Street | CRED

Mike broadcasts from the topiary gardens in Columbus, following his completion of a 2-month jail sentence, lamenting the difficulties of being digitally crippled while trying to survive in a tech-dependent world. Despite finding himself living in poverty, he somehow finds the resilience to enjoy inner peace amidst the beauty he sees while acclimating to life outside of incarceration.

Mike recounts his recent 2-month incarceration at an Ohio correctional facility following a period of absentia, reflecting on the psychological toll of jail. He describes the necessity of surrendering to one’s circumstances and the lingering guilt of failing to intervene during acts of violence.

To exist is political. Mike looks back on his 3-year quest with both triumph and remorse, performing a cappella the Elton John smash hit "I'm Still Standing."

Mike breaches and explores the emerging structure that will be known as the Merchant Building in Columbus, Ohio, adjacent to the North Market in its former parking lot.

Mike reflects on his past 3 years of relying upon the financial and emotional support of others. He emphasizes the power of gratitude, particularly in the form of handwritten thank-you notes, and reflects on others who had worked for him.

Mike tests his new laptop while relaxing on the patio of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. This device replaces Mike’s Chromebook laptop, which was stolen from next to him overnight at Camp Shameless.

Mike finds a fabulous and unexpected solution to his present housing woes.

Mike presents on Street|SMART, a Shared Map of Aid, Resources & Tips made to aid folks on the streets with locating free resources nearby.

Mike reflects on his recent struggles, questioning whether his "sabbatical" has turned into a fool’s errand.

Mike reflects on the hardships of being unhoused for 11 months, contrasting his former life as a high-earning professional with his present reality "on tour" across various cities, and lamenting the lackluster response to WANDA and the Street-SMART app he’s developed.

After having the opportunity to live in seven distinct parts of North America, Mike grows weary of the nomadic transience of moving and reestablishing his social life every few years, now longing for the very thing he used to dread when in his twenties - to “settle down” in his home state of Ohio to focus on building something more everlasting and impactful for the communities and people he cares most about.

Despite living in an age in which everyone has a cellphone (with a clock), folks cannot be bothered to respect each other’s time and show up.

Mike contrasts between his times of being broke/unhoused versus those of financial abundance with a roof over his head.

Mike describes his first impressions of Natchez, Mississippi, from its downtown cafe.

A Grindr date abruptly goes awry during a short roadtrip to the lad’s hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, resulting in the lad speeding off in his vehicle alone, leaving Mike in a hotel parking lot near the Mississippi River in an unfamiliar area with nearly no money, accommodations, or friends. Welcome to Natchez, y’all!

Mike seeks refuge from the rain beneath the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge spanning the Mississippi River.