of nice people in the world, would you say? [Victoria] There are, absolutely
[Interviewer] You would agree with that [Victoria] Also a lot monsters
I don’t say “evil” because I don’t use that in my world. That brings demonic things, which I don’t... let...
You bring stuff like that in, you’re inviting ugly... from my world [Interviewer] I see, I see
[Interviewer] Well, my question was going to be Suppose you won the Lottery, what would you do?
[Interviewer] What’s the number one thing you’d want to do if, you know, money was no object?
Give my kids money, and pay off my dad’s house
[Bear] And take care of Bear [Interviewer] Yeah, you forgot about that part! [All laughing]
Oh no, he already knows that, that’s a gimme [All laughing]
[Bear] No, I don’t know, but it will be quite lovely [Victoria] I gave you my last 50 cents... [All laughing]
[Interviewer] Well, anything you want to say out to the world, all the people who are watching? What would you like to say?
God bless us all, and beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone
Doesn’t matter how pretty you are, If you’re ugly, you’re ugly
[Bear] And, I’m gonna add to that one
[Bear] A woman who swears, makes ‘em quite ugly [Victoria] Makes ‘em what?
[Bear] Makes ‘em quite ugly [Victoria] Oh, gotcha
[Interviewer] I think that’s true of anybody who swears, myself, not just women
[Bear] Well, yeah, but men, you kinda get used to... I was in the military, and you kinda get used to it
I don’t swear at all, but if I’m irritated with someone, I’ll call them a “horse’s derrière”
[Interviewer] “Horse’s derrière”, yep, yep
“Derrière”, we... back East... you know it’s... it’s, of course, the butt And I don’t use “butt” either
But, too, not making any judgement, because I can’t do that, but...
He who has not sinned, throw the first stone
God didn’t give me the right to pass judgement
So... go through whatever you’re going through
If you cuss, you cuss, I can’t pass judgement I don’t know what you’ve been through I don’t know where you’ve been, know what I mean?
I wouldn’t even allow... anyone should “shush”, you know, to me that’s... don’t “shush” me
Don’t... shut up... don’t tell, you know that’s wasn’t allowed in my...
[Bear] I apologize for yesterday [Victoria] I got “shushed”
[Interviewer] Did you get “shushed” [Victoria] I did, that’s one of those things
[Interviewer] Did you “shush” her? [Bear] Yes, I did... well, it was like...
I’m attempting to explain something, and I dislike that immensely, you’re attempting to do something...
And everyone wants to get involved... and... and... it’s not helping
It’s just... to me, it’s blowing it out of proportion
Let one say what one has to say That person will understand
[Bear] But you get, two, three, four saying, you know, I believe attempting to help out [Victoria] 14 people with 12 attitudes
Or attempting to get something that you’re attempting... I’m like... please!
[Victoria] Shhh, don’t “shush” me [laughing]
[Interviewer] Thank you very much for the interview, I appreciate it
[Interviewer] I’m sure the world will be interested to see you guys
[Bear, speaking as if someone else] So, what’s up with Bear?
[Interviewer] What’s up with Bear? [Bear] New edition!
[Interviewer] We were talking about how you left Tahoe and I got the impression that there was some kind of bad relationship there
[Interviewer] Because you were talking about having to get out of town, you were, like, fearful of this guy? Is that fair?
[Interviewer] Is that what sort of sort of started this whole wandering experience?
[Interviewer] If he gets out in 8 years, are you gonna be in fear again?
[Interviewer] Okay, that’s good. That’s good. So, some people seeing the video would ask, so I gotta ask
[Interviewer] You know, you’re out wandering which is great, but you’re obviously an intelligent person, you’ve been an entrepreneur
[Interviewer] So, why don’t you get a job and do all that usual stuff, right?
[Interviewer] You’re a free spirit
[Interviewer] What do you think you might do?
[Interviewer] Are you enjoying this wandering period, though?
[Interviewer] So it’s not really by choice [Interviewer] What’s awful?
[Interviewer] So you have plans to do something about that? I mean, what are you gonna do?
[Interviewer] Oh really? That’s terrible
[Interviewer] So you’re kinda waiting for that to happen. Well I wish you the best of luck in that
[Interviewer] What’s a typical day for you like these days. What do you do on your typical day?
[Interviewer] Are these people you know?
[Interviewer] So people you know, you find them passed out and you try to help them
[Interviewer] Sounds like you’re putting a lot of burden on yourself to take care of all these people
[Interviewer] Well, I wish you the best of luck Anything else you want to say to anybody?
[Interviewer] Alright, thank you [Victoria] Thank you
[Closed captions by Party of the Third Part]