I don’t normally make any kind of announcement when I add a new blog to my blogroll. That listing is really more for me than my readers, since it provides a convenient way to bookmark the blogs I read most often. A quick survey of my blogroll reveals that nearly all the blogs are focused on either theology or science. But recently I wandered onto a blog that I have found endlessly fascinating: Hobo Stripper.
Hobo Stripper is run by Tara, who lives in her van. She travels the country working as a stripper. Her posts are earthy to say the least, and her life is far removed from my experience and that of most of my readers. I do not understand her choices, but I do not judge her. For reasons I find difficult to define, I feel drawn to her story and her journey. On one level, I admire her survival skills and instincts, and the fact that she has achieved nearly complete independence from our society’s expectations of a normal life. On another level, I worry about her safety and happiness.
But I don’t wish to rescue her. I’m not sure how to respond to Tara, except simply to listen to her and try to understand her. I invite you to do the same.
22 October 2007 at 7:23 am |
I argue that her life, while far removed from our actual experiences, is a lot closer to the path that Jesus said we should follow. Note that wealth and attachment to possessions, isn’t one of her burdens. I envy the ability to decide, on a whim, to drive off to some random different place for no other reason than I wish to go there. But I prostitute my mind to make enough money to pay my mortgage, always worried about what bad thing could happen tomorrow to take down my little house of cards. She, on the other hand, possesses little more than she actually needs to live, and in return gets a higher degree of freedom to enjoy life and pursue things important to her.
This idea was brought home to me solidly at the end of one of her recent posts where she was pondering working some more, or driving south to see some art galleries. She said, “No point agonizing over what the hell I’m going to do, I’m sure it’ll come to me.” Which got me thinking about the teaching about living for the moment rather than the future. Like the birds who don’t worry about where tomorrow’s dinner is coming from, God is looking out for her too.
Consider: She’s pretty much guaranteed a relatively well-paying job regardless of where she is. A job that both pays well enough to not have to do it constantly, as well as having the benefit of being easily gotten and just as easily abandoned. The downsides of her job, however, are identical to any other job: sometimes having to deal with a$$hole managers, co-workers, and/or customers.
Personally, I’m not quite sure what one would even need to rescue her from. From my perspective, most of us are in more need of rescue than she is. But as for “how to respond to her”, I’d say that complimentary words and a nice tip if she ever dances for you would be in order. :)
BTW, I finally saw your comment on my blog, so it’s now approved and replied-to. :)