haRdLy NOrMal

Storyteller takes look at Anchorage’s homeless – Local NBC

hardlynormal — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:09:51 +0000

The local NBC affiliate KTUU’s reporter Ashton Goodell followed me around one afternoon. This may be the best news package to date. Ashton and crew did an amazing job. But what I love is the story includes the community and different viewpoints. I love Ashton’s lead: “It’s hard to say exactly what Mark Horvath does.” By [...]

Alaska’s Homeless As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Police Officer

hardlynormal — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:55:24 +0000

Alaska’s Homeless Problem Is an Alcohol Problem Until my recent trip to Anchorage, Alaska, I had never heard the term “Chronic Public Inebriate,” yet in Alaska the word “inebriate” is spoken everywhere. It is so grafted in Anchorage’s culture that even the homeless call themselves inebriates. At first it bothered me, but I soon learned that [...]

Interview With Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan

hardlynormal — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:18:03 +0000

I was really honored that Mayor Sullivan took the time out of his busy schedule to speak with me this week. Anchorage, Alaska has a very serious homeless problem, and making matters worse a very serious alcohol abuse problem. I was told official number of deaths in 2009 of homeless people was 12 – 14. [...]

First Day In Alaska

hardlynormal — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:05:30 +0000

It is days like this I really wish I had paid more attention in English class. So much happened I want to share with you, yet I just don’t know how to express it in written word. We started the day at the Anchorage Rescue Mission. I started to play with Whrrl again. Lots of great [...]

InvisiblePeople.tv Headed to Alaska

hardlynormal — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:01:03 +0000

I never thought I would be visiting Alaska especially while it’s still winter season. Many of you know I moved to Los Angeles from Upstate New York many years ago because I hate cold. But just like all the other InvisiblePeople.tv trips (Sacramento and National) the stories of homeless people got into my heart. I can’t [...]

NPR reporter Rob Schmitz followed me down Hollywood Blvd

hardlynormal — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:10:54 +0000

A week or so ago Rob Schmitz followed me down Hollywood Blvd. I am also very honored that friends Chris Brogan and Chris Pirllio took the time to be interviewed. Something happened that day I’ll never forget yet there was not enough time to include in the story. Three LAPD officers had seven homeless youth [...]

When Will We Take Care Of Our Own?

hardlynormal — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:01:57 +0000

Feel free to read what you want into that title because this morning I have so many mixed emotions I don’t care what you think of me. I only care that you feel a little bit of what I am feeling so maybe we will all wake up and start taking care of our own [...]

The Volunteer You Turned Away

hardlynormal — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:41:00 +0000

I honestly believe today more than ever people genuinely want to get involved. After my CNN story came out I received lots of emails from people wanting to help. As always I suggest they support their local homeless services. I also give a disclaimer that it may be challenging trying to connect and that the [...]

Happy Birthday Beth

hardlynormal — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:40:11 +0000

I can’t exactly recall when I was first introduced to Beth Kanter’s work. I mean, who in the nonprofit or the social media world does not know how brilliant she is! But I do remember that after I was asked to speak at Gnomedex I started to really pay attention. The year before Beth spoke [...]

Joe’s Finally Home

hardlynormal — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:15:32 +0000

Yesterday we found out our formerly homeless friend died in his apartment. I can honestly say I love Joe. I am still trying to process this, as we all are. When he first came to us he had maggots in his leg. Joe was homeless for close to ten years and was in really [...]