#streetsenserising

I still have enthusiasm for my lofty New Years Resolutions. Well, minus the first one. I have deemed my Resting Bitch Face incurable; I rest easy at night knowing that while I may scare small children with my icy glare, there’s always Botox for my unavoidable (and deep) wrinkles. 

The resolution I am most determined to keep up all year (she says in January...) is trying new things. Specifically, doing something each month that I’ve never done before. I don’t have any hard and fast rules about the types, duration, or setting of these experiences, but they should not be different variations of a similar activity (e.g., a different type of fitness class each month or a new food that has freaked me out- I’m looking at you, citrus) or be centered on booze (while a winery tour is on my bucket list, I’m not counting it).

As I push myself out of my comfort zone each month (hopefully even more frequently than once a month), I will document all the details: how I heard about the “thing”, why I decided to try it out, and my impressions. Along with an account of various levels of awkwardness and anxiety.

What: Miss Pixie Presents: Street Sense Rising

Where: Miss Pixie on U St NW

When: Friday, January 8th

Cost: $7 requested donation 

I enticed my friend D to accompany me to this event. I’m skeptical he only agreed because we had dinner first at Barcelona*, which brings me to another first: I asked for the dessert menu. And then did not order anything. That’s right, folks. I TURNED DOWN DESSERT. I already feel skinnier.

For those of you unfamiliar with Street Sense, it’s a DC organization aimed at bringing awareness to the plight of homelessness and provide services, support, and opportunity to those experiencing homelessness. One of the most well known services to Washingtonians is the Street Sense Paper. The biweekly newspaper is written by individuals who are experiencing (or have experienced) homelessness, focusing poverty and homelessness issues and sold by similar individuals around DC and nearby areas.

I knew little about Street Sense outside of the newspaper, which thankfully has changed. A good friend of my sister’s told me about the event earlier that week, and I figured it was a great opportunity try - and learn - something new. 

Among the many services Street Sense supports is arts education, one division being the Street Sense Filmmakers Co-Op. The Co-Op teaches participants about cinematography, directing, and editing and helps them develop their own films. The event at Miss Pixie ran two films: Fairness Rising and Raise to Rise.

Due to this post already getting lengthy (and spoilers, duh), I won’t get into the films’ details, but I will share that the films made me cry.

Yes, that’s right. Miss Bitch Face has a heart somewhere inside that cold, angry exterior. Google commercials, home videos, well-written cards, and midterms cause me to break down into a mushy, snotty (I am not a pretty crier) mess. I kept it pretty together during the film (only a few tears spilling over and a couple of audible sniffs heard ‘round the whole room), but inside, I was losing it. 

My discomfort with human emotions aside, this was a fantastic event. The films were eye opening, causing me to reflect on my previous relationship with those experiencing homelessness in the city: giving spare change when I have it, buying an occasional cup of coffee, but mostly staring straight ahead and ignoring it. I’m hoping to drastically change that relationship by getting more involved with Street Sense (as more than someone who donates or reads a newsletter) by volunteering, attending more events, and interacting with the newspaper vendors I see all over the city.

My first order of business in my quest to become a less selfish and more engaged human being is to urge my fellow Washingtonians to check out Street Sense, and see what you can do (donating, events, or even just buying a $2 paper every other week).