To solve the equation 36 - (x + 3) = -5, we can start by simplifying the expression inside the parentheses:

36 - (x + 3) = -5
36 - x - 3 = -5

Next, we can combine like terms:

33 - x = -5

To isolate the variable x, we can subtract 33 from both sides of the equation:

33 - x - 33 = -5 - 33
-x = -38

Finally, we can solve for x by multiplying both sides of the equation by -1:

(-1)(-x) = (-1)(-38)
x = 38

Therefore, the solution to the equation is x = 38.