Housing Works - At Auction

I love the display windows at Housing Works on E. 23rd St. I think because they convey the message of demented domesticity, which is really the truth of the matter when it comes right down to it. Incidentally, they also often have some really great stuff - clothing and furniture - that is not available for sale, but is available for silent auction.

While I have never partaken (partook?) in said silent auction activity, I did look into it briefly one time...and have considered doing so again. You need to go into the store and put your name on a list with the amount of money you are willing to spend on the particular item(s) that you are interested in. Then, after the auction closes, I believe they determine the "winner" by looking to see who was willing to pay the most.

I know that this may not be exactly accurate and some of you may be thinking to yourselves, "this is common knowledge, what is this ditz talking about?" but humor me as I am just finding my way through life and this big scary town one day at a time. That, and I suppose I should have done a bit more reasearch on this before I decided to write about it.

Anyway, I think I decided to not pursue the silent auction approach with much fervor as people are willing to spend absurd amounts of money on other people's trash in this town. Go to Michigan with a van and get some real deals on antique furniture - prices that would make even the Salvation Army in NYC laugh.

But when all is said and done, remember Housing Works mission: "to ensure that adequate housing, food, social services, harm reduction and other drug treatment services, medical and mental health care, and employment opportunities are available to homeless persons living with AIDS and HIV and to their families as they define them."

So it is most certainly money well-spent.